Archaeological Museum of Tegea

The museum was originally built in 1909 by the Athens Archaeological Society. During the German invasion of Greece in 1941, all exhibits were buried ("Apokrypsis") and so survived the Axis occupation. In 1992, a major burglary occurred, leading to the loss of many objects. Although many of these were recovered in 1994 and 1998, the famous head of Telephus, a masterpiece by Scopas, remains stolen.

After major reconstruction projects in 1935–36 and 1967–1968, the museum building and its exhibitions were upgraded and redeveloped in 2005 to 2013, funded by the Program "Culture" of the 3rd European Community Support Framework (CSF) and the Greece National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).[1]

The exhibits follow the development of Tegea – once the most important powerful city of Arcadia – and the sanctuaries associated with it. The most important sanctuary is that of Athena Alea, whose site can be visited 200 meters distant from the museum.

The museum houses collections from various sites, including Neolithic and Early Bronze Age items from Agiorgitika and Asea, objects from various sites at Tegea, including the temple of Alea Athena, and Early Christian and Byzantine objects from the Episkopi Tegeas. [2]

The exhibits are structured into four inside galleries: 1. Neolithic to Early Bronze Age Archaic period, development of the Polis; 2. Arcadian Herms, private donations to sanctuaries discovered only in the region of Tegea; 3. Evolution of the polis from the Greek classical period to the Roman period; 4. The development of the sanctuary of Athena Alea. In addition, an outdoor exhibit, centered around “Public Life” and “The Hereafter” can be visited.[3]

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  Base of semicolumn of the Temple of Athena Alea
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  Epikranitis blocks
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  Epikranitis blocks
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  Sima or gutter
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  Gorgoneion from Alea
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  Head of Asclepios
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  Head of Asclepios
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  Head of Asclepios
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  Inscribed stele with a sacred law
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  Relief with a lion
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  Relief with an attacking lion
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  Relief with Dionysos, Heracles and possibly Artemis
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  Sarcophagus fragment of Achilles and Hector
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  Statue of Nike (Akroterion)
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  Supplication of Priam
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  Mould for helmet crests
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  Bronze pendants
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  Seated bull bronze pendant

• http://www.tegeamuseum.gr/