Archaeological Museum of Thebes
Archaeological museum with finds from all over Boeotia, from the Palaeolithic period to Ottoman rule, with a medieval tower and Mycenaean treasures.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The present Archaeological Museum of Thebes is the third building on the same site to house antiquities. Its history began in 1894, when the old barracks next to the medieval tower were made available to house sculptures and inscriptions from Boeotia. In 1905 the barracks were converted into a two-storey stone museum, and in 1962 a second building was inaugurated, which operated for about 45 years. The new museum was built in 2005–2010 on the same site, and the redesign of the exhibition was completed in 2015.
The exhibition occupies 1,000 m² on two levels and is divided into eighteen sections. Eleven of them follow a chronological order from the Palaeolithic period to the end of Ottoman rule, while others concern the myths of Boeotia, its cultural influence from antiquity onwards and the history of excavations. Rare exhibits include the seal stones from the “Treasure Room” of the Mycenaean palace of Thebes, the painted clay larnakes from the chamber tombs of Tanagra and the wall paintings from the acropolis of Gla.
The medieval tower of Agios Omer (1278) is an integral part of the museum, while beneath the building’s foundations a covered archaeological site is preserved, with part of a dwelling from the 3rd millennium BC and tombs from the 17th century BC. The exhibition was designed to be accessible to visitors with disabilities, with digital applications, reconstructions and a collection for touch.
Highlights
- Seal stones from the Mycenaean palace of Thebes
- Painted clay larnakes from Tanagra
- Wall paintings from the acropolis of Gla
- Medieval tower of Agios Omer (1278)
- Exhibition on the myths of Boeotia
- Touch collection and digital applications
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση: Η ιστορία της Βοιωτίας – Eighteen sections with finds from the Palaeolithic period to Ottoman rule, with Mycenaean treasures, larnakes from Tanagra, wall paintings from Gla and the medieval tower.
- Founded
- 1905
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Βοιωτίας
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Free admission for young people up to 18 with ID card or passport. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with a disability of 67% or more and one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree admission for students of universities and higher education institutions of EU member states with a student ID. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and every first and third Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March.
Free admission is also granted to, among others, guides, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, members of museum friends’ associations, unemployed people and large families, with the required documents. Electronic tickets at tickets.hh.gr.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The exhibition was designed to be accessible to visitors with disabilities. Room 15 contains a collection of educational objects for touch. Contacting the museum at least one day before the visit is recommended. Guide dogs for the blind are permitted.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
By KTEL bus to Thebes or by train from Athens to Thebes. The bus station and the railway station are about 1,000 m from the museum.
By car from the Athens–Lamia national road (E75), take the exit for Thebes; the museum is about 80 km from Athens.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
The museum has a shop and a café. There is a left-luggage facility at the entrance. WiFi is available on the premises.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography and video recording for personal use are permitted. Flash is prohibited. Special permission is required for commercial use. |
| Good to know | Bookings for groups of 15–50 people and for schools are made by phone. Pets are not allowed, except guide dogs. |
