The Epigraphic Museum is on Tositsa Street in the south wing of Athens’s National Archaeological Museum, with a separate entrance. Its collection centers on inscriptions carved in stone, offering a close look at how ancient Greeks used writing in public and private life. You’ll also find pottery, statues and some jewelry. Displays are arranged in a calm, quiet setting, and some rooms provide English translations and explanations. Allow time to read the inscriptions, though some exhibit information is only in Greek.
Inscriptions from ancient Greece
The museum’s collection brings together inscribed stones from the archaic period through the Roman imperial era. Many were found in Attica, the region around Athens, though the collection also includes material from elsewhere. The texts preserve messages that ancient Greeks chose to put on stone, giving the displays a direct connection to the ways writing was used in public and personal settings.
Inscriptions are the focus here, so the visit is especially suited to anyone interested in ancient writing and the evidence it leaves behind. The objects are arranged in a compact, manageable museum, with pottery and statues among the other works on display.
Reading the displays
Some rooms include English translations and descriptions. Other display information is in Greek only, so the level of detail available in English varies as you move through the collection. Staff can help with questions about the exhibits.
The museum’s library holds further information about inscriptions. Each inscription has a reference number that can be used to find more detail there. This can add context for visitors who want to spend longer with particular texts.
Finding the entrance
The Epigraphic Museum occupies the south wing of the National Archaeological Museum on Tositsa Street, but it has a separate entrance. The two museums are easy to confuse when planning a visit, so confirm the name and entrance before setting out.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Epigraphic Museum in Athens?
It is on Tositsa Street, in the south wing of the National Archaeological Museum. The Epigraphic Museum has its own entrance.
What can you see at the Epigraphic Museum?
The collection focuses on ancient inscriptions carved in stone, alongside pottery, statues and some jewelry.
Is information at the Epigraphic Museum available in English?
Some rooms have English translations and descriptions, but information in other areas is only in Greek.
How long should you allow for a visit?
Allow about two hours to see the collection.
Is the Epigraphic Museum open on Tuesdays?
No. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
