Archaeological Museum of Amphipolis

Who we are

The Museum of Amphipolis is a multifaceted complex of spaces and human resources with many different functions related to the protection and promotion of antiquities. In the Museum's exhibition, visitors can become acquainted with the historical course of the ancient city and its immediate region. In its storerooms and laboratories, the finds brought to light by archaeological excavations are kept, conserved and studied. In the antechamber of the exhibition, in the reception area, a silver reliquary and a gold wreath of olive leaves are displayed, which were found in a cist grave at the spot where the Museum now stands. The exhibition is organised into chronological and thematic sections: I) Prehistoric times Finds from the area of the Strymon estuary attest to a strong human presence from the Middle Neolithic period to the Early Iron Age (5000 BC - 750 BC). II) Early historical times From the mid-7th century BC, with the founding of Greek cities at the estuary of the Strymon, the gradual penetration of the Greek population into Thrace begins, as shown by the Attic and Corinthian vases found in graves of the Archaic period. III) Classical and Hellenistic times The founding of Amphipolis in 437 BC, in the time of Pericles, was a great success for the Athenians. However, a few years later (422 BC) the city gained its autonomy and retained it until its incorporation into the kingdom of Macedonia by Philip II (357 BC). The sanctuaries of the city (space III.1) are dedicated to deities of local character, such as the Nymph, the muse Clio, the hero-horseman Rhesus and Strymon, but also to Olympian gods and heroes, such as Athena, Aphrodite, Artemis, Heracles, Asclepius and the Dioscuri. Particularly important for Amphipolis was the worship of Artemis Tauropolos, while from Hellenistic times the worship of Cybele and Attis became popular. The intense public and private life of Amphipolis (space III.2) is reflected in the rich series of its coins, the production of local workshops, vases, works of coroplastic art, sculpture and minor arts. The excavations have revealed one of the most important public building complexes of the city, the Gymnasium, where young men were educated and trained. In the necropolises (space III.3), outside the city walls, the dead were buried according to their financial means and social status, in graves of various types. The grave goods of these tombs - vases, figurines, weapons, jewellery - are impressive in their richness and artistry. IV) Roman times The Roman era was for Amphipolis another period of prosperity, within the framework of the Roman world empire, as can be seen from the monumental buildings with mosaic floors and the works of sculpture, pottery and minor arts that have come to light. V) Early Christian times With the end of the ancient world (4th century AD), the extent of the city diminished. However, the transfer of the capital of the Roman state to Constantinople favoured the continuation of life in Amphipolis, as shown by the early Christian basilicas with their elaborate mosaics and impressive architectural decoration. The plague of the 6th century AD and the subsequent movements of Slavic populations led to a further shrinking of Amphipolis, which dissolved as an urban centre. VI) Byzantine times After the 9th century AD, settlement interest shifted to the estuary of the Strymon, where an important port-city developed, known by the name Chrysoupolis. On the ruins of Amphipolis, on the north-western fringes of the hills, a small settlement developed, Marmarion, which served the needs of travellers crossing the Strymon River at the passage known as the "Poros of Marmarion". In the small lounge of the Museum, visitors can find interesting information about the more recent history of the place and a chronicle of the archaeological research in the area. (Author: Dimitria Malamidou, archaeologist)

The idea of creating the Museum is owed to the late archaeologist Dimitrios Lazaridis, who, with the support of the Archaeological Society of Athens and the Ministry of Culture, carried out the main body of excavations at Amphipolis from 1956 to 1984. As Ephor of Antiquities of Eastern Macedonia and as General Inspector of Antiquities, he conceived and promoted the founding of the Amphipolis Museum. The construction of the building, whose architectural design was the work of the architect A. Bakirtzis, began in 1976 and remained unfinished until 1981, when, with the support of the Minister of Culture Melina Mercouri, it was included in the Mediterranean Programmes and was completed in 1987. A great many people of various specialisations offered their services to its organisation and operation and continue to work there: archaeologists, architects, conservators, guards, administrative and technical staff. The exhibition was designed by Ch. Koukouli-Chrysanthaki in collaboration with G. Skordali, architect of the 9th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, and D. Malamidou, archaeologist of the 18th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. The design and formatting of the informational panels were carried out by S. Lymperi, graphic designer of the 9th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities, and the graphic designer Ch. Pavlidou. The archaeologists of the 18th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities worked on the cataloguing of the exhibits. In the conservation and placement of the finds, the contribution of P. Tzenetakis, conservator of the Ephorate, of K. Kalogiannis, carpenter, and of the workmen-technicians of the Amphipolis Museum was substantial. A. Kochliaridis, head guard of the Museum, assisted in the coordination of many tasks. The museum sculptor D. Sotiroudis and the conservator D. Siampanopoulos also collaborated. (Author: Dimitria Malamidou, archaeologist)

Managing authority

Ephorate of Antiquities of Serres

Accessibility statement

✗ Not available

General information

Address

Amphipolis, Serres, 65052 (Prefecture of Serres)

Opening hours

Summer (from 01/04 to 31/10): 08:00-20:00

Tickets

Full: €10, Reduced: €5

When to come

When it gets busy

Months of higher visitation, per the on-site inspection.

• Jan Jan
• Feb Feb
• Mar Mar
• Apr Apr — When it gets busy
• May May — When it gets busy
• Jun Jun — When it gets busy
• Jul Jul — When it gets busy
• Aug Aug — When it gets busy
• Sep Sep — When it gets busy
• Oct Oct
• Nov Nov
• Dec Dec

How to get here

Access to the Museum: By KTEL intercity buses on the Thessaloniki-Serres and Thessaloniki-Drama routes (every two hours). Access for people with disabilities to the Archaeological Museum is possible via ramps. Within the Museum's exhibition there is a special system on the stairs for people with disabilities.

• ✓ Drop-off area

What you can see & do

What you should know