MUSEUM OF BYZANTINE CIVILISATION

Opened in 1997, this elegant museum, nestled in a building of concrete and brick, offers a journey in the Byzantine culture in Macedonia from the early Christian period to the nineteenth century. We pass from the paleochristian period (architectural elements, mosaics) to the Comnenes, when Thessaloniki becomes, between the seventh and twelfth centuries, the main center of evangelization of Slavs with the saints Cyril and Methodius. Then comes the twilight of Byzantium, from the conquest of Constantinople by the Crusaders (1204) to the capture of Thessaloniki by the Ottomans (1430), and finally the post-Byzantine period, during the Ottoman period, when the Greek Orthodox Church preserved its autonomy and power, as shown by the rich religious objects presented.

The first part of the museum is devoted to the sculpture and painting of the early Byzantine age. We will see the ambo of the cathedral of Philip and fragments of mosaics of St. Dimitri.

The second part presents the civil life of men at different times of the Byzantine age. One cannot miss the immense mosaic brought to light during the excavations of a villa.

The third part traces the different funeral rites, from the Paleochristian period to the Byzantine period. We learn how the first Christians adapted pagan themes in funeral paintings. This is followed by a reconstruction of a tomb from the eastern necropolis of Thessaloniki and a beautiful silver reliquary.