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The National Historical Museum is the oldest museum of its kind in Greece. It’s housed in the Old Parliament House in Athens.
History of the National Historical Museum
The National Historical Museum was founded in 1882. It contains a collection spanning from the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 to World War II. The emphasis is on the Greek Revolution and the establishment of the modern Greek state. The museum was originally housed in the National Technical University of Athens until 1962.
Visiting the National Historical Museum
Adult admission is 5€ (as of November 2023) and the museum is open daily except Mondays. It’s located on Stadiou Street in the Historic Center.
Old Parliament House
The National Historical Museum is situated in the Old Parliament House (Μέγαρο της Παλαιάς Βουλής).
History of the Old Parliament House
The Old Parliament House was once the site of a mansion owned by Greek politician Alexandros Kontostavlos (1789-1865). In 1833, King Otto used it as his temporary residence. After the 1843 Revolution, which forced the king to grant a constitution, the National Assembly began to gather there. The mansion burned down in October 1854.
Construction on the current building began in August 1858 with Queen Amalia laying the cornerstone. It was designed by French architect François Boulanger (1807-1875). Construction stopped the following year due to lack of funds and didn’t resume until 1863, after Otto was deposed. The plans were modified by architect Panagis Kalkos (1818-1875) and the building was finally completed in 1871.
The Hellenic Parliament moved into the building in 1875 and remained there until 1935, when it relocated to the Old Royal Palace on Syntagma Square. The Ministry of Justice took over and occupied the building until 1960. The building was then restored and became the permanent home of the National Historical Museum.
Kolokotronis Statue
In front of the Old Parliament House stands a bronze equestrian statue of Greek national hero Theodoros Kolokotronis (1770-1843). It was made in 1904 by sculptor Lazaros Sochos (1862-1911) and originally stood at the beginning of Kolokotronis Street. It was moved to its current location in 1954.
The pedestal features bronze panels depicting the Battle of Dervenakia (front) and a session of the Peloponnesian Senate during the Greek Revolution (back). The space in front of the building is called Kolokotronis Square.
Trikoupis Statue
A statue of Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis (1832-1896) stands on the lawn just east of the building. It was made in 1920 by sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos (1873-1937) and originally stood in front of the building. It was placed in its current location in 1954.
Diligiannis Statue
Another statue featuring Prime Minister Theodoros Diligiannis (1820-1905) is also on the property. It was made in 1931 by sculptor Georgios Dimitriadis (1880-1941) and moved to its current location in 1954. Diligiannis was assassinated on the steps of the Old Parliament House on June 13, 1905, in retaliation for cracking down on gambling houses. His attacker, professional gambler Antonios Gherakaris, stabbed him in the abdomen as he was entering the building.
Collection of the National Historical Museum
The National Historical Museum features a collection spanning from the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 to World War II. It’s presented in chronological order.
The Fall of Byzantium 1453 AD
The first room in the museum is Corridor 1, which focuses on the Fall of Byzantium (Constantinople, now Istanbul) in 1453. Greek language, literature, and Christianity were the main features of the Byzantine Empire and its fall shocked the world. According to the official website, “The memory of Byzantine glory contributed to the preservation of a national identity and to the Greek War of Independence (1821).”
Latin and Ottoman Rule (13th-18th C.)
Room 2 covers Latin and Ottoman Rule from the 13th through 18th centuries. Latin rule started with the Sack of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and the division of the Byzantine Empire into several feudal states. The Byzantines recaptured the city in 1261, but it fell to the Ottomans in 1453. This led to competition between the Ottomans, Venetians, Genoese, and Franks over control of the Eastern Mediterranean, which was eventually dominated by the Ottomans. Hellenism managed not only to survive during this period, but also created conditions for a national rebirth.
Medieval Weapons
On the left side of the room is a collection of medieval weapons used mainly in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France. At the top are pole arms from the end of the 17th century. Underneath them is the 17th century emblem from a Venetian consulate on an Aegean island. The case contains 14th and 15th century helmets and cuirasses found in 1840 in a vault under the city walls of the Venetian fortress in Chalkis. Most are north Italian, primarily Venetian.
