Βυζαντινό Μουσείο Υπάτης

The Byzantine Museum of Phthiotis in Ypati has been operating since January 2007. It is housed in the building known as the “Kapodistrian Barracks,” constructed in 1836 to serve the needs of the Greek army. Over the years, the building had various uses, until in 1982 it was declared a historic monument, and in 1998 it was granted by the Municipality of Ypati to the Ministry of Culture to operate as a museum.

The museum, spread over two floors, presents representative finds from various areas of Phthiotis, dating from the Early Christian and Byzantine periods (4th–14th centuries). The ground floor is dedicated to Early Christian mosaics of Phthiotis (4th–6th centuries) and has a strong educational focus, while the upper floor revolves around the theme of worship during the Early Christian and Byzantine periods.

In the Early Christian hall, the exhibits include mainly marble architectural elements and mosaic floors—mostly from basilicas—along with ceramics (domestic utensils, oil lamps, loom weights, etc.) that offer insight into daily life of the era.

In the Byzantine hall, a prominent place is occupied by parts of a marble templon (chancel screen) from a church discovered in a ruined state at Agnanti in Locris (12th–14th centuries). There are also architectural sculptures from a non-surviving Byzantine church in Alepospita (12th century).

Coins occupy an important place among the museum’s exhibits, providing valuable information about currency circulation in Phthiotis during the Byzantine era. Visitors can see both hoards and individual coins from excavations, donations, and collections. In a specially designed section on the upper floor, part of the coin collection of Konstantinos Kotsilis of Ypati is on display, donated to the Greek state for exhibition in the museum. The collection includes 3,000 coins—ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, medieval, modern, and contemporary. Visitors can view representative samples that span a vast range of time and geography.

The Byzantine Museum of Phthiotis in Ypati offers both local residents and numerous visitors the opportunity to engage with the archaeological wealth of the region, explore its exhibition halls, and gain a deeper understanding of its monuments.