Wednesday, 23 August 2017

The Byzantine Museum in Athens




The Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens.





As the name suggests, the permanent exhibits in this museum are of Christian and Byzantine art. The temporary exhibitions are quite different though, and are on the whole very interesting.





One enters through the arch in the first photograph which leads to a large and very pleasant courtyard. We have visited a lot of times, but what we had not done before is go behind the building facing us in this photograph. We were very pleasantly surprised last time we visited, as there are extensive gardens at the back as well as a restaurant that we intend to visit in the winter, on a sunny day for lunch.





This is the restaurant and cafe. We were set on going to Philippou on the day we visited, but this looked pleasant and cool. The place was relatively empty, but it was 1:00, far too early for Greek people. Given the number of waiters we saw, I expect it would get busy later.









The restaurant leads on to the extensive gardens




Careful planting throughout





I wonder if those steps serve as an amphitheatre





lots of grasses around









The back of the building





We walked around for a bit




but decided that we would explore fully in the winter




as this was a very hot day




and at midday the sun was beating on us.




We retraced our steps, walked through the restaurant




back to the main courtyard - you can see the Lycabettus Hill in the distance





one of the buildings on the side of the courtyard




and the other side which is where the entrance for the temporary exhibitions is, in the bowels of the building, down two flights in the lift




Some cool spots here




careful planting as in the rest of the garden











lots of lavender




it's a little oasis in the middle of a bustling city




through the arch again and we left this tranquil place behind us.




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