Tzisdarakis Mosque in Monastiraki

Tzisdarakis Mosque in Monastiraki, originally uploaded by Ava Babili.

The mosque overlooking Monastiraki Square was built in 1759 under Ottoman rule. After the liberation of Athens, it was transformed into a museum, where a collection of traditional Greek handicrafts was exhibited. Nowadays, the Tzami, as it is known by the Athenians, houses the Pottery Collection of the Museum of Greek Folk Art. The collection, donated by V. Kyriazopoulos, consists of splendid works by contemporary artists but also includes everyday ceramic objects, as well as tourist souvenirs.