War Museum
Kalamata Branch
General Information
The Kalamata branch was founded in 2023 and is housed in the building of the Old Episcopal Diocese of Messinia. The themes of the exhibition include the historical period from the Greek Revolution of 1821 to the mission of the Greek Expeditionary Corps in Korea (1950-1953).
Permanent Exhibition
Exhibition space
A: The Greek Revolution
The foundation of the Society of Friends and the desire for Freedom led the Greeks to the armed struggle in March 1821. Kalamata was the first major city to be liberated, on March 23, 1821. Paintings, costumes, armaments and weaponry depict the era.
Β’: Macedonian Race
Moving on to the collection on the Macedonian Struggle (1904-1908), we see the effort of the Greeks to protect the region of Macedonia from the expansionist ambitions of the Bulgarians, who wanted access to the Aegean Sea. The exhibition features costumes, weaponry, photographs and a piece of the tree where the Bulgarians hanged Tello Agra (nickname of Sarantis Agapinos), a native of Gargalianos in Messinia.
C: Balkan Wars
The victorious battles and naval battles allowed Greece to expand its borders. The Greeks in Macedonia, Crete, Ioannina and the islands of the North Aegean were liberated and incorporated into the Greek State. Arms, artwork, uniforms and photographs of the era take us on a journey to this glorious historical period.
Δ’: World War I (A’)
Greece entered the First World War on the side of the Entente and emerged victorious. Weapons, relics, photographs and works of art show us the era.
A: World War I (B)
The exhibition on the First World War continues on the second floor, with special reference to the 9th Infantry Regiment.
Β’: Asia Minor Campaign
After the end of World War I, the Paris Peace Conference allowed Greece to land Greek Army forces in Asia Minor in 1919. The resistance the Greek troops met there led them to campaign in the East. The initial victories were followed by defeats, which led to the violent expulsion of the Greeks from Asia Minor. Uniforms, photographs and weaponry transport visitors to the events of the time.
C: Greek-Italian War 1940-41
On 28 October 1940, Greece categorically refused to submit to fascist Italy, an ally of Germany. The Greeks enthusiastically accepted the call to protect their native lands and wrote the epoch in the mountains of Pindos. Weapons, relics, cartoons, and uniforms transport visitors to the Epic of the 40s.
D: German attack / Battle of the Forts / Battle of Crete
On April 6, 1941, Nazi Germany attacked Greece. Although the Greek forces defended themselves vigorously, they were unable to defeat the German armed forces. The Greek forces defended the fortifications on the border with Bulgaria, but Hitler’s troops managed to bypass them and reach Athens, forcing the Greek government to capitulate. The last battle to defend Greek territory was fought in Crete in May of that year. Uniforms, weapons, relics and photographs bear witness to these fierce battles.
E: Middle East / National Resistance
The action of the Greek Armed Forces continued in the context of the allied operations against the Axis forces in the Middle East. Armaments and photographs are the exhibits of this collection.
F: Korea
Greece contributed with an expeditionary force to the UN mission in the Korean War (1950-1953). The history of this corps is presented through photographs, videos, memorabilia and relics.Your Content Goes Here
