West Macedonia · Museum, Exhibition & Collection

Archaeological Museum of Argos Orestiko

Who we are

The Archaeological Museum of the Regional Unit of Kastoria, in Argos Orestiko, opened in June 2010. Its exhibition presents important antiquities of the region, illuminating unknown aspects of the organisation and daily life in Macedonia through texts that are accessible and easy for the average visitor to understand. The exhibits come from chance finds and handovers by ordinary residents or teachers, as well as from recent excavations across the whole area of the present-day prefecture of Kastoria, that is, the central part of ancient Orestis. Its exhibition sections include elaborate jewellery accompanied by ritual objects, spearheads, ceramic vessels, as well as rich works of art, statuettes and inscribed monuments. Among the important exhibits is a unique phalangite shield of the Paeonian infantry, as well as the decree of the Battynaeans, the most important inscription of political content from Western Macedonia. The permanent exhibition follows the political and cultural transformations of the central part of Orestis in four successive sections, after an introduction on the geographical area and on how the Museum's collection was formed. The first section (1100-550 BC) presents an impressive assemblage of bronze jewellery and ritual objects, spearheads, ceramic vessels, as well as reconstructions of male, female and child burials. The second section (The kingdom of Orestis, 550-359 BC) begins with an archaic statuette of a symposiast and includes early inscribed monuments, a marble sphinx and part of a funerary stele, as well as grave goods from tombs of the classical period. From 359 to 200 BC, Orestis formed part of the kingdom of Macedonia and the Orestae were incorporated into the Macedonian phalanx. This section displays a sarissa point and a unique phalangite shield of the Paeonian infantry, as well as inscribed monuments. The final section presents antiquities dating from the subjugation of the Orestae to the Romans, in 200 BC, until the founding of Diocletianopolis, around 300 AD. The region largely retained its administrative autonomy, as demonstrated by the survival of the League of the Orestae as a local political union, as well as by the decree of the Battynaeans, the most important inscription of political content from Western Macedonia. The cultural and religious identity of the Orestae is also largely preserved in the dedications to the gods and in the funerary monuments of ordinary citizens or of the heroised dead, which impress with the variety of their forms. (Author: Ephorate of Antiquities of Kastoria)

Managing authority: Ephorate of Antiquities of Kastoria
Accessibility statement: Not available

General information

Address: 9 El. Venizelou Street, postal code 522 00, Argos Orestiko (Prefecture of Kastoria)
Opening hours: 08:30-15:30, except Tuesday.

Contact & help

Contact: Telephone: +30 24670 44616 Fax: +30 24670 44421 Email: efakas@culture.gr

How to get here

On foot, by car, by taxi, 3 km from Argos Orestiko airport

Accessible parking spaces: 1
Drop-off area
Accessible parking

Entry / exit points (2)

Main entrance of the museum
Building infrastructure

Is there a door?
Remains open during operating hours
Adequately served by a dedicated boarding / alighting area suitable for people with disabilities
Yes
Does a tactile guide path lead to the building?
No
Is it preceded by a ramp?
Ramp next to the entrance steps
Preceded by a step
Steps before the main entrance
Cross slope
Suitable
At the entrance, are there obstacles preventing wheelchair passage?
Carpet
Longitudinal slope
Suitable
Clear opening
Suitable
Is it easily identifiable?
Yes
Is it preceded by a sidewalk with an unsuitable road–sidewalk connection for wheelchair users?
Yes (explain)
Clear passage height
Suitable
Informational signage for visitors is provided outside
Yes, but it is not accessible for people with disabilities (e.g. without Braille or raised lettering)
Adequately served by a dedicated accessible parking space for private vehicles
Yes
Bears suitable informational signage regarding accessibility to the building's spaces
No
Adequately served by disability-friendly public transport
No
Open-air courtyard entrance
Outdoor infrastructure / routes

Adequately served by a dedicated boarding / alighting area suitable for people with disabilities
No
Does a blind guidance path lead to the entrance?
No
Is it easily identifiable?
Yes
Is it preceded by a sidewalk with an unsuitable road–sidewalk connection for wheelchair users?
No
Adequately served by a dedicated accessible parking space for private vehicles
Yes
Adequately served by disability-friendly public transport
No

Map

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Checkpoint, inspection elements and outdoor routes.

