Overview:

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki in Greece is a nationally significant archaeological museum, located in the north-central part of the city. It is dedicated to the study, exhibition, and preservation of archaeological artifacts from the entirety of Greek history, from the prehistoric to the late Byzantine era. Established in 1862, it is the oldest museum in Greece and possesses one of the most impressive collections and most extensive archives of archaeological artifacts in the world. Among its foremost attractions are its exhibits of classical, Hellenistic, and Neolithic Greek through Roman artifacts. Among the more famous exhibits to be seen here are numerous sculptures, statues, and coins from ancient Macedonia; fine jewelry and pottery of the Greek Dark Ages; and a number of metal displays from the classical Greek city-states. Additionally, the museum has an impressive collection of sculptures, coins, and manuscripts from throughout Greco-Roman antiquity. The museum also houses a research laboratory, a library, and a multimedia center. For tourists, the museum is open seven days a week (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), with guided tours available. Visitors can also make use of the camera skills center, a fun interactive space with a range of activities designed to bring the museum's exhibits to life. Visitors also have the option of purchasing souvenirs in the museum's gift shop. All in all, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is an ideal spot to explore the history and culture of Ancient Greece. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

1. Collection of archaeological artifacts from many sites throughout Greece, including from Vergina, the ancient Macedonian capital city of Aigai, dating back as far as the Neolithic period. 2. It houses one of the most important collections of Portable Antiquities in Greece, with exquisite gold funerary masks from tombs, Minoan jewelry, terracottas from ancient cities of Northern Greece, statuettes, coins, pottery and architectural elements. 3. The museum displays more than 177,000 items, including various finds from the prehistoric, Byzantine and classical sites in the Thessaloniki area. 4. The exhibition is organized into seven sections covering aspects of antiquarian objects related to primary everyday activities, funerary art, stone/clay/metal sculpture, and other archaeological materials. 5. The museum also exhibits a large collection of coins from the antiquity to the modern era. 6. It features a modern multi-media exhibition on the life and times of Alexander the Great, highlighting major artifacts. 7. The museum also regularly organizes temporary exhibitions focusing on a variety of archaeological topics. 8. Located in the heart of Thessaloniki, the museum is housed in a large 19th-century building which was formerly the Turkish seraglio of Tsimiski, today a residential area. 9. Guided tours and a well-stocked gift shop add to the experience. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is one of the oldest and most significant museums in Greece. It was founded in 1881, with the purpose of preserving the archaeological remains of Thessaloniki and the surrounding area. The museum was originally established with the donations of Spyros and Petros Minas, local philanthropists, and was initially housed in the Minas residence in downtown Thessaloniki. During the early years of the museum, a number of excavations were conducted around Thessaloniki and its region. The valuable finds from these excavations were transported to the museum and were eventually displayed in its various halls. In 1946, the museum was transferred to its current building on Immolation Square, near the White Tower. In the following years, more archaeological finds were transported to the museum, mostly from excavations around Thessaloniki and the greater Macedonia region. During the 1970s, the museum’s infrastructure – in terms of storage and preservation of the exhibited objects – was improved significantly. Today, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki includes a large collection of artefacts, ranging from the prehistoric period to the post-Byzantine era. Apart from the regular exhibitions, the museum features a variety of educational programs and activities, as well as activities related to restoration of archaeological objects. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is one of the most prominent cultural attractions of the city and it offers the visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history and culture of Thessaloniki and the wider region. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki in northern Greece showcases some of the earliest artifacts of this region, including items from prehistoric Times and ancient Mycenaen, Roman, and Ottoman-era civilizations. 2. The museum houses over 40,000 items and is divided into several sections, such as Prehistoric, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine art. 3. The museum’s most precious item is a 15-ton marble statue of the Roman goddess Athena sculpted in the 2nd century A.D. 4. The museum’s artifacts are arranged into seven different display groups: Prehistoric finds, Greek finds from Macedonia, Greek ceramics, sculptures and wall paintings from Macedonia, Roman finds from Thessaloniki, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine finds, and everyday objects from the Ottoman period. 5. The museum also houses a library with a collection of more than 40,000 books, mostly about archaeology, art history, and classical culture. 6. The museum’s collections are still growing, as it receives contributions from other museums, epigraphs, and archeologists from across the world. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era