1 Agorá
2 Akrópoli (Acropolis)
3 Ethnikó Archaiologikó Mouseío (National Archeological Museum)
4 Kéntro Meletón Akropóleos (Acropolis Study Centre)
5 Lykavittós (Lykabettos Hill)
6 Mouseío Ellinikís Laografias (Museum of Greek Folk Art)
7 Mouseío Ellinikón Mousikon Orgánon (Museum of Greek Musical Instruments)
8 Mouseío Kykladikís kai Archaías Ellinikís Téchnis (Museum of Cycladic Art)
9 Pláka
10 Stádio (Olympic Stadium)
This first-class modern museum houses the remarkable private collection of Nikolas P Goulandris, a shipowner and patron of the arts.
The displays span many centuries of ancient Greek art - vases, glassware and other items - but the central exhibits are the beautiful artifacts from the Cycladic civilisation of 3000-2000 BC. The statues are especially memorable - the figures seem to float in their display cabinets as subtle lighting brings out their shape and texture. It will be a rare visitor who is not tempted to take home a copy from the attractive museum shop.
Computers give visitors information about the museum and, in a fascinating but temporary exhibition likely to be moved to the Acropolis Study Centre at some stage, computers also give animated displays of construction techniques used in building the Parthenon. On the corner of Irodotou and Vasilissis Sofias is the entrance to the new wing (added in 1992) of the Cycladic Museum, joined to the main building by a glass-covered walkway. This wing is as interesting for the building that houses it as for its contents. It was designed by and was the home of the German architect Ernst Ziller, the man also responsible for the Olympic Stadium, the Presidential Palace and Heinrich Schliemann's house on Panepistimiou. Some rooms of the museum display furniture and watercolours, giving an impression of the mansion's appearance when Ziller lived in it during the late 19th century. Other rooms contain an extension of the main Cycladic collection. There is a shop downstairs, and space upstairs for temporary exhibitions.Address: Neofytou Douka 4
Phone: 722-8321, 724-9706 (shop)
Open: Mon, Wed-Fri 10-4; Sat 10-3. Closed Tue, Sun, public holidays
Restaurant: Café (Moderately priced)
Bus: 234
Metro: Evangelismos
Accessible: None
Admission: Cheap
Other: Benaki Museum, Byzantine Museum, War Museum, Kolonáki
| COUNTRY |
| Greece (Mainland) |
| REGION |
| CITIES |
| Athens
|
| Viewing |
| Top Ten |
| What To See |
| Where To ... |
| Practical Matters |
| MAPS |
| World |
| Europe |
| TRAVEL BOOK |
 |