The Museum occupies the S.E. extremity of the rock
of the Acropolis where the sanctuary of Pandion once
stood. The Museum contains mainly pedimental
sculpture, reliefs and statues found on the rock of
the Acropolis, which formed part of the decoration
of its buildings or were dedicated to the goddess
Athena. Among the latter is the unique collection in
the world of statues of female figures of the
archaic era known as the “Korai” with the well known
archaic smile, such as the Kore of Lyons, the Kore
of Naxos, the Kore of Chios, the Peploforos Kore,
the Kore of Antinor, the Kore of Euthidikos, etc.
From the remaining votive offering sculptures, those
of outstanding interest are the Moschoforos (man
carrying a calf across his shoulders), Rampin's
horseman, a hunting dog, the Boy by Kritias, the
head of the blonde youth, etc. There are also
sphinxes, four-horse chariots and many votive
reliefs such as that of Lenormant, Athena in
Meditation, etc.
Pedimental sculptures from various buildings on
the Acropolis of the 6th century B.C. depict lions
devouring a calf, the monster Typhon with three
human heads and bodies watching the struggle between
Hercules and Triton, the struggle of Hercules with
the Lernaia Hydra, the introduction of Hercules to
Olympus, etc. There are also four splendid
pedimental figures from the battle of the giants (Gigantomahia)
showing the goddess Athena and giants, which had
adorned the eastern pediment of the temple built by
the Peisistratids. In addition, there are some
sections of the frieze of the Parthenon and of the
Erechtheion as well as sections from the marble
balustrade of the temple of Athena Niki. The slab
from the frieze of the Parthenon, which shows
Apollo, Artemis and Poseidon, is of exceptional
beauty, probably being the work of Agorakritos, a
pupil of Pheidias. Another beautiful slab from the
temple of Athena Niki is that showing her undoing
her sandal.
No. 1 Tossitsa Street
Closed on Mondays
The Museum displays finds from all parts of the
ancient Greek world which date from Neolithic times
to the last years of the Roman Empire.
Art of the Pre-Historic Period Up To 1100 B.C.
This includes four pre-historic collections from
Thessaly (mainly ceramics and clay figurines), the
Cyclades Islands (mainly marble figurines and
vases), Thera or Santorini (mainly frescoes) and the
Mycenaean period (treasures from royal tombs, cups
from the Vafio beehive to
Art from the Historic Period Sculpture and
ceramics make up the main branch of the art of this
period but there is also a variety of miniature
arts, coins and goldsmith's work. Next to the
originals of works, mainly of the classical period,
are copies from the Hellenistic and Roman times.
The National Museum also houses:
- The Epigraphic Collection
- The Numismatic Collection
- The Thera (Santorini Island) Collection
In the same building of the National
Archaeological Museum there is an exhibition where
copies and castings taken from objects in museums
throughout Greece are sold.
22 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue
Closed on Mondays
The exhibits cover the early Christian, the
Byzantine and the post-Byzantine periods and are
divided into the following collections:
A rich collection of sculptures from various
churches, mostly architectural elements but also
some rare, large marble ikons showing the Virgin
Mary in relief. Outstanding among these sculptures
are the complex showing Orpheus, the marble
balustrades with carvings of animals in combat, the
marble plaque from Thessaloniki showing the three
Apostles (this is an altar screen) and others.
A rich collection of ikons (portable. individual
paintings and sections of altar screen decoration).
Some of the best specimens of the Byzantine ikons
exhibited are those of Panagia Glykofilousa from
Bithynia, done in mosaic form, the rare wood-carved
relief of Saint George from Kastoria, the ikon of
the Archangel Michael and the well known ikon of the
Crucifixion from Thessaloniki.
A number of frescoes, salvaged from demolished
churches in Attica and the isiands have also been
set up in the Museum.
There is a collection of fabrics and inscriptions
from Coptic churches and, in the courtyard, stands a
phiale which is a reproduction of a fountain
represented in one of the mosaics at Dafni. One of
the halls in the Museum has been converted into a
small Basilica with nave and two aisles and another
into a cruciform church with dome while a third hall
has been converted into a post-Byzantine church.
