Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum

Location: Egnatia
Don't miss: Museums guide (free admission dates and other useful info)

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki was inaugurated on October 27th, 1962, on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Thessaloniki. Work on the erection of the museum began as early as 1950, with famed architect Patroklos Karantinos having been assigned to create the building. Today it stands as one of the most important examples of modernist architecture in the country and the most important post-war creation of Karantinos.

The museum initially housed a miniature art collection from the Archaic and Classical periods. It was also the holding place for the Derveni Krater unearthed from the tombs at Derveni. The Derveni Krater was first displayed to the public on the day of the museum's inauguration. Later in 1968, the discoveries from the tombs of the Macedonian kings at Vergina were also brought to the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. These included a golden larnax and the golden grave crown of Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great. These artifacts were displayed at the museum until 1997 when they were relocated to the Archaeological Museum of Vergina.

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More about the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

To house the treasures of Vergina, a new building was required. As a result, a two-story annex designed by Alexandros Vogiatzis was inaugurated in July 1980 with the exhibition "Alexander the Great". In October 1982, a new exhibition was designed to display the finds unearthed from the cemetery of Sindos, a northern suburb of Thessaloniki. In 1985, with the completion of 2300 years since the foundation of Thessaloniki, the first major exhibition dedicated to the city’s history and archaeology was organized. From 2001 to 2006, the museum underwent extensive restoration work.

Today, the museum comprises eight distinct units, each showcasing a piece of the puzzle of the vibrant world of ancient Macedonia. There is the prehistoric exhibition, with finds from excavations throughout the region, an Iron Age exhibition, and an area focused on the period between the foundation of the Macedonian Kingdom up until late antiquity. The next four exhibitions display the history of Thessaloniki, the Gold of Macedon, the cemeteries and residences of the ancient city, and a collection of stone monuments. Finally, there is a unique interactive exhibition, informing visitors on the ancient history of Macedonia through enhanced technological systems, digital representations, and virtual images.

The Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki is open to visitors from 09:00 to 17:00 every day.