The New Acropolis Museum: a glimpse of the past, a vision of the future

Ioanna Nifli
Intern at UNRIC Brussels, Greece and Cyprus Desk


For more than 2500 years, the Acropolis of Athens, a landmark and symbol for the cradle of European cultures, has towered above the rooftops of the Greek capital. This symbol of the influence and power of ancient Greece constitutes one of the most recognizable monuments of the world and a must-see for people who have an interest in history and archaeological sites. However, what still remains relatively unknown is the brand new construction beside this ancient monument, a stunning modern building which protects and glorifies the past and connects it to the future: the new Acropolis museum.

Located in the shadow of the Acropolis Rock, this new glass and concrete museum forms a fictitious line with the Parthenon and reflects a modern image of the ancient monument. With ideal lighting and heating conditions and acoustic holes in order to absorb noises, the New Museum offers all the amenities one expects to find in an international museum of the 21st century. Its inauguration in June 2009 included some breathtaking digital projections showing sculptures of ancient gods and centaurs coming to life and Caryatid statues tossing their hair.

The exhibition is divided into five theme galleries, including the gallery of The Acropolis Slopes, the Acropolis gallery and the excavation itself. Life-size statues and sculpture fragments from the Parthenon’s metope, frieze and pediments are just some of the ancient masterpieces housed in the new museum. At the top floor, with a view towards the actual Parthenon is the gallery housing the Parthenon marbles, where the original sculptures are being displayed alongside plaster casts of the pieces removed from the Acropolis. The museum even has reserved a space in anticipation of the return of the Elgin marbles.

The New Acropolis Museum is a crowning achievement of modern Greek culture, a place that embraces the past and looks into the future. The Greeks firmly believe that this new architectural masterpiece will boost their country’s bid for the return of the sculptures displayed in the British museum for nearly two centuries. Perhaps the time has come for these ancient treasures to be reunited under one roof: that of the new Acropolis Museum.■