A visit to a museum is always a journey through time, in a culture, or in history. Especially when it has to do with the 1821 revolution in Greece, one can find many exhibits, relics, and even paintings in many museums of Greece. This is also the case with the National Museum of History otherwise called the Museum of the Old Parliament. There are treasures there, that you won’t see anywhere else.
In this museum which is in the heart of Athens, you can see many exhibits including the costume of Theodoros Kolokotronis and a large collection of weapons. For example, you will see there the weapon of Athanasios Diakos (another popular hero of the revolution) and other flintlock rifles. But among other things, the museum houses there a special macabre exhibit. It is located in the hall dedicated to the three islands that played an important role in the 1821 revolution and are Spetses, Hydra, and Psara.
The macabre exhibit at the Museum of the Old Parliament
There, in a vessel shaped like an amphora, is the heart of Konstantinos Kanaris! Among miniatures of Greek and Turkish ships that revive the famous naval battles.
The Museum in the Old Parliament is one of those museums a visit or tour is never boring. A journey through time and history under… the gaze of the chieftains of 1821.
External photography source: www.nhmuseum.gr
Frequently Asked Questions
The macabre exhibit at the Museum of the Old Parliament in Athens is the preserved heart of Konstantinos Kanaris, a legendary naval fighter of the 1821 Greek Revolution. The heart is housed in an amphora-shaped vessel created by sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos and is displayed in the hall dedicated to the three islands of Spetses, Hydra, and Psara, surrounded by miniatures of Greek and Turkish ships commemorating famous naval battles.
Konstantinos Kanaris was a legendary sea-fighter and hero of the 1821 Greek Revolution known for setting fire to Turkish ships during naval battles. His heart was removed by doctor Ioannis Zochios and preserved as a tribute to his heroic deeds and contributions to Greek independence. The heart is displayed at the Museum of the Old Parliament as a symbol of national pride.
The Museum of the Old Parliament, officially called the National Museum of History, is located in the heart of Athens, Greece. The museum was moved to this location in 1933 and houses numerous exhibits related to the 1821 Greek Revolution, including weapons, costumes, and the famous exhibit of Konstantinos Kanaris's heart.
The Museum of the Old Parliament contains numerous exhibits including the costume of Theodoros Kolokotronis, a large collection of weapons such as flintlock rifles, and the weapon of Athanasios Diakos. The museum also features miniatures of Greek and Turkish ships depicting famous naval battles, and displays dedicated to the three islands—Spetses, Hydra, and Psara—that played important roles in the 1821 revolution.
The marble shrine and amphora containing Konstantinos Kanaris's heart feature several inscriptions. On the sides, the names of Chios, Psara, Tsesme, and Alexandria are engraved in gold, marking the places where Kanaris achieved his greatest naval deeds. The ampulla is inscribed with the words 'Hail oh heart of the Admiral Kanaris,' and a statue of Niki (victory) is placed on top of the shrine.
