AEGINA ARCHAEOLOGICAL Museum & APOLLO'S Temple in KOLONA, EGINA (AEGINA)

The Archaeological Museum of Aegina houses vessels, ceramics, pottery, alabasters,statuettes, inscriptions, coins, weapons and other objects that were found in the island. It is located in the area of the archaeological site of Kolonna, ten minutes north from the ferry quay.

The museum has eight rooms. In each room artifacts from the different historical eras of Aegina are exhibited. Visitors may admire interesting reconstructions of the Bronze Age city of Kolonna, and pottery from the Mycenaean era.

The most interesting exhibits are: Large Bronze age storage jars (1900-1800 BC), a Sphinx from the Aphaia Temple (room 5), and a fragmented sculpture from the Temple of Apollo (room 8), a beautiful jar, depicting Odysseas (Ulysses) escaping from the Cyclops's Cave (room 6).

The museum was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias in 1828.

The museum's admittance fee allows also a visit to the Archaeological site of Kolona, which was Aegina's ancient Acropolis and the religious and political center of of the island. The area was first inhabited in 3500 b.c (copper era) and was protected by a wall (built in 3000 b.c.).

In Kolona's area there are also the remains of Apollos Ancient Temple (see separate listing)

It has been destroyed and rebuilt about ten times. Only the northern walls have been saved (built around 1600 b.c) and some ruins of 1300 b.c. In the southern part there are remains of Byzantine buildings.

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday - Sunday 8:30-15:00 (summer 8:30 - 17:00)

CLOSED: Mondays

LOCATION: Aegina Town, Left of the ferry quay (10 min)