What you can see & do

Activities & facilities

Parking
Ticket office
Restrooms

Special facilities (4)

Ticket office / Reception

Tickets - Information

Visitors' guestbook
Informational leaflet of the archaeological museum in braille. Greek-English.
Beneficiaries
- Blind people with white cane
- People with low vision
- People with guide dog
Wheelchair provision for visitors
Beneficiaries
- People with difficulty walking / standing for long periods
- Other (people with allergies, children, etc.)
- Wheelchair users

Building

Museum building

Exhibits with QR code for audio description

Detailed inspection data

Accessible parking spaces: 1
Ramp
Drop-off area
Lift / elevator
Accessible WC
Accessible parking

Outdoor areas

Accessible parking

Vehicle parking spaces for people with disabilities

How many visitor vehicle spaces are there in total?: 1
Average distance: Less than 150m
Routes from the parking spaces to other points: for wheelchair movement (surfaces, clear widths, ramps, etc.)
How many visitor parking spaces designated specifically for people with disabilities are there?: 1
There are special parking spaces for vehicles of people with disabilities, but they do not comply with the specifications.: Not well lit, Not protected from harsh weather conditions (canopies/windbreaks)

Infrastructure

Building

Museum building

Overall, within the building there are accessible areas where staff are present and the public can communicate / interact with them: Yes, but has no briefing or training on serving people with disabilities
Access to toilet facilities is not an issue?: No
The building has toilets for the public but no accessible toilet for people with disabilities according to national specifications/guidelines: No
Overall, noise levels inside the building are suitable at all times of use/visit: Yes
Generally, heating in the building is adequate at all hours of use/visit: Yes
Generally, the lighting within the building is suitable at all hours of use/visit: Yes
In general, air conditioning/ventilation inside the building is appropriate at all hours of use/visit: Yes
Is vertical access not an issue?: No
Is access to separated spaces/rooms not an issue?: Yes
How many separate floors/levels does it have?: 3
It is…: Other (specify)
The areas open to the public occupy the following floors / levels: Basement, Ground floor, 1st floor
How many separate entrances/exits does it have?: 1
Guide dogs are allowed entry: Yes
Overall, the corridors and circulation routes have clear widths: Over 150 cm
Overall, the corridors and circulation routes have suitable clear heights: Yes
There are bridges in the building: No bridging needed / present
There is furniture and/or equipment within the 90 cm clear width: No
There are levels/areas with seating/rest positions for the public without provisions for a wheelchair stop: No
There are levels / areas without sufficient/suitable seating / rest areas for people with difficulty walking / standing for long periods: Yes
Guide dogs are accepted and staff understand that they should not interact with the dog: Yes
An automatic guided-tour system is used and its design ensures accessibility for…: None
Audiovisual media are used and their design ensures accessibility for…: None
Is there posted and/or available informational material provided to the public?: Yes
All (small) exhibits and their labels are always placed at heights suitable also for wheelchair users (e.g., within a height zone of 75 to 135 cm): Yes
There are exhibits or other objects hung on walls in a way that is dangerous for people with vision disabilities: No
There are areas/levels with exhibits that meet the appropriate specifications for wheelchair access: Yes
Exhibits are also available in tactile form for blind people: None
Digital stations are used: None
The signs, labels, exhibit captions, etc. are accompanied by equivalent alternative formats/solutions for people with visual disabilities: Yes
Educational/informational activities, screenings and/or live presentations are organized in spaces and with a design that ensures accessibility for…: None
(If available) The posted and/or available informational/informative material is also available in alternative/accessible formats: In Braille print

Special facilities (1)

Special facility

Exhibits with QR code for audio description

Stairs

Stairs for access to the basement and first floor

Does it have a riser (front face)?: Vertical
Handles / handrails: Present and standards-compliant
It is a staircase with a stairlift: No
Is it…: Main
Is it interior and…: Fixed
Is it…: Interior
The (minimum) opening of the stairs is (in cm)…: 110
They are clearly legible: No
The (minimum) depth of the steps is (in cm)…: 31
The (maximum) height of the steps is (in cm)…: 17
The width of the stairs: Yes
In the case of stairways that are part of the existing network with tactile guidance paths for the blind, are there tactile warning surfaces at the start, end and changes of direction of the stairs?: Not part of such a network
Are the intermediate landings of adequate dimensions: Yes
The lighting is adequate: Yes
Are the surfaces: No
Does it have an emergency lighting system?: Yes
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
At the stair landings, there is informational signage for visitors: No
Is it standards-compliant?: No
The depth (tread) of the steps is constant from the start to the end of the stairs: Yes
In the case of exposed side/rear surfaces, are these always "covered" so as not to pose a risk to people with visual impairments and white cane users?: Yes
Is there a standards-compliant alternative for wheelchair access?: Present and standards-compliant
(If available), the alternative wheelchair access is via…: An adjacent accessible elevator or platform lift for wheelchairs

