The Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological site-specific museum, housing more than 3.000 famous artifacts from the Athenian Acropolis, the most significant sanctuary of the ancient city. Located in the historical area of Makriyianni, southeast of the Rock of the Acropolis, the Museum narrates the story of life on the Rock from prehistoric times until the end of Antiquity.

Architect Bernard Tschumi’s new Acropolis Museum replaced the old Museum on the Rock of the Acropolis. The museum has a total area of 25,000 square meters, with an exhibition space of over 14,000 square meters, approximately ten times the size of the old Museum. A tailor-made museum building with extensive use of glass ensures breathtaking views of the Acropolis, the surrounding historic hills, and the modern city of Athens and immediate views of the archaeological excavation that lies below the Museum, visible through large expanses of glass floor.

With the benefit of the changing natural light, visitors can discern and discover the delicate surface variations of the sculptures and select the vantage point from which to observe the exhibits. The archaeological excavation that lies beneath the Museum provides the opportunity for visitors to appreciate both the masterpieces of the Acropolis in the upper levels of the Museum against the remains of the day-to-day lives of the people that lived in the shadow of the Acropolis over various periods.

After crossing the ground floor lobby of the Museum, the first collection that lies before the visitor presents finds from the sanctuaries and the settlement which were developed on the slopes of the Acropolis during all historic periods. On Level One visitors learn about the history of life at the top of the Rock, from the 2nd millennium BC until the end of Antiquity. On Level Three, visitors are afforded the opportunity to view the sculptural decoration of the Parthenon, the most significant temple of the Acropolis. The Museum provides an increasingly diverse program of activities for its visitors, including the presentation of Museum conservators at work within the galleries – currently the delicate laser cleaning of the famous Caryatid sculptures – 3D projections about the Acropolis in antiquity, gallery talks by Archaeologists-Museum Hosts and family-focused activities aided by backpack materials. Restaurant, café, and Museum shopping is available, as well as quiet reading areas with publications about the Acropolis.

The Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis

After crossing the ground floor lobby towards the turn styles of the Museum, the first collection lies before the visitor. An ascending, wide glass-floored gallery houses find from the slopes of the Acropolis. The occasionally transparent floor provides a view of the archaeological excavation, while its upward slope alludes to the ascent to the Acropolis.
The Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis houses finds from the sanctuaries that were founded on the slopes of the Acropolis, as well as objects that Athenians used in everyday life from all historic periods. On the left-hand side, finds from some of the key sanctuaries of the slopes are exhibited. On the right-hand side, finds from the smaller sanctuaries and settlements that developed on the slopes of the Hill are displayed. In antiquity, the slopes of the Sacred Rock constituted the transition zone between the city and its most famous sanctuary. This was the area where official and popular cults, as well as large and small sanctuaries, existed alongside private houses.

Temporary exhibitions

PERICLES, SON OF XANTHIPPOS

‘This is a new type of exhibition introduced by the Museum – the idea of small ‘vignette’ exhibitions that build on our permanent collection and give visitors the opportunity to understand the permanent exhibit within a richer historical context, by providing information on other related individuals and events of antiquity’.

Dimitrios Pandermalis is talking about the first temporary exhibition of the Acropolis Museum ‘Pericles, Son of Xanthippos’ that opened on 20 June 2010 and runs through 31 January 2011. The exhibition accessible to all visitors at no charge is mounted in the Museum foyer, prior to entry to the permanent collection. The exhibition presents a small number of highly significant archaeological exhibits, including a portrait of Pericles, marble reliefs, inscriptions, coins, and remuneration tokens.

The exhibition provides insights into the actions and personality of the prominent and influential statesman Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) perhaps most known in contemporary times for his ambitious project that built most of the surviving structures on the Acropolis and the famous Parthenon sculptures that are exhibited on the Museum’s third floor Parthenon Gallery. However, Pericles also influenced dramatically the internal and external affairs, the city’s finance and social functionality, from the mid-5th century until the beginning of the Peloponnesian War.

The exhibition is curated by Professor Dimitrios Pandermalis. Dr. Themistoklis Vakoulis collaborated on the project and the exhibition design is by architect Eleni Spartsis of Schema 4.

Virtual tour at the Acropolis Museum

School and teachers

The Museum provides educational programs and activities for students in both primary and secondary school, for the years 2010-2011. Its programs aim to bring schools and students into close contact with ancient Greek civilization and the Museum exhibits.

Educational programs for schools are available in Greek only. The Museum suggests the following programs for teachers and students:

1. Educational Program «The Parthenon Sculpture»

Students watch a short film presentation on the Parthenon and its sculptural decoration and then visit the Parthenon Gallery. The Museum provides students with a special booklet to support their understanding of the sculptures and their participation in workshops.

2. Museum Presentation by archaeologists

A presentation by archaeologists is designed to introduce school groups to the Museum highlights (50 students per group).

3. Seminar for Teachers

The Seminar for Teachers addresses educators from all school levels and provides information on the educational programs offered by the Museum. The seminar outlines a proposed tour that teachers can follow when accompanying students during a school visit.

4. Independent school visits

On a daily basis, the Museum receives approximately 50 students every hour. It is necessary for school groups to be accompanied by at least 2 teachers. Admission is free for children under 18 years old and teachers accommodate school groups. For school group reservations, please telephone the Group Bookings at +30 210 9000903, from Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. School groups without a reservation risk being unable to enter the Museum.

Hours & tickets

Entrance
Public entrance at Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.
Entrance for groups at Mitseon Street.

