To do this museum justice, you should plan to spend 2-3 hours here. That means you will be on your feet for a long time: walking, standing, climbing stairs. Make sure to wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
Expect to check any bags you happen to be carrying. The bag check room is located on the ground floor, at the back of the lobby. This service is safe and free.
At the present time, photos and video are not allowed in any part of the museum. I have been at the museum when they were allowing photos on the top floor, but this is inconsistent. You need to ask one of the numerous “hosts” (available on each floor) about the photo policy at the time of your visit.
The facilities are state of the art, with plenty of restrooms and a grand café where weary visitors can rest their feet and relax with a coffee. The prices are high, but not exorbitant. The second-floor bookstore has an excellent selection of books on the Acropolis and its buildings. There is even a guide book to the museum itself that comes in two flavors: short or long.
The New Acropolis Museum has just opened (after nine years of delay and struggle). It is the new “must see” spot in Athens. Why?
- The spectacular views of the Acropolis from its glass-encased top floor, if nothing else.
- The displays of the Parthenon sculpture on that same floor. Get up close and personal with artifacts
that haven’t seen the (public) light of day for decades.
- The stunning selection of statues (korai and kouroi, Nikes and Athenas) that inhabit the first floor. This collection in the New Acropolis Museum rivals that of the National Archaeological Museum (also in Athens) as the best assortment of Archaic and Classical statuary in the world.
- The Sandalbinder—also on display on the first floor. The quintessential Classical work: natural, un-posed, spontaneous, beautiful.
- You get to stand within inches of the Caryatids—those sturdy maidens who, for the past 25 centuries, have supported part of the roof of the Erechtheon on their heads. No small feat and worthy of honor. Plus, they’re gorgeous!
- The incredible venue. Glass walkways with archaeological remains beneat
h … spacious galleries … multi-media presentations … dramatic, glass-sheathed top floor.
The old museum, atop the Acropolis and near the Parthenon, was small, dark, and cramped. Soon after it was completed (1886), ongoing excavations of the Acropolis brought to life a wealth of buried statues, pediments, metopes, and frieze reliefs (in 1887!) which simply overwhelmed the old space. All 4000 artifacts discovered on and around the Acropolis have never had a home in which they could be displayed and appreciated together. Now they do. Soon after the new museum opened, I spent 10 days here—writing the script for our audioguide—and could not get enough. Six, eight, ten hours a day and there was always something new to learn, to see, to appreciate.
Next time you’re in Athens, you must make time to see the new museum. It’s guaranteed to knock your socks off!
The New Acropolis Museum is divided into four main collections.
First (on between the ground floor and first floor) are artifacts excavated from the slopes of the Acropolis.
- Lots of pottery—vases and cups and plates … some beautifully painted and showing brides and grooms, priests, processions, and sacrificial offerings … some more utilitarian and intended for everyday usage.
- Artifacts from the Theater of Dionysus and the Aesclepion and the Sanctuary of the Nymphs.
Next, on the first floor, are remains from most of the Acropolis structures (i.e., the Erectheon and Propylaia and Temple of Athena Nike), with scale models and displays of statues and frieze reliefs associated with the temples (e.g., the Caryatids).
Also on the first floor is a vast collection of “stand alone” statuary recovered from the top of the Acropolis itself—young maidens (korai) and boys (kouroi) from the Archaic Period; the Kritios Boy (a wonderful example of an early Classical development); and an array of statues from the 5th Century b.c. to the 5th Century a.d.
Finally, on the top floor of the museum, is an awe-inspiring view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon and a ja
w-dropping recreation of the Parthenon columns and cella, hung with the sculptures (the metopes and friezes) that decorated the original Parthenon. This display puts the Parthenon sculptures at eye-level and allows you to hear the stories of the birth of Athena, the battle of the Amazons, and the Trojan War all over again.
When you grow weary, there is a café on the second floor with views of the Acropolis. Grab an espresso, kick up your feet, and pinch yourself: you are in Athens, in the shadow of the Parthenon, surrounded by world-famous artifacts. Could it get any better?
Because the museum is so new, information about it is hard to come by. There are a few websites you can visit to become more familiar with the layout and design of the new museum:
www.theacropolismuseum.gr/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Acropolis_Museum
http://kopiaste.org/2009/07/the-new-acropolis-museum/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_oR7EmFnsQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z63hmjns11I
Fortunately, because these artifacts are ancient and have been on display in the old museum, almost any guid
e to Greece or Athens will have a little information on the statues and temples found on the Acropolis. Sadly, that’s all you’ll get most of the time—a “little.” One of my favorite guides to Athens (The Blue Guide) devotes less than one page to the entire collection. So here are a few “educational” links to help you familiarize yourself with the Acropolis Collection:
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtsmuseums/acropolismuseum.htm
http://greeceinfo.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/new-acropolis-museum-tour-of-the-permanent-collections/
For those who want a deeper historical understanding for the artifacts they’ll be seeing, let me recommend:
Donald Kagan. Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy. The Free Press, 1991.
http://www.amazon.com/Pericles-Athens-Birth-Democracy-Donald/dp/0684863952/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249401472&sr=8-1
Jeffrey Hurwit. The Acropolis in the Age of Pericles. Cambridge University Press, 2004.
http://www.amazon.com/Acropolis-Age-Pericles-Jeffrey-Hurwit/dp/0521527406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249401506&sr=1-1
The New Acropolis Museum is located just two-hundred yards south of the Acropolis itself in the Makrigiani District. The main entrance is off of Dionissiou Areopagitou Street, part of the pedestrian promenade that winds around the southern and western flanks of the Acropolis.