On the corner of Vassilissis Sofias Avenue and
Koumbari Street
Closed on Tuesdays
It is founded on the private collection of
Anthony Benakis and has since been enriched with
several other private collections. Items exhibited
are:
Works of Greek art from pre-historic times up to
the modern era. The collection of gold ornaments is
of particular interest and so are the two portraits
from Fayoum, silver ecclesiastical vessels,
Byzantine miniatures, Byzantine and post- Byzantine
ikons by painters such as Damaskinos and Poulakis.
Works of Greek popular art with certain specimens
of similar art from other countries, historic
relies, historic archives, drawings of landscapes by
foreign artists of the Romantic School, paintings of
scenes and personalities in Greece's more recent
history (aquarelles, lithographies, etc.) There are
also some fine Greek embroideries and woodcarvings
as well as Moslem and Coptic fabrics.
A collection of art miniatures from the region of
the Eastern Mediterranean and the East (Asia Minor,
Moslem and Chinese ceramics, etc.)
The entire reception room in the Museum is
decorated in the carved wood panelling style of
Kozani.
No. 17 Kidathineon Street
Closed on Mondays
The Museum contains specimens of traditional arts
and crafts which have their origins deep in
Byzantine times. There are embroidered shrouds for
the Good Friday bier, priest's robes, woodcarved
crosses, covers for Bibles, ornaments, carved wooden
seals, carved wooden spoons, Greek embroidery
generally and specimens of paintings by Greek
popular artists.
13 Stadiou Street
Closed on Mondays
This Museum is housed in what used to be the old
Parliament building. The Museum contains portraits
of the heroes of the 1821 War of Independence, arms
and other mementos of that war, the sword and helmet
of Lord Byron, flags, historic documents, etc.
On the corner of Theorias and Panos Streets
Closed on Mondays
The Museum houses a private collection and
contains noteworthy exhibits which belong to two
basic periods, pre- Christian and post-Christian.
One of the most interesting groupings in the
collection is that of Tanagra figurines in
terracotta which represent various figures. They
were discovered on the site of the ancient township
of Tanagra and belong to the period 330 to 200 B.C.
On the corner of Vassilissis Sofias and Rizari
Streets
Closed on Mondays
Weapons of various periods are exhibited, also
uniforms, regimental flags, medals and decorations,
ships models, aircraft, etc.
No. 50 Vassileos Konstandinou Avenue, opposite the
Athens Hilton
Closed on Mondays
The paintings, sculptures and engravings of Greek
artists provide the visitor with a complete picture
of the develop- ment of Greek art from the early
19th century to the present day. A selection of
post-Byzantine ikons as well as a collection of
works by painters of the Ionian Islands, cover the
transitional stage between Byzantine and Modern
Greek Art.
The hall of this museum, where West European
paintings from the Renaissance period through to
creations by contemporary West European artists are
exhibited, contains masterpieces by Domenico
Theotokopoulos (El Greco), Rubens, Jordaens, Tiepolo,
Caravaggio and the latest acquisition of the gallery
“Greek Mounted Warrior” by Delacroix. Also works by
Picasso, Dayer, Magritte, Brauner, Modigliani and
others as well as Rodin's statue of the “Prodigal
Son”. The open-air exhibition of sculpture consists
of works by Greek sculptors of the 19th and 20th
centuries. Finally, all periodical or retrospective
exhibitions of the works of Greek and foreign
artists are presented in a special hall throughout
the year.
No. 31 Harilaou Trikoupi
Closed on Mondays
Exhibits include interesting finds of the
Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. Of
particular interest is the statue of Hermes of
Kifissia, the bronze statue of Athena and two
statues of Artemis.
Akti Themistokleous, Freatida quarter of the port of
Piraeus
Closed on Mondays
Exhibits include ship models from ancient to
modern times, also busts, uniforms and clothes of
heroes of the 1821 War of Independence, paintings of
major naval engagements, etc.
13 Levidou Street, Kifissia, (Northern suburb of
Athens)
Closed on Fridays
The Museum is a research centre for the flora,
fauna, geology and paleontology of Greece. |
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