Greece’s Museum Council has unanimously approved the expansion and redesign of the National Archaeological Museum (NAM) in Athens, together with the neighboring Epigraphic Museum, according to tovima.com. The project will renew the narrative of ancient Greek art-from prehistory to late antiquity-while enhancing the visitor experience at one of the world’s premier cultural landmarks.
The NAM, home to the largest collection of ancient Greek art, will integrate masterpieces already on display, unseen artifacts from storage, and loans from regional museums to present a more complete story of Greek civilization.
A new building will rise in the museum’s front garden, shifting the main entrance to Patission Street to connect more closely with the city. The extension will include visitor services, ticket halls, a bookstore, a restaurant and café, an auditorium, and education spaces. Two underground exhibition levels will link with the historic neoclassical building, topped by a rooftop garden open to all.

A Fresh Storytelling Approach
The new museology replaces displays organized “by collection” with thematic journeys tracing Greek culture. A central chronological axis will showcase emblematic works, while satellite themes and focused stories provide depth and context. Families, students, and casual visitors will find customized routes through the galleries.
The narrative unfolds in two chapters: History and Collections of the Museum—covering NAM’s story, architecture, donors, and special collections—and Ancient Greek Culture: History, Art and Society—a 13-section journey through Greece’s artistic and cultural development.
Immersive and Accessible Experiences
Visitors will engage with layered texts, maps, timelines, interactive screens, augmented reality, and tactile exhibits with Braille.
The Epigraphic Museum will also be reimagined under the theme History and the Greek Language Through Stones, highlighting how inscriptions shaped society and daily life in the ancient world.
Source: tovima.com