Greece’s Ministry of Culture will open more than a hundred archaeological sites, monuments and museums for free on the night of Friday, August 28, to coincide with the full moon. From around 7:30pm until midnight, visitors can explore historical treasures, including temples and Minoan palaces, without paying admission. Some sites will also host live musical concerts, choirs and guided tours.
Highlights among the 126 participating sites
Among the 126 locations are some of Greece’s most visited attractions. In Delphi, the ancient sanctuary town on Mount Parnassus, free entry will be granted to the Temple of Apollo. Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, will be open from 8pm to midnight, with guided tours led by archaeologists. In Sparta, the medieval ruins of Mystras will open at 8pm with a musical event.
Athens and beyond
In Athens, the Acropolis Museum will remain open from 9am until midnight, with free entry to its temporary exhibition of ancient Greek art discovered in Italy, featuring 38 works of ceramic, bronze and marble. Regular admission fees of €20 (£17.10) will apply to the permanent collections, and booking is required for the guided tour.
Lesser-known sites include the Nekromanteion of Acheron in Epirus, an ancient sanctuary associated with the underworld, and the Minoan palace complex at Malia on Crete, which will host a live performance by Greek singer Manolis Mitsias and a full choir. Gortyna, also on Crete, will host a musical evening at its site featuring a 600-line collection of fifth-century BCE laws carved into stone.
More events and practical notes
Nafpaktos Castle will offer views over the Gulf of Corinth, and the Sanctuary of Ammon Zeus in Chalkidiki will stage a full performance of Orpheus and Eurydice. The full list of participating sites is available from Greece’s Ministry of Culture. Individual opening times and events vary, and some activities, including the Acropolis Museum’s guided tour, require booking.