Icon of the Battle of Lepanto
On display in the room is a post-Byzantine icon of the Battle of Lepanto attributed to Cretan iconographer Georgios Klontzas (1535-1608). It depicts the deployment of the Ottoman and Venetian forces in one of the most important sea battles in world history. On October 7, 1571, the Christian forces of the Holy League (Republic of Venice, Republic of Genoa, Spain, Duchy of Savoy, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Kingdom of Naples, Kingdom of Sicily, Kingdom of Sardinia, Papal States, the Order of St. John, and Greek rebels), under the command of the John of Austria (1547-1578), defeated the Ottoman fleet at the mouth of the Gulf of Patras. Their victory prevented the Ottomans from advancing into Europe and had was an important subject of literature and art at the time.
On the left are Ottoman galleys with the crescent flags while on the right are Venetian galleys with the Lion of St. Mark flags and Austrian galleys with double-headed eagle flags. The icon was an offering of thanks by the victors to their patron saints.
The Awakening of National Conscience (1670-1821)
The Awakening of National Conscience between 1670 and 1821 is the subject of Room 3. A period of instability in the Ottoman Empire, leading to semiautonomous Greek communities along with a flourishing Greek diaspora, allowed for Greeks to prepare for revolution.
They were aided by the aristocratic Phanariots from the Fener district of Constantinople, who flexed their political and economic power, and organizations such as the Ellinoglosso Xenodocheio, founded in 1809 in Paris, and the Philomuse Society, founded in 1813 in Athens. The most important of these organizations was the secret society of the Filiki Etaireia, founded in 1814 in Odessa. It was led by Alexandros Ypsilantis (1792-1828), who coordinated the beginning of the Greek Revolution.
Another major figure was Greek scholar Adamantios Korais (1748-1833), who lived in Paris. His political ideas greatly influenced the Philhellenic movement as well as the political process after Greece won its independence.
The Greek War of Independence (1821-1827)
In Room 4 is the Greek War of Independence from 1821 to 1827. According to tradition, Bishop Germanos III (1771-1826) blessed the flag of the revolution at Agia Lavra on March 25, 1821. This is recognized as the beginning of the war, which spread from the klephts of Souli, Mani, and Arcadia to the Aegean Islands, Crete, Macedonia, Thrace, and Cyprus.
Weapons of the Struggle
The weapons of the Greek Revolution are on display in Room 5. Many weapons used in the war were obtained by looting or donations from abroad. They were ornately decorated with themes such as folk traditions, antiquity, the Byzantine Empire, and Christianity.
Each display case contains weapons and armor belonging to some of the most important figures of the Greek Revolution. Portraits of these figures line the walls above the display cases.
Armament of Theodoros Kolokotronis
Of the most important artifacts on display in the room are the armor and weapons of Theodoros Kolokotronis. They include a breast plate, a pair of flintlock pistols, a leather weapons belt, a pair of palaska ammunition boxes, a marshal’s rod, a small knife, a pair of gold-plated silver epaulets, and swords.
Of particular interest is his British helmet from the period of his service in the Greek volunteer regiment of the British army in Zakynthos (1810-1816). The helmet is adorned with a cross.
Massacre of Chios
On the back wall of Room 5 is a faithful reproduction of The Massacre at Chios by French artist Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863). The original painting, which is on display in the Louvre, was completed in 1824. It measures 419 centimeters by 354 centimeters (164 inches by 139 inches).
Greek Scholars in the West (14th-15th C.) – Clergy and the Ottoman State
Portraits of Greek scholars in the west line Corridor 6, which also includes a small section on the Orthodox clergy and the Ottoman state. After the Fall of Constantinople, Greek scholars fled to the West, mostly settling in Italian cities. They took with them valuable manuscripts, worked as teachers, translators, and scribes, and played a valuable part in the Italian Renaissance.
The Greek Orthodox Church, on the other hand, worked as an administrative branch of the Ottoman government. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople had direct responsibility over the Orthodox population of the empire. Many bishops and priests played a significant role in the Greek Revolution, with several even taking up arms.