Entrance / exit

Main entrance of the museum

Is there a door?: Remains open during operating hours
Adequately served by a dedicated boarding / alighting area suitable for people with disabilities: Yes
Does a tactile guide path lead to the building?: No
Is it preceded by a ramp?: Ramp next to the entrance steps
Preceded by a step: Steps before the main entrance
Cross slope: Suitable
At the entrance, are there obstacles preventing wheelchair passage?: Carpet
Longitudinal slope: Suitable
Clear opening: Suitable
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Is it preceded by a sidewalk with an unsuitable road–sidewalk connection for wheelchair users?: Yes (explain)
Clear passage height: Suitable
Informational signage for visitors is provided outside: Yes, but it is not accessible for people with disabilities (e.g. without Braille or raised lettering)
Adequately served by a dedicated accessible parking space for private vehicles: Yes
Bears suitable informational signage regarding accessibility to the building's spaces: No
Adequately served by disability-friendly public transport: No

Stairs

Steps before the main entrance

Does it have a riser (front face)?: Vertical
Handles / handrails: None
It is a staircase with a stairlift: No
Is it…: Main
Parapets / railings: Needed, but not present
Is it interior and…: Fixed
Is it…: Outdoor
The (minimum) opening of the stairs is (in cm)…: 250
They are clearly legible: No
The (minimum) depth of the steps is (in cm)…: 30
The (maximum) height of the steps is (in cm)…: 18
The width of the stairs: Yes
In the case of stairways that are part of the existing network with tactile guidance paths for the blind, are there tactile warning surfaces at the start, end and changes of direction of the stairs?: Not part of such a network
Are the intermediate landings of adequate dimensions: Yes
The lighting is adequate: No
Are the surfaces: No
Does it have an emergency lighting system?: No
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
At the stair landings, there is informational signage for visitors: Yes, but it is not accessible for people with disabilities (e.g. without Braille or raised lettering)
Is it standards-compliant?: No
The depth (tread) of the steps is constant from the start to the end of the stairs: No
In the case of exposed side/rear surfaces, are these always "covered" so as not to pose a risk to people with visual impairments and white cane users?: Yes
The height of the steps is constant from the start to the end of the stairs: Yes
Is there a standards-compliant alternative for wheelchair access?: Present and standards-compliant
Includes conical and/or curved steps: No
(If available), the alternative wheelchair access is via…: Side ramp

Ramp

Ramp beside the entrance steps

It has an appropriate handrail: Yes, double at heights of 70 and 90 cm.
Is it…: Outdoor
At all levels/stops…: the ramp floor surface is at exactly the same height as the landing surface (difference <2 cm), the landing surfaces (1.5 x 1.5 m) are separate from the circulation routes, the landing surfaces are far from stairs/steps (distance > 1.5 m)
The lighting is adequate: No
All surfaces are of non-slip, homogeneous, stable, wear-resistant material: Yes
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Has non-compliant slopes: Slopes of 12% for lengths of 3 and 5 meters
Is wheelchair access ensured?: Yes
Does it have an emergency lighting system?: No
Is it…: Permanent
Is it intended for emergency evacuation?: Descending
On all levels/stops, there is informational signage for visitors: Yes, but it is not accessible for people with disabilities (e.g. without Braille or raised lettering)
Has a width that allows two wheelchairs to pass each other: No
Is standards-compliant:: No
Has non-compliant cross slopes on the ramp and/or landings: No
In the case of exposed side/rear surfaces, are these always "covered" so as not to pose a risk to people with visual impairments and white cane users?: Yes
In the case of a ramp that is part of an existing network with tactile guide paths, are there tactile warning surfaces at all entry-exit points?: Not part of such a network

Restroom (WC)

Public toilets. Located on the ground floor, next to tickets-information

Includes..: Space with toilet bowl, Anteroom with washbasin(s), Urinals
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Can it be used only at specific times?: No
Is it…: Free
Is it…: Interior
Is wheelchair access ensured?: No
Is it…: Men and women separate
Is it…: Entrance unobstructed

Lift / elevator

Elevator for access to the first floor and basement. Located to the right of the stairs.

