Athens serves as the capital city of the country of Greece and is a city that is rich in historical sights and archeological sites. Known as the “birthplace of Classical Greece,” it has magnificent temples dedicated to the different gods and goddesses of Greek mythology.
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece is the perfect place to learn all about the history of the city and the country.
L
ocation
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece is located at 44 Patission Street, close to Omonia Square. It is adjacent to Athens Polytechnic.
Getting There
There are several ways to reach The National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece: via the Metro, bus or taxi.
Line 1 and Line 2 of the Metro pass through Omonia Square so you can take any one of these to reach the museum.
For buses, take bus number 224 or bus number 226. Taxis are also available and there is a taxi stand right in Omonia Square so you can take a taxi from any part of Athens and get one from the Omonia Square taxi stand once you want to go back to your hotel or your point of origin.
What to See
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece has a wide collection of artifacts, relics, photos and even documents and rare literature. The exhibits are divided into categories.
These categories are: Prehistoric Collection, Sculptures, Vase and Minor Objects Collection, Metallurgy, and Egyptian and Near Antiquities.
At the Prehistoric Exhibit, you will get to see various relics of the different civilizations in the Aegean starting from the 6th BC to 1050 BC. These include Neolithic and Mycenaean works plus those found from the ancient city of Thera.
The Sculptures Exhibit showcases works from ancient Greece between the 7th and 5th BC; while the Vase and Minor Objects Exhibit has on display samples of pottery from the 11th BC up to the Roman Era.
The Metallurgy Exhibit has on display various figurines and statues while the Egyptian and Near Antiquities Exhibit showcases works starting from the pre-dynastic era which is around five thousand BC.
Brief History
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece was established to provide a specialized area dedicated to archeological finds in the country. It is the biggest of its kind in the country.
The government of Greece, the Archeological Society and a private citizen pooled their resources together to provide funds for the construction as well as the transfer of the objects that will be displayed inside the museum.
The main building was finished in the year 1889. An east wing was later added between the years 1903 and 1906; and then much later, a two-floor annex was also added between the years 1932 and 1939.
Cost
The cost to visit the National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece is seven Euros per person. For E.U. senior citizens and students, entry fee is three Euros.
Entry fee is waived for visitors below 19 years of age, students from European countries, soldiers, guides and journalists.
Other Information
The National Archaeological Museum in Athens – Greece is open on Mondays from 1:30 in the afternoon up to 8 in the evening; and Tuesdays to Sundays, from 8:30 in the morning up to 5 in the afternoon.
The museum is closed on December 25 and 26, January 1, March 25, Easter Sunday and May 1.
