Plans to build a Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus have been approved

The Greek Council of Museums has approved preliminary plans to build the long-awaited Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus.

The museum will be built on the harbour quay in Piraeus. The architects have specially adapted an old silo from the mid-1930s for this purpose. The Museum of Underwater Antiquities will be a pioneering state facility dedicated to Greece’s ancient maritime heritage.

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The construction of the facility is part of a larger project “Cultural Coast of Piraeus”. Its aim is to develop cultural tourism and stimulate further economic growth in the city. It should be remembered that the port of Piraeus is the largest in the whole of Greece.

The historic silo building, closely linked to the history and character of the port of Piraeus since the mid-1930s, is the ideal place to host the unique wealth of archaeological treasures from the Greek seas. The main objective of creating the Museum of Underwater Monuments is to highlight the connection between Greek culture and the sea. We want to do this through the numerous underwater finds, many of which have been in storage at the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities for years – said Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni.

Museum collections

The Museum of Underwater Monuments in Piraeus will receive artefacts found in the seas surrounding Greece. These will, of course, include artefacts excavated by archaeologists as a result of research and excavations. In addition, the facility will also receive donations from private individuals and objects confiscated by the state.

There will certainly be amphorae and other objects from the ships in the museum exhibition. In addition, there will also be wooden fragments of hulls, works of art, statues, weapons and much more.

There are not many museums in the world dedicated to exhibiting only monuments found underwater. The Museum of Underwater Antiquities in Piraeus will promote the city as an international cultural centre – Minister Mendoni added.

Modern technologies

In addition to the monuments that have been recovered from the sea, the Piraeus site will also use the latest technology. Therefore, we will see a lot of digital footage and projections. These will include a sunken prehistoric settlement, ancient shipwrecks and their cargo.

The museum will allow visitors to enter the world of ancient history and underwater archaeology. The creators ensure that special emphasis will be placed on educational programmes. Their beneficiaries are to be not only members of the academic community, but also the entire society.

According to the plans presented by the architects, the museum will have an area of over 13,000^m2. Apart from space for permanent and temporary exhibitions and displays, the plans include an amphitheatre, a library, a conservation laboratory, multimedia rooms and a restaurant for visitors.

Without a doubt the Musem of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa, Cyprus, is a magnificent facility opening in the summer of 2021. You will find an account of our visit in Issue 17 the DIVERS24 quarterly magazine! The digital version of the magazine is available free of charge, while the printed version you can purchase in our online shop.