NOESIS - Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum

Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum (NOESIS) is located at the outskirts of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece.

The museum’s main objective is to offer to the public an environment that facilitates the familiarization with and the understanding of science and technology. The foundation is also actively engaged in the protection of the Greek Technological Heritage. NOESIS has a 150-seat digital planetarium, a 300-seat Cosmotheatre with the largest flat screen in Greece, a 200-seat amphitheatre, as well as a motion simulator theater with three platforms, 3-D projection, and 6-axis movement. Elena Paparizou, a Greek pop singer, filmed part of a videoclip for her song "Number One", that won the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.

The layout and planning of the museum’s exhibitions was based on T.M.Th. ‘s experience over the many years of its operation, as well as the examplification of Europe’s major Science and Technology Museums.

The Museum

The Exhibitions are presented with topics related to Science and Technology:

1. The “Classic Cars Exhibition” featuring car models that mark the history of automobile. The exhibition consists of 5 main thematic units, based on the 5 top car models of the 20th century.

2. The “Technopark” featuring interactive (hands-on) exhibits. The visitor has the opportunity to discover the scientific knowledge acting and having fun.

3. The “Ancient Greek Technology”, one of its kind, refers to the prehistoric period till the Hellenistic and Byzantine period. The exhibition features more than 70 exact replicas of machines that have marked people?s lives and set the cultural context, as well.

4. The “Image and Sound” exhibition, featuring the technology of photography, radio and television (it is under study).

All the exhibitions are complemented with a personal audio tour guide system, available in English and Greek language.

History

NOESIS was founded in 1978 as a cultural and educational non-profit organization. In 1998, the museum initiated a project that aimed at the construction of a new facility and the development of a new spectrum of activities. The project was completed successfully and the new foundation "Thessaloniki Science Center and Technology Museum - NOESIS" was established. The project had a total budget of approximately €29 million and was co-funded by the European Union, the EEA – EFTA States and the Greek government. It was designed by French architect Denis Laming.

Source: wikipedia.org www.noesis.edu.gr