An exhibition-homage to Classicism and the legacy of Greece and Italy to Europe opens its doors to the public this Thursday at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Entitled "Classicism and Europe: The destiny of Greece and Italy”, the exhibition features 25 artworks spanning a period of 4,500 years, from the early prehistoric civilisations of the Aegean (Cycladic, Minoan and Mycenean), to the Archaic era of the 6th century BC - including the Acropolis Kore and the relief of the ‘Pensive Athena’, to sculptures representing the rise of democracy in ancient Greece. It continues with the rise of Christianity through Byzantine art and a replica of the Rossano Bible, the oldest illustrated Bible in the world, the Renaissance, featuring works by El Greco and Mattia Preti and reaches up to the 20th century and the works by Giani, Cadorin, Moralis and Parthenis.

“It is an impressive exhibition that through 25 exhibits spans an incredible journey through time, from the prehistoric era to the modern age. In reality, we are talking about Greco-Italian civilisation and for this reason one could not easily separate them”, said Greek Culture and Sports Minister Constantinos Tasoulas during a press conference at the museum. The exhibition, organized with the collaboration of the Italian EU presidency and Greece, via the foreign and culture ministries in both countries, will run until October 31.