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Acropolis Museum Collection | Explore the Archaeological Findings from the Acropolis of Athens
Acropolis Museum ticketsCollections
Discover the Acropolis Museum collection
The Acropolis Museum collection spans several centuries from the Greek Bronze Age (circa 3,200 BCE) to Roman and Byzantine Greece (circa 600 AD). It comprises more than 4,200 artifacts that showcase the evolution of Greek art and culture. Most of them belong to the Ancient Greek period between 1,200 BCE and 300 AD.
You can explore galleries dedicated to the Archaic period, the Parthenon, and everyday life in ancient Athens. The museum’s highlights include the Caryatids, majestic female statues from the 5th century BC, and the Parthenon frieze, intricate reliefs depicting historical and mythological scenes.
Galleries at the Acropolis Museum
The Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis
Location: Ground floor
Notable artefacts: Offerings to the gods, ancient pottery, reliefs, and figurines
This gallery immerses you in the daily life of ancient Athenians, showcasing objects found in the various buildings that were once located on the slopes of the Acropolis. The artifacts here reflect the religious and public aspects of their life.
The Archaic Aropolis Gallery
Location: First floor
Notable artefacts: The Moschophoros (Calf-bearer) and the Kore 675
This gallery is home to the early masterpieces of ancient Greek art from the 7th century BCE to the early 5th century BCE, before the Persian invasion. You’ll find statues and offerings like korai (female statues), kouroi (male statues), and horsemen. They highlight the development of freestanding sculpture and show the evolution of dedications (offerings).
The early history of the Acropolis
Location: First floor
Notable artefacts: Early Mycenaean pottery, tools, figurines, and remnants of the formidable walls
This gallery uncovers the layers of history that transformed the Acropolis from a typical settlement into the epitome of Athenian power and religious devotion. Through a carefully curated selection of artefacts, visitors are taken on a journey through time, exploring how this sacred hill evolved to become the heart of ancient Athens.
Other Monuments of the Periklean Building Programme
Location: First floor
Notable artefacts: Karyatids, friezes from the Erechtheion, parts of the Propylaia’s ceiling and columns, friezes and segments of parapets from the Temple of Athena Nike
This gallery pays homage to the ambitious building programme initiated by Pericles, the ancient Greek politician. It was under him that the Acropolis’ most iconic structures were constructed between 461 BCE and 429 BCE. The artifacts here showcase the period’s architectural grandeur, and reflect the democratic ideals and cultural flourishing of Athens.
From the 5th century BC to the end of Antiquity
Location: First floor
Notable artefacts: Findings from the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia, dedications, reliefs, Roman coinage
This gallery celebrates the height of artistic and architectural achievement at the Acropolis during its golden age. It chronicles the evolution of Athens’ art and architecture, showcasing its cultural dominance. You’ll see artifacts from the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia, fragments of figurines and reliefs, and Roman-era gold and bronze coins.
The Parthenon Gallery
Location: Third floor
Notable artefacts: Fragments of the Parthenon’s frieze, detailed metopes, and pediments
Centred around the Parthenon frieze, this gallery offers a comprehensive view of the band of rich decorative sculptures that once adorned the temple of Athena at the Acropolis. You can appreciate the friezes in their historical context through an architectural layout that mirrors the Parthenon’s dimensions.
The Archaeological Excavation
Location: Basement
Notable artefacts: Fragments of ancient dwellings and architectural pieces
Set beneath the museum’s modern structure, this gallery is a testament to the living history underpinning the Acropolis Museum itself. The atrium’s glass floor offers a literal window into the past, where visitors can peer into the depths of Athenian history. Watch as archaeologists excavate Ancient Greek buildings, including houses and workshops, and uncover the mysteries of this ancient neighbourhood.
Excavation Museum
Location: Level 1/Basement
Notable artifacts: Everyday utensils, pottery, and other daily use items
In June 2024, on its 15th anniversary, the Acropolis Museum opened a new permanent exhibition area. Located at Level 1/the basement, adjacent to the archaeological excavation site, this new exhibit displays more than 1,100 artifacts unearthed from the excavation site. These items give you a fascinating glimpse of what daily life was like in the vicinity of the Acropolis in ancient Athens.
Highlights of the Acropolis Museum collection
The Moschophoros (Calf-bearer)
Location: The Archaic Acropolis Gallery
Depicting a bearded man carrying a calf on his shoulders, the 6th-century BC Moschophoros or calf-bearer statue symbolises a sacrificial offering to the goddess Athena. It showcases the religious devotion and artistic detail of the period.
The Caryatids
Location: Other monuments of the Periklean building programme – The Erechtheion section
The Caryatids are sculpted female figures that served as support columns in the Erechtheion temple. They elegantly blend form with function while embodying the grace and strength of women. Their enduring beauty highlights the advanced sculptural techniques of ancient Greece.