Events of the Greek War of Independence
Corridor 7 covers major events of the Greek War of Independence. This includes the heroism and self-sacrifice of the Siege of Messolonghi and the decisive naval Battle of Navarino. Also on display are costumes worn by revolutionary heroes.
Tomb Monument of Markos Botsaris
An important artifact is the original tomb monument of Markos Botsaris (c. 1788-1823), a hero at Messolonghi. It was made of Carrara marble around 1830 by French artist David d’Angers (1788-1856) and is titled The Greek Girl. An exact replica by artist Georgios Bonanos (1863-1940) decorates the actual tomb at the Garden of the Heroes in Messolonghi.
Role of the Printing Press
Also covered is the crucial role of the printing press during the war. European Philhellenic organizations shipped printing presses to Greece, allowing for the rapid spread news and decrees. The first Greek constitutions, newspapers, and literary texts were also printed. An important artifact on display is the Columbian Press, which was brought to Greece in 1829 by the French publisher Firmin Didot (1764-1836). It was made at the beginning of the 19th century and used by the National Printing House. Next to it is part of the printing press taken to Messolonghi by British philhellene L. Stanhope in 1824.
Philhellenism
Philhellenism features in Corridor 8. The philhellenic movement brought attention to the Greek struggle to private organizations and intellectuals. This turned into priceless aid as well as volunteer fighters on the battlefields when governments were slow to react. The most famous of these philhellenes was English poet Lord Byron (1788-1824), who died at Messolonghi and became the everlasting symbol of the philhellenic movement.
The Naval Struggle of 1821
In Room 9 is the Naval Struggle of 1821. By the start of the revolution, the Greeks, who are traditionally a naval people, had developed a powerful merchant marine. They also had a wealth of experience as mercenary sailors, pirates, and manning the Ottoman fleet. The three most powerful islands contributing ships, financial, and administrative support were Hydra, Spetses, and Psara.
Konstantinos Kanaris
The most important artifacts in Room 9, associated with Admiral Konstantinos Kanaris (c. 1790-1877), surround a niche at the back wall. At the top is the flag of Psara bearing the symbols of the Filiki Etaireia and the inscription “Psara Freedom or Death”. In the niche is an urn containing his heart.
Other artifacts sitting below the niche are from Kanaris’ daring raids during the Greek Revolution. On June 6-7, 1822, he destroyed the Ottoman flagship off the island of Chios in retaliation for the massacre that occurred two months earlier. This caused the death of over 2,000 Ottoman sailors including Kara Ali Pasha, the admiral of the Ottoman fleet. He led another successful attack bombing an Ottoman frigate off the island of Tenedos (now Bozcaada) in November 1822. In 1825, he attempted to destroy the whole Egyptian fleet in the harbor of Alexandria, but the wind died down just after the Greek ships entered the harbor.
Foundation of the Modern Greek State
The second half of the National Historical Museum shifts to post-revolutionary years, starting in Room 10 with the foundation of the modern Greek state. An autonomous Greek state was created in 1826 followed by an independent nation in 1830. The first Governor of Greece, Ioannis Kapodistrias (1776-1831), dealt with political instability and opposition to his rule, leading to his assassination on September 27, 1831.
The assassination plunged the country into further chaos, threatening the relationship with its allies. It ended when Greece agreed to become a kingdom in 1832. Otto, the second son of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, was named king. He transferred the capital from Nafplio to Athens in 1834 and began governing when he came of age in 1835.
Riots and instability threatened Otto’s rule and a bloodless revolution on September 3, 1843, forced him to establish a constitutional monarchy in 1844. He was deposed in 1862 and forced into exile.
Royal Launch Ourania
At the end of the room are parts of the royal launch Ourania. It was built in 1860 and was used exclusively by King Otto. In 1863, it carried the new king of Greece, George I, to Piraeus. The boat was 15 meters long, but only the bow, poop, and steering wheel survive. The bow features a carved wooded figurehead in the shape of a Phoenix.
