Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education & Lifelong Learning”

The action “Knowing Byzantine Seals. From bullae to ips” with code O.P.S.: 5073662 was implemented under the framework of the Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education & Lifelong Learning,” co-financed by Greece and the European Union, with a budget of €112,308.80 including VAT 24%.

The goal of the action is to enhance the museum visitor experience and increase student group visits to the Museum, highlighting its collection of Byzantine seals and enriching its educational programs with a new thematic unit.

Additionally, the Museum meets modern learning and entertainment needs by ensuring equal access to educational staff and students from remote schools who cannot physically visit the Museum, through the design and implementation of an original digital application.

The ultimate aim is for the Museum to fulfill its social role in an outward-looking, enjoyable manner, adapted to contemporary reality and the digital age.

Specifically, the action focused on two main directions:

A. Developing local initiatives to enhance the visitor experience at the Museum of Byzantine Culture, including the implementation of an educational program and creative workshop for secondary school students. The theme explores the official communication methods of the organized Byzantine state and its institutions, the form and use of seals in Byzantium, as well as their comparison with unique IP addresses in today’s World Wide Web.

B. Providing remote public access to the Museum of Byzantine Culture through the development of an educational and entertaining web-based application. The application aims to distinguish structural elements of lead seals’ representations and allows participants to compose their own seal by adding personalized elements.

The Museum of Byzantine Culture implemented this action during the period 2021-2023, autonomously.

Implementing Bodies:

Contracting Authority: Ministry of Development and Investments, Special Service for Managing the Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning.”

Beneficiary: Museum of Byzantine Culture

Project Supervision Team:

Digital Project Manager:

Dr. Agathoniki Tsilipakou, Archaeologist, Director of the Museum of Byzantine Culture

Digital Action Coordinator:

Dr. Anastasios Antonaras, Archaeologist-Museologist, Head of Exhibitions, Communication, and Education Department

Data Protection Officer:

Eudokia Samolada, IT Specialist, Computer Engineer

Project Implementation Manager:

Maria Polychronaki, Archaeologist

Administrative Support Team:

Michael Horis, Administrative-Economic Manager

Paraskevi Papadopoulou, Administrative-Accounting Manager

Project Scientific Team:

Dr. Anastasios Antonaras, Archaeologist-Museologist

Dr. Eirene-Chrysobalantou Veropoulidou, Archaeologist-Zoologist

Dr. Chrysoula Beleki, Archaeologist-Museologist

Christina Papaikonoomou, Archaeologist-Museologist

Maria Polychronaki, Archaeologist

Evangelia Fourlinga, Archaeologist-Museologist

Digital Application Implementation Contractor:

Seagull Space Company – Thanos Kartsoglou