Archaeological Museum of Ioannina: A journey into the cultural past of Epirus

The effort to safeguard local antiquities began with the liberation of Epirus from Ottoman rule in 1913 and continued until quite recently, culminating in the redesign of the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina and the final arrangement of its collections. These span from the earliest human presence in Epirus (Lower Paleolithic) to the late Roman period.

Among the thematic sections are Prehistoric Epirus, The Aeacids, The Kings of the Molossians and The Archaeology of Death. Rich finds, thoughtful museological design, and varied interpretive tools invite visitors to engage deeply with the cultural past of Epirus.

A special place is reserved for the Sanctuary of Dodona, the oldest and most significant oracle of early antiquity, with an entire hall devoted to its finds. Particularly remarkable are the lead tablets inscribed with the questions of pilgrims to Zeus and Dione – a unique corpus recently inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

The museum building itself is a landmark of Ioannina, set on Litharitsia Hill, with panoramic views over the basin, the lake, and the Castle with its long, layered history. Designed by the renowned architect Aris Konstantinidis, the structure exemplifies Greek modernism. Its courtyards, integrated into the museum’s layout, echo ancient Greek houses.