In this unique in the world Worry Beads Museum, the Evagelinos family welcomes us. Aficionados of the "komboloi" and its art, they collect and study it since 1958. The grandfather of the family lived in Alexandria, Egypt; there he was initiated to the secrets of this oriental art.
An extensive collection that opens the gates of mysticism and pray, it includes worry beads of Hinduists, Budists, Muslims; also rosaries, either Catholic, or from Greek monasteries in Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt. The collection spans from 1550 to 1950, and reveals rare and unexpected materials including original amber, mastic-amber, faturan-amber, black (yusuri) and red coral, ivory, bone, horn, ebony, and other materials.
Our senses are enchanted by the aromas and the colours. The museum is situated on 25, Staikopoulos Street. The exhibition is on its top floor. At the ground floor is the workshop of the museum where old worry beads are restored and identical copies of the old ones are made from handmade beads manufactured in the East. The workshop offers restoration of old heirloom worry beads belonging to families, free of charge. There is also a shop downstairs where someone can buy a copy of the exhibits. Worry beads are without doubt the most famous souvenir identified with the city of Nafplio.
