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The statue of Eleftherios Venizelos in Eleftherias Park

 


Eleftherios Venizelos Museum
& Eleftherios Park



Eleftherias (Freedom) Park is one of the more valuable green spaces in the centre of Athens. It is situated on Vasilissis Sofias avenue, next to Megaron Mousikis, the concert hall of Athens. The park was developed in the 1960s by the architect Vokotopoulos. Inside the park there is a statue of the great Greek politician made by Giannis Pappas. Behind it is a complex of buildings used by the 34th regiment during the Balkan Wars. It is said that Venizelos used to address the soldiers there before they went off to war.

A letter written by Eleftherios Venizelos and his glasses – Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos in AthensDuring the military dictatorship (1967-1974), these buildings were used by the military police. Many Greeks were questioned and tortured there. Today, the park is a cultural centre and a place of remembrance of the events of recent Greek an Athenian history. The Athens Municipality Arts Centre is housed here in two separate buildings. One is used for temporary exhibitions and the other for seminars and other smaller scale events.

The Eleftherios Venizelos Museum, founded in 1986, is housed separately. Its collections consist of the politician’s personal effects, items relating to events that took place during his life (documents, photographs, postcards), as well as various pictures and portraits. The Museum of Anti-dictatorial and Democratic Resistance is in a building behind the Arts Centre.

Eleftherios Venizelos (1864-1936)

Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the great Greek politiciansEleftherios Venizelos was born in Crete. He was great politician and he became one of the most charismatic European leaders of his time. He founded the Liberal party and served as Prime Minister of Greece in the troubled times of the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), World War I (1914-1918), the Asia Minor campaign (1919-1922) and through a part of the unsettled and creative mid-war period.

Through his policies he came into conflict with the monarchy. He contributed to the expansion of the Greek State and set the basis for the modernization of Greek society, particularly in the years 1928-1932.

At the same time, Venizelos was very much liked and hated more than any other politician. Apart from being a landmark in Greek history, he still is a point of reference throughout Greece.

Opening hours Opening hours and admission
Location map Vassilissis Sofias avenue, Eleftherias park
Neaarest metro stationMegaro Moussikis
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  WHAT TO SEE IN ATHENS
  MUSEUMS IN ATHENS
  ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS
  MUSEUM

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