Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum in Athens is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world, not only for the quality and quantity of the exhibits on display, but also for its cultural and political significance. Founded in 2009, the museum is located at the foot of the historic Acropolis hill and houses a vast collection of artifacts found on the Acropolis and its surroundings, dating from the Greek Bronze Age to the Roman and Byzantine periods. The design of the new building was entrusted to architect Bernard Tschumi in collaboration with Greek Michael Photiades, selected through an international competition held in 2000. The construction of the museum began in 2004 and was completed in 2007, with the official opening taking place in June 2009. The museum’s design was conceived to maximize natural light, allowing visitors to see the exhibits in lighting conditions most similar to the original ones. The museum is divided into three main exhibition levels. On the ground floor are the artifacts from the slopes of the Acropolis, including votive statuettes and everyday objects that offer a glimpse into the lives of ancient Athenians. The first floor houses the collection of archaic sculptures, including the famous “Kritios Boy” and the “Korai”, statues of young women that show the evolution of Greek sculptural art from the rigid archaic style to the more naturalistic one of the classical period. The highlight of the museum is the upper floor, where the Parthenon marbles are displayed, including the metopes, friezes, and pediments, arranged in a layout that mirrors the original temple’s design. The foundation of the museum took place in a context of great political and cultural fervor. Since its opening, the museum has played a key role in the campaign for the return of the Parthenon marbles, currently exhibited at the British Museum. Greek authorities argue that the new museum, with its proximity and direct view of the Parthenon, is the ideal place to display these treasures. The issue of the return of the marbles has a strong emotional and symbolic impact for Greece, representing a matter of cultural identity and historical reparation. Another fascinating aspect of the museum is its integration with the underlying archaeological site. Some sections of the floor are made of glass, allowing visitors to see the remains of ancient Athens neighborhoods, in a suggestive dialogue between past and present. This innovative approach emphasizes the ongoing connection of the modern city with its ancient heritage. The museum’s history is marked by a constant commitment to conservation and research. The Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments, established in 1975, has played a crucial role in the restoration of important structures such as the Erechtheion and in the protection of the famous Caryatids, transferred to the museum to save them from the damage of air pollution. Cutting-edge techniques, such as laser cleaning, are used to preserve the intricate details of the sculptures.