So here’s the scoop on the brand spanking new Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece; it’s well designed, kept beautifully clean, and makes the relatively small collection of ancient Greek artifacts that the Greeks possess (given that most of the best ancient Greek artifacts have been scattered around the world at this point) look bigger and more extensive than it actually is but there are no pictures allowed in the museum (a rule I hate). So, I’ll show you as much as I could get on my recent visit this August, while still respecting the museum’s policies.
The day started at the top of Acropolis Hill. Getting closer to the sun by hiking up this sacred ancient Greek point (no tourist cable cars here) was not the most comfortable way to spend this 100 degree day but I wasn’t in it for comfort, I wanted to see the Parthenon.
On the top of Acropolis Hill I could see my next destination- the new Acropolis Museum. This modern museum (in the center of the picture below) has a top floor that looks like a twisted cap on a bottle from this angle.
Flexing my muscles, “The museum is this way, ladies”. Just kidding.
The front of the Acropolis Museum invites visitors with a sleek awning and concrete columns. Many columns are displayed throughout the design of the museum, reminiscent of ancient Greek architecture.
Through the front windows you can catch a glimpse of the column design inside the museum.
One of the coolest and most thoughtful aspects of the design is that the museum is constructed over an archeological dig.
Walking over the glass flooring gives you a glimpse of the excavations that are responsible for unveiling the remains of a neighborhood of ancient Athens from as far back as 3000 BC. Archeologists discovered ancient roads, houses, workshops and bathhouses here.
An pensive, old pentelic marble owl from the 5th century B.C. greets visitors, “Hoot, hoot, no pictures allows, hoot”.
Since taking pictures is prohibited, I only got a quick glimpse of the inside for you to see. I snuck in the corner away from the security guards to get a picture of the modern day metal fluted columns that are part of the perimeter design of the museum.
This stone with ancient Greek writing, from approximately 376 BC, displays the ancient Greek language that is still close enough to the modern Greek language that it can still be read. Isn’t that amazing, that the alphabet has changed so little in over 2000 years that it can still be read today?!
“font-size: 15px;”>After exploring I sat down for my second favorite thing to do (after going to museums of course), eating. The museum cafe has a great view of the nearby Acropolis.
And if you can brave the heat, you can sit in the outdoor seating. But I don’t like sweat with my soup, so I just came out afterwards for some pictures.
©2010 Danee Gilmartin All rights reserved
