In
the town that laid the foundations for contemporary western
civilization, the museums alone is enough to keep you in Greece
for a long time. The wealth of the historical, folkloric, artistic
and all other kinds of exhibits, permanent or temporary, which
is presented to one in the capital of Greece is truly inexhaustible.
The
most important museums and permanent exhibitions in Athens are
the following:
The
National Archaeological Museum (tel. +3.210.82.17.717)
It
is on the corner of Patision and and Epeirou Streets with
priceless exhibits all the periods and areas of the Greek
world.
The Archaeological Museum of the Acropolis (tel. +3.210.32.10.219)
It
is next to the Parthenon, with unique finds from the excavations
on the rock of Acropolis.
The Archaeological Museum of the Ancient Agora (tel. +3.210.32.10.185)
It
is in the Stoa of Attalos, next to the Thesseio with finds
from excavations in the area where the first democracy in
the world grew to maturity.
The Benaki Museum (tel. +3.210.36.11.817)
It
contains many spectacular cycles from Greek art, in its
course down through the centuries. The main building is
at the corner of Vas. Sofias Ave. and Koumbari St.
The Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos (tel. +3.210.34.63.552)
It
is in the cemetery of ancient Athens, with unique exhibits
of artistic and historical importance and brought to light
by excavations in the area. It is located at 148 Ermou St.
Goulandris Museum of Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art
(N.
P. Goulandri) is at 4 Neof. Dooka St
The Numismatic Museum of Athens (tel. +3.210.82.17.760)
At
1 Tositsa St and has over 600,000 coins from the 7th century
BC to the present. The museum was opened to the public in
1998. Contains displays tracing the history of Greek coinage
and special aspects of the study of coins such as hoards,
many with interactive computer components.
The Byzantine Museum (tel. +3.210.72.11.027)
At
22 Vas. Sofias St has exhibits, wall paintings and portable
icons from the Early Christian, Byzantine and post Byzantine
period.
The Kanellopoulos Museum (tel: +3.210.32.12.313)
At
the comer of Theorias and Panes Sts, in Plaka, has important ancient,
Byzantine and more recent finds.
The National Historical Museum, (tel. +3.210.32.37.617)
In
the Old Parliament building, 13 Stadiou St., has rare exhibits
and mementos from the Greek War of Independence, the Balkan Wars
and World War.
The War Museum, (tel. +3.210.72.90.543)
At
the comer of Vas. Sofias and Rizari St. has exhibits and
mementos from the wars the Greeks fought, from antiquity
to the present.
The Anthropological-Ethnological Museum, (tel. +3.210.77.71.193)
At
47 Mikras Asias St in Goudi has the collections of the University
of Athens containing utensils, weapons and other exhibitions from
all the races of the world.
The Goulandri Museum of Natural History, (tel. +3.210.80.15.870)
At
13 Levidi St in Kifissia , has botanical, entomological and palentological
exhibits.
The National Gallery, (tel. +3.210.72.11.010)
At
50 L. Vas. Konstantinou St, has a rich collection of the
works of Greek painters from the 19th and 20th century and
a noteworthy collection of representative works of European
painters, It also plays host to major temporary exhibitions
of international importance and maintains a sculpture exhibition
The Center for the Study of the Acropolis, (tel. +3.210.92.39.186)
At
2-4 Makryyianni St , has copies of the statues of the Parthenon
and the entire history of the Acropolis from the Penteli quarries
to the present.
The Center for Folkloric Art and Tradition, (tel. +3.210.32.43.987)
At
6 Hatzimichali St, has an important collection of ceramics,
wood carvings, furniture and utensils from the collection
of well-known ethnographer Angeliki Hatzimichali. It houses
the folk art collection and library of the former Chatzimichali
Folk Museum
The Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos, (tel. +3.210.32.21.254)
At
2 Christou Lada St , has books, photographs and many personal
items belonging to the great Cretan politician.
The Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos, (tel. +3.210.72.24.328)
At
10 Evzonon St, has personal effects, photographs and a variety
of documents from 'his important Greek Prime Minister. Also available
is a library with books, which refer to Venizelos and his activities.
The Epigraph Museum, (tel. +3.210.82.17.637)
At
1 Tosita St, has tombstones and inscriptions.
The Museum of National History, (tel. +3.210.32.37.617)
At
13 Stadiou St, has exhibits from the Fall of Constantinople.
This building houses important administrative documents
of the government, archives of Greek newspapers, many thousands
of old books and archival materials from the War of Independence.
The Gennadios Library, (tel. +3.210.72.10.536)
At
61 Soudias St in Kolonaki , It contains everything related to
Makryyannis and the Greek War of Independence of 1821 against
the Turks.
The Greek Museum of the Theater and Study Center, (tel. +3.210.36.29.430)
At
50 Akadimias St. It contains photographs of actors and famous
works and objects that are used on the stage
Historical Museum of the University of Athens, (tel. +3.210.36.40.861)
At
Tholou and Klepsidras Sts in Plaka. It contains books, and photographs
from the oldest university in Greece.
The Museum of Katina Paxinou, (tel. +3.210.32.45.089)
At
13 Thoukidiou St., in Plaka . The museum contains the personal
effects, photographs and objects from the life of the famous actress.
Also on display is the Oscar she won.
The Palamas Museum, (tel. +3.210.36.03.039)
At
3 Asklipiou St. The dwelling where the famous poet spent 40 years
of his life and where he wrote most of his poems. Visitors can
see the poet's personal affects, his manuscripts and his notes.
The Museum of Paleontology & Geology of the Univ. of Athens, (tel. +3.210.72.47.322)
At
Panepistimoupoli, Zographos.
The Roman Agora, (tel. +3.210.32.45.220)
At
Aiolou and Pelopida Sts.
The Shadow Puppet Theater, (tel. +3.210.61.27.245)
On
Vas. Sofias and D. Ralli Sts in Marousi. It contains many objects
from the performances at the Shadow Puppet Theater donated by
Evgenios Spatharis and his wife Fani.
The Temple of Hephaestos and the Ancient Agora, (tel. +3.210.32.10.185)
At
24 Adrianou St. In the Ancient Agora are the most important civic
buildings from antiquity. Excavations have provided us with finds
from the temple of Hephaestos, Aris and the Roman Agora.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, (tel. +3.210.92.26.330)
At
1 Vas. Olgas St in Syntagma.
The Theater of Dionysos, (tel. +3.210.32.24.625)
At
Aeropagitou St.
In
Piraeus
The Archaeological Museum, (tel. +3.210.45.21.598)
On
Harilaou Trikoupi St. It contains exhibits from the 4th
century BC to the Roman period, from excavations in the
city of Piraeus, statues, coins, weapons and other useful
objects from the daily lives of our ancestors.
The Nautical Museum of Piraeus, (tel. +3.210.45.16.822)
At
Marina Zea . It contains 13,000 exhibits concerned with Greek
naval activities from prehistoric times to the present.
