Visit the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum

Written by Greek Boston in About Thessaloniki, Greece, Greek Travel Guide Comments Off on Visit the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum

Located in Thessaloniki, the Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums in the city. Thessaloniki is rich in Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine culture and history. There are remnants of this past all over the city, but you can get a closer look by spending time at the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum.

About the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is housed in a building that was designed by an architect by the name of Patroklos Karantinos. The museum was built in 1962 and expanded with a new wing in 1980. For a few years leading up to the 2004 Athens Olympics, the museum underwent renovations and the exhibits were reorganized. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is located in the center of the city and can be easily found by visitors who might not know the are well.

Visiting the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is located in the center of the city and just steps away from the waterfront, other museums including the Byzantine Museum, and archaeological sites. Getting to the museum is as easy as a walk or a ride on public transportation. The museum is accessible to those with disabilities. This includes elevators, handrails, and “touch tours” for those who have limited vision or are blind. There is also a museum shop on site. Information leaflets are available in 20 different languages.

What to See at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Thanks to the city’s Ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine history, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is a fascinating place to spend time. Permanent exhibitions at the museum include: Prehistoric Macedonia, Macedonia From the 7th Century BC Until the Late Antiquity, the Gold of Macedon, and Memory in Stone, just to name a few.

Prehistoric Macedonia

The Prehistoric Macedonia exhibition showcases finds from prehistoric sites across Macedonia. These finds include skulls from different eras, clay vessels, the “Aravissos Treasure” from the late Neolithic Period, and the leg of a Neolithic miniature table.

Gold of Macedonia

The Gold of Macedonia exhibition is dedicated to precious metal finds. Most of the showcased items are made of gold. The largest collection of gold Macedonia wreaths can be found at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. Also showcased in this exhibit are weaponry, jewelry, and symposium vessels that are made of bronze or silver.

Field, House, Garden, Grave

Another exhibit at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is Field, House, Garden, Grave. This is an open-air exhibition that showcases antiquities from the 2nd century AD – 4th century AD. The first section presents altars and sarcophagi from cemeteries in the city. The second section of the exhibition is a reconstructed rich urban house during the Roman Imperial era. There are genuine mosaic floors in the house, while much of the rest is constructed with modern materials.

There are also temporary exhibitions at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. Some of the previous temporary exhibits have included: a photo exhibition, Archaeology & Me, Treasures of the Middle Ages, Ancient DNA, Roman Art and Culture, and Macedonia Coins.

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is a must-see for anyone who is visiting the city and has an interest in learning more about the culture, traditions, and history of the area.

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Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Categorized in: About Thessaloniki, Greece, Greek Travel Guide

This post was written by Greek Boston