Onassis Digital Library

The Onassis Foundation began digitizing the Onassis Library's three large collections early, back in 2013. The first phase was completed in 2016 and included 110,000 documents from the Hellenic Library, during 2017 more than 2.000 items, pertaining to the Cavafy archive, were digitized. Thanks to the use of new technologies, the visitor can now leaf through and study rare editions interactively.

In 2025 the Onassis Foundation has completed the major project “From Digitization to Digital Culture: Actions for the Promotion and Utilization of Digital Assets by the Onassis Library and the Cavafy Archive,” inviting researchers, scholars, and the general public to engage with a new digital experience, further expanding their horizons of knowledge and research through a contemporary and vibrant cultural hub. The project aimed to the digitization and documentation of the significant cultural assets contained within the collections of the Onassis Library, employing specialized applications and providing open access to the Aristotle Onassis’ Personal Library, the Hellenic Library, the Travel Accounts Book Collection, the Historical and Literary Archive, and the Cavafy Archive.

The new online portal of the Onassis Library, library.onassis.org, aims to provide open access to seven centuries of cultural heritage, catering to both researchers and the general public. With continuously expanding literary and archival collections spanning from the 15th century right up to the present day, and an extensive collection of artworks covering a broad range of artistic movements and historical periods, the digital Onassis Library serves as a sanctuary of rare stories, sources, images, and books. More than 10,000 volumes and a rich archival collection are preserved, protected, and free to "travel" without geographical restrictions, offering every interested individual the opportunity to explore them.

Designed in accordance with the latest international standards and ensuring accessibility via mobile devices (smartphones and tablets), the digital Onassis Library provides easy navigation and a seamless, user-friendly experience for all visitors.

The library.onassis.org platform serves as the contemporary repository for the digitized collections of the Library, offering insights into the history of their formation, as well as descriptions of significant artworks and exhibits.

Entering the wonderful world of the Onassis Library, visitors of all ages have an ally in contemporary technology. Aiming to utilize innovative technologies to highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Onassis Library, the Onassis Foundation has implemented a series of digital applications that enhance accessibility to the Foundation’s cultural material and improve the visitor experience within the Library’s premises.

The Onassis Library’s Virtual Reality Tour app (VR) opens the digital doors of a historic library. Through an interactive video featuring 360° panoramic views of the space, users can embark on a virtual journey, discovering information on selected exhibits, including objects, books, and artworks from the Onassis Foundation’s rare collections. This innovative experience blends cultural heritage with technology, making the Onassis Library accessible to everyone, anytime, and from anywhere in the world. A modern and engaging way to connect with art and history, using pioneering tools that highlight the timeless value of culture.

The Augmented Reality Digital Guide app is designed to enhance visitors' experiences within the Onassis Library’s physical space by offering multimedia content through Augmented Reality (AR) technology. The Digital Guide assists visitors during their tour, tailoring its suggestions to their individual interests and available time. Additionally, it provides access to supplementary information, augmented visual representations, and text-to-speech features, "bringing to life" selected exhibits such as Maria Callas’ piano, Homer’s Iliad, and the French Encyclopedia.

The Digital Exhibitions application showcases the Onassis Foundation’s art collection and brings it closer to the public. Each exhibition functions as both a repository and a comprehensive experience, as every artwork is accompanied by curated additional content.
Through this application, the Digital Exhibitions are structured to provide a deeper and multifaceted understanding of selected artists. The initial launch features digital exhibitions dedicated to Yannoulis Chalepas and Theodoros Poulakis, shedding light on their artistic contributions and impact through modern technologies.

The C. P. Cavafy’s Timeline educational app was created to illuminate the life, work, and era of the great Alexandrian poet, utilizing and highlighting archival materials from the digital Cavafy Archive. The public can explore the decades of his life through three categories of information, discovering in their own way one of the most significant poets of the Greek diaspora, whose influence remains global and timeless.

The Ιnteractive map “C. P. Cavafy’s Alexandria—The Years in Alexandria” highlights the poet’s connection with his city, Alexandria, through 29 unique landmarks. Digitized records from the Cavafy Archive and other collections are presented for each selected location, allowing users to navigate the application just like a modern map with the added ability to switch between today’s image of Alexandria and its appearance in the 1920s, offering a layered historical perspective.

The Aristotle Onassis Timeline brings to life the key events of his life through 31 pivotal milestones in his biography. Designed to provide a comprehensive view of his journey and achievements, the timeline unveils lesser-known aspects and stories that shaped his life, presented through valuable archival material.

MuseumPlus RIA is a comprehensive platform for collection management designed to meet the multifaceted needs of cultural institutions. From scholarly documentation and exhibition organization to conservation, image asset management, event planning, and public relations, the application fully supports the holistic management of cultural assets.

As part of the EPAnEK program, the implementation of the new version of the MuseumPlus RIA has been completed, enhancing the digital preservation, effective management, and availability of materials from the Onassis Foundation’s collections of books, archives, and artworks.

With MuseumPlus RIA, digital technology meets cultural heritage, providing tools that improve access and visibility of rare documents for everyone.