#276: National Archaeology Museum (pg 176; Listed as "Athens's Museums" in 2nd Ed, pg 157)

Sept. 30, 2019

Varvakeion Athena.  Per the plaque attached, "this statuette is the truest and best preserved copy of the cult statue of the Athena Parthenon by Pheidias, which was erected in the Parthenon in 438 BC."  The original was 12 times this size.  This copy of that 12 foot statue is from the 3rd Century AD.

According to Fodor's Guide, the National Archaeology Museum is "the most important museum in Greece"

Bronze statuette of Poseidon. Found in the sea.

From ~480 BC.

Dionysos

520-510 BC

One of the earliest known Archaic Sphinxes. 570 BC.

This was found on Delos.  We all had fun finding all the artifacts from Delos, since we had just been there a couple days before.  We felt like we could picture where they had been in their original homes, where they were meant to be seen.

It is unclear if this is Zeus or Poseidon because it was found without the thunderbolt or trident, which would have clarified the god.

460 BC

Rick Steves has a podcast audio tour of this museum and that is what we used.

Verdict:  No.  I didn't walk away from this museum thinking I needed to tell all my friends and family this was a "must do" before they die.  It's not something you need to travel to Greece to see (like the Acropolis!)  However, as it says in 1000 Places, this museum "holds more masterpieces of ancient Greek art and sculpture than any other museum in the world."  It's collection of Cycladic, Mnoan, Mycenaean and Classical Greek art is "unrivaled."  So, if you ever find yourself in Athens, go out of your way to make time to see this magnificent museum (cost 10 euros/person).  But otherwise, just enjoy these pictures from the comfort of your own home ;)