Many travellers come to Greece to visit the new Museum of Acropolis, well known for its great collection of findings and its beautifull architecture. Inaugurated in June 2009, it is the ‘flagship’ museum not only for Athens, but for all of Greece.
The visitor progresses gradually upward through the building, where on the top floor isexposed the marble frieze that once ran around the top of the Parthenon. About half of the pieces are originals, while the remainder are faithful plaster copies. The missing pieces were stolen by Lord Elgin in 1801 and are still in the British Museum in London.
The building itself is an architectural gem, designed to echo and pay homage to its classical surroundings. The lower levels of the museum are aligned with the archaeological ruins below, while the top level sits askew to mimic the orientation of the Parthenon. It’s the embodiment of art imitating art. Throughout the museum, scale models (including one made entirely out of Legos!) help you visualize just how grand the site once was.
A nice way to finish your visit is with a light meal or beverage at the museum’s second floor restaurant, which offers a panoramic view of the adjacent Parthenon and city skyline. Also, its large outdoor terrace offers a plesant experience to enjoy the sunset during warmer months. Additionally, the restaurant stays open late on Friday nights.
Historic Review
The hill of Acropolis is probably the most powerful and recognizable image of Greece internationally, with the Parthenon Temple being the official trademark of the country.
The monuments of the Acropolis have withstood the ravages of past centuries, both of ancient times and those of the Middle Ages. Until the 17th century, foreign travelers visiting the monuments depicted the classical buildings as being intact.
This remained the case until the middle of the same century, when the Propylaia was blown up while being used as a gunpowder store.
Thirty years later, the Ottoman occupiers dismantled the neighbouring Temple of Athena Nike to use its materials to strengthen the fortification of the Acropolis.
However, the most fatal year for the Acropolis was 1687, when many of the building’s parts were blown into the air and fell in heaps around the Hill of the Acropolis, due to an explosion caused by a bomb from the Venetian forces.
Foreign visitors to the Acropolis were searching through the rubble and were taking fragments of the fallen sculptures as their souvenirs.
It was in the 19th century that Lord Elgin removed intact architectural sculptures from the frieze, the metopes and the pediments of the building.
Immediately after the founding of the Greek State, discussions began about the construction of an Acropolis Museum on the Hill of the Acropolis.
The Acropolis Museum is located opposite the Acropolis itself. It is easily reached via the "Acropolis" metro station.
Acropolis Museum
15 Dionysiou Areopagitou,
117 42, Athens, Greece
phone: +30 210 9000900
Website: https://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/en/
OPENING HOURS
Winter season
1 November - 31 March
Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 5 pm / Last entry: 4:30 pm
Friday: 9 am - 10 pm / Last entry: 9:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am - 8 pm / Last entry: 7:30 pm
Acropolis of Athens
Acropolis Museum
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