What Is The Archaeological Museum Of Nafplion?
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplion is found in the of Nafplion of Argolis, in Greece. It has exhibits of the Neolithic-, Chalcolithic-, Helladic-, Mycenaen-, Classical-, Hellenistic-, and Roman periods from all over southern Argolis.
The museum is housed on the top floor of the old Venetian barracks which covers and encases the central Syntagma square of Nafplio on its west side. It is recognized as one of the best well-preserved Venetian structures in the whole of Greece.
History
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplion was a Venetian navy arsenal built in 1713, during the period of the 2nd Venetian occupation. It is one of the most impressive Venetia buildings build in a baroque style.
It was built by the progenitor of the fleet, Augustine Sagredos to be used as a warehouse for the fleet. This is also stated on the marble Latin inscription that is built in its façade.
The building was also used as the living quarters for soldiers and was used by the Germans during World War II as their interrogation centre. The strict shape of the building reflects the military influence.
The museum reopened in 2009 after renovations and repairs was done after damage caused by an earthquake. Thanks to the extensive renovations, it is today one of the more modern museums in town.
Interest For Today
A visit to the Archaeological Museum in Nafplion presents a glimpse into the cultures and history of Argolis, a southern region on Greece’s mainland. The museum’s exhibits spread over two floors of the 18th century Venetian house. The ground floor concentrates on the prehistoric periods and the second floor contains artifacts from the Iron Age onward.
The permanent exhibition spreads along two halls within the building’s two floors and is historically divided into several themes, from the remotest pre-historical exhibit to the period of antiquity, demonstrating the walk and the mark of every civilization setting foot in Argolida Prefecture.
A highlight of the museum is the findings from the village of Dendra. The Bronze Suit Armor of Dendra is one of the museum’s most exquisite piece of archaeological finds. It is a type of bronze-plated body armour from the Mycenaean era and is exhibited with the rest of the tools which were excavated, such as armour equipment belonging to the soldier dressed in that armour, bronze and clay jugs.
The early period of the Bronze Age or Early Helladic period, between 3300 – 2000 BC, is represented with exhibits from regions such as, Tirith, Assini, Berbati, and Ancient Epidaurus. Some of this period’s pottery is seen through seals made of stone, clay or bronze, clay sealing-tops, bone-made tools, Early-Cycladic marble figurines, a clay made hearth from Berbati region, and the Tirith cooler.
From the Middle Helladic Period, between 2000 – 1600 BC, from the settlements of Assini, Medea, Tirith and Berbati, jugs, vessels and other artifices are exhibited. This was the period on which the Mycenaean civilization was built.
A Palaeolithic cluster of altars from the Klisouras gorge rocks in Prosymna represents the most remote period in history. It also presents stone and bone utility tools, shells and bones of animals and fish, jewellery made of shells, bones or stone, jugs-vases along with a few figurines resembling humans and animals, made of clay.
The structure of the great Mycenaean Palace is portrayed through findings excavated in major centres under the influence of Mycenae. There are worshipping tools and figurines, storage urns, workshop casts, moulds, semi, or unprocessed precious stones, cylindrical seal-tops, a copper-made talent (coin), pieces out of amber, faience, and alabaster. All are indications of the trading channel Mycenae seemed to relish. There is also a preserved skeleton of a Mycenaean baby, displayed in a small tomb.
Another interesting exhibition is the artifacts found at the Fragthi cave, located in the region of Erminoda. It demonstrates the transition from hunter-gatherer to a productive economy.
The Homeric Era is represented through burial tools from Nafplion, Tirith, Assini and the Berbati region. The horses and the horseman give credit to the heroic aura of the time, while ceremonial drawings of dances, birds and animals completely realize the Homeric years.
Worshipping and ritualistic practices of the time are presented through findings in Tirith. Tribute is paid the goddesses Hera and Athena through throne-set deities, a shield-bearer horse rider, micrographic vessels, flowers, seeds, and wreaths.
From the Berbati region there is a presentation of a Pyrgouthi homestead of the 6th century BC that give insight into wine-production and other agricultural tasks of the inhabitants through tools and utensils.
All exhibits have signs in English and Greek, which make it easy to understand what you are looking at. There is also an introductory video in English that explains where the objects come from.
Hours of Business
- Winter: November to March from 08:30 – 15:30
- Summer: April to October from 09:00 – 16:00
- Every Tuesday, the museum is closed
- Good Friday: 12:00 – 17:00
- Holy Saturday: 08:30 – 16:00
Holidays
- 1 January: closed
- 25 March
- 1 May
- Easter Sunday
- 25 December
- 26 December
Tickets
- Full: €6, Reduced: €3
- November – March: €3
- April – October: €6
Free admission days
- 6 March (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
- 18 April (International Monuments Day)
- 18 May (International Museums Day)
- The last weekend of September annually (European Heritage Days)
- 28 October
- Every first Sunday from 1 November to 31 March
Contact information
- Address: Syntagmatos Square, Τ.Κ. 21 100, Nafplio (Prefecture of Argolida)
- Telephone: +30 27520 27502
- Email: efaarg@culture.gr
The museum holds educational-cultural programs for all age-groups. For more information, please contact the museum.
How To Get There?
The Archaeological Museum of Nafplion is situated on the west end of Syntagma square, in the heart of the old city. It can be reached by bus or private transport. If you drive, it is suggested that you park at the large parking lot at the port and walk the ten minutes to the museum. Otherwise, you might be tangled in very narrow streets in Nafplio’s old town.
