A groundbreaking cultural initiative is underway in Piraeus with the construction of Greece’s first National Museum of Underwater Antiquities. The construction of the museum is progressing rapidly and is expected to welcome visitors by 2026.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the industrial SILO building is being seamlessly integrated with a new structure under construction on its southwest side. This integration is vital to ensure the necessary space for hosting a pioneering and innovative museum. Notably, the museum will showcase more than 2,500 exhibits, while also featuring a wealth of technological applications, state-of-the-art conservation laboratories, and modern storage facilities.
At the same time, efforts are underway to restore and highlight the historic conveyor belt, which once played a key role in loading ships, adding further historical significance to the site.
Furthermore, the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities will not only celebrate the treasures of Greece’s seas but also serve as a landmark cultural destination for the country’s largest port, reinforcing Piraeus’s prominence as a hub of maritime heritage.
Importantly, the project is funded with a sum of €93 million from the Recovery Fund, managed by the Ministry of Culture. It is, therefore, no exaggeration to state that this is the largest cultural initiative currently underway in Greece.
Image Credit: Ministry of Culture
Image Credit: Ministry of Culture
A Vision Realized: Showcasing Greece’s Maritime Legacy
“A vision decades in the making is now entering its final stretch towards implementation and completion,” Minister Lina Mendoni declared, marking a pivotal moment in the realization of the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities.
Highlighting Greece’s profound historical ties to the sea, she explained that the nation’s evolution—spanning from prehistory to the present—is deeply intertwined with maritime activity, seafaring, and shipping.
The primary purpose of creating the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities is to showcase Greek culture through the treasures of our seas, highlighting its enduring and uninterrupted historical journey over millennia.
Minister Mendoni described the project as a landmark cultural initiative, situated in a symbolic location for Piraeus, the Ietionian Coast. She stressed the dual focus of the project—preserving and highlighting the significant industrial building of the SILO while connecting it to a modern structure. This integration lays the foundation for a model and innovative museum, where the unparalleled wealth of Greece’s underwater heritage will find its ideal home.
The design of the exhibition space, she explained, reflects the constraints and opportunities presented by the existing building’s geometry and its extension. The structure’s layout requires an expansive display, which in turn demands an approach that ensures clarity and accessibility for visitors. Rest areas and transitions between thematic zones will be incorporated to enhance the visitor experience, ensuring an engaging journey through the exhibits, each offering fresh points of interest.
“We are leveraging modern technological tools,” she added, “to deliver by 2026 a fully accessible museum, offering visitors a unique experience akin to diving into the past.” Exhibits will include submerged settlements, shipwrecks, replicas of vessels, hulls, and cargo from merchant ships, as well as maps and diagrams, creating an immersive experience that traces the course of history beneath the waves.
Minister Mendoni concluded with a bold assertion:
It is clear that the operation of this museum will establish Piraeus as a key international cultural destination.
Image Credit: Ministry of Culture
Image Credit: Ministry of Culture
Construction Milestones and Visionary Design
The construction of the National Museum of Underwater Antiquities began in December 2023, focusing initially on the restoration of the iconic SILO building. Once a bustling grain warehouse operational from November 1936 until late 2010, the structure now stands as a testament to Greece’s industrial heritage. Over the years, significant wear and tear have affected both its metal framework and brickwork, necessitating extensive interventions.
The addition of a new building seamlessly integrates with the SILO, creating a unified narrative for the museum. This design weaves together a journey that metaphorically “dives” into the past within the SILO, “emerges” at the surface in the new structure, and returns to the present through areas reflecting the site’s recent industrial history, such as the conveyor belt zone.
Expansive Facilities for a Unique Experience
Covering a total area of 26,380 square metres, the museum offers an array of facilities, including:
- Exhibition spaces: 7,550 square metres for permanent and temporary displays.
- Educational and scientific spaces: Featuring an auditorium, library, and multimedia areas.
- Visitor amenities: Reception, cloakroom, shop, café, restaurant, and medical facilities.
- Administration offices and conservation labs: Ensuring seamless operations and artifact preservation.
Image Credit: Ministry of Culture
Image Credit: Ministry of Culture
Accessibility at the Core
A cornerstone of the museographic study is universal accessibility. The museum’s physical layout incorporates ramps, elevators, and spacious pathways, making it easy to navigate for all visitors. Intellectual accessibility is equally prioritized, with graded information materials, tactile exhibits, and multilayered interpretative tools ensuring inclusivity and engagement.
The exhibition scenario comes to life through a combination of display cases—both wall-mounted and free-standing—alongside platforms, specialized constructions, and cutting-edge lighting. Digital media, interpretative signage, and interactive applications further enhance the visitor experience, blending traditional and modern storytelling methods.
Enhanced Narrative and Expanded Artifacts
During the final stages of development, the museological study underwent revisions to align seamlessly with its museographic counterpart. The updated plan, approved by the Museum Council of the Ministry of Culture, includes:
- An increase of 300 artifacts, bringing the total to over 2,500.
- A refined narrative structure with new thematic sections.
- A diverse range of interpretative tools, from digital applications to staged environments and models.
Six Thematic Axes: A Journey Through Time
The exhibition narrative unfolds across six thematic axes:
- Sea, Environment, and Humanity: Exploring the intrinsic relationship between the sea and human civilization.
- Underwater Archaeology: Delving into discoveries beneath the waves.
- “Time Capsules” in the Depths: Showcasing key moments frozen in time.
- Fragmentary Past, Open Issues: Addressing the challenges of piecing together history.
- Underwater Cultural Heritage for Society: Highlighting its relevance today.
- SILO and Piraeus: Interwoven Stories: Celebrating the area’s industrial and maritime legacy.
A Unique Visitor Experience
The journey begins at the SILO, home to the first two thematic axes, and progresses through the new building, where the third and fourth axes reside. The fifth thematic section spans two levels, connected by an interior staircase, while the sixth axis takes visitors along the conveyor belt zone, bridging the old and new.
Visitors are invited to explore the inner workings of the SILO, gaining rare insights into its original function. The unique honeycomb structure of the grain storage cells is revealed as part of a smooth pathway designed to follow the sequence of the thematic sections, offering a cohesive and enriching experience.
Source: Greek Ministry of Culture
