Last updated: 01/10/2019
Check out all the details to discover the Archaeological Museum of Athens, the largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world dedicated to ancient Greek art.
THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS
Founded in 1829, the Archaeological Museum of Athens houses some of the most important archaeological artifacts in Greece, from Prehistory to Late Antiquity. It is the largest museum in Greece and is considered one of the biggest and best museums in the world and contains the richest collection on the planet of items from Greek antiquity. The museum has been operating in the current building since 1889 and has a neoclassical design. Right in front of the museum, there is a large and beautiful garden also designed in neoclassical design and decorated with sculptures.
The building that houses the Archaeological Museum of Athens has undergone many expansions over time due to the need to accommodate the growing collection of artifacts. It was completely renovated for the 2004 Olympics held in Athens. The works included an aesthetic and technical update to the building, the installation of a modern air conditioning system, the reorganization of the museum's collection, and the repair of damage caused by the 1999 earthquake.
Currently, although it has about 8,000 m² of galleries, there are still discussions about the need to further expand the museum to adjacent areas. There are plans for an underground expansion at the front of the museum.
CURIOSITY: WORLD WAR II
A curiosity is that during the Second World War the museum was closed. The antiquities were stored in special protective boxes and buried, with the aim of preventing them from being destroyed by the Nazis. It was reopened only in 1945 with the end of the war.
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THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS
Although its original purpose was to secure all discoveries from 19th century excavations in and around Athens, it gradually became a National Archaeological Museum. As time passed, it was enriched with finds from all over Greece. Its collections, with more than 11 thousand artifacts, provide an overview of Greek civilization from the beginnings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity. There are 5 major permanent collections:
- Collection of Prehistoric Antiquities: It includes works from the great civilizations that developed along the Aegean Sea from 6000 BC to 1050 AD (periods Neolithic, Cycladic and Mycenaean) and settlement findings from the ancient city of Thera (located on the Greek island of Santorini).
- Sculpture Collection: It shows the development of ancient Greek sculpture from the 7th century BC to the 5th century BC, with a collection of unique masterpieces.
- Collection of Vases and Smaller Objects: It contains representative works of ancient Greek pottery from the 11th century BC to the Roman period and includes the Stathatos collection (name of a Greek donor and benefactor), a collection of smaller objects from all periods, including the Vlastou-Serpieri Collection, a Terracotta Figures Collection, jewelry collection, and Glass Vases Collection.
- Bronze Collection (Metallurgical): This collection contains many fundamental statues, figures and smaller objects wrought in bronze.
- Collection of egyptian antiquities It's from east: The collection features works dating from the pre-dynastic period, around 5,000 BC until the Roman conquest. The museum's Egyptian collection, considered one of the best in the world, includes more than 6,000 artifacts, only about 1,000 of which are on display. In addition to Egyptian antiquities, there are also artifacts from the island of Cyprus.
Read more: Athens: 3 Days Itinerary in the Capital of Greece
HOW IS THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM DIVIDED
The Archaeological Museum of Athens has 3 floors accessible to the general public. Briefly, they are:
- Ground floor: On this floor you will find the ticket office and most of the museum's collection. The following collections are here: Collection of Prehistoric Antiquities, Sculpture Collection, Bronze Collection, Egyptian Antiquities Collection, Stathatos collection and temporary exhibitions.
- First floor: This floor is much smaller than the Ground Floor, and concentrates the Collection of Vases and Smaller Objects, which includes vases, terracotta figurines, jewelry, glass and other artifacts. THE Cyprus collection is also on this floor.
- basement: There are no exhibitions in this area. But, you will find a nice interior garden with sculptures, a Coffee, the museum shop and restrooms. At the Café, a series of hot dishes, ready-to-eat sandwiches, drinks and desserts are served. The opening hours of the Cafés follow the same opening and closing hours as the museum.
HOW TO GET TO THE ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The museum is a bit far from the historic center of Athens, but can be reached easily by public transport. One of the easiest ways is by taking the subway. For this, use the following lines/stations of the Athens metro:
- Victoria Station: answered by the line M1, walk for about 7-8 minutes until you reach the museum
- Omonia Station: served by the lines M1 and M2, walk for about 10 minutes until you reach the museum
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Athens Archaeological Museum (Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο)
- Address: 44 Patission Street, Athens 106 82, Greece
- Schedules:
- April to October: Monday from 1 pm to 8 pm / Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm
- November to March: Monday from 1 pm to 7:30 pm / Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 3 pm
- Entrance: £10
- Tours: see all information about guided tours in this link
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Read more about Athens:
- Athens: 3 Days Itinerary in the Capital of Greece
- Greece: Visit to the Historic Acropolis of Athens
- Greece: The must-see Acropolis Museum in Athens
- Greece: Combined Ticket in Athens to 7 Archaeological Sites
- Greece: 5 Delicious Restaurants in Athens (with map!)
- Typical Greek Dinner with Breaking Plates Dance in Athens
- Greece: Accommodation tip in Athens near the Acropolis
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