Consolidation of Parliamentary System – Territorial Expansion
Room 11 covers the consolidation of the parliamentary system and territorial expansion. After Otto was deposed, George I, originally a Danish prince, was elected King of Greece by the National Assembly. He ruled from 1863 until his assassination in 1913 and oversaw several major changes. They included political stability, modernization, and social reforms.
During the reign of George I, Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis enhanced the parliamentary system by instituting the no confidence vote in 1875. This gave power to the party that holds the majority.
As far as territorial expansion, the Ionian islands were ceded to Greece by Great Britain in 1864. This marked the end of nearly 400 years of foreign rule, starting with Venice from the late 15th century to 1797, brief occupations by France and Russia, and Britain from 1814 to 1864. Greece then annexed Thessaly in 1881, and supported revolutionary movements in Crete and Macedonia.
The Macedonian Struggle
From 1904 to 1908, Greek guerrilla groups, supported indirectly by the Greek state, were active in Ottoman-occupied Macedonia. Their presence protected ethnic Greeks from persecution by Bulgarian guerrilla troops. The promotion of Greek culture and a national awareness also took hold thanks to a powerful network of diplomats, priests, and teachers. After the Young Turk Revolution in 1908, the armed struggle in Macedonia came to an end. Weapons and personal items belonging to Pavlos Melas (1870-1904), a Greek officer and symbol of the Macedonian Struggle, are on display.
Balkan Wars (1912-13)
In Room 12, Greece’s involvement in the Balkan Wars and World War I is highlighted. In 1908, the Young Turk Revolution in the Ottoman Empire and the deposition of Sultan Abdülhamid II threatened its non-Muslim minorities. This led to the First Balkan War from October 1912 to May 1913, pitting Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria against the Ottomans. When it was over, a vast swathe of territory had been liberated from Ottoman occupation, including much of present-day northern Greece, Albania, southern Bulgaria, southern Serbia, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
The Second Balkan War started on June 29, 1913, and lasted just a month and a half. Bulgaria wasn’t satisfied with the division of territory and attacked its former allies Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, and Romania. When the dust of the Balkan Wars settled, Greece had gained Crete, Macedonia, Epirus, and the eastern Aegean Islands, doubling its territory and population. This included the cities of Thessaloniki, Kavala, and Ioannina, and the islands of Crete, Chios, Lesbos, and Samos
First World War
During World War I, Greece was divided on staying neutral or joining the Triple Entente. They eventually joined the Triple Entente in 1917 and by the end of the war had acquired Western Thrace. With the Treaty of Sèvres in August 1920, Greece gained Eastern Thrace and sovereignty over an area around Smyrna (now Izmir) in Asia Minor. The Megali Idea, the national dream of reuniting the lands of the Byzantine Empire, was coming to fruition.
Asia Minor Campaign
Room 12 also focuses on the Asia Minor Campaign. The Greek army’s presence in Smyrna galvanized the Turkish national movement under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938). Greece pushed further inland and quickly gained territory but eventually lost the support of its allies. They were pushed back by the Turks and suffered a crushing defeat in August 1922. Ethnic Greeks in Asia Minor and Anatolia faced retaliation, culminating in the Smyrna Catastrophe a month later.
In the aftermath of the Asia Minor Campaign, the Treaty of Lausanne in November 1923 redefined the borders between Greece and the newly formed Turkish Republic. An obligatory population exchange between the two countries was part of the agreement, with the exception of the Greeks of Istanbul, Imbros (now Gökçeada), and Tenedos (now Bozcaada), and the Muslims of Western Thrace. Over 3,000 years of Greek presence in Asia Minor had come to an end.
Second World War
World War II is covered surprisingly briefly in Corridor 13. The Nazis began their assault on Greece on April 6, 1941. On April 27, they marched into Athens and hoisted the Nazi flag on the Acropolis. By May 5, after Crete fell, the entire country was under German occupation. Over the next few years, the Greek people endured hardship and suffered atrocities at the hands of Nazi soldiers. They were boosted, however, by the National Resistance movement, which was one of the finest chapters in Greek history. The last Nazis finally left Greece in October 1944.
On display are drawings and paintings of the invasion by Italy in 1940 and the Nazi occupation. There are also posters produced at the Athens School of Fine Arts at the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War.
