An image of the Hellenic Museum/former Royal Mint building's exterior, captured from the southern gate - facing North on a clear, sunny day.
The foyer of the Hellenic Museum, looking towards its back entrance. The foyer is lined with a dark patterned carpet, three large marble statues against the side walls, and an entrance sign for an exhibition. A reception desk is just visible in the foreground left corner.
An image of a section of the Gods, Myths & Mortals exhibition, showcasing white showcase displays with an ancient Greek gold wreath dating back to the 4th - 3rd c. BCE, hanging within. To the left of the image, a bright Byzantine information panel is also in view introducing the viewers to a timeline, the history and artefacts of this period. Byzantine Pottery is also visible in the background within the showcase cabinetry.
An image of the Hellenic Museum/former Royal Mint building's exterior, captured from the southern gate - facing North on a clear, sunny day.

Hellenic Histories at the former Royal Mint

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John James Clark 1872

Description

The Melbourne Mint’s first coins were struck here in 1872. It continued to produce gold coins and bronze pennies until 1931 and later came to play a vital role in Australia’s adoption of decimal currency. The heritage-listed building is actively conserved, and open to the public today as the home of the Hellenic Museum.

What's On

There will be a self-guided walking tour available of Hellenic-influenced architecture in Melbourne CBD. The tour will begin at the Hellenic Museum, which is housed in the heritage-listed former Royal Mint building, a Renaissance Revival structure designed by the prolific J.J. Clarke and constructed 1869–1872. Visitors will receive free access to the building, and a QR-enabled map with resources on the building’s significance.

The map will then lead visitors beyond our walls to view other heritage and contemporary landmarks across the city which showcase varied levels of Greco-Roman influence, like State Library Victoria, Parliament House, the Court District, University of Melbourne, RMIT University, the Greek Precinct, Customs House, Eureka Building, the NGV and the Shrine of Remembrance, all of which feature Greek influences in their architecture.

There will also be a museum tour guide offering tours of the former Royal Mint building discussing the building's history and uses over time.

Images: (1) Hellenic Museum. Photo: courtesy of the Hellenic Museum. (2) Hellenic Museum Foyer. Photo: courtesy of the Hellenic Museum. (3) Gods, Myths & Mortals exhibition. Photo: Casey Horsfield. (4) Hellenic Museum. Photo: courtesy of the Hellenic Museum.

Important Details

Time & Date

Saturday 27 July
Open access 10am-4pm
Museum tours run 11am, 12.15pm + 1.30pm
Running for 45 minutes in groups of 25

No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

ACCESSIBILITY

Partially wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Elevator access

There is a small portion of the tour that is inaccessible to wheelchairs however we will endeavour to provide a digital experience for those guests who can not visit that particular space.

Location

280 William St, Melbourne VIC 3000

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