Has a suitable mirror that facilitates exiting in reverse with a wheelchair: Yes
The lighting is adequate: Yes
Has suitable handles: Yes, on one side
Is it…: Main
Has a folding seat: No, not needed
Is it…: Interior
Are the surfaces smooth, non-slip: Yes
All operating mechanisms: Yes
Is it accessible and standards-compliant?: Yes, but it lacks appropriate signage
The operating mechanisms: Yes
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Has an emergency system that works properly: Yes, two-way emergency communication phone, Yes, emergency button
On all levels/stops, there is informational signage for visitors: No
The clear opening of the door is: 85
Does it have an emergency lighting system?: Yes
It has floor and car-stop announcements: Visual (screen)
The operating mechanisms: Yes
Intended for emergency evacuation: No
The clear interior width is: 110
At all levels/stops…: There is no level difference (<2 cm) between the cabin and the floor surface of the level, The landing surfaces (w > 1.1 m) are separate from the circulation paths, The landing surfaces are far from steps (distance > 1.5 m)
In the case of exposed side/rear surfaces, are these always "covered" so as not to pose a risk to people with visual impairments and white cane users?: They are not exposed
The clear internal length is: 140
Is it accessible and standards-compliant, and is wheelchair access ensured?: No
In the case of an elevator/platform lift that is part of an existing network with tactile guide paths for the blind, are there tactile warning surfaces outside the door at all levels?: Not part of such a network
The door is automatic but does not close / reopen when an obstacle is detected: Yes

Restroom (WC)

Accessible toilet. Located in the basement.

If there is a mirror, is it suitable for use by wheelchair users: No
Includes..: Area with toilet bowl and washbasin, Baby care area
The lighting is adequate: Yes
The door is of type…: Opening inward
What type of washbasin does the toilet have?: For exclusive use
Are the fire alarms perceptible in all areas of the sanitary space?: Yes, audible
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Is it a standards-compliant accessible toilet?: Yes and it is signed accordingly (with the International Symbol of Access and the "WC" symbol, on a wall next to them and/or on the doors of the accessible toilets)
All surfaces are of non-slip, homogeneous, stable, wear-resistant material: Yes
Can it be used only at specific times?: Yes (provide details)
Is it…: Free
Is there a telephone or other emergency notification system?: No
If there is a soap dish, towel holder or hand-drying system, are they easy to use and located at suitable positions and heights for wheelchair users: Yes
Are there grab bars on the toilet bowl?: Yes
The door opens easily from…: people with mobility problems (e.g. opens outward, requires no particular force and has easy-to-use handles and opens/closes with a closed fist), wheelchair users (e.g. can be fixed in the open position, with handles at a suitable height < 90 cm)
Is it…: Interior
Is wheelchair access ensured?: Yes
Has suitable handles: Yes, on more than one side
Does it have an emergency lighting system?: No
Not used for other purposes: No
Is it a standards-compliant accessible toilet…: Unisex
Is it…: Mixed (men-women)
Is there a clear space under the washbasin to fit a wheelchair?: Yes
Is it a standards-compliant accessible toilet…: With independent entrance
Does it have a suitable clear opening for the intended use?: Yes
Outside the door there is clear level space for maneuvering a wheelchair: Yes
Is it…: Entrance unobstructed
There is free space on one side of the basin of width: 120

Outdoor area

Courtyard

Outdoor entrance / exit

Open-air courtyard entrance

Adequately served by a dedicated boarding / alighting area suitable for people with disabilities: No
Does a blind guidance path lead to the entrance?: No
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Is it preceded by a sidewalk with an unsuitable road–sidewalk connection for wheelchair users?: No
Adequately served by a dedicated accessible parking space for private vehicles: Yes
Adequately served by disability-friendly public transport: No

Services

Events hall

Open-air amphitheatre

Includes…: Seating, Stage
The seats for the public / speakers are…: Other (specify…)
Is it…: Outdoor
The seats for the public / speakers are…: Fixed (anchored)
Is it…: Free
Layout of the seats: Theater-style (chairs without tables)
Is it easily identifiable?: Yes
Is wheelchair access ensured?: Yes

Ticket office / Reception

Tickets - Information

Includes…: Reception/information desk, Ticket offices/cashiers, Ticket checkpoints
The lighting is adequate: Yes
At all points with high desks/counters/service windows: No
Is there a dedicated quiet area nearby?: No
Any printed material provided to inform service users is also available in…: Braille
Is it…: Inside the building
Can the public be informed about the existence, content and accessibility of the service before visiting the site?: No, no such information is provided
Is the space kept clean and well ventilated?: Yes
Are the points where services are provided easy to locate?: Yes
At all points with desks/counters/service windows with transparent partitions, is a microphone/speaker system installed?: There are no points with such desks/counters/windows
Is wheelchair access ensured?: Yes
Are alternative ways of service provided for people with disabilities?: None, because they are not needed
Sign language assistance is available: No
There are dedicated points/staff to assist people with disabilities: No

Special facilities (3)

Special facility

Visitors' guestbook

Special facility

Informational leaflet of the archaeological museum in braille. Greek-English.

Beneficiaries

Blind people with white cane
People with low vision
People with guide dog

Special facility

Wheelchair provision for visitors

Beneficiaries

People with difficulty walking / standing for long periods
Other (people with allergies, children, etc.)
Wheelchair users