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A magnificent white Neo-Classical mansion of 1867. It was bought by Emmanuel Benakis in 1910, passed to his children, then was presented to the state in 1931 when it opened as a museum.

Around 3000 BC, the introduction of metallurgy marked the transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. Outstanding examples from this period are these three cups, two gold (one of which is shown above) and one silver, hammered into simple forms with minimal decoration. They date from 3000–2800 BC.

During the late Bronze Age, ornamental jewellery was used to display personal wealth. This hoard of Mycenaean gold jewellery includes an engraved gold signet ring, depicting a sacred marriage connected to the worship of a prehistoric goddess.

This stunning display of Hellenistic and Roman gold jewellery from the 3rd–2nd centuries BC employs filigree and granulation (beads of gold soldered onto metal) to produce minutely crafted earrings, necklaces, bracelets and diadems. The decorative band above has a knot of Herakles at its centre.

Domenikos Theotokopoulos (1541–1614) became known as El Greco while living in Spain. Two early works here, completed while the artist was still in his native Crete, include The Adoration of the Magi , influenced by the Venetian School.

The richly painted and gilded wooden ceiling and panelled walls of this room – a reconstruction from a Macedonian mansion – recall a time when these crafts flourished in the region, as local merchants prospered under Ottoman rule.

Another reconstruction from Macedonia, this mid-18th-century reception room features a minutely carved wooden ceiling, ornate built-in wooden cupboards and a low seating area, complete with Persian rugs and cushions, and a wrought-iron coffee table.

Finely decorated swords, sabres and rifles, a painting of a long-haired moustachioed freedom fighter from 1821 and a portable writing desk belonging to Lord Bryon are among the displays.

Cultural overload? Take a break on the rooftop terrace café overlooking the trees and lawns of the National Gardens.

Here, exhibits such as ceramic bowls and tiles, jewellery and Byzantine icons have been carefully reproduced, using original craft techniques where possible.