The Archaeological Museum of Ioannina is located in the center of the city of Ioannina and in a prominent position on the hill called Litharitsia. The museum was built in the 1960s (1963-1966) according to the architectural study of the famous Greek architect Aris Konstantinidis. The collections of the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina are exhibited in seven rooms, in the central corridor and three atriums.
The exhibits cover a long period of time, spanning from the first appearance of man in Epirus, during the Lower Paleolithic era 250,000 years ago, until the end of late antiquity during the late Roman times (3rd century AD) . Particular emphasis is placed on the finds from the sanctuary of Dodoni which are exhibited in a room dedicated exclusively to one of the most important sanctuaries and oracles of the Greek world. The multifaceted exhibition presentation aims to illuminate various aspects of the private and public life of the Epirotians during antiquity. More specifically, the thematic sections are distributed in the exhibition spaces as follows:
In the central corridor, a graphically rendered passage through historical time has been created, a chronology in which the main historical events that happened in Epirus are recorded, which are contrasted with events and milestones in the history of the rest of Greece. The most important archaeological sites of Epirus are also marked in this informative table.
Room 1 : Prehistoric Epirus Room 2 : Political and administrative organization of Epirus Room 3 : Aeakids, the kings of the Molossians Room 4 : The daily life of Epirus Room 5 : The Archeology of Death Room 6 : Epirus in the Roman era Room 7 : The sanctuary of Dodoni
In particular: Rooms A, B, C contain important archaeological findings from Paleolithic times such as from Asprochaliko, Kastritsa and Kokkinopilo. Finds from Dodoni, the necromancy of the river Acheron, Vitsa Zagori, Votonosi, Katamahi, Stefani, Durouti, Pogoni, Mihalitsi Prevezi, and from other areas of Epirus. The collection of coins from Epirus, from various time periods, is also noteworthy. Room D is dedicated to objects of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine folk art (small crafts, silversmithing, weapons, etc.).
Fragments and inscriptions from archaeological sites are exhibited in the two atriums. The last room hosts works by Greek artists. Periodical exhibitions and lecture organizations are also hosted by the museum which doubles as an art gallery.
Among the museum's most important exhibits are the following: The double-sided stone (pelekys) found in the Red Clay of Preveza Kantharos-shaped skyphos from the tomb of Meropi Pogoni (11th - 12th century) Bronze beaked mouthpiece, from the cemetery of Vitsa Zagori, 540 - 520 BC X Gold ring, silver-plated, 5th century BC Marble funerary statue 4th century BC Wrought bronze helmet 4th century BC Bronze statue of a boy Clay flask from the Necromantheum of Acheron (3rd century BC ) Tombstone with inscription (found in Plaisia Ioannina), early 2nd century BC Marble sarcophagus (found in Ladochori, Thesprotia), 2nd century AD You can, for more information, refer to the website www.amio.gr which concerns the promotion of the collections and activities of the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina. Tel.: 26510 33357
Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou
