Herakleidon, Experience in Visual Arts
Herakleidon 16, Thissio
118 51 Athens, Greece
(Metro station: Thissio)
T: +30 210 34 61 981
F: +30 210 34 58 225
info@herakleidon-art.gr
Museum Hours
Tue-Sat 13:00-21:00
Sun 11:00-19:00
Monday - closed
Museum Admission
General admission: 6€
Students & persons over 65: 4€
Children up to 12: Free
Groups: Upon appointment
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 In ancient times, Athens was a city-state at the center of which a very large rock formation, the Acropolis, served as an impenetrable fortress against all enemies.
At the height of Athens' power, Pericles built on the Acropolis the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena the Virgin (Parthena). Numerous other temples were built later on as well. Processions leading to the Parthenon used an inclined road which started in Thission.
In this area are the Pnyx, Areios Pagos as well as the prison cell where Socrates drank the deadly hemlock.
Much of the ancient city of Athens lies beneath Thission and Monastiraki quarters.
 Over the next two thousand years all the buildings, roads and dwellings vanished, buried under the earth.
Only the Acropolis and the Parthenon withstood the ravages of time and wars, until 1687, when the Venitian Morozini bombarded it to dislodge the occupying force of the Turks, causing severe damage to the structures.
In 1821, during the Greek war of independence, the Turks stored their ammunition in the Parthenon, which blew up and destroyed the northern side of the temple.
As modern Athens was urbanized again starting in the early 1840's, first the Monastiraki quarter was built and, as some of the earliest photographs attest, the Thission saw building activity around 1860.
 The museum's house was built in 1898. It is possible that another structure existed there between 1870 and 1898; however there is no such record on file.
Herakleidon Street is aligned with the Acropolis and from its balconies one can see the Parthenon.
Today it is a quaint pedestrian street lined with old buildings and cafes.
As you exit the Acropolis site you follow a pedestrian cobblestone street on your right. This street will lead you to the temple of Thission, one of the most well preserved Greek temples.
 
As you stroll down this street named Apostolou Pavlou (Apostle Paul), you eventually see Herakleidon Street on your left, easily recognized by the busy cafes. The museum is one hundred meters into the street. A little further down on Apostolou Pavlou you enter Monastiraki quarter, better known as Plaka.
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Send an e-card of one of the unique items in our museum
 go to e-cards
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Herakleidon