Komboloi Museum: The Only Museum of Its Kind in the World
On Staikopoulou street, in Nafplio's old town, stands a museum with no equal anywhere else on the planet: the Komboloi Museum. It was founded in April 1998 by Aris Evangelinos and Rallou Gromitsari, collectors who have studied worry beads since the 1970s.
The family's connection to the komboloi begins in Alexandria, Egypt, where Mr. Evangelinos's grandfather lived and introduced them to the "secrets" of the craft. Since then, the couple has travelled the world collecting rare and antique worry beads and prayer beads — Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, and Greek — building a collection unique in the world.
What You'll See Inside
The exhibition spans 4 rooms on the upper floor:
- Room A: Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim prayer beads
- Room B: Christian Orthodox and Catholic prayer beads
- Rooms C & D: Greek komboloi
The collection includes more than 700 worry beads and prayer beads, dating from 1550 to 1950, made from natural Baltic amber, amber-mastic, faturan amber, black coral (yusuri), red coral, ivory, bone, horn, and wood.
The ground floor houses the museum's workshop, where old family heirloom komboloi are restored free of charge, and faithful reproductions are handcrafted from beads. The museum shop sits alongside it.
Why It's Unique
The museum operates under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Culture and remains, according to all sources, the first and — at least to date — only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to worry beads. Its mission is to preserve and promote the tradition of the Greek komboloi.
Practical Information
Address: Staikopoulou 25, Nafplio (Old Town)
Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:30-20:30 (closed Tuesdays)
Exhibition ticket price: €2
Time needed: 20-30 minutes
See Also
Why is the Komboloi Museum unique?
It's the first and, to date, the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to worry beads, with a collection spanning 400 years of history.
Who founded the museum?
Aris Evangelinos and Rallou Gromitsari, in April 1998, continuing a family tradition of collecting worry beads that began in Alexandria, Egypt.
What will I see inside the museum?
Worry beads and prayer beads from Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, and Greek traditions, across 4 rooms, made from amber, coral, ivory, and other materials.