The Parthenon Frieze
Location: The Parthenon Gallery
The Parthenon Frieze captures the grandeur of the religious procession that was once held during the Panathenaea, an ancient Greek festival. Comprising a detailed relief, the frieze once encircled the temple’s outer walls and celebrated Athena’s patronage and Athenian civic pride. It’s a masterful representation of the ancient Greeks’ artistic achievement.
Statuette of Athena Promachos
Location: The Archaic Acropolis Gallery
This statue depicts the goddess Athena in a confident battle pose, with her arm raised to strike her enemies with a weapon, most likely a spear. Made of bronze and created in the 5th century BC, the statue shows the goddess wearing a magnificent crested helmet and her aegis, which was a protective cloak.
Relief of a small temple and portico
Location: Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis
Made of Pentelic marble, this relief sculpture depicts the god Aslepios, his wife Epione, and his daughter Hygeia receiving worshippers at his temple. Reassembled from several fragments found in the Sanctuary of Asklepios on the south slope of Acropolis Hill, it includes many sculptural elements typical in Greek art during the Classical period. It is one of the most beautifully restored artefacts at the Acropolis Museum.
The Nike Adjusting Her Sandal (Sandalbinder)
Location: Other monuments of the Periklean building programme – The Temple of Athena Nike section
Masterfully carved from marble, this sculpture captures Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, in the act of adjusting the sandal on her right foot. The elaborate folds of the garment and the way it is draped over the body showcase the unparalleled craftsmanship of Athenian sculptors in depicting complex, transient movements in a timeless medium.
The Peplos Kore
Location: The Archaic Acropolis Gallery
The Peplos Kore is the statue of a young woman wearing a peplos – the traditional ancient Greek women’s attire. It is significant because of the decorations in vibrant colours that once adorned it, challenging the monochromatic image of ancient sculpture. It also provides a glimpse into ancient Greek fashion and clothing practices.
The Kritios Boy
Location: The Archaic Acropolis Gallery
Marking a significant evolution in Greek sculpture, the Kritios Boy exemplifies the shift towards realism and the introduction of contrapposto – or a statue depicted standing with its weight resting on one foot. It offers insights into the intellectual and artistic advancements of the early Classical period of ancient Greece.
Fragments of the Erechtheion Frieze
Location: Other monuments of the Periklean building programme – The Erechtheion section
An intricate Ionic frieze once surrounded the Erechtheion in the Acropolis of Athens, depicting ancient Greek gods, heroes, citizens, and scenes from Greek mythology. Today, fragments of this frieze have been preserved and kept in the Acropolis Museum. They showcase the exquisite craftsmanship of the ancient Athenians and provide a window into their spiritual and cultural world.
Loutrophoros
Location: Gallery of the Slopes of the Acropolis
The Loutrophoros-amphora is one of many clay amphorae (two-handled jars) recovered and displayed at the Acropolis Museum. However, it is notable because of the decorations in the form of ritualistic scenes depicted on it using the black-figure technique. Since a Loutrophoros was used in wedding ceremonies, scenes of a wedding procession are inscribed on its narrow neck and wide body. It provides a rare insight into Ancient Greek culture and customs.
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Frequently asked questions about the Acropolis Museum collection
What are the must-see artifacts in the Acropolis Museum?
The Parthenon Frieze is the crown jewel of the artifacts at the Acropolis Museum. These exquisite carvings depict mythological scenes and showcase the skills of ancient Greek craftsmen. Other must-see artifacts include the Caryatids from the Erechtheion, Nike Adjusting Her Sandal (Sandalbinder), and the Moschophoros (Calf-bearer).
How old are the artifacts in the Acropolis Museum collection?
The artifacts in the Acropolis Museum collection range from the Greek Bronze Age (circa 3200–1100 BC) to Roman and Byzantine Greece, making some of the oldest pieces over 5,000 years old.
How big is the Acropolis Museum collection?
The museum is home to more than 4,200 artefacts, carefully curated to tell the story of the Acropolis and its surrounding area through the ages. It is one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient Greek antiquities.
Is the entire Acropolis Museum collection on display?
Not all of the museum’s artifacts are permanently on display. They are selectively displayed to best represent the Acropolis’ historical and cultural significance across different eras. Some artifacts are in storage for preservation or research purposes, and the collection is rotated to allow varied exhibitions.
Is it possible to see the entire Acropolis Museum collection in one day?
Yes, you’ll need about 2 to 3 hours to explore all the permanent exhibits at the museum. If you’re a history, mythology, and archaeology enthusiast, you can easily spend more time thoroughly seeing all the galleries. We recommend taking an Acropolis Museum Guided Tour to fully understand the history and significance of the ancient artifacts.
Is it necessary to book tickets in advance to see the Acropolis Museum collection?
Booking your Acropolis Museum tickets at least a week in advance is highly recommended since this is one of the most visited attractions in Athens. Pre-booking is especially beneficial during the peak tourist season, to avoid long waiting times in ticket queues.
What is the best time to see the collection?
The off-peak season months from April to mid-June and mid-September to the end of October are the best time to visit the Acropolis Museum. Visit early on weekday mornings to avoid the crowds.
