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Tickets: GetYourGuide.com (Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.)
Situated in the trendy Kolonaki neighborhood in central Athens, the Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Engineering is housed in a beautiful three story Art Nouveau building that originally served as the residence of King Alexander of Greece (1893-1920) and his wife, Princess Aspasia of Greece and Denmark (1896-1972). The nonprofit museum opened to the public in 2018 through the efforts of Kostas Kotsanas, who has committed his professional career to studying aspects of Ancient Greek culture, particularly ancient Greek technology. Originally from Seliana, a village in the Peloponnese region, he studied mechanical engineering before establishing three museums; the other two located in Katakolo (Peloponnese), Ancient Olympia, and Crete.
The permanent collection on display at the museum comprises reconstructed Greek innovations from the time span of 2000 B.C. up until the conclusion of the Ancient Greek world (323 B.C.), and incorporates functional and interactive technological models of hydraulic engineering, measuring instruments, steam engines, a reproduction of the Antikythera mechanism (considered to be the world’s first computer), and medical and military technology. Over 100 working interactive exhibits are exhibited, all crafted by Kotsanas himself. The collection is shown over three levels, accessible by stairways and an elevator.
Within the main museum`s entrance hall lies an additional gallery dedicated to Ancient Greek musical instruments and toys. This collection features reconstructions such as Ktesibios`s organ, considered the earliest keyboard, Pythagora`s syntonon, Herme`s lyre, Homer`s phorminx and Apollo`s guitar. A third section of the museum focuses on Ancient Greek combat armaments and armor.
Guided educational sessions about the museum are conducted by staff free of additional cost and available in English and Greek; discuss availing this option when purchasing your ticket at the museum. The museum maintains an excellent online emporium with reproductions of ancient creations and publications for sale. Situated in central Athens, approximately 400 meters from Syntagma Square and metro station.
Museum of Ancient Greek Technology Hours and Information
- Hours: 10am – 6pm daily June to October, 9am – 5pm daily November to May.
- Website: kotsanasmuseum.com
- Location: Pindarou 6
- Telephone: +30 21 1411 0044
- Entrance Fee: General Admission 5€ per exhibition, or 10€ for all 3 exhibits. Children under 5 are exempt from fees.
- Parking: Street parking, nearby pay lots.
- Nearest Metro: Syntagma
Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
