Small museum in a 15th-century church on the Old Port, with Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons from Corfu, including works from the Cretan and Heptanese schools of painting.
The Byzantine Museum of Antivouniotissa occupies a church on Arseniou Street, close to the Old Port in Corfu Town, in the Ionian Islands of Greece. The building is a single-aisle basilica of the 15th century, dedicated to the Virgin Antivouniotissa, a name that refers to the icon of the Virgin that was brought from the mountains across the water. The church later served as the main place of worship for a local confraternity, and in the 20th century it was converted into a museum to house a collection of Byzantine and post-Byzantine art from Corfu's churches and monasteries.
The collection includes icons from the 15th to the 18th century, ranging from works of the Cretan school, which came to the island after the fall of Crete to the Ottomans in the 17th century, to those of the local Heptanese school. These paintings show the evolution from strict Byzantine conventions toward the more naturalistic approach influenced by Italian art. Alongside the icons there are wood-carved pieces, ecclesiastical vestments, liturgical objects and fragments of church furniture. The painted wooden ceiling and the carved iconostasis of the building itself form part of the display, so the church setting is as significant as the objects.
The museum is small and intimate, and the display is arranged loosely by chronology and theme, with explanatory labels in Greek and English. Because the collection is housed inside the original church, the environment preserves the atmosphere of a place of worship. The museum is operated by the Greek Ministry of Culture and is in a stable condition. Its location near the Old Port and the New Fortress makes it a convenient stop within the Old Town, and a visit takes little time. Hours reported in sources run until the mid-afternoon and the museum closes on Tuesdays, so visitors should plan morning visits.
| Admission | €4 ($4.60) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 08:30-15:30, closed Tuesday |
| Address | Arseniou Street, Corfu Old Town, 491 00 Kerkyra, Greece |
Why it matters
The museum preserves Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons from Corfu, showing how Orthodox art developed on a Venetian-ruled island. It documents the interaction between Cretan painters and Italian influence in the Ionian Islands.
Location
Arseniou Street, Corfu Old Town, 491 00 Kerkyra, Greece
39.6246, 19.9197 View on map
Highlights
- See Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons from Corfu's churches
- Compare works of the Cretan and Heptanese schools
- Look at the carved iconostasis and painted ceiling of the 15th-century church
- View ecclesiastical vestments and liturgical objects
Tips for visiting
- Visit in the morning, as the museum closes at 15:30.
- Allow 30 to 45 minutes, since the collection is compact.
- Remember the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
- Combine with the New Fortress and the Old Port, which are nearby.
- Read the English labels to follow the sequence of icon schools.
When to visit
Mornings are quiet, and the museum is a cool, calm stop in the heat of summer afternoons.
Accessibility
The building is a historic church with a small footprint and may have steps at the entrance. Visitors with limited mobility should check access with the museum.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A visit usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Is the museum English-language friendly?
Yes, the exhibit labels are provided in Greek and English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children can visit, though the content is mainly religious art and may interest older children more.