Archaeological Museum of Komotini

About the museum

From 1937 to 1962 an archaeological collection with objects from coastal sites of Thrace was housed at the Boys’ Gymnasium of Komotini. In 1962 the Ephorate of Antiquities was established in Komotini; it was housed in a traditional building at 4 Bakalmpasi Street and formed the city’s first archaeological museum.

The present building was constructed in 1968–1970 and inaugurated in 1976. It was designed by Aris Konstantinidis, an emblematic figure of modern Greek architecture, who regarded buildings as “vessels of life”. After the expropriations of 1994–1995 the museum dominates the small city park with a plain but imposing form.

The permanent exhibition presents human activity at the most important coastal sites of Thrace, from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period, with objects from the public and private life of the major Greek cities of the Thracian Aegean. The highlight is the gold bust of Emperor Septimius Severus (AD 193–211), which was mounted on a pole and carried by the standard-bearers of the Roman army. In the shady garden, architectural fragments and a marble sarcophagus with the Labours of Heracles are displayed.

Highlights

• Gold bust of Septimius Severus
• Marble sarcophagus with the Labours of Heracles
• Building by the architect Aris Konstantinidis
• Finds from the coastal cities of Thrace
• Captions also in Braille

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Κομοτηνής – Finds from the coastal sites of Thrace, from the Neolithic to the Byzantine period, with the gold bust of Septimius Severus as the highlight.

Founded

1976

Admission & discounts

Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and every first Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the interior from the courtyard is via a stair lift. The museum has a lift, special guided tours for visitors with visual impairments, and exhibit captions in Greek and English, also in Braille.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about a 5-minute walk from the central square of the city.

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit