This location is #23 on our Best Travel Destinations In Greece & Greek Islands Map!
The National Archaeological Museum, located in Athens, Greece, is one of the world’s premier institutions dedicated to ancient Greek artifacts. Spanning over 86,000 square feet, the museum houses an extensive collection of more than 11,000 exhibits, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of ancient Greece. Its galleries are organized thematically and chronologically, displaying artifacts from the Neolithic period to late antiquity, with measurements of notable statues like the bronze Poseidon standing approximately 6.9 feet tall and the marble Kouros statues ranging from 6 to 10 feet in height. The museum’s layout includes spacious exhibition halls, with the central atrium measuring roughly 65 by 65 feet, providing an airy environment to explore treasures like the Antikythera Mechanism, a complex device about 8 inches in diameter, considered the world’s first analog computer.
The museum’s history traces back to 1829, when Greece’s newly established government aimed to preserve its cultural legacy after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. Construction of the current building began in 1866 and was completed in 1889, designed in a neoclassical style with a footprint covering about 2 acres. Initially, it served as a repository for artifacts unearthed from local excavations, but it grew to include finds from across Greece, such as the iconic gold Mask of Agamemnon, measuring about 12 inches tall, discovered at Mycenae. Over time, the museum expanded its scope, incorporating advanced conservation labs and storage areas that now span roughly 21,500 square feet underground to protect delicate artifacts. Its role as a center for archaeological research solidified in the 20th century, making it a global hub for studying ancient Greek civilization.
Interesting facts about the museum highlight its unique contributions to archaeology. The Antikythera Mechanism, recovered from a shipwreck in 1901, measures approximately 13 by 7 by 3.5 inches and remains a marvel of ancient engineering, with over 30 bronze gears used to calculate astronomical positions. Another standout is the Jockey of Artemision, a bronze statue about 6.8 feet long, depicting a horse and rider in dynamic motion, discovered in the same shipwreck. The museum also houses the frescoes from Akrotiri, which cover walls up to 20 feet long, offering vivid glimpses into Minoan life from 1600 BCE. Despite surviving wars and earthquakes, the building itself, with its 8-columned entrance spanning 98 feet, stands as a testament to Greece’s enduring commitment to preserving its past.
