Museum of Ancient Messene
The museum in Mavromati holds sculptures, inscriptions and architectural members from ancient Messene, with a two-metre-tall statue of Hermes as its highlight.
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About the museum
The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Messene is located about 500 metres from the centre of the village of Mavromati. The small two-storey building was erected in 1968–1972 on a plot donated to the Archaeological Society by the Greek expatriate D. Latzounis, following the instructions of the architect and archaeologist Anastasios Orlandos, who excavated ancient Messene from 1957 to 1974.
Although it was ready, the museum remained closed to the public until March 2000, when the exhibition was finalised by the archaeologist Petros Themelis, who devoted his scientific career to the excavations of the city.
The collections present representative finds from the excavations: architectural members, inscriptions and important works of sculpture, to which five more marble statues were added from 1987 onwards. The most impressive movable find is a marble statue of Hermes, two metres high, which was found almost intact together with its base. Ancient Messene, a city founded in 369 BC by Epaminondas, is visited with a separate ticket.
Highlights
- Marble Hermes two metres tall, almost intact with its base
- Sculptures and statues of ancient Messene
- Architectural members and inscriptions from the excavations
- Building erected on the instructions of Anastasios Orlandos
Permanent exhibition
- Μόνιμη έκθεση του Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου Αρχαίας Μεσσήνης – Representative finds from the excavations of ancient Messene, with emphasis on sculpture, inscriptions and architectural members.
- Founded
- 1968
- Operated by
- Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Μεσσηνίας
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
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| Reduced | €3Citizens of the European Union over 65 years of age from 1 October to 31 May, upon presentation of an identity card or passport; accompanying parents and teachers on school educational visits, and other categories specified by the Ministry of Culture. |
Free admission: 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 November to 31 March.
The archaeological site of ancient Messene has a separate ticket. Free admission and reduced tickets are available to specific categories of visitors, in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Culture.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
By car 40 minutes from Kalamata.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
On site there are a shop, toilets and a car park.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A printed guide to the museum is available. |
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