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The Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, located close to the historic Clock of the town’s main square, exhibits findings that cover a long period from the Lower Paleolithic era (of 250,000 years ago) when man first appeared in Epirus, until the late Roman times during the 3rd century AD. A special place amongst the findings is occupied by the artifacts that originate from the sanctuary of Ancient Dodona, the worship center of Zeus and Dione at the foot of Mountain Tomaros.
In total, the new permanent exhibition of the museum includes about 3,000 archaeological findings from the entire region of Epirus while its structure is divided into three axes: one chronological, one geographical and one thematic. The countenance of the area is depicted in the elaborate exhibits of the past, uniting the most important aspects of the location’s historical origins and composing the brilliant course of the Epirotic region in antiquity. The museum’s exhibition also hosts findings from the archaeological sites of the ancient city of Kassope, the Nekromanteion of Acheron (oracle of the dead) and Vitsa of Ioannina, the largest village of central Zagori next to the famous Vikos Gorge.
The Archaeological Museum of Ioannina was built in the 1960s by the eminent Greek architect Aris Konstantinidis and has received since some significant donations, such as the Melas Collection, with findings of Greek antiquity. From the 19th century’s European travelers to today’s museum visitors, the history of Epirus continues to spread and enchant those who choose to explore it.