Tour Buses
A bus drop-off point for groups is available at Hatzichristou Street and the entrance for groups is at Mitseon Street.

Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Monday: Closed.
Last admission: 7.30 p.m.
Galleries cleared at 7.45 p.m.
Closed: 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25 December, and 26 December.

Admission

Free admission: For information on visitors who are entitled to enter the Museum at a reduced admission fee or free admission, please read the following:

The following visitors are entitled to a REDUCED ADMISSION FEE :
a) Students from Higher Education Institutions, from non-EU countries,
with a current student identification card or International Student Identity
Card (ISIC)
b) Young persons under 18 years of age, from non-EU countries, with
current identification card to confirm age
c) Greek Senior citizens and Senior citizens from EU countries, 65 years
of age and over, with a current identification card to confirm the age

The following visitors are entitled to FREE ADMISSION:
a) Members of the Greek Parliament
b) Young persons under 18 years of age, from EU countries, with current
identification card
c) Children under 5 years of age, from non-EU countries
d) Students from Higher Education Institutions and Tour Guide Training
Institutions, from EU countries, with the current student identification card
or International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
e) Greek citizens performing their military service, with current military
service identification card
f) Employees of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the Finance Management
Fund for Archaeological Projects, the Archaeological Receipts Fund and
the Hellenic Culture Organization, with a current working identification card
g) 0COM and ICOMOS cardholders
h) Tour Guides with professional licenses from the Hellenic Ministry of

Development
i) Teachers accompanying children in primary & secondary education
school visits
j) Journalists, with current journalists’ identification card
k) Members of the ‘Friends of the Acropolis’ (EFA), with current
membership card
l) Official guests of the Greek Public
m) Visitors with disabilities from EU and non-EU countries and person
accompanying them
n) Archaeologists, with current working identification cards)

How to purchase tickets:

– Tickets from the Museum Ticket Desk

No restriction exists on the number of tickets available from the Ticket Desk during Museum opening hours.

– Tickets via the e-ticketing service

The Museum website provides an e-ticketing service for a restricted number of visitors during six (6) specific time slots. Tickets bought via e-ticketing can be collected from the Museum Ticket Desk.

Accessibility

Address & Contact details
Address: Acropolis Museum, 15 Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens 11742
Tel.: +30 210 9000900
Email: rg.muesumsiloporcaehtobfsctd@ofni

Entrance
The main entrance of the Acropolis Museum is Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. A bus drop-off point for tour buses is available at Hatzichristou Street and the entrance for groups is at Mitseon Street.

Group Bookings
Group bookings (from 15 to 50 visitors) can be organized via telephone at +30 210 9000903, from Monday to Friday, 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Groups without a reservation risk being unable to enter the Museum.

Schools & Teachers
School group reservations can be organized via telephone at +30 210 9000903. The Museum also offers several educational options for children and educators. For more information, please press here.

Archaeologists-Hosts
Archaeologists-Hosts are available to answer your questions about Museum exhibits every day between 9.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. You can find them by looking for staff wearing large red and white ‘archaeologist’ badges in the Museum exhibition areas.

Accessibility for visitors with disabilities
All public areas of the Museum are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are available free of charge at the Museum entrance. The Museum provides four parking spaces at Mitseon Street for visitors with disabilities.

Baggage Control
Upon arrival at the Museum, visitors go through an X-Ray baggage control system. To avoid delays, visitors are asked to avoid carrying large bags and luggage into the Museum.

Cloakroom
The cloakroom is located on the ground floor of the Museum, where all backpacks and packages must be deposited. To avoid lengthy delays in queues, such items should not be brought into the Museum. The Museum holds no responsibility for valuables or fragile items deposited in the cloakroom.

Parent’s Room
The Museum provides a baby changing facility on the north side of the first-floor gallery. Baby strollers are available free of charge in the cloakroom.

Information Desk
The Information Desk is located on the ground floor of the Museum, at the Ticket Desk, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Mobile Phones
The use of mobile phones is only permitted in the Museum Lobby, Restaurant, and Cafe areas.

Photography
Photographs are not permitted in the Museum exhibition areas.

Cafe & Restaurant
The Museum provides a Cafe on the ground floor level, overlooking the archaeological excavation and a Restaurant on the second floor, with panoramic views of the Acropolis (8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.). The Museum provides free wifi internet access for its patrons. For information on access to the second-floor Museum Restaurant and Shop, please go to the Ticket Desk.

Shops
The Acropolis Museum hosts a Shop at the ground level, featuring a broad selection of postcards, paper goods, and the Museum’s children’s gift range. The Museum’s second-floor Shop offers a wide range of book titles on the Acropolis and related topics, as well as functional items and gifts.

Cafe & Restaurants

The Museum Cafe is located on the ground floor level and overlooks the archaeological excavation. The Museum provides a Restaurant on the second floor, with panoramic views of the Acropolis and a 700 square meter public terrace commanding a breathtaking view of the historic hills of Athens.

Cafe
The Cafe offers coffee and beverages, sandwiches, sweets, and ice creams. Reservations are not accepted (8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.).

Shops

The Acropolis Museum hosts two Shops, one at the ground floor level and one next to the Museum Restaurant on the second floor.

The Shop at the ground level features a broad selection of postcards, paper goods, and the museum’s children’s gift range.

The Museum’s second-floor Shop offers a wide range of book titles on the Acropolis and related topics, as well as functional items and gifts.

Restaurant

The Restaurant offers an array of delicious Greek snacks, sandwiches, coffee and beverages, sweets, and ice creams. Reservations are currently not accepted (8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.).