Exhibition spaces - War Museum

This section is dedicated to the civilizations that developed within the Aegean area. The fortified sites of the period, replicas of images and weapons of the Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations, as well as photographs of the most important archaeologists are displayed. Of special interest are the replicas of the Mycenaean orthodontic helmet and the Mycenaean armor of the 15th century BC.

This hall exhibits the armament of the ancient Greek cities after 800 BC, emphasizing on the period of the Persian Wars. The main exhibits are the armaments and the accessories of the military uniform of the Ancient Greeks, some of which are original. At the same time, the models of all types of ancient warships are exhibited, as well as original objects of the time found in shipwrecks.

The main battles of the campaign of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic kingdoms that were formed after his death are presented in this room. Copies of weapons of the time, models of siege engines and copies of images frame the tribute.

The hall is dedicated to the Byzantine Empire since the founding of Constantinople in 330 AD. until its fall in 1453 AD. The exhibits show its entension throughout the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe, its prosperity and its end. The main exhibits are the copies of the Byzantine weapons, the models of the ships and the siege engines, as well as the various maps depicting the periods of the empire.

The territories of the Byzantine Empire were gradually conquered by the Latins and the Ottomans, resulting in the entire Greek population coming under foreign rule. Maps, lithographs, engravings and weapons of the time that record the life of the Greeks and the preparation for the Revolution are exhibited in this room. The emblematic exhibit here, is the original Charter of Riga, which is displayed in excellent condition..

Through the original works of art, which depict important moments of the Greek Revolution, the authentic armament of the fighters, their uniforms, the manuscripts and dioramas, the struggle and sacrifices of the Greek revolutionaries on land and at sea to gain independence are presented.

Relics related to the period of King Otto, the first incorporation of new territories in the Greek state, the revolutions in Crete and the Greek-Turkish War of 1897 are exhibited in this room.

Weapons, objects and photos of the most important Macedonian fighters and the struggle of the Greek guerrilla corps in Ottoman-occupied Macedonia at the beginning of the 20th century are presented in this space.

These halls dedicated to the Balkan Wars display the then-modern armament, acquired by the Greek Armed Forces, works of art inspired by the victorious operations of the Greek forces, photographs from the front, as well as various models of ships and aircraft that participated in the wars. . A special area is dedicated to the works of Thalia Flora-Karavia, who recorded with her sketches moments from the front line of operations..

Paintings, photographs, flags, models of ships and aircraft present the participation of Greece in WWI.

Works of art, photographs, maps, weapons, objects and loot from the operations of the Greek forces in Asia Minor are exhibited in this section.

These halls are dedicated to the Greek-Italian War, display the basic weapons used in the operations, a number of photographs from the front, uniforms and objects of officers who took part, as well as dioramas depicting moments from the battles There is a special sectoin for the “artists of the front”, where the original works of the artists who followed the Greek Army in operations are presented.

This room presents the struggle of the few Greek forces and their allies in facing the German Army Invasion in Greece in April 1941. There is a special tribute to the battle of the Fortress and the battle of Crete.

After the occupation of Greece by the Axis powers, the Greek Army reorganized in the Middle East and, under allied command, participated in operations against the Germans in North Africa, the Aegean and Italy. Photographs, souvenirs, archival material and the new British armaments acquired by the Greek forces are exhibited in this wing.

Exhibits focusing on the period of the occupation of Greece by the German, Italian and Bulgarian forces are presented in this space. Through the photographs and the evidence of the time, the hardships and the heavy price paid by the Greek people is extensively presented. Objects, archives, manifestations and armament of the various Greek resistance organizations during the occupation are also presented in the same space. The tribute to this period concludes with photographs from the country’s liberation in the autumn of 1944.

Greece’s participation in the Korean War is presented through photographs, armaments and military uniforms of the period. It was the first mission assigned to the Greek Armed Forces by the United Nations.

The Cyprus Hall presents the history of the island from antiquity to the present day. Through the relics on display, the participation of the Greeks of Cyprus in all the Greek struggles over time can be seen, while there is a special tribute to the struggle of EOKA in the period 1955-1959 and to the Turkish invasion in 1974.

A special exhibition wing at the War Museum exhibits a large number of costumes, original and copies from various historical periods, dating from the Revolution of 1821 until today. Copies of some flags, used by Greek divisions, are also presented.

The exterior of the War Museum exhibits an extensive number of large-caliber firearms, used by the Greek Army in its campaigns or gained as loot. Additionally, a number of Air Force aircraft, as well as exhibits of the Hellenic Navy are exhibited outdoors.