Description of the attraction
The Archaeological Museum of Piraeus is considered one of the most remarkable archaeological museums in Greece. The exposition of the museum perfectly illustrates the history of the ancient city, which flourished in the old days and was the trade center of the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the naval shipyard of ancient Athens. The exhibits at the museum cover an impressive period of history, from the Mycenaean era to Roman times.
The Archaeological Museum was opened in 1935. In 1981 the museum moved to a new modern two-story building. The exposition is located in ten exhibition halls and is divided by subject matter. The basement of the building houses the laboratory and storage of the museum. The old building is used today as a warehouse.
The artifacts presented in the museum were found in the city of Piraeus, in the coastal regions of Attica and on the islands of the Saronic Gulf, some of the exhibits were raised from the seabed. Most of the museum's relics are various sculptures. Of particular interest are the bronze statues found in the port of Piraeus in 1959 during renovations: the statue of Apollo (530-520 BC), two statues of the goddess Artemis and one goddess Athena. There is also a famous sculpture of Cybele (Mother of the Gods) from the temple in Moschato. A separate place in the exposition is occupied by a collection of sculptural tombstones, various finds from burial chambers, bas-reliefs (5th and 4th centuries BC) and neoattic relief tablets (2nd century BC). An impressive monument from Kallithea in the form of a miniature temple (4th century BC). The museum also exhibits an impressive collection of ceramics, various household utensils, musical instruments, etc.
Near the museum, during archaeological excavations, the ruins of the ancient Zea Theater (2nd century BC) were discovered.
The museum's activities include the organization of educational programs, lectures and other cultural events.