Getting to the museum could not be easier. Take the Metro (Line 2) to the Akropoli exit (just one stop south of Syntagma Square). Head upstairs following the “Dionissiou Areopagitou” signs. Escalators will carry you up to the surface level. When you hit the sidewalks, you are on Makrigiani Street and should be headed north. Walk straight ahead about 20 yards. This will dump you onto Dionissiou Areopagitou Street, at which point you will turn left (west). Go another 25 to 30 yards and the entrance to the museum will be on your left. Walk down some stairs, go through a plexiglass gate, and you’ll see a doorway with an “Entrance” sign above it.
Alternatively, if you have just visited the Acropolis and want to top your tour with a look at the New Museum, walk downhill (east) on Dionissiou Areopagitou Street, with the Acropolis on your left and a line of expensive apartments and condos on your right. Look for a break in the housing as you near the bottom of the hill—on your right. Again, go down some stairs, through a plexiglass gate, and you’ll see the entrance ahead of you.
The New Acropolis Museum is a modern, well-designed, and fully-equipped exhibition hall designed to move large crowds past thousands of artifacts in a timely and comfortable manner. Unlike many of the museums and sites in Greece, it is fully accessible to people with physical limitations and challenges. Elevators connect the ground-level lobby with each of the floors above and below, making it easy for people with physical concerns to navigate ev
ery section of the museum. Floor surfaces are smooth and wheel-chair friendly. There are handicapped-accessible bathrooms on every floor.
The only obstacle will be the ramp leading from the ground to the first floor. The rise is gentle and should pose few difficulties. However, it dead ends at a staircase that takes visitors up to the first floor displays. These stairs will require those who are not able to manage stairs to backtrack down the ramp, exit the electronic gate, and then take the elevators (located on each side of the gate) to the first floor.
And—in an especially nice touch—there are seats scattered around the museum where weary visitors—whatever their physical limitations—can pause to rest. Knowledgeable “hosts” man each floor of the museum and are eager to help answer questions about the museum or direct you to appropriate facilities.
Most of the major sites in Athens fall within a single square-mile block centered on the Acropolis. The National Archaeological Museum is the exception that proves the rule.
It is located about a mile and a half due north of the Acropolis. Hop the Metro (Lines 1 or 2) to Omonia Square. A block east of the Square is 28 Octovriou Street. Follow this north for 8-10 blocks and you’ll see the Museum looming up on your right. Alternatively, take the Metro (Line 1) to Victoria Station. Walk east on Heiden Street and turn right on 28 Octovriou. Go 5 or 6 blocks. The museum will be on your left.
Although built in the 19th Century, the National Archaeological Museum has been remodeled several times and retrofitted with accessibility concerns in mind.
There is a ramp (albeit rather steep) leading up the steps at the entrance. A powered wheel chair lift and elevator connect the ground floor with the basement. Restrooms are located in the basement level but do not go to great lengths to accommodate wheel chairs or people with special needs.
The upper floor (which houses the museum’s Thira and pottery collections) is accessible by an elevator located next to the main stairway in Room 35. If you choose to take the stairs, remember that–because of the high ceilings of the ground floor–the staircase represents a climb.
Room 35 and main staircase leading up to the top floor. The elevators are located to the right of the photo.
Most of the galleries are fairly wide and should be easily navigated by those in wheel chairs or needing the assistance of a walker. However, on crowded days, even wide hallways can be a challenge.
The museum is large and a thorough visit will require two or three hours on your feet.
There are occasional benches scattered about the museum for rest stops. (Several are in the lobby, for instance.) Be careful, however, not to sit on a guard’s seat. One of these is posted in each room and, even if momentarily unoccupied, should not be confused with a resting perch for visitors!
The Athens Familiarization Walk (from GreeceAudioGuides.com) begins at Syntagma Square. Bus #95 from the airport terminates there. Chances are, this is the first place you saw when you arrived in Athens. Two Metro lines (2 and 3) stop at the Syntagma Station.
If you arrive by Metro, follow signs to “Syntagma Square” up to the surface. Find the fountain in the center of the Square. Press “Play” on your MP3 player. It’s that easy.
Read my post on Areopagus: Accessibility. The bottom line is this site is steep, slippery, and unsafe. Though the views and the stories make a visit worthwhile, a broken ankle (or neck!) could put a serious crimp in your Greece trip.
Wear good shoes and watch your step. Not only are the original steps worn smooth, but the surface of the summit is uneven and pitted—a likely place to catch your toe and cause a tumble. As long as you are careful, the Areopagus should not pose a problem for most people. If you struggle with any kind of balance or walking problem, I would not attempt this site.
This site is ungated, which means a visit is free of charge and the site is accessible 24/7. However, try to time your visit for the morning or early evening—when the sun is not so intense and light for photographs is optimized. There are some great vistas here, including both ancient and more modern sights. If you have a tripod, this would be a good place to put it to use.
At the foot of the hill, there are benches in a lovely shaded spot … if you’d like to sit and contemplate for a while. If you bring your New Testament, this would make a great place to read about Paul’s visit to Athens (Acts 17:16-34—which mentions both the agora and the Areopagus). Paul’s speech to the Areopagus Council is commemorated with a bronze plaque at the base of the hill. Unfortunately, unless you can read Koine Greek, you will only be able to pick out scattered words like “Paulos” and “Athenaioi.”
Water and snacks are available at the nearby Acropolis ticket gate. There is also a bag-check room, restrooms, and a water fountain just a few yards away from the Areopagus.
