Archaeological Museum of Samothrace

A brief visit into the historical site of Great Gods and the Archaeological Museum of Samothrace

Not doubt, a highlight of every Samothrace pilgrimage is the visit of the newly reopened Archaeological Museum of Samothrace. In essence, the Museum exhibits the findings from the Sanctuary of the Great Gods and the adjacents necropolises.

Location

The Museum is located in the village of Palaiopolis, 7 km from Kamariotissa and the harbour. In essence, the Museum exhibits the findings from the Sanctuary of the Great Gods and the adjacent necropolises.

Brief Museum’s history 

The Archeological Museum of Samothrace was originally designed by the American Stuart M. Shaw of the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York.  It has been constructed under the supervision of American School of Classical Studies in Athens  in the period 1939-1961. The Museum was inaugurated in 1955, being then the first archaeological museum in the Region of Thrace. In 1960-61 the north wing was added to the Museum. In 2012 the Museum closed for major renovation. It was solemnly reopened in June 2024.

A copy of the Winged Victory of Samothrace dominates the entrance to the Museum. This exact replica was executed after the permission granted by the Museum of Louvre in Paris. The original statue of the Winged Victory of Samothrace (circa 190 BC) was found at the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. It has been transferred and exposed in Museum of Louvre in 1863.

Today’s Museum consists of 5 Exposition Halls and a charming Atrium.

Hall A – Architectural Restoration of Buildings

The Hall A of the Archeological Museum of Samothrace hosts restored fragments of buildings which were discovered within the area of the Sanctuary of Great Gods. The Sanctuary was a locally important religious center until the mid of the 4th BC. By then, Philip II. King of Macedonia (359-336 BC) displayed higher political and religious ambitions for the Sanctuary of Samothrace.

As a result, the royal family of Macedonia and their successors constantly supported the Sanctuary of Great Gods and contributed highly to its fame. More than ten buildings were built between the end of the 4th and the 3rd century BC. The innovative buildings’ design of the Hellenistic period strikes today’s visitors.

The Hall A exhibits restored parts of three important religious buildings of the Sanctuary: the Vault of Arsinoe II, the Temple of the Great Gods and the Altar’s Court.

The Vault of Arsinoe, i.e. rosettes among the rich decorated oxheads (early 3rd century BC) as well as by the gracious statue of Nike (Victory) capture the sight of today’s visitor. Presumably, this magnificent marble statue stood at the central Temple’s promontory.

Hall B – Ancient City and Necropolises of Samothrace

Further, the Hall B exhibits the few finds from the ancient city of Samothrace, and its necropolises. The “Sacred Road” connected the ancient city with the Sanctuary of the Great Gods. This is where the would-be initiated, the so called mystes, entered the Sanctuary. Most of the exhibited items derive from the excavations of the rich necropolises, surrounding the ancient city, mainly the Southern Necropolis. The ancient city of Samothrace has not been systematically excavated, yet.

The elegant objects and jewelry that accompanied their owners in the underworld are impressing. Furthermore, Hall B exhibits an interesting numismatic collection from Samothrace and other Greek cities.

Hall C – The Sanctuary of the Great Gods

The third hall, the Hall C,  displays fragments from the Eastern Hill, in other words, from the very heart of the Sanctuary of Great Gods. The area of the Sanctuary is separated from the other two hills by two large water streams. Using the Sacred Road, the would-be initiated (mystes) entered the Sanctuary in front of the Theatrical Circle. It seems that the initiation rites commenced here.

There were three initiation stages: the introductory, the ritual initiation and the higher, supervisory stage. Following the introduction, the mystes descended into the ravine, heading presumably to the Hall of Ceremonial Dance and reached finally the Temple.

At the Theatrical Circle, mystes and supervisors gathered again before leaving the Sanctuary and returning to the outside world.

However, the rituals and proceedings of the Mysteries of Samothrace remain unknown to us!

The Atrium – Inscriptions

The Atrium of the Archaeological Museum of Samothrace exhibits several inscriptions from the Sanctuary. Name lists of Greek and Roman mystes dominate the Atrium of the Museum. The votive inscription of the Confederation of Thessaly and the pedestal of a bronze statue of Philip V, King of Macedonia (238-179 BC) stand out among the other exhibits.

Hall D – Initiation into the Mysteries

Furthermore, the Hall D leads into the Initiation and the Mysteries of the Sanctuary. It displays precious objects and votives from the Temple of Great Gods, the Hall of Ceremonial Dance and the Western hill. The Western hill hosts non-religious buildings such as the Stoa (portico for the visitors), the banquet halls and votive buildings such as the Neorio (naval monument), the hall of the Winged Victory of Samothrace etc.

This Hall contains striking exhibits, such as the fragments of the famous frieze of young dancers and the stele that forbade entrance to the uninitiated into sacred spaces (“the uninitiated shall not enter the Sanctuary”). Your interest will be immediately captured by the iconic beauty of the panels, attributed to Hercules and Armonia (perhaps both oeuvres of Scopas). Furthermore, you may find intriguing the exhibits regarding the pre-Hellenic ritual language used during the Mysteries.

Finally, in this Hall you will find parts of the pedestal of the statue of Winged Victory of Samothrace. It is the only part that remained on the island after the embarkment of the statue for Paris!

Hall E – The Cultural Heritage of Samothrace

The last Hall of the Archeological Museum of Samothrace, the Hall E, displays objects from various other archaeological sites on the island. The exhibits range between the middle of the 6th millennium BC and the first half of the 20th century. The objects were excavated in the archeological area of Mikro Vouni, the acropolis of Vrychos (close to Hora), the sanctuary of Vendidos-Artemidos at Mandal’ Panagia and other sites.

Just before exiting the Museum, a wonderful statue of the young god Dionysos found near the Alonia village captures our sight. Dionysus, the god of wine, was among the cherished gods of the ancient Thracians!

In the iconic outdoor area of ​​the Archaeological Museum of Samothrace you will discover a series of other archaeological finds such as columns, capitals, etc.

Photo Gallery :

Videos:

https://nike-of-samothrace.gr/sanctuary-of-the-great-gods/videos

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Useful information :

• Archaeological Museum of Samothrace in Paleopolis, tel. 25510 41474
• www.samothracemuseum.gr or efaevr@culture.gr

Opening hours (during summer):

• Daily 08.30 – 15.30

Ticket price:

• €6 per person incl. the Site of the Sanctuary of the Great Gods

Information sources:

• Ephorate of Antiquities of Evros
• Karl Lehmann, Samothraki, Thessaloniki 1998