Acropolis Museum, Athens
Some of many fine statues in the Acropolis Museum. Photo by David Vo.
The Moschophoros (Calf-Bearer), c.560 BC. Photo by Robert Wallace.
Relief of "Athena Pensante." Photo under GFDL.
The symbolic Three-Bodied Serpent, c.550 BC. Photo by Templar1307.
The Acropolis Museum in Athens houses all of the portable objects removed from the Acropolis since 1834 (with the exception of a few bronzes displayed in the National Archeological Museum and inscriptions in the Epigraphical Museum).
The museum's artifacts are primarily religious in nature, including a fascinating collection of ancient statues used in religious ceremonies, and provide a visual history of Greek religion.
Exhibits include several statues and offerings from the Archaic Temple of Athena; part of the famous Parthenon frieze (depicting Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, and Eros); and the original Caryatids salvaged from the Erechtheion Temple (replicas are displayed on the original site).
This small museum is scheduled to close in early 2007, when its magnificent collection will move to the New Acropolis Museum under construction at the foot of the Acropolis.
Quick Facts
| Address: | Dionyssiou Areopagitou, Athens, Greece |
| Location: | southeast corner of the Acropolis site |
| Phone: | 210/323-6665 |
| Bus: | 1, 5, 9, 230, 231 |
| Hours: | Apr.-Oct., daily 8-7:30; Nov.-Mar., Mon. 10-3, Tues.-Sun. 8:30-3 |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Cost: | Joint ticket for Acropolis and Acropolis Museum EUR12; ticket includes admission to all other sites on Unification of Archaeological Sites walkway for up to a week. |
| Tip: | The English labels on the exhibits aren't great – bring or buy an English guidebook. |
Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Acropolis Museum (central marker). Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Athens Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- The Acropolis Museum – Hellenic Ministry of Culture
- New Acropolis Museum Project Progress - Hellenic Ministry of Culture
- Acropolis Museum – Fodor's Online Travel Guide
- The Acropolis: Athens' Crowning Jewel – Greece 101
More Information
- Mouseío Akrópoleos – AAA Europe Travel Book
- Acropolis Museum - TravelGator
