The core of Piraeus coastal culture is encapsulated in its new Museum of Underwater Antiquities the plans for which were recently unveiled by the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP). As part of the Piraeus Cultural Coast project, which involves the revamp of the coastal zone to include green spaces and cultural and entertainment venues, the new Museum aims to enhance Piraeus cultural identity and transform the port into a potent cultural hub. The new Museum will be hosted in the port’s old silo, a 1930’s building that was originally used for storing grain before its transport, and among its 2,000 fascinating exhibits found underwater are included ancient relics dating back to the prehistoric era, and through to modern times, such as amphoras, utilitarian and table ware, statues of marble and bronze, sculptures, architectural and building materials, means of exchange, pipelines and marine fittings, personal armor and weaponry, signs and clothing. The museum will also run interactive exhibitions and simulation exercises. Its operation is expected to play a leading role in research and boost tourism to Piraeus.
Christos Kalloniatis (Professor of the Department of Cultural Technology and Communication at the University of the Aegean), Iris Kritikou (Archaeologist-Historian of Art), Konstantinos Maniatopoulos (Director of the Stratis Eleftheriadis-Tériade Museum – Library, Visual Artist-Historian of Art), Irine Vasilopoulou