Komboloi Museum

As I was walking down Staikopoulou street, in the heart of the old town, I noticed a small corner building named "Komboloi Museum".

The paradise of the chaplet
Curiosity made me cross the doors of this beautiful building of two storeys from the Ottoman period, one of the few surviving in Nafplio. The small space immediately makes you feel warmth and cozy. Everywhere you turn, you can see Komboloi (chaplets). Everything you can think of, you will find it here. Many articles were written for this special museum and workshop from Greek and foreign press, that dealt with the specificity and originality of this effort. The guests' book is full of dedications in a lot of languages. Yes, Komboloi Museum hosteled lots and lots of people from all around the world.

A story... bead by bead
The workshop (located on the ground floor) was founded (along with the Museum) in April 1998 by the owners Mr. Aris Evangelinos and Mrs. Rallou Gromitsari. The story begins in 1958 in Alexandria of Egypt. Mr Evangelinos grandfather, was the first who worked with komboloi. There Mr. Evangelinos learned the secrets of chaplets and started collecting them. The workshop maintains the old beads and creates replicas of old komboloi from handmade beads, most of which are manufactured in workshops in the East. Here, you can find chaplets made of amber (old and modern cutting), coral, wood, bones, bakelite, horns, crystals, various fruits, blends old resins, artificial resin and many other materials. Of these materials (except from the countless beads in different sizes and colors) special charms, key holders, and unique jewelry are manufactured, worth trying on.

Did you know that?
The price of komboloi depends on the material that it is made. At the store you can find chaplets from 6 €!
Ask for help, to find the one that suits you.

Worth to see
Upstairs, operates the world's only Museum of Komboloi. Visit the four small rooms of the Museum, following the story of beads and chaplets!

Open
All the year

Open Hours
Shop: Everyday 09:30 – 22:30
Museum: Everyday 09:30 – 20:30
Closed every Tuesday