The Byzantine Museum in Athens is located a short walk away from Syntagma Square. Inside, you can expect to find religious and other artworks dating from the heyday of the Byzantine period. Here's my guide to the Byzantine museum Athens, and what you can expect to see there.
Where to find the Byzantine Museum Athens
The Byzantine Museum, or to give its full name, The Byzantine and Christian Museum, is located at Vassilissis Sofias Avenue in Athens, Greece. The museum was founded in 1914, and moved into its present home at Villa Ilissia in 1930. This places it at a short walk away from Syntagma Square, and next door to the Athens War Museum.
The museum and individual exhibitions have undergone several transformations, with the last one major one being in 2004. This resulted in what we see today – A world class, well laid out and informative contemporary museum.
About The Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum in Athens is home to more than 25,000 pieces of Byzantine icons, frescoes, pottery, sculptures, textiles, and manuscripts. It is considered to be one of, if not the, most important Byzantine museums in the world.
The priceless collection of Christian art and artifacts, is clearly laid out and well marked, with both Greek and English translations.
The Byzantine Period
By the way, for anyone that doesn't know, the Byzantine period lasted between 330 and 1453. This was effectively the eastern Roman Empire, run from its capital in Constantinople or modern day Istanbul.
The empire was mainly Greek speaking (or at least Greek was the common language), and the Orthodox version of Christianity was the official religion. The Byzantine Museum in Athens then is basically home to largely, but not exclusively, religious artefacts from this period.
Dave's Opinion on the Byzantine Museum in Athens
I spent a good couple of hours wandering around the Byzantine museum. Everything was well presented and labelled, although it helped to know a little about the Byzantine era before hand.
I think that my favourite areas, were the rooms containing the icons. Painted onto wood, they were double sided, and as you can see from the picture above, the detail was incredible.
Staff at the Byzantine Museum
My only criticism, is of the staff there.
Anyone who has visited a museum or ancient site in Athens or Greece, will know that there are always a dozen or so bored looking staff hanging around. When they are not chewing gum, or checking Facebook on their phones, it's their job to say ‘no flash' ‘don't touch'. I haven't got a problem with this, as everyone has a job to do.
In the Byzantine Museum though, they would give Stalin's secret police a run for their money. In some parts, they are literally looking over your shoulder and breathing into your ear! And they work like a tag team, handing over to the next person as you walk through. Chill out guys!!!!
I visited the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens as part of a continuing project at Dave's Travel Pages to visit every museum in Athens. I haven't visited them all yet, but I'm getting there! You can see the list of all the museums in Athens here – Museums in Athens.
CTN says
Thanks for the great blogs! They are very helpful as I plan our trip this August. In one blog about Festivals and Events, you mention that there are some free events in the gardens of this museum but you don’t reference it in this article. Any info you can provide about outdoor events from August 4-8th in Athens in general? It appears that the Herodion Theater is only active on the weekend Friday/Saturday. Thank you.
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
It will all be pretty ad-hoc at the moment.
At the Byzantine museum nothing has been announced that I know so far. We would probably hear about it a week or two before though.
There will normally be something happening at Technopolis.
Failing that, there’s always outdoor cinemas you can try which play a combination of current and artsy films.
Alicia says
Some of these artefacts look amazing. Great post!
Vicky and Buddy says
Omg, I’ve always found the Byzantine era so fascinating! I’d love to see this museum! Too bad the staff kinda ruined it.
Jennifer @ Made all the Difference Travel Blog says
I love learning about the Byzantine Empire. I would love to visit this Museum.
Amanda Zeisset says
This post brings back memories of the art history class I took in uni. It would be so much more interesting to see these pieces in real life rather than on slides in a dark room.
Lieurene Tran says
Wow that’s crazy to find those type of security in the museums but at the same time, that’s understandable because they do care about preserving the historical artifacts. Thanks for sharing!
Michele TravelwithMrsT says
I’ve never been to this museum, though I once lived in Greece, and travel there quite often. I’m very intrigued by icon art, and really love the large ones!
Jennifer says
I missed this museum during my last visit – added to the list for next time!
Tanj from A Travelogue says
Cool museum. Would love to visit Athens again.
Lesley says
I love museums. History was my major in university and I taught Ancient History for four years. I’ll add this to my list for when I visit Greece. 🙂
Dave Briggs says
You would definitely appreciate this museum – and hopefully some of the others in the series of blog posts then 🙂
Nomad Revelations says
You totally got my attention with this travel article. I’m all into everything Byzantine! I love your museum explanation and image description. Like you, icons are also my favorite. See you!
Ana O says
Being followed like that would make me a tad shirty 🙂
Anyway, it looks like a very interesting museum. Thanks for risking life and limb taking these photos for the sake of your readers LOL!
Dave Briggs says
I would release some video footage I accidentally took, but I fear they would track me down to where I live! 😀