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Byzantine and Christian Museum
The museum occupies the Villa Ilissia, built in 1848 to a design by the architect Stamatios Kleanthis as the residence of the Duchess of Plaisance, on Vasilissis Sofias Avenue. The institution was founded in 1914, at first on the upper floor of the Academy, and was extended with a new wing to reopen in June 2004. It holds more than 25,000 items spanning from the 3rd century to the post-Byzantine period: icons, frescoes, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts and sculpture. The permanent exhibition is organised into five sections, from the ancient world to Byzantium and from Byzantium to the modern era. Among the highlights are early Christian icons of the 6th and 7th centuries, icons of the Cretan school from the 15th to the 17th centuries and an embroidered epitaphios of the 14th century. There is also an exhibition on how the Parthenon became a Christian church. The nearest metro station is Evangelismos, on line 3.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Byzantine and Christian Museum: 4 missions
- Look for the icons of the 6th and 7th centuriesIn the section devoted to the icon collection, find one of the icons from before Iconoclasm, dating to the 6th and 7th centuries, and read its label.
- Find the embroidered epitaphios of the 14th centuryAmong the liturgical furnishings, look for the large cloth embroidered in silk and linen from the 14th century and study its scenes.
- Discover how the Parthenon was a churchFind the exhibition explaining the transformation of the Parthenon into a Christian church and note down one fact from it.
- Photograph the Villa Ilissia from the avenueFrom the pavement on Vasilissis Sofias, photograph the 1848 villa that houses the museum and was once the home of the Duchess of Plaisance.
Near Byzantine and Christian Museum
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Byzantine and Christian Museum?
From €8 per person. Check the day's price on the official website before you go.
What are the opening hours of Byzantine and Christian Museum?
Lunes y de miércoles a domingo, 8:30-15:30. Martes cerrado. Cerrado el 1 de enero, 25 de marzo, 1 de mayo, domingo de Pascua y 25 y 26 de diciembre. Hay que abandonar las salas 20 minutos antes del cierre.
How much time do you need for Byzantine and Christian Museum?
Allow about 1 h 30 min for the visit.
What is there to do at Byzantine and Christian Museum?
Look for the icons of the 6th and 7th centuries, Find the embroidered epitaphios of the 14th century, Discover how the Parthenon was a church and Photograph the Villa Ilissia from the avenue.
What is there to see near Byzantine and Christian Museum?
Museo de la Guerra de Atenas (96 m), Lyceum (124 m) and Museum of Cycladic Art (219 m).