Athens is the cradle of ancient civilization. The capital of Greece attracts tourists from all over the world. Every traveler wants to touch living history. This city is imbued with the spirit of antiquity and ancient artifacts can be found literally at every step. But in order to find out interesting information, it is better not just to walk and admire the beauties, but to visit one of the museums of Athens. The capital of Greece leads in their number. There are more than 200 museums in the city, each of them has its own theme and is interesting in its own way.
National Museum
One of the richest expositions can please the National Museum of Athens. It is located near Panepistimio metro station in the old building of the Greek Parliament. The exposition was based on items collected by the ethnographic society in the 19th century. Here are exhibits from the time of the fall of Constantinopleand up to World War II.
In the museum part of the exposition is dedicated to Greek statehood and the formation of independence. Items belonging to famous revolutionaries and politicians are exhibited, as well as numerous photographs, letters, weapons and documents. In addition, in the halls you can see national costumes from different parts of the country, Byzantine armor and paintings.
Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest in the country. It is located on Patision Street. It exhibits more than twenty thousand exhibits belonging to different eras. Here is the richest collection of ceramics and sculptures in the world. The museum presents objects of the prehistoric era, which date back to 7 thousand BC. e. Here you can see items made of bone and ceramics, gold jewelry and weapons.
Mycenaean culture is presented in a separate room. The finds found during the excavations are interesting: stone seals, weapons and household items made of bronze, gold utensils and jewelry, as well as wall paintings. In the hall of the Cycladic culture, samples of products of the "Bronze Age" are presented: marble figurines, vessels, weapons. This museum has the richest collection of sculptures in the world.
They were found in different parts of the country and belong to different historical eras. It is surprising with what precision the ancient masters worked out the details in their works. The museum presents a collection of ceramic products,covering the period from the XI century BC. e. until the Roman era. You can see firsthand how craftsmanship and technology have improved.
Here exhibited samples of the cultural heritage of Ancient Egypt and the Middle East, starting from the 5th millennium BC. e to IV in BC. e.
The Archaeological Museum of Athens is worth a visit to plunge into the history of one of the oldest states on the planet.
Acropolis Museum
Acropolis is one of the most famous places in Greece. Ancient buildings still amaze with their grandeur and originality. It is history itself, set in stone. Archaeological excavations and research work have been carried out in this place for decades, giving historians new information. The museum was first opened at the end of the 19th century. But in 2007, a new building was built, which opened its doors at the very foot of the Acropolis on Dionysius the Areopagite Street, 15.
The huge, ultra-modern building of the Acropolis Museum in Athens houses artifacts found in the area dating back to the 19th century. Antique statues, religious objects, ancient bas-reliefs - these are just a small part of the exhibits presented here. The floor in the museum is made of glass, as the building is located directly above the foundations of ancient buildings that were erected many centuries ago.
This museum in Athens allows you to dive back into the past.
Byzantine Museum
One of the famous and visited is the Byzantine Museum in Athens. Back in 1914, the history of his collection began. Openingmuseum took place in 1923. It is located in the beautiful Villa Ilisia, the former residence of the Duchess of Pleasant, Sophia Lebrun.
In the last century, the structure was reconstructed. The external appearance of the building remained unchanged, but three more floors appeared, going deep into the earth. On the lower tier, the Christian basilica V and the interior decoration of the Byzantine church of the 11th century were recreated.
More than 25,000 exhibits relating to Byzantine and Christian art are on display. Here you can see paintings, drawings, engravings of great artists, samples of ceramic products, original frescoes. As well as rich embroidery, ancient books and manuscripts that have survived to this day.
Icons are an important part of the exposition of this museum in Athens. The main attraction of the museum and the shrine of the country is the icon of St. Catherine of Alexandria. No less famous is the image of George the Victorious, one side of which is gold and the other is silver.
The address of the Byzantine Museum is 22 Vasilissis Sofias Ave., not far from Evangelismos metro station.
Numismatic Museum
Another attraction of Athens is the Numismatics Museum. A huge collection of ancient coins, medals and precious stones is exhibited here, which has no analogues anywhere in the world. The mansion in which the exposition is located, previously belonged to the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who became famous for finding the legendary Troy.
The collection of the museum in Athens dates back to 1834 and during this time has grown many times over. One of the hallsdedicated to the former owner of the mansion. Here are exhibits dedicated to his life and archaeological research.
In the museum you can see coins of different eras, each exhibit is accompanied by a detailed annotation. The tools that were used to mint coins in ancient times are also exhibited here. You can learn a lot of new and interesting things about numismatics.
Those who wish can listen to a short course about coinage or try their hand at this difficult task. Keepers of the craft will share the secrets of craftsmanship and teach a practical lesson.
Tower of the Winds
An amazing monument of ancient architecture - the Tower of the Winds. The building was built in the 1st century AD. e. It still houses a functioning weather station. From ancient times, weather, winds and time were monitored in the tower.
The friezes of the building are decorated with images of gods, which were personified with one direction or another. So, the north wind was patronized by the god Boreas, the northeast by Kaikiy, the east by Aphelios, the southeast by Eurus, the south by Not, the southwest by Lips, the west by Zephyr, and the northwest by Skiron. Under the images of deities, a sundial dial is marked, showing the exact time. And in case of cloudy weather, a water clock is provided.
The building is in a deplorable state and needs restoration. This attraction is located near the Roman Agora.
Practical information
Almost all museums in Athens work according to the sameschedule. From Monday to Sunday they are open from 8:00 - 20:00. On Good Friday - from 12:00 - 17:00. Days off: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter, December 25, 26.
Reviews of tourists
During a trip to Athens, many tourists liked the Acropolis Museum. It was hot outside, but cool in the spacious halls. The building is huge, modern, the exhibition is amazing. Many also liked the National Archaeological Museum. The exhibition is thoughtful and interesting. When visiting, it is better to use the services of a guide who will tell a lot of informative about the exhibits. Tourists were especially impressed by the hall, which exhibits sculptures raised from the seabed.
The list of museums in Athens is extensive and varied. Here everyone will find something interesting for themselves. Fans of military affairs can go to the Military Museum, and admirers of the Navy - to the Naval Museum. The Benaki Museum is very interesting, in which, in addition to Greek culture, Andean, Islamic and Chinese are represented. Those who are not alien to political ambitions can go to the Museum of the Ancient Agora, which shows in all its subtleties the development of the political life of Greece in past centuries.
A trip to Athens will be remembered by any traveler for a long time.
