Treasures of ages past await. The Byzantine and Christian Museum is a beacon of Hellenic heritage.
Established in 1914, the Byzantine and Christian Museum preserves Byzantine and Post-Byzantine artifacts. It is one of Greece’s most important public institutions. The museum collects, studies, and exhibits these vital pieces of history.
Housed within its walls are nearly 30000 works of art. Icons shimmer with devotional intensity. Sculptures stand as silent witnesses to time. Ceramics whisper tales of daily life. Ecclesiastical textiles gleam with threads of gold. Paintings capture fleeting moments in vibrant hues. Jewels sparkle with divine light. Coins offer glimpses into empires. Frescoes transport you to ancient churches. Mosaics tell stories in vibrant color.
Originally, the Byzantine and Christian Museum was on the Academy’s first floor. Later, it moved to the Villa Ilissia, the residence of the Duchesse de Plaisance. The villa itself dates back to 1848.
In June 2004, the Byzantine and Christian Museum celebrated its 90th anniversary. It also marked the Athens Olympics with a grand reopening. The museum had undergone extensive renovations. A new wing was added. Architect Manos Perrakis oversaw the building project. Architect Eleni Stefanou Katsanika designed the exhibition with colleagues. They included Dimitrios Tsonis, Elena Bairaktari, and Alexandra Ntounis.
The museum’s collection is divided into two main sections. The first focuses on Byzantium from the 4th to the 15th centuries AD. It features 1200 artifacts. The second section showcases art from the 15th to the 20th century. It is entitled “From Byzantium to the modern era” and includes 1500 artworks.
The Byzantine and Christian Museum faced unique challenges during its renovation. Many pieces, especially works on paper and coins, were delicate. They required special care. Goppion developed an integrated, climate-controlled display system. It included vertical wall-mounted cases and inclined cases. Herringbone cases with diagonal openings added visual interest. All cases used glass and etched glass panels. A special sealing system ensured precise climate control for books and manuscripts. Silicon gaskets and magnets created an airtight seal around the glass panels. Custom-made display mechanisms used chemically compatible materials. Narrow Plexiglas shelves had embedded fiber-optic cables. These angled light perfectly to illuminate the coins, protecting them.
Today, the Byzantine and Christian Museum stands as a testament to art and history. Its exhibits invite all to explore.