The foundation stone was laid in 1989 and the Museum of Byzantine Culture opened in 1984. The architect was Kyriakos Krokos. The Museum is a centre for preservation, research, and study of those aspects of Byzantine culture that still survive in Macedonia, particularly in Thessaloniki, which was second in importance only to Constantinople in the European part of the Byzantine Empire. Permanent exhibitions, attractive exhibition spaces, up-to-the-minute conservation workshops, scientifically organised archaeological storerooms that are also places for research and study for the Museum's constant renewal, educational programmes for young people, information systems, regular scientific meetings and conferences, and a wide range of other planned events and activities - all this makes the Museum a real centre for byzantine studies.
The Museum contains sculptures, frescoes, mosaic floors, icons, metalwork, coins, insciptions, glasswork, and pottery.
