Museum of Byzantine Culture

What I can see

This is the most important museum of its kind in the country, offering a walk through Byzantine culture, from the Early Christian Times to the Ottoman period. The findings come from both the area of Thessaloniki as well as the wider region of Macedonia. Early Christian tombs, mosaics, sculptures, pictures, murals, jewellery, utensils, coins, books, manuscripts and household items are among the many exhibits. The most important ones are: the statue of the Good Shepherd; the tomb with the representation of Sosanna; the embossed marble icon of the praying Virgin (10^th-11^th centuries), imperial portraits, the Epitaph of Thessaloniki, the portable icon of Christ as “Wisdom of God” (14^th century) and the embossed monogram of Paleologos. Architecturally, the museum combines modernism with Greek architecture (atrium and Byzantine influences), while the combined materials compose a building of high quality. Finally, it covers an area of 2,400sq.m. and has eight large rooms.

What I can't see

Designed by Kyriakos Krokos, it hosts 2,900 objects. The museum itself is a veritable “timeline” of Byzantine culture. The rooms are in different levels, which are sloping and without stairs, and creates a winding path that does not force the visitors to see all the exhibits, but only those of the period which interests them. The architect wanted a space that created a feeling of freedom, in which the exhibit would be a surprise to the viewer. Krokos was rewarded with a special award from the Greek Institute of Architecture (“Award 2000”).

Info

• Address: 2 Stratou Av.
• Contact Name: Agathoniki Tsilipakou
• Phone: +30 2313 306400
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Website: http://mbp.gr/

Bibliography