Saturday, October 1st 2016-Sunday, May 28th2017
Museum Herakleidon presents the history the history of Greek seafaring in the Aegean and the Mediterranean, a history of maritime voyages, achievements in naval architecture, exchange of ideas and technological developments, through about 40 handmade wooden models of Greek ships (0,60 m. to 1,50 m) of excellent, detailed construction with authentic materials, based on naval architectural drawings, following traditional methods, which date from prehistoric times to the middle of the 20th century. The creator of these models is Dimitris Maras, M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and model shipbuilder, who has studied in depth the shipbuilding history of Greece, as well as the construction of ship models.
The painter-printmaker Mary Schina, associate professor of the Printmaking department of the Athens School of Fine Arts, is participating in this exhibition with selected works from her series "Aegaeis", "Aegean Sea Odes" and "Aegean Odes honour the Ancient Treasures of Antikythera”, inspired by the Aegean Sea. The perpetual movement of the sea, in a dialogue with Ancient Greek Writing and the Ancient Treasures of Antikythera continue the awe-inspiring adventure of the artist with the magical and mystifying Aegean Sea, which began in 2001.
The exhibition also includes nautical instruments, as well as a life-size reproduction of the Antikythera Mechanism. During the interactive guided tours, visitors will be able to experiment with all the known, according to the most recent international research, functions of the mechanism, on a model created for this purpose. (Scientific consultant: Xenophon D. Mousas, Astronomer, Professor of Space Physics at the University of Athens, Manufacturer: Dionysis G. Kriaris, Mathematician, Manufacturer of models of ancient instruments).
Maps, video projections, explanatory drawings by the archaeologist Yiannis Nakas, and other material, such as a special edition catalogue in two languages (English/Greek), further complement the exhibition, aiming to help the visitors understand the subject and goal of the exhibition by creating the appropriate museum environment.
The exhibition offers the visitors the possibility to study the models at their leisure and in depth, and thus better understand the development of Greek shipbuilding from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. The layout of the exhibition and the educational programs and guided tours that will accompany it, will accord it a keen educational tone.
The goal of the exhibition is to present to the visitors, in a coherent and comprehensible manner, the history of Greek seafaring and shipbuilding, giving them a chance to take a mental trip back in time to discover the close and timeless relationship of the Greek people with the sea.
Exhibition Designer and Curator: Nikoleta Xydea, Archaeology-Museology MA
Schedule of guided tours
There will be guided tours for adults and school groups during the exhibition. An additional educational program on the Antikythera Mechanism will also be offered. It is imperative to make a telephone reservation in advance for all guided tours.
General guided tours
a) for organized groups: Thursday 18:00, Saturday 10:00
b) for the general public: Saturday 12:00 &14:00, Sunday 11:00 & 13:00
Number of participants per tour: 20
Duration: 50'
Price (including admission): 8 € per person
General tours for school groups
Days & times: Monday-Friday, 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30
Duration: 50'
Number of participants per tour: 25 (two separate groups can be guided simultaneously)
Price (including admission): 4 € per student-chaperones, teachers free
The Antikythera Mechanism – Interactional guided tours
Days and times: As above
Duration: 90'
Number of participants per tour: 15
Price (including admission): 12 € per person
Information/Reservations: Tel: 211 01 26 486 / E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
