Byzantine & Christian Museum — Attraction in Athens

An excellent introduction to the medieval Roman Empire which will leave you wanting more.

The museum opens with the transition from antiquity into the medieval period and how that was experienced in the Eastern Roman Empire, covering changing trends in arts, daily life, architecture, and most importantly in the shift from paganism to Christianity. The museum does a good job in presenting the daily Christian experience and the spiritual aspect of the new faith as opposed to covering the many controversies and Ecumenical Councils of the Church, which are essential of course to the history of the period but might not captivate an audience which generally might only have a surface knowledge of the medieval Roman Empire.

The museum then transitions into presenting the administration of the empire and facets of elite culture, with an impressive chronological presentation of almost every Roman Emperor from Constantine to the Palaiologoi done in gold coins (solidi and hyperpyrons) and an exquisite chrysobull (imperial decree) from the 13th century.

This is followed by presentations of Orthodox iconography, showcasing some of the most impressive icons from especially the late empire, while some aspects of the Latin Empire and Latin occupation of Greece are also presented.

Here is where, at least as of August 2022, you reach the "wanting more" part, as you find yourself at the end of the museum's permanent exhibition. It was apparent that there is more of the museum which is likely going renovation or which is having its exhibits updated, but the end is quite abrupt, while the exceptional narrative structure of the museum fades away towards the end, thus leaving a visitor without prior knowledge of the medieval Roman Empire somewhat confused and not much better informed about the Empire's triumphs and tribulations from the 7th century onwards.

I would still very much recommend this museum to anyone interested in the Roman Empire and especially its imprint on Greece, and the exhibits are all presented professionally in very high...

This museum has a really unique collection of Byzantine art, from the early Christian era to the Venetian era. They have icons both wooden and stone, which I thought was fascinating. There were a couple of areas that were closed, but everything was very fascinating.

Unfortunately, the staff were not the most pleasant. On their website, they state that non-EU residents aged between 6 and 25 can receive a concession fare, so I asked for a reduced ticket for my wife. The receptionist argued with me, saying that currently you have to be born either in 1999 or before to be eligible for a concession. In essence, a 25 year old born 1st Jan 1999 could receive a reduced fair, but my wife who was born in 1998 and is still 25 could not.

I had a small daypack with me, which I was told would be fine as long as I wore it on my front, which I had no problems with. As soon as I entered I was told by another worker that I had to take it off and lock it away (at no cost). I was fine with this, but later I saw people walking around the museum with bags that were either similarly sized or bigger, so I'm not sure why mine was a problem.

The staff don't just watch you like a hawk, they literally follow you around. They are in plainclothes, which is fine, but they don't have nametags or lanyards identifying themselves as members of staff, so at times it felt like a creepy person was following me around the room. I would have been more sympathetic if it was obvious that these people were staff members. It's getting to the offseason now and the museum was pretty quiet, so I'm not sure if they just weren't sure what to do.

Ultimately I did enjoy my time at the museum, but some interactions with staff made the visit a bit uncomfortable. If you are interested in early Christian and Byzantine art, I would definitely recommend this museum. If not, I'd recommend...

The Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens, Greece, is a significant cultural institution dedicated to the Byzantine era and Christian art. Early Byzantine Icons.Artifacts from the early Byzantine period featuring detailed representations of saints and theological scenes. Post-Byzantine Icons.Icons from the Renaissance period showing the evolution of artistic style. Mosaics. Church Mosaics.Impressive examples from Byzantine churches with complex designs and religious scenes. Sculptures and Monumental Art. Sculptures. Pieces from Byzantine and early Christian churches. Columns and Monumental Art: Bas-reliefs and decorative elements from various periods. Manuscripts and Documents. Manuscripts. Byzantine and early Christian biblical and theological texts, including rare and elaborately decorated editions. Letters and Documents. A collection of documents revealing the administrative and social life of the time. Archaeological Finds. Everyday Objects. Utensils, jewelry, and tools from Byzantine daily life. Statues and Religious Artifacts: Offerings and items used in religious ceremonies. Architectural Fragments. Remains of Churches and Buildings. Fragments of architectural elements from Byzantine churches and public buildings. Special Exhibitions and Research Special Exhibitions.The museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on specific themes or periods. Research and Studies. The museum often features studies and research related to Byzantine art and culture, which may be presented as exhibitions or publications. Management and Conservation The museum emphasizes the conservation and restoration of exhibits, with dedicated laboratories and conservators ensuring the preservation of...