Marble reflects Greek cultural heritage. From Antiquity until today, the crystalline rock has shaped the art and architecture of the country. Tinos island, the reference point of the marble craft tradition, is home to the Museum of Marble Craft. Run by the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation, the institution reveals all about the technology of the glowing stone, narrating how massive blocks are moulded into graceful pieces of art.
Along with original marble works, the permanent exhibition features authentic objects such as plaster of Paris copies, tools, and the richest collection in Greece of sketches by master craftspeople. The Cycladic island has produced renowned Greek artists, including the sculptors Yianoulis Halepas and Dimitrios Filippotis. Through spectacular audio-visual representations, the traditional work methods are vividly illustrated. The Museum also showcases the social and economic context in which local workshops develop.