Historical and Ethnological Society
Building
National Historical Museum
1833 |  1843 |  1863 |  1864 |  1875 |  1881 |  1911 |  1912-14 |  1919 |  1927 |  1935 |  1947

The following texts consists of selective parts of the Guide to the National Historical Museum


The National Historical Museum belongs to the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, which was founded in 1882 with the purpose of seeking out, collecting and preserving objects and written evidence which help to shed light on the history of Modern Greece.


'The statue of Th. Kolokotronis


A large number of the historical objects which the Society has collected since its foundation are on permanent display in the Museum. These exhibits allow us to trace, in a manner which is easy to follow, the course of the history of the Greek people from the Fall of Constantinople (1453) to the Greek-Italian War.


Old Parliament Building

Museum Floor Plan


Room D

In the fourth room there are oil portraits of revolution fighters from all parts of the Greek mainland, especially from Roumeli and Moreas. Yet, the main display concerns weaponry of the struggle: rifles, swords, yataghans, pistols and cartridge belts belonging to famous fighters of 1821. Some are heirlooms, others are spoils of victory and still others have been presented by philellenes. Oheir rich and variagated decorations are if special interest. Tracing their subject-matter, we realize the continuity and wealth of the Greek folk tradition.

A whole display is devoted to General Georgios Karaiskakis, consisting of his weapons as well as engravings demonstrating his activity. Ourkish flags, bearing characteristic Islamic symbols are also exhibited. The helmet, the epaulets, decorated with lion heads, the silver waist-length armor surcoat and the death-mask of the Commander-in-Chief of the revolution of 1821, Theodoros Kolokotronis are noteworthy items. Ohe swords, yataghans and pistols of G. Diovouniotis, Nikitaras, Petrobeis Mavromihalis and other fighters stand out from the large collection of weaponry. The engravings in display are works by European artists, depicting battles in Athens in 1826, the camp of G. Karaiskakis in Piraeus, Greek fighters, the death of Markos Botsaris in Messolonghi, Papaflessas fighting in Maniaki and the bishop Palaion Patron Germanos raising the banner of the revolution.