Underwater archaeology museum to open near Athens by 2026
The capital of Greece will welcome a new tourist attraction as early as 2026. The Underwater Archaeology Museum will open in Piraeus, near Athens. This unique venue will exhibit 2,500 artefacts, ranging from prehistoric times to items from the Second World War.
Piraeus was once the most significant port of ancient Athens. It is located on a mountainous peninsula, just a few kilometres southwest of the capital of this tourist-frequented nation.
A new addition in Greece
According to Greek Travel Pages, the museum will be partially housed in a former silo from 1934. However, an additional structure is being built next to it where the collections will be displayed. The number of exhibits will reach 2,500, all sourced from underwater.
The exhibition's centrepiece will be a replica of an ancient trireme constructed at a 1:2 scale using 3D technology. The replica of the ancient Roman ship, measuring 23 metres and weighing approximately 7 tonnes, will be surrounded by constellations that aided ancient sailors in navigation.
In addition to the trireme, the museum will feature, among other things, a holographic presentation of the Antikythera mechanism and artefacts from shipwrecks such as the "Mentor" or the "Britannic."
The museum will be divided into thematic sections, including "Sea, Environment, Man" and "Underwater Archaeology."
The impressive facility aims to attract tourists
The Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, emphasizes that the museum will bridge a gap in Greece's history and marine archaeology. She highlights that the new facility in Piraeus will be unique on a global scale, presenting the underwater archaeology of the entire country. The Greeks hope that this exceptional place will draw both domestic and international visitors.
The project, funded by the Recovery Fund, was not inexpensive. The whole venture is expected to cost £80 million. It will cover a total area of 26,400 square metres and include permanent and temporary exhibits, educational and scientific spaces, visitor service points, and offices.
