Archaeological Museum of Piraeus

The Piraeus Archaeological Museum is indeed located in Piraeus, the port city of Athens. You can reach the port from Athens via metro line number 1, which is the old Athens-Piraeus railway line. Unlike other metro lines, this line runs mostly above ground, making for a somewhat bumpier ride than the other lines. 

Museum Exhibition Hall, March 2022. Photo: OI


Ancient objects found in Piraeus were initially displayed in a school building located right next to a Hellenistic-era theater.

Map of ancient Piraeus. The museum and the ancient theater are marked with number 1, right next to the Zea harbor basin. Photo: OI


In 1935, the exhibition space was officially designated as an archaeological museum and in 1966 planning was begun for a new, larger museum building, which was eventually opened in 1981 next to the old structure. The new museum has a total area of 1,400 m², while the old school building was repurposed for collection storage. The museum buildings now surround the ancient theater on three sides, and some artifacts are also displayed outdoors.


The museum's collection includes objects from the Mycenaean period to the Roman era, with most of the finds originating from Piraeus and nearby coastal areas.

Funerary Monument: The label states that a woman who died in childbirth sits on a throne, holding the right hand of his husband standing before her. A nurse holding a newborn stands behind her, and the grieving figure of the mother completes the scene. 350–330 BCE, Piraeus. Photo from the exhibition: OI
Funerary monument of Nikeratos and His Son Polyxenos. Found on the Black Sea coast.The label states that this unique temple-like tomb monument was influenced by the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. Discovered in Kallithea, dated around 330 BCE. Photo from the exhibition: OI
Funerary stele depicting an Athenian named Andron bidding farewell to one of his sons. Above the two figures, an epigram is inscribed:
"Here lies Andron, who once saw one of his sons dead and welcomed another into death."
From the second quarter of the 4th century BCE. Photo: OI
Statue of Roman emperor Hadrian (117–138 CE): The upper part of a larger-than-life statue, found in the port of Piraeus. Photo from the exhibition: OI
 A larger-than-life statue of Roman emperor Balbinus (Decimus Coelius Balbinus, 238 CE): with an eagle, the symbol of the emperor, peeking from behind him. Photo from the exhibition: OI


One of the museum’s highlights is its collection of bronze sculptures discovered near the port in 1959. These sculptures were stored in an ancient warehouse when the Roman general Sulla besieged Piraeus in 86 BCE.

Bronze Sculpture Rooms of the Museum. Photo: OI
The bronze statue of Artemis is one of the museum’s finest bronze pieces. The label describes it as meticulously crafted despite having been found in poor condition. The goddess wears a high-belted peplos and a himation-cloak. She holds a drinking cup in her right hand and a bow in her left. The statue belongs to the stylistic tradition of Praxiteles' school and is possibly from the Hellenistic period. Photos from the exhibition: OI


Piraeus Athena. The goddess wears a long, draped Doric veil pulled back over her shoulders. Her Corinthian helmet is decorated with two owls. She once held a spear in her left hand and a flask in her right. The statue is dated either to the 4th century BCE or as a classicizing piece from the Hellenistic period. Photos from the exhibition: OI
Bronze Statue of Artemis. Identified as Artemis due to the attachment for arrows on her back and the position of her fingers, which once held a bow. Mid-5th century BCE. Photo: OI
Large Tragic Mask. Likely a votive offering. Mid-5th century BCE. Photo: OI
Parts of a Bronze Shield Cover. The exterior features an image of a chariot. This artifact was discovered in 1959 alongside other finds. Late 6th century BCE. Photo from the exhibition: OI
Piraeus Apollo. An archaic cult statue, one of the few surviving bronze sculptures of this type. The god originally held a bow in his left hand and a drinking cup in his right. The statue is dated either to the early 6th century BCE or possibly between 530–520 BCE. Photo: OI
Artifacts are also displayed in the open courtyard formed by the ancient theater, alongside the many cats that can be found all over Athens. Photos, March 2022.



Location: Char. Trikoupi 31, Pireas 185 36, Kreikka

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