The Archaeological Museum of Ioannina was built in 1960 and designed by the distinguished architect Aris Konstantinidis. The permanent exhibition includes about 3000 archaeological findings from all over Epirus. The exhibits cover a long period from the first appearance of man on Epirus up to late Roman times.
The collections of the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina are developed in seven halls, the central corridor and three atriums, a total area of 1,200 square meters. The exhibits cover a long period, from the first appearance of man in Epirus, during the Lower Paleolithic Age 250,000 years ago , until the twilight of late antiquity during the late Roman period (3rd c. AD.).
Special empasis is given to the findings from the sanctuary of Dodoni, which are displayed in a room exclusively dedicated to one of the major oracles of the Greek world. The new permanent exhibition retains the whole-Epirotic dimension of the former one, which was inspired by the first Director of the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, Ioulia Vokotopoulou. It includes approximately 3,000 archaeological finds from all over Epirus.
The structure is based on three axies: chronological, geographic and a thematic. These axes are Interdigitated at the museological flow by attempting to highlight the special character and course of the region in antiquity.
The route within the exhibition is a journey to the basic stations of the urban organisation of the wider region of Epirus, starting from the Palaeolithic era right down to the Roman conquest. The findings that were located in the course of excavation are exhibited in the showcases of the first room. Through browsing the individual sections we see the transition from the hunter’s and gatherer’s stage to that of habitation in settled villages and the development of activities such as land cultivation and animal breeding.
The second hall is dedicated to the political and administrative organisation of Epirus. The particular state organization of the continental nations and their institutions, the economy and trade contacts of mainland cities with other urban centres of the Greek world, are displayed through the rich collection of coins as well as the written inscriptions.
The third exhibition-hall is dedicated to Aiakides, the royal dynasty of the hinterland nation of Epirus, the Molossians. The role of King Pyrrhus and the universal dimension of his policies is particularly emphasized.
In the next halls findings are exhibited that come from ancient