Founded in 1874, the Athens Department of the DAI covers many areas in the investigation of the culture of ancient Greece. The sanctuaries of Olympia, Samos and Kalapodi, the Mycenian citadel of Tiryns and the important ancient necropolis in Athens, the Kerameikos, are among the famous sites where it conducts highly respected projects.
The department’s activities are very wide-ranging: as well as excavation the focus is on processing and publishing find material and the educational presentation of the results. It does much to promote junior researchers, contributing to an understanding of cultural heritage and deepening German-Greek contacts. Measures for the conservation and presentation of the monuments on which it conducts research complete the spectrum of the department’s activities.
Not ancient, but still exceptionally significant for the history and appearance of the city is the institute’s headquarters in Athens, a classicist building that has been a protected monument since 1972. Built in 1888 by Heinrich Schliemann to designs by Wilhelm Dörpfeld and Ernst Ziller, the building celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2018.
Historical photograph of the DAI Athens from 1925-1927 (Photo: Emil Kunze) 
The institute building today (Photo: Hans Birk, D-DAI-ATH-2014-650) 
Drinks and board games on the roof terrace at the institute, before 1900 (Photo: D-DAI-ATH-1973-1122)