Megalopoli between museum and ancient history

Megalopoli: Museum and ancient sites

Megalopoli’s cultural history can be explored at a variety of sites: the Archaeological Museum is in the city centre, while ancient sites lie nearby. A collection of architectural fragments and pottery stands alongside structural remains at archaeological sites, offering distinct cultural themes. When planning your trip, you can choose between the museum in town and the ancient sites around Megalopoli.

The Archaeological Museum in the city centre

The Archaeological Museum of Megalopoli was founded in 1987 and is housed in a building in the city centre. Its collection includes architectural fragments and pottery shards from the archaeological site of Megalopoli, as well as objects from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. These materials offer different perspectives: architectural fragments point to building forms, while pottery shards reveal another aspect of the archaeological collection. The objects from the Hellenistic and Roman periods add evidence from two historical eras to the collection. With its city-centre location, the museum forms a distinct cultural focus alongside the ancient sites nearby.

Remains of the ancient city and Lycosura

The archaeological site of ancient Megali Poli lies in the area around Megalopoli. Its remains include the Thersilion bouleuterion and parts of the ancient agora, with sanctuaries of Zeus and Soter. The Philippeios Stoa and the Stoa Myropolis are also part of the site. A bouleuterion is a council building; a stoa is a colonnaded hall. These terms help identify the site through its different architectural forms and their names. The agora, sanctuaries, bouleuterion and stoas each mark distinct elements within the ancient city complex.

Another archaeological site nearby is ancient Lycosura. It includes a temple, an enclosure and a large, two-tiered altar called the Megarion. Official ceremonies were held at this altar. The site also includes a large stoa, remains of baths, and altars of Despoina, Demeter and the Great Mother. The surviving ruins of Lycosura date from the 2nd century BC. Ancient Lycosura is stated to be 12 kilometres from Megalopoli. The ancient theatre of Megalopoli is also nearby and was considered the largest theatre in the ancient Greek world.

Cultural highlights when choosing accommodation

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Megalopoli, the different sites can help you decide on the cultural focus of your stay. The museum is in the city centre; the archaeological sites are nearby, and Ancient Lycosura is stated to be 12 kilometres away. You can weigh up whether to include the museum in town or the ancient sites more prominently in your travel plans.

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