We consider the Acropolis Museum in Athens to be one of the world’s best museums. There are many museums of art and antiquities and the Acropolis Museum is one of our very favorites.
We certainly consider it the best museum in Athens. (We also love the Byzantine Museum, but that’s for another post). Not only is the Acropolis Museum filled with incredible art and antiquities, but the design of museum is both beautiful and functional.
Why is it one of the world’s best museums? Because the Acropolis Museum design makes it easy and accessible for the art-loving traveler. Designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects, it maintains, through its highly transparent glass facades, a direct visual connection between its exhibits, the Acropolis and the in-situ monuments. There are panoramic views of the historic surrounding hills and the city. Glass floors in the interior allow visitors to view of the underlying excavated area. Instead of a standard building plopped onto the ground, it is an integral part of the location, and respects the antiquities it celebrates.
We’re not alone in our admiration. In 2011 the Acropolis Museum received the AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture. Make time to see it on your next trip to Athens. To see what we are talking about, take this virtual tour.
We recommend that you climb the Acropolis early in the morning (the crowds tend not to hit until about 10 a.m.) and then return down the south side where you arrive very close to the museum. If you need one, there is new accessible access to the Acropolis itself.
While we consider the Acropolis Museum to be one of the world’s best museums, there are so many more. If you love antiquities and ancient Greek and Roman art, be sure to check out our other posts about other museums and sites.
