On 28 April, the Library of the Byzantine and Christian Museum re-opened after renovation undertaken thanks to a grant from the Onassis Foundation. In recognition of the recently-renovated Museum’s contribution and the cultural wealth of its holdings, the Onassis Foundation approved in 2008 the project for the Library’s remodeling and refurnishing, which has been executed in accordance with the plan of the architect Konstantinos Staikos.
The new plan allows access to the library as well as on-site study in the reading room which in now accommodates up to 10 readers. Additional rooms leave open the possibility for expanding the museum in the future, as well as providing secure space for the storage and conservation of rare books.
With its focus on Byzantine culture, the library collection goes back to the late 19th century, when interest in the study of Byzantine history and art in Greece led to the foundation of the Christian Archaeological Society. Thenceforth, the Library has grown continuously thanks to purchases, exchanges and gifts, both small and great. Today the collection numbers 15,000 titles, 200 series of Greek and non-Greek periodicals and approximately 2,500 off-prints. The collection’s special strength’s are Byzantine art, especially painting, Byzantine history and culture, as well as museum and exhibition catalogues. The Library also possesses rare editions from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Library is open Tuesday to Friday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.
It is our hope that opening hours will soon be extended to at least 2.30 once a week, so as to facilitate readers’ schedules. We understand that at present it is more or less impossible for the Library to remain open at least one weekday afternoon, but hope that a solution will be found so that the wider public can be served by this admirably renovated facility and the treasure it holds.