National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is so vast, so impressive and
so important that locally it is simply referred to as ‘The
Museum’. Housed in a Neo-Classical gem of a building covering
almost an entire block north of Omonia Square, EAM is Greece’s
pre-eminent archaeological museum and one of the richest in the
world where ancient Greek art is concerned. The collections are
representative of all the cultures that flourished in ancient
Greece, from the Cycladic civilization of the 3rd millennium BC
to the golden age of Classical Greece and the later Roman
period. The Mycenaean Collection is very fine and includes the
Mask of Agamemnon and the famous Warrior Vase unearthed by
Heinrich Schliemann. Don’t miss the bronze statue of Poseidon of
Artemision in the Classical sculpture collection, or the Ephebos
of Antikythira in the Late Classical rooms.
EAM also houses the beautiful Minoan frescoes uncovered at Thira
and the world’s most comprehensive collection of ancient Greek
pottery. To celebrate the Olympic Games in 2004, from
June-September EAM will hold an exhibition entitled ‘Agon’,
which will explore the theme of competitive struggle in ancient
Greek life.
Oktovriou 28-Patission 44
Tel: 210 821 7717
Open: Closed until June 2004; then 12.30pm-7pm Mon; 8am-7pm
Tue-Fri; 8.30am-3pm Sat-Sun
Metro Station: Victoria
Numismatic Museum
Housed in the former mansion of celebrated archaeologist
Heinrich Schliemann, the Iliou Melathron opened as the new home
of the Numismatic Museum in December 1999. The museum hosts a
collection of over 600,000 coins dating from the ancient
Hellenic world, Roman and Byzantine periods into Europe in the
middle ages and modern day. There are also an impressive number
of hoards, weights, lead seals, medals and gems to view. The
museum offers a real insight into the chronological,
archaeological and crafted aspects of ancient Greek coinage.
El. Venizelou (Panepistimiou)
12
Tel: 210 361 2540
Web:
www.nma.gr
Open: 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun
Metro Station:
Syntagma
National Historical Museum
Housed in the Old Parliament Building, this museum documents
modern Greek history from the fall of Constantinople in the 15th
century to the Greco-Italian War of 1940. Exhibited in
chronological order, the works include items from Byzantine and
Medieval times through to
to memorabilia from the Royal Court. This is the place
for anyone with a particular interest in the Greek War of
Independence (1821-1829). The museum claims amongst its
collection Byron’s helmet and sword. From February-September,
the museum will hold a special exhibition documenting the
revival of the Modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the city of
Athens during that time.
Old Parliament Building, Stadiou
13
Tel: 210 323 7617
Open: 9am-2pm Tues-Sun
Metro Station: Syntagma
City of Athens Museum
Housed in the restored 19th-century palace where King Otto and
his bride Amalia lived during the 1930s, this museum houses a
wonderful collection of memorabilia from the couple’s life,
including furniture, portraits and even the modest throne room
where they received important visitors. There are also paintings
and prints of Athens in the 19th-century, along with a model of
the city in 1842, when it was just a fraction of its size today.
In 2004 the museum will stage two exhibitions: from March to
June ‘Travellers to Athens in the 15th and 19th Centuries’; and
June to September ‘Athens Through the Eyes of Contemporary Greek
Artists’.
Paparigopoulou 7
Tel: 210 324 6164
Web:
www.athenscitymuseum.gr
Open: 10am-2pm (Oct-May), 9am-2pm (Jun-Sept); closed Tues
Metro Station: Panepistimiou
