It is one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. Its construction, designed by architects B. Tschumi and Mih. Fotiadi was completed in 2007. Standing only 300m away from the Acropolis Rock, its total area covers 21,000sq.m, while it offers a display area of 14,000sq.m. It is made of steel, glass and concrete; it uses natural light efficiently so that its 4,000 exhibits would show off. The last level (The Parthenon room) has the dimensions and the direction of the Parthenon and it has been rotated by 23 degrees in relation to the rest of the building so that the visitor would have an immediate view of the monument.
The surrounding area, visible from the glass floor of the ground level, functions as an open museum-excavation. The main entrance is on Dionissiou Areopagitou Street (see page --). In addition, the imposing Weiller building stands in the vicinity. Having been built by German architect W. Von Weiller, it combines Byzantine style masonry and neoclassical decorative patterns. Initially it was used as a military hospital and later as police unit headquarters, whereas since 1987 it houses the “Acropolis Research Centre”.
It houses priceless finds from the Acropolis monuments that represent its history and function as the most important religious centre of ancient Athens. On the main level, the visitors can see extended remnants of the ancient city, revealed with the excavations that are displayed under the specially-made glass floor, as well as significant finds deriving from the slopes of Acropolis. On the first level there are finds from the Acropolis during the Mycenaeic and Geometric era, exhibition of archaic items, architectural structures and sculptures from Propylaia, from the temple of Athena Nike and Erechtheion, as well as works dating from the late ancient period to the early Christian years. On the second level you can find the restaurant, the Museum’s shop and book store, balconies with the view of the exhibits on the main and first level as well as a digital media area. Finally on the third floor (the Parthenon room) are displayed the frieze, the metopes and the temple’s pediments. The museum also offers an area for occasional exhibitions and cultural events, an amphitheatre, an internet hall and an information centre. Some of the most significant exhibits are listed below:
The Moschoforos: The exceptional statue of a bearded youth (6th century B.C) is carrying a calf on his shoulders, a sacrifice to goddess Athena.
Alexander the Great: The Head of Alexander the Great which was found near Erechtheio. It is speculated that the statue was made by sculptor Leocharis, after the visit of the Macedonian king to the city, following the battle of Chaeroneia (339 B.C)
The daughter of Antenoros: The marble statue which dates back to 525 B.C is famous for its monumental grandeur (2m high) its expressiveness and austere facial expression.
The Archaic Kores: The statues of the maidens who were dedicated to goddess Athena for a long period of time. No two maidens were alike, their varying hair styles and the drapery of their robes give the visitor the chance to admire the development of the sculptural art in ancient Greece.
Sculptures decorating the Parthenon (444-432 B.C): Creation of the sculptor Pheidias, the sculptures are unique masterpieces of works of art in the history of all times. Among others, one would find sections of the frieze depicting the Panathenaean procession, the Olympian gods and certain metopes depicting scenes of the Centauromachy (battle of centaurs), the Giantomachy (war of giants), the Amazonomachy (battle of Amazons) and the Trojan War.
The Caryatids: The statues of the beautiful priestesses were used for supporting the roof of the southern balcony of the Erechtheion (420 B.C). Apparently they were named after the women of Caryes (an ancient city of Arcadia in the Peloponnese), who are thought to have been the models of certain statues. During the Turkish Domination the Caryatids were also referred to as Petrified Princesses or the Maidens of the Castle.
http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/
