Xenokrateion Archaeological Museum of the Sacred Town of Messolonghi (Messolonghi, GR)
The Xenokrateion Archaeological Museum, housed in a restored 19th-century school building, presents over 1,200 artefacts from Aitoloakarnania spanning 100,000 B.C. to the 3rd century A.D., showcasing local heritage within a modern museological framework.
The Xenokrateion Archaeological Museum opened in December 2021 in a neoclassical building originally constructed between 1885 and 1889 as the Municipal Girls’ School, funded by Constantinos Xenokratis, a national benefactor from East Thrace.
The museum’s permanent exhibition presents more than 1,200 artefacts spanning from the prehistoric era (c. 100,000 B.C.) to the late Roman period (3rd century A.D.). These finds originate from a wide range of archaeological sites across the Aitoloakarnania region, providing a comprehensive overview of its long and varied history.
By situating this rich collection within a historic educational building, the museum highlights both local heritage and the legacy of civic benefaction. Its exhibitions contribute to a deeper understanding of the region’s role in wider cultural developments across Greece over many millennia.
As a 2023 DASA Award candidate, the Xenokrateion Archaeological Museum demonstrates how archaeological collections can be made accessible within a modern museological framework, combining historical preservation with public engagement and education.