Attica Tours

Tour Description

Exploring the Roots of History Through Artifacts and Antiquity

The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is Greece’s premier repository of ancient art and one of the world’s great museums. Its vast collection traces Greek civilization from the Bronze Age to the Roman period.

The tour begins with the Mycenaean treasures (16th–13th century BC), featuring gold funerary masks, weapons, and jewelry that reveal the wealth of this Bronze Age culture. The famous Mask of Agamemnon (16th century BC) stands out as a symbol of this era. Nearby, the minimalist Cycladic idols (27th–23rd century BC) offer a striking contrast.

In the Geometric period, the monumental Vase of the Painter of Dipylon (8th century BC) depicts intricate funerary scenes, among the earliest narrative artworks in Greece. The Archaic period is represented by statues like the Frasikleia Kore and the Kori of Naxos (6th century BC), early depictions of idealized female figures used in funerary contexts.

A highlight of Classical sculpture is the bronze statue of Zeus or Poseidon (5th century BC), captured in dynamic action. The nearby Antikythera Mechanism (2nd century BC), an ancient astronomical computer, reflects Greek scientific ingenuity.

The museum’s funerary monuments (5th–4th century BC) offer intimate glimpses of ancient life, while the dynamic Jockey of Artemision (2nd century BC) captures the drama of Hellenistic art.

The vibrant Santorini frescoes (17th century BC), preserved by volcanic ash, depict life in the Bronze Age Aegean. The statue of Perseus (2nd century BC, Roman copy), frozen after slaying Medusa, and the playful group of Aphrodite, Pan, and Eros (2nd century BC) complete the museum’s celebration of myth and artistry.

Visiting the National Archaeological Museum is not just a tour of history—it is an encounter with the spirit and creativity of ancient Greece. Every artifact tells a story that still resonates today.