Salonica - Archeological Museum

(Local Name: Arkhaioloyikó Mousío tis Thessaloníkis) Facing the south side of the extensive Trade Fair grounds in Salonica, set in gardens, is the low modern building which houses the new Archeological Museum opened in 1963 (Arkhaioloyikó Mousío; closed Tue.), with an important collection of material from Salonica itself, Macedonia and Thrace.

The main hall has a variety of interesting exhibits illustrating the story of the city from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period. The Museum's star attraction, however - displayed in a special wing of the building - is the unique collection of finds from the Macedonian royal tombs at Vergína, including two richly decorated chests of solid gold and other masterpieces of Macedonian metalworking. The prehistoric collection includes material from the middle Neolithic to the early Chalcolithic.

Also of great interest are the objects of the Archaic and early classical period (silver, gold and iron articles, weapons, pottery, idols, etc.) found in the Sindos necropolis and the grave goods of the fourth century B.C. from Derveni, just north of Salonica (gold jewellery, silver and bronze vases, including a large mixing jar of gilded bronze).

Other exhibits include finds from Olynthos, Roman mosaics and glassware, much sculpture of the Archaic, classical and Roman periods (including Roman copies of classical Greek works) and a door arch from the octagonal structure in the Palace of Galerius.