About
The War Museum of Athens, located at Rizari 2 near Syntagma Square and Evangelismos metro station, offers a fascinating journey through Greece’s military history. Its extensive exhibits include weapons, armor, military uniforms, historical documents, and maps spanning from ancient Greece to modern conflicts like the Balkan Wars, World Wars, and the Greek Civil War. Visitors can explore relics from the Byzantine era, outdoor displays of fighter jets and cannons, as well as monuments dedicated to significant battles and leaders. The museum also hosts guided tours, educational programs, events, and temporary exhibitions.
When was it built
Designed by Thucydides Valentis, the museum was purpose-built in 1970.
What's the story
Although planned and built by the junta as a ‘monument to Greek valour and military prowess’, the War Museum didn’t open until after the dictatorship’s collapse in 1974.
Why it's important
The museum offers a timeline of Greek history through military conflicts, albeit slanted towards successes rather than defeats. If you’re interested in military paraphernalia, there are muskets, uniforms, flags, bayonets, and swords. The Greeks' heroic resistance mounted against the Nazis is is given special emphasis. A wall chart titled ‘This is how the conquerors passed through Greece’ is a stark reminder of the price Greece paid for its defiance: 8% of its population was killed.
Must-see
The lightboard map that shows how news of the Trojan War was transmitted to Mycenae by fire-beacons.
Fun fact
The Henry Farman III was Greece’s first military aircraft. You can see a replica outside the museum.
For more info, visit the museum's website here