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Plans for the temporary relocation of artifacts from Greece’s National Archaeological Museum are moving ahead as preparations pick up for a large-scale expansion and renovation project, with authorities closing in on a preferred storage site well before construction begins.
According to information obtained by Kathimerini, the Karaisakis military camp in Haidari, a western suburb of Athens, has come out on top as the most likely location to house the museum’s vast collection during the closure. The site is understood to have been favored because it meets key requirements related to security, controlled storage conditions, and ease of access, all of which are considered essential for safeguarding ancient artifacts.
Officials from the Ministry of Culture have been holding talks with the Ministry of Defense, as military installations are widely seen as offering strong protection standards suitable for antiquities of exceptional historical value. While the arrangement has not yet been formally approved, sources familiar with the discussions suggest that a reversal of this plan is unlikely.
At the same time, the National Archaeological Museum is also looking into a second, separate location where selected highlights from its collection could be put on display while the main building is closed.
This effort is aimed at keeping part of the collection accessible to the public during the renovation period, although no specific site has been identified so far.
The museum is expected to shut its doors in 2027 to allow for the expansion and modernization works, which have been designed by the internationally known architectural firms Chipperfield and Tombazis.
The project is regarded as a major undertaking for one of Greece’s most important cultural institutions and calls for detailed planning to ensure the safe handling and temporary relocation of irreplaceable ancient objects throughout the construction phase.
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