Today we are checking the remaining 4 of the 7 worth-visit archaeological museums out of Athens. Are you ready to refresh your knowledge on ancient Greece and its history?

Archaeological Museum of Piraeus

Typically not really out of Athens, you can reach the archaeological of Piraeus with a daily trip in Piraeus and its neighborhoods. The museum is located between the areas of Terpsithea and Pasalimani, and you can combine a visit in the museum and then a lunch in a restaurant of Pasalimani.

Its collection mainly consists of excavations and findings, covering the period from Mycenaen to Roman times. The first version of the museum was founded in 1935, in the in the expropriated area of the ancient theater of Zea. Today, the museum has expanded, as an  extension to the old one.

The museum’s findings underline the importance of Piraeus as a commercial center of eastern Mediterranean and as naval dock of Athenians. Additionally, the museum has a large collection of findings from the cemetary of ancient Piraeus.

Archaeological Museum of Poros

Besides great beaches and an amazing island atmosphere, Poros has a long history too. Don’t miss to visit the archaeological museum of Poros, in the Koryzis Square. The museum is located in a two-floor neoclassical building. The exhibition of the museum covers two rooms, one on the basement and one on the building’s floor. Both rooms include exhibits from all over the territory of Trizinia and some of the area of Ermioni.

The collection also includes excavations of the sanctuary of Poseidon in Calavreia. What is more, you will also see ancient inscriptions and Hellenistic figurines by Saint Constantine at Methana, and objects such as vases and bronze pots from old excavations at Ermioni.

Archaeological Site & Museum of Elefsis

Our next stop is a hidden gem of history and culture. Meet the European Capital of Culture 2021, the city of Elefsina, which hosts the ancient site of Elefsis and its respective museum. During antiquity, the ancient city of Elefsis was of great strategical and religious importance. During the Mycenaean times and beyond, the city developed into a fortified  settlement. At the same time, the cult of Demeter, the deity of nature and cereal crops, began. Finally, the sanctuary of Demeter in Elefsina acquired panhellenic character. It developed to be one of the 5 sacred cities of ancient Greece, and hosted annually the Elefsinia Mysteries.

Walking through the archaeological site of Elefsis, you basically stroll down the ancient sanctuary. You will feel like reviving the ancient rites of Elefsinian Mysteries, o recall the legend of Persephone’s abduction by Hades and her seasonal return from the underworld to be with her mother Demeter. The most important monuments of the site are the Sacred Court, the Lesser & Greater Propylaea, the Ploutoneion and the Callichoron Well. Don’t miss the Telesterion, the large square hall where the mysteric rites were performed by the highest priests.

Last but not least, up to the hill of the archaeological site Elefsis, you will find the respective museum. There, you will see the finds from the excavations of the sanctuary. Discover the findings of its main collection that is exhibited in six thematic rooms and the courtyard. Check the top artifact of the museum, the headless marble statue Demeter.

Archaeological Museum of Megara

Heading now to the western Attica, our next destination is Megara and its local archaeological museum. The archaeological museum of Megara opened its gates in 2000, and is located in the old Mayor Manor, a 19th century building. The exhibition covers 2 floors and 4 hallrooms, and its the last of the 7 worth-visit archaeological museums out of Athens.

The museum features marble and terracotta findings  from the area, dating from 8th century BC to 2nd century AD. On the ground floor you will find mostly marble finds, like monumental sculptures and votive reliefs. There is also a reconstruction drawing of the Nike of Megara, a copy from an 1847 engraving. On the first floor, finds from the ancient cemetery and objects of daily life are displayed. Don’t miss the courtyard area exhibition, with inscriptions, statue bases and architectural members.

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During antiquity, Attica region and the Saronic islands used to be a flourishing place of commerce, culture and eventually history. Missing the respective archaeological museums out of Athens, will leave your historical continuum of ancient Greece incomplete.

So take our blog article as a guide and jump out of the comfort zone of Athens!

Archaeological Museum of Brauron

To begin with this archaeology tour on the outskirts of Athens, Brauron will be the first stop. Recommended as a pleasant surprise, the archaeological museum of Brauron stands next to the ancient Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron. It is located in the valley of Brauron, in the region of Mesogeia.

The archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Artemis at Brauron is one of the most important ancient sanctuaries of Attica. Mostly dedicated to the protection of little children and pregnant women, ancient Greeks visited the sanctuary in masses in order to pray for their beloved and worship the goddess. In the museum, the exhibition includes findings from neolithic ages up to early Mycenaen times (1600 BC). Don’t miss the of note statuette of a young girl “arktos” holding a rabbit.

A morning excursion to both the archaeological site and museum will be a top-notch experience. Moreover, you can combine it with a dive in the nearby beaches of Brauron.

Archaeological Museum of Aegina

Aegina and its museums have been in the spotlight in a previously blog article, dedicated to Aegina’s greatest museums. However, Aegina’s archaeological museum deserves a second reference among the most worth-visit arhaeological museum out of Athens.

It is the first museum of the post-revolutionary Greece, back in 1829. The first Greek governor, I. Kapodistrias was its creator. The archaeological museum of Aegina hosted several archaeological findings of then independent Greece, since Aegina was the first greek capital.

Right now, the museum is located next to the archaeological site of Kolona. Among its three exhibition rooms, it hosts a collection of ancient jewelery, pottery and sculpture, coins, weapons and bronze vessels. The most important exhibit is the statue of Aegina’s Sphinx. However, soon the museum will move back to its first residence, the Kapodistrian Orphanage. There it will take its new name as the “Timeless Museum of Aegina”.

Archaeological Museum & Site of Marathon

The archaeological museum of Marathon is located in the region of Vrana in Marathonas, in the eastern Attica. It started accepting visitors in 1975 and it contains 5 rooms and a roofed patio. Among the exhibits of the archaeological museum of Marathon, visitors can see findings from the Marathon battle (490 BC), the surrounding area of Marathon and the Sanctuary of the Egyptian gods in Nea Makri.

Visiting the museum and within the ticket price, visitors can also see the two tumuli of Marathon. The first one, closest to the museum, is the tomb of the inhumed bodies of Plataeans, who died during the Marathon battle. The second one, 2.5km eastern of the museum, is a burial mound (“Soros”). This mound houses the ashes of 192 Athenians who died during the Marathon battle. Alongside with the tumuli, the plain of Marathon is complete with a victorian column, which Athenians erected to commemorate their victory against Persians.

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