Technopolis is a well known venue for cultural shows, exhibitions and concerts in the Gazi area of Athens. It is also home to the Industrial Gas Museum.
The Technopolis Industrial Gas Museum
This museum gives a fascinating insight into a short lived technological period. It helped transform Athens from pre-independence ramshackle village, to a modern city.
Before describing the museum, it is probably best to give a little background information as to how Athens looked in 1833. It certainly looked nothing like the city we see today.
In fact, it was little more than a collection of ramshackle houses located in the Plaka area. At the time of independence from the Ottoman empire, the population was barely 5000. Hard to imagine when you see it today!
Athens in the 1800s
When King Otto took up residence in Athens, he (or his aides), embarked on a massive development plan for Athens. Grand neo-classical buildings were designed and built, parliaments organised, and industry encouraged.
One of the modern developments, was the task of providing street lighting. From 1857 until around 1917, this was done solely with coal gas.
It was gradually phased out as electric lights replaced gas street lighting. The coal gas was produced at the gasworks in Gazi, and employed thousands of people.
The Industrial Gas Museum was created as a way to display the technologies of just 100 years ago, and demonstrate how things have changed.
Exploring the Museum at Technopolis
One of the great things about walking around the Industrial Gas Museum, is it is very easy to find your way around. Even though the Technopolis complex is quite large, there are plenty of signs, and all the buildings are numbered.
Inside each building, are examples of machinery, tools, and instruments from the old gasworks. The scale of some of the machinery and pipework is amazing!
The museum explains in detail the function of the machinery, and the process involved in converting coal to gas suitable for lighting.
Visiting Technopolis in Athens
The Industrial Gas Museum in Technopolis can be found just opposite the Kerameikos metro stop. There are 3 entrances, although the ticket office for the museum is located only at one of them. (When you reach Technopolis from the metro, turn right, follow the wall along, and then turn left).
As I mentioned earlier, Technopolis is also a venue for cultural exhibitions, concerts, and art displays. If you are visiting Athens, it is a good idea to check out what is happening there, as it changes week by week.
I visited the Industrial Gas Museum in Technopolis as part of my project to visit every museum in Athens. Each week, I feature a new museum on Dave's Travel Pages for #museummonday, so be sure to keep coming back for more!
More Athens Blogs
Here are some more Athens travel guides you might be interested in:
Dariece says
Really interesting read! Looks like this was a super neat experience for you.
Oliwia | The Ollie says
Wow, hard to believe I was in Athens and I haven’t seen this museum. Looks really interesting. My husband would be very happy to visit this place during our next vìsit to Athens cause he is Engineer and PhD and he loves things like this. It is also connected with his current job 🙂
Geert says
As an industrial engineer myself, this is right up my alley! Looks really interesting. We also have a Technopolis in Belgium, but that’s more aimed at experiments for kids.
Nancy says
The Industrial Gas Museum looks like a fantastic family destination – my kids would love it. Thanks for the suggestion.
Lesley says
My husband would love this tour and I’d love that it’s easy to find my way around 😉 I never realized there were so many unique tours in Athens. I always see something new on your site.
Mar says
That looks like an interesting museum, the various machines and pipes are fascinating and provide a great insight into how people used to live
Stefan says
I know and love the Gazi area well – but never knew or came across the Industrial Gas Museum before! An extremely fascinating read 🙂
Kathrin says
I walked past the Technopolis when I took a walk through Gazi, but unfortunately didn’t have the chance to visit the Industrial Gas Museum. Seems like a place to visit when you’re need a short break from the archaeological sites 😉
Traveling Rockhopper says
Looks really interesting, I have to say, I didn’t expect to see this in Athens, on the other hands it’s a good place. It’s a pity it’s not so popular…