DSC05038The “new” Acropolis Museum opened in June, 2009. It is built literally in the shadow of The Acropolis, and houses over 3,000 artifacts. It is located on the archaeological site of Makrygianni and the ruins of a part of Roman and early Byzantine Athens.DSC05065

It is truly a beautiful building, clean and bright, with plenty of space for quiet contemplation and up-close examination.

The windows along one side allow a magnificent view of the Parthenon, above, and I found it hard to believe that something so ancient, and something so modern, could complement each other as well as they do.

DSC05041Photographs are allowed in all but one large room, and I took pleasure in being in such proximity to the artifacts, although I knew that many of the pieces were actually replicas rather than originals. DSC05057In the photo to the immediate right, my friend Pat told me to “look somewhere else,” rather than straight at the camera—and I think she was surprised I didn’t hone in on the poor guy’s crotch! But seen one plaster penis, you’ve seen them all, and I’m delighted to have a picture proving I rose above the cheap peek!

DSC05059There were many groups sharing the space of the museum this day, and having taught elementary school for as many years as I did, I was particularly interested in the lessons being given to a group of school children, and moved close to listen in. Unfortunately, I forgot that their instructor would be speaking Greek!DSC05063

Our tour group was hustled right through the museum, and I was both grateful and sorry we didn’t have more time there to fill in the historical gaps I had after the visit DSC05046to the top of The Acropolis. I think it might have been more beneficial to visit the museum first, and whet our appetites for seeing the actual structures above, but then it would have been even hotter as we hiked around up on top of the white rock outcropping!