With new services and guided tours, the Ministry of Culture has opened 26 new or completely renovated museums across the country since 2019.
This is totally changing the museum scene in Greece: from the National Gallery and the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens, the Archaeological Museum of Chalkida in Arethousa, the Diachronic Museum of Tilos, the Archaeological Museum in Poligiros and the Museum of the Cave of Petralona in Chalkidiki, to the Polycentric Museum in Aegina, the Archaeological Museums in Alexandroupoli and Samothraki, the Museums of Agios Nikolaos, of Chania and Mesara in Crete, the Archaeological Museum of Delos, and the Archaeological Collection of Sami in Kefalonia.
As officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism emphasized, “we are establishing museums that appeal to the mind and soul. Museums that are open, accessible, attractive, and inclusive.” Given that in today’s world, museums play a complex and demanding social role, in order to respond to this, they must maintain strong reflexes and evolve along with society, responding to its needs.
Their influence depends on their integration into everyday life and public dialogue, according to officials from the Ministry of Culture and Sports who are involved in museum infrastructure: They must educate and inspire. They must transmit knowledge, but also generate emotion and empathy. At the same time, they must ensure their operational efficiency and sustainability, combining adaptability and resilience. The financial, operational, and business sustainability, autonomy, and sustainability of museums and their impact on society are directly linked to how quickly and effectively they can plan and implement new strategies.
In order to meet contemporary requirements, in 2020, the Ministry of Culture introduced the “Greek Museum Recognition and Certification System” and created the Integrated Information System for the Recognition and Certification of Greek Museums. This is a major reform, a process of universal self-assessment, and a model at the European level.
Today, projects are underway to establish and re-exhibit an additional 28 museums, with gradual deliveries from this year until 2028. These include the National Museum of Maritime Archaeology in Piraeus, the Old Acropolis Museum, the Museum of Metro Finds, and the Museum of Refugee Hellenism at the former Pavlos Melas military camp in Thessaloniki, and the three museums at the former royal estate in Tatoi, the Archaeological Museums in Chios and Argos, the museums in Halki and Agathonisi, which will be returned to the public in 2026, as well as the Archaeological Museums in Trikala, Argostoli, Sparta, Komotini, Naxos, Chora in Messinia, the Papapetrou Warehouses in Agrinio, and the Museum of the Small Doxipara Zone in Evros.
