Archaeological Museum of Xenokrateion of Messolonghi

About the museum

The Xenokrateion is housed in a listed neoclassical building in the centre of Messolonghi. It was built in 1885–1889 with a donation from the national benefactor Konstantinos Xenokrates from eastern Thrace and operated for many years as a municipal girls’ school. In 2011 the Municipality of Messolonghi transferred it to the Ministry of Culture, to become an archaeological museum.

The building was restored with funding from the “Western Greece 2014–2020” Operational Programme. The museum is the central archaeological museum of Aetolia-Acarnania and presents the archaeological wealth and cultural heritage of the region.

The collections comprise more than 1,300 objects from across Aetolia-Acarnania, mostly from recent excavations. The exhibition spreads over seven rooms on the ground floor and the upper floor and covers the period from prehistory to the late Roman era, with video projections and multimedia applications. Among other things, finds from the cemetery of Stamna, from the sanctuary of ancient Alikyrna, from Pleuron, Chalkida and Nafpaktos are displayed, as well as a pebble mosaic floor with rams and the treasure of silver coins from the time of the Battle of Actium.

Highlights

• More than 1,300 finds from across Aetolia-Acarnania
• Neoclassical building of 1885–1889, donated by Konstantinos Xenokrates
• Finds from the cemetery of Stamna and the sanctuary of Alikyrna
• Rare pebble mosaic floor from Nafpaktos
• Treasure of silver coins from the time of the Battle of Actium

Permanent exhibition

• Μόνιμη έκθεση του Ξενοκρατείου Αρχαιολογικού Μουσείου – Archaeological finds from across Aetolia-Acarnania, from prehistoric to late Roman times, in seven rooms.

Operated by

Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού – Εφορεία Αρχαιοτήτων Αιτωλοακαρνανίας και Λευκάδας

Admission & discounts

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

Accessibility

• 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

The museum has a lift and an external ramp at the western entrance on Varnakioti Street. Entrance signs and floor plans have texts in Braille.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The western entrance with the ramp is on Varnakioti Street.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a reception area and a shop selling books and guides.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit