Byzantine and Christian Museum

The Byzantine and Christian Museum (Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό Μουσείο) is situated at Vassilissis Sofias Avenue in Athens, Greece.

History
It was founded in 1914, it was originally situated on the first floor of the Academy but it was later moved to the villa of the Duchesse de Plaisance, also known as the Ilissia villa, a building of 1848.

It houses more than 25,000 exhibits with rare collections of pictures, scriptures, frescoes, pottery, fabrics, manuscripts, and copies of artefacts from the 3rd century AD to the Late Middle Ages. It is one of the most important museums in the world for Byzantine Art. In June 2004, in time for its 90th anniversary and the 2004 Athens Olympics, the museum reopened to the public after an extensive renovation and the addition of another wing.

Visitor information
The gallery is situated on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue 22, down the street from the Hilton Athens. It is housed in Villa Ilissia designed by Stamatios Kleanthis. It can be reached by the Athens Metro at the Evangelismos station.