Memorabilia from the Reigns of Kings Otto and George I
In Room 14, artifacts from the reigns of King Otto and King George I are on display. They include the throne used by both kings in their palace, the office of King George I, and costumes used by the ladies in waiting of Queen Olga.
Folk Art Collection
The folk art collection of the National Historical Museum is on display in Rooms 15 through 17. This includes jewelry, everyday objects, and traditional costumes from the mid-18th to the end of the 19th century. The items feature elements from the ancient Greek and Byzantine traditions.
Modern Greek Jewelry
Room 15 contains modern Greek jewelry. The art of jewelry saw a revival in the middle of the 17th century among the Greeks in the Ottoman Empire. Designs blended oriental and western elements with those of ancient Greece. Silver was the most commonly used material, along with precious and semi-precious stones and colored glass. The most famous jewelry production centers were Constantinople, Stemnitsa, loannina, Syrrako, and Thrace.
Male jewelry, which was uncommon, typically consisted of breast and waist ornaments, garters, rings, snuffboxes, inkstands, and amulets. Females wore complicated headdresses, earrings, jewels for under the chin, necklaces, brooches, jewels for the waist, rings, bracelets, and more.
Costumes with Kavadi, Sigouni, Saya and Anteri
Room 16 contains traditional costumes with a kavadi, sigouni, saya, or anteri. A kavadi is a long outer garment with long sleeves made of cotton or silk. A sigouni is a sleeveless winter cloak woven of thick white or black fabric. The saya and anteri are versions of a kavadi.
Costumes with Dress and Skirt
More costumes are displayed in Room 17. They include dresses and skirts worn in the second half of the 18th through 19th centuries with both Byzantine and Western elements.
Aspects of Urban Society, 19th C.
The final room of the National Historical Museum is Room 19, which features aspects of urban life in 19th century Greece. The furniture decorating the room belonged to historical personalities. The table in the center belonged to Patriarch Gregory V while the table clocks were produced by 19th century philhellenes. The costumes belonged to members of families of the Greek Revolution and to Queen Amalia’s Ladies in Waiting. Watercolors by Scottish painter James Skene (1775-1864) from 1836 to 1845 line the walls, depicting scenery and monuments of Athens and Greece.
From Greater…to Contemporary Greece (Part 1) (Temporary Exhibit)
During my visit to the National Historical Museum, the entrance halls displayed the temporary exhibit From Greater…to Contemporary Greece (Part 1). It focused on the Megali Idea and the Asia Minor campaign, the formation of the border, and the population of the current Greek state. It ran from November 2022 to December 2023.
Timeline
The entrance halls on either side of the main desk included a timeline of the events leading up to and through the Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922, the retreat of the Greek army, and the destruction of Smyrna. Photographs, documents, newspaper clippings, and artifacts help tell the story.
Costumes and Items from Asia Minor
Another part of the exhibit displayed traditional costumes and everyday items from ethnic Greeks of Asia Minor and Eastern Thrace.
Some of the items have personal stories attached to them, such as the heating stove from Adrianople (Edirne) and the photo album from Smyrna (Izmir). The stove was bought by Dimitrios Angelidis, a pharmacist from the city, who arrived first in Xanthi and then in Athens after the Treaty of Lausanne. The leather-bound photo album belonged to Kalliopi Efthimiou, the daughter of loannis Alexakis and Nymphodoras Veinoglou.
Gold Wreath
One of the most interesting items is a gold wreath presented to Leonidas Paraskevopoulos (1860-1936), the commander of the Greek army in Asia Minor, during his departure from Smyrna in September 1920. It was given to him at the Church of Saint Fotini by the local Greek community. The leaves of the wreath are engraved with the names of the principal cities of lonia. It was commissioned by Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Smyrna, the unions, associations, and guilds of the city.
Post-War Trial
The final part of the exhibit was located in the Great Central Hall of the Old Parliament House, where the trial of those considered responsible for the outcome of the war took place. Sketches by Periklis Byzantios (1893-1972), who illustrated the trial, are displayed in the very room he drew them.
