AP Art History Hunting in Athens, Greece

Athens is an obvious wealth of ancient Greek art, and many of the ancient Greek AP Art History images are housed here (those that were not carted off to London or Paris that is). Take at least 2 full days to enjoy it all. Athens is walkable, however quite spread out – bring a good pair of walking shoes and map out your visit so you do not crisscross unnecessarily. Also, although not part of the 250, I highly recommend popping into any and every Orthodox church you see: 1) they are a lovely respite from the hot sun and 2) they are immaculately decorated!

Content Area 2: Ancient Mediterranean

#26. The Athenian Agora

The agora was the political/economic/social meeting place for ancient Athens, so it can tell us a lot about everyday life and gives an insight to the political experiment that Athens today is so famous for: democracy. The famous Greek philosophers are also known to have frequented the agora to give speeches and lessons to their students. It is nestled underneath the rising acropolis, and indeed has religious connections to the site above, and makes a good two-for-one with a trip to the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.

Location: Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55
Cost: 10€
Opening Times: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

#27. Anavysos Kouros

This museum is an all out 10 stars for anyone who loves ancient history! Not overly huge but absolutely filled with thousands of years of pieces, it felt intimate. There are many kouros in many art history museums but I also like to see the “original” from the 250. The size of this piece was overwhelming, even amongst other kouroi in the room.

Location: National Archeological Museum, 44, 28th of October (Patission) str.
Cost: 12€ (4/1 – 10/31) & 6€ (11/1 -3/31)
Opening Times: Wed – Mon 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Tues 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm (4/1 – 10/31) & Wed – Mon 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tues 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm (11/1 -3/31)

#28. Peplos Kore

The Acropolis Museum was built to house all the objects found on the acropolis that could no longer be safely housed outside. This is a big and beautiful museum that was built to *hopefully* convince other European nations that Greece could “take care of its own art” and they could give back things that were sold during Ottoman occupation. Spoiler alert, no one has given back their loot yet. The museum is very large and can get a little fatiguing, especially after a trip up to the acropolis but I highly suggesting doing both together (maybe as part of the same tour). I liked that they display some of the sculpture, like the peplos kore, alongside a digital rendering of it in full color so you could get a sense of what it looked like to the ancients.

Location: Acropolis Museum, Dionysiou Areopagitou 15
Cost: 10€ (4/1 – 10/31) & 5€ (11/1 -3/31)
Opening Times: Mon 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Tues – Sun 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Fri 8:00 am – 10:00 pm (4/1 – 10/31) & Mon – Thurs 9:00 am- 5:00 pm, Fri 9:00 am – 10:00 pm, Sat & Sun 9:00 am – 8:00 pm (11/1 -3/31)

*Note: you are actually NOT allowed to take pictures in this ONE room in the Acropolis Museum (dumb) but my persistent students were reluctantly given permission by a guard who knew what they were awkwardly standing about waiting for. Follow the rules yall (unless given sly permission lol)

#35. Acropolis

If you’d going to Greece, you’ve probably got the acropolis on your to do list. I mean it’s on all the top ten recognizable buildings in the world. It was the focal point of Athenian religious and civic life, built to impress! The site of the acropolis contains the Parthenon & Temple of Athena Nike. The site isn’t overly large but requires some planning & maneuvering before you visit (Travel Tips: Visiting the Acropolis). Unless you are an ancient Greek scholar, I suggest getting a tour guide to help you navigate the complex history, mythology, and significance.

Location: you literally can’t miss it – it’s the highest point in Athens
Cost: (tour prices very but highly recommended)
Opening Times:

Related parts of the 250 you can also see in the Acropolis Museum:

Others were looted and taken off to London & Paris:

#36. Grave stele of Hegeso

This museum is an all out 10 stars for anyone who loves ancient history! Not overly huge but absolutely filled with thousands of years of pieces, it felt intimate. The Grave stele of Hegeso is a funerary marker for a wealthy Athenian women from around the 5th century BCE & has a prominent location in a room with other grave steles.

Location: National Archeological Museum, 44, 28th of October (Patission) str.
Cost: 12€ (4/1 – 10/31) & 6€ (11/1 -3/31)
Opening Times: Wed – Mon 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Tues 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm (4/1 – 10/31) & Wed – Mon 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Tues 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm (11/1 -3/31)

JMF