Peloponnese: Two New Museums to Open in Argos this Year

Photorealistic depiction of the revamped Argos Archaeological Museum. Photo source: Ministry of Culture.

Two new museums are expected to open this year in Argos, a historic city in the Peloponnese, according to an announcement by the Greek Culture Ministry.

The creation of the new museums – the Archaeological Museum of Argos and the Epigraphic Museum – follows the securing of funding (5.1 million euros) from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

According to the ministry, the museums “will enrich the city’s cultural wealth and serve as a development asset for the broader Peloponnese region”.

Archaeological Museum of Argos

Photorealistic depiction of the revamped Argos Archaeological Museum. Photo source: Ministry of Culture.

The Archaeological Museum of Argos, currently located in the venerable Kallergis house since 1961, is undergoing an upgrade overseen by the Argolida Ephorate of Antiquities.

With a budget of 3.1 million euros, the museum’s renovation aims to create an “immersive experience” for visitors, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The project includes the upgrade of the current building complex. Works are expected to be complete by the end of the year.

“The new Argos Archaeological Museum, housed at General Kallergis residence, and the Epigraphic Museum at the Kapodistrias Barracks where the Byzantine Museum is also housed, will enhance the cultural identity of the city of Argos,” the ministry’s announcement said.

Moreover, the upgrade is expected to offer new creative employment prospects for young people in the wider region of Argolida.

Epigraphic Museum

The complex of Kapodistrias’ barracks in Argos.

The new Epigraphic Museum, which will be an addition to Argos’ cultural landscape, will be housed in the restored and modernized two-story eastern wing of the historic Kapodistrias Barracks.

The museum will exhibit the 136 bronze inscribed tables from the treasure archive where Hera’s sacred money was stored considered one of the most impressive archaeological findings of the last two decades shedding light on Argos’ economic and democratic institutions from the 5th to the 4th century B.C.

The complex of Kapodistrias’ barracks in Argos.

Additionally, important stone inscriptions from the wider Argos area will be showcased, offering further insights into the region’s history.

“These museums will not only add to the experiences of residents and visitors but also elevate Argos’ position as a prominent destination for those seeking to explore the rich heritage of the Peloponnese region,” the ministry said.