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The first step was taken to create a National Museum for 1