The Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece—National Historical Museum presents the temporary exhibition “Athens 1834–1944: The Birth of the Modern City.” The exhibition, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, chronicles the fascinating transformation of Athens from a provincial town into a major European metropolis.

It spans a period of 111 years, beginning with the official transfer of the seat of the newly founded Greek state to the city in 1834 and culminating in its liberation from German occupation in October 1944. Through valuable archival material, photographs, and artifacts from the collections of the National Historical Museum and collaborating institutions, the exhibition offers a multifaceted exploration of the historical trajectory and the factors that shaped modern Athens.

The presentation focuses on urban development, public and private architecture, the development of infrastructure and services, political life, economic development, intellectual output, social and public life, and everyday life. The focus is on people and the way they perceive and interact with public space. The city preserves its historical memory, even as foreign visitors continue to flock to it, always captivated by its glorious past.

The exhibition approaches Athens as a living, ever-changing organism. It aims to offer visitors an immersive experience that connects them with the city’s past, present, and future, inviting them to view it with fresh eyes.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Athens Club, Aegeas AMKE, Academy of Athens, ERT Archives S.A., Hellenic Police Headquarters—Communications Directorate—History Department, Industrial Gas Museum – Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, German Archaeological Institute of Athens, *Kathimerini* newspaper, Institute of Informatics – Foundation for Research and Technology (IP–FORTH), Historical Archives of the National Bank of Greece, Historical Archives of EYDAP, National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation – Hellenic Literary and Historical Archive (MIET–ELIA), Benaki Museum, OTE Group Telecommunications Museum, Athens Eye Clinic, Firefighting Museum, Greek Film Archive, Finos Film, Onassis Library, Onassis Foundation

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Andreas V. Finch / Finch of Athens, Elli Solomonidou Archive, Eirini Angelopoulou-Prassa Collection, Eleni Alexiou Collection, Charikleia G. Dimakopoulou Collection, A. Kapotsis Family Collection, Eleni Katsadouri Collection, Aliki Logi Collection, D. N. Tselepis Collection

Ιnformation:

National Historical Museum, Old Parliament Building (Stadiou 13, Athens)

Opening Hours:

Tuesday‒Friday: 09.00‒16.00, Saturday‒Sunday: 10.00‒16.00

Last admission time: 3:30 p.m.

Duration: 8 September 2026 ‒ 30 June 2027