Archaeological Museum of Polygyros, Chalkidiki in Full Operation After 12 Years

The archaeological museum of Chalkidiki, located in the city center of the popular summer resort of Polygyros, Northern Greece is in full operation for visitors once again after a twelve-year closure following a one-million-euro revamp.

Improvement works started in 2012, as the small museum founded in 1971 required a much bigger space in order to house a donated collection consisting of more than a thousand artifacts.

The new premises, featuring a vast total exhibition space of 582 square meters., were completed in separate phases, using EU funding from different financing schemes between 2013 and 2022.

Local crowdfunding from sponsorships and donations, encouraged by the Society of Friends of the Archaeological Museum of Polygyros and the local Ephorate of Antiquities, had allowed for a partial reopening in 2019 with a limited number of exhibits from the Lambropoulos collection on display.

The Lambropoulos collection of ancient artifacts

The substantial Lambropoulos Collection, consisting of around a thousand artifacts from Polygyros and surrounding areas, was donated to the museum in 1995.

Ioannis Lambropoulos had obtained a private archaeological collection permit in the 1930s and maintained all the items on personal resources.

When his son donated the invaluable collection to the Greek state, the family’s only term was that the artifacts be exhibited in the archeological museum of Polygyros in an 80 to 100 square meter distinct space.

Iraklis Lambropoulos passed away in 2004 shortly after being awarded the Silver Cross of the Order of the Phoenix by Greek President Stefanopoulos.

Cultural importance of the archaeological museum of Chalkidiki

The archaeological museum of Polygyros exhibits findings from excavation sites throughout Chalkidiki, covering anything from the paleolithic and neolithic ages to the geometric, archaic, classic, Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Among the most important exhibits are an unfinished kouros of the archaic period, weapons, and jewelery of the late archaic and classical periods.

The findings from the city and the cemetery of Olynthus, the ancient city of Chalkidiki, provide a full picture of the everyday activities and the public life during the archaic and classical eras.

The revamped museum has been enhanced with multimedia apps, 3D projection mapping, and interactive screens for a unique visitor experience.

Chalkidiki, a popular tourist destination

The Chalkidiki peninsula is the most popular tourist destination in Northern Greece and is located quite close to Thessaloniki airport. It is also easily accessible by car for visitors from neighboring Balkan countries.

Its exotic beaches and beautiful, natural landscapes make it a perfect spot for a sunny holiday. From campgrounds to luxury resorts and from vibrant nightclubs to traditional taverns, the area caters to domestic and international travelers of various tastes and needs.

It is of no coincidence that Chalkidiki is considered one of the top European destinations for affordable family holidays and one of the most popular weekend getaway destinations for Greeks while international travel titles have often featured some of its luxury resorts and beaches among their favorites.