The Archaeological Museum houses artifacts from the Archaeological Society’s excavations at ancient Messene, which began in 1895 under Themistoklis Sofoulis and were continued by Georgios Oikonomos (1905 and 1926), Anastasios Orlandos (1957–1975), and Petros Themelis (1986 to 2023). It was built between 1968 and 1972 on the western outskirts of the village of Mavromati, on a plot of land donated to the Archaeological Society by D. Latzounis, a member of the Greek diaspora.
The museum is small, two-story, and simple in design. The upper floor features three exhibition halls and a balcony, while the ground floor houses the storage areas. Architectural elements and inscribed pedestals are on display in the museum’s atrium and in the sheds. Extensive repair and renovation work was carried out by EMAS between 1995–1999 and 2002–2008. The Ministry of Culture and Sports is currently in the process of constructing a new archaeological museum, which will be located near the existing one.
Since its founding in 1995, EMAS has played a decisive role in the annual care and maintenance of the archaeological museum and its surrounding area.
INFORMATION
Administrative Information
Administrative Unit: Ephorate of Antiquities of Messenia
, Mavromati, Ithomi, Mavromati, Municipality of Messini (Prefecture of Messenia)
Phone: +30 27240 51201
Email: [email protected]
Useful Links
https://www.efames.gr/anc_messene_gr.html
https://www.efames.gr/first_gr.html
Museum & Archaeological Site Hours of Operation
Winter:
November 1 through March
31, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily
Summer:
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily
, September 1–15: 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m.,
September 16 through 30: 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.,
October 1–15: 8:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., and October 16–31: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Good Friday: 12:00–17:00; Holy Saturday: 08:30–16:00
TICKETS
Archaeological Site and Museum of Ancient Messene:
Full Price: €10 Reduced Price: €5
Useful Links
https://etickets.tap.gr/
https://etickets.tap.gr/webengines/tap_b2c/greek/tap.exe?PM=P1
Closed Days
January 1: Closed
March 25: Closed
May
1, Easter Sunday: Closed
Christmas, December 25: Closed
December 26: Closed
Free Admission Days
March 6 – Melina Merkouri
Memorial Day April 18 – International Day for Monuments
and Sites May 18 – International Museum
Day last weekend in September (European Cultural Heritage Days)
October 28 (National Holiday)
the first Sunday of every month from November 1 through March 31
Useful Links
