Athens - Acropolis Museum

Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent.

The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC. In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king. A defensive wall was built in the 13th century BC. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings.

The Acropolis Museum houses exclusively artifacts and objects from the Acropolis. Although two Acropolis museums had already opened in 1937 and 1974, the growing number of archaeological finds necessitated a new, larger building. Bernhard Tschumi won the competition for the construction of the new museum.

Excavations revealed two layers of private houses and workshops: one from the Early Byzantine period and another from the Classical era. Consequently, the museum was built on supports raised above the ground.

The museum is located by the southeastern slope of the Acropolis hill, on the ancient road that once led up to the "sacred rock" times. Set only 280 meters, away from the Parthenon, and a 400 meters walking distance from it.


Statue of Apollo
Apollo stands in a relaxed pose, leaning his right arm against a support.

Bronze, 1st - 2nd AD