Athens War Museum
The Athens War Museum is a fascinating look at Greek history through
the lens of warfare from ancient battles to the Greek War of Independence and
World War II.
Byzantine Warship in the Athens War Museum
Don't be put off by the name or by the military hardware
outside the War Museum (or Polemikó Mouseío in Greek), for inside is a
fascinating collection covering many aspects of Greek history.
Military Vehicle
Displays
Outside the museum is a display of military vehicles. Children will enjoy climbing up to peer inside the cockpits of the Spitfires and Tiger Moths, and getting a close look at the anti-aircraft guns and some fairly primitive World War I hardware.
The Athens War Museum
Having examined the outside displays, go inside and take the
stairs or lift to the top floor, working your way down, though the layout on
the several floors is not strictly chronological. This makes more sense of a
visit, though, and you may wish to take a break in the café in the basement
afterwards.
Our Pick of the Athens Guides
Temple of Vassai
Friezes
As just one example of the museum's all-encompassing brief, it
includes copies of some dramatic friezes from the remote Temple of Vassai on
the Peloponnese, regarded as one of the most outstanding Greek temples outside
Athens. The friezes show military conflict, and art lovers will appreciate
stumbling across such skilful replicas of otherwise relatively inaccessible
pieces.
Ottoman Scimitars at the Athens War Museum
Photo by Tilemahos Efthimiadis
War Museum: Model
Cities
The museum covers conflicts dating back to the Greek myths,
the Trojan Wars and the tales of Homer. There are first-class models of many of
the fortified towns in Greece, such as Náfplion and Mystra, and others showing
great battle scenes from Greek history.
War Museum on World
War II
World War II is covered in some depth, including the Battle
of Crete and the sufferings of the Athenian population. There is also an extensive
collection of weaponry and uniforms.
Anti-Aircraft Missile Outside the Athens War Museum
Photo by Tilemahos Efthimiadis
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Some other Athens pages
This extract of Artistic Athens in the Lonely Planet book Culture Trails takes visitors on a journey through the artistic side of Athens..
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Athens with a month-by-month account of the weather, hotel prices and any special events that are happening.
Piraeus is the port of Athens from where many ferries to the Greek islands depart, and it also has an Archaeological Museum and the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
A History of Athens from the first people to live on the Acropolis through the Golden Age of Pericles and Alexander the Great to the military junta.
The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.
Pictures of Athens from the Greece Travel Secrets website
This walk around the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens starts and ends in Syntagma Square and takes you to several museums, Kolonaki Square and Mount Lykabettos.
Athens' Benaki Museum is one of the city’s top museums with an outstanding collection, especially of Greek and Egyptian artefacts, in a beautiful mansion.
Amusing children in Athens is easy as there is lots to do including a children’s museum, planetarium, beaches, and easy excursions to the nearest islands.
Athens International Airport is east of Athens city centre with its own Metro train station, buses to Athens and Piraeus, taxis and car rental offices.
This Athens dining guide doesn't list restaurants but gives practical advice on types of eating places, tipping, hotel breakfasts and picnics.
The Changing of the Guard in Athens takes place outside the Parliament building at the top of Syntagma Square and is a must-see for visitors.
The Athens Acropolis has the city's most iconic building, the Parthenon, along with other historic buildings and is where the Elgin Marbles were taken from.
The best things to do in Athens, Greece, include top archaeological sites like the Acropolis and must-see attractions such as the National Archaeological Museum
Mount Lykabettos is the highest hill in Athens and provides some of the best views of the city, with a funicular cable car the easiest way to get to the top.
If visiting Athens it helps to know when major events and public holidays take place, as some shops and attractions may be closed, but to be there at times like Easter can make for a magical trip.
Easter in Athens is, like everywhere in Greece, the biggest religious celebration of the year and this page tells you what to expect over the Easter weekend.
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.
There's all kinds of entertainment in Athens whether you're interested in theatre, dance, classical music, jazz, Greek music, rock music, disco, opera or movies.
Athens in the rain isn’t something you’re likely to experience but here are suggestions for things to do in the rain in Athens including museums and shopping
Athens Airport car rentals include Alamo/National Car Rental, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, all with offices at the airport.
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to the original Athens Olympic Stadium, built for the 1896 Olympic Games and open to the public for jogging and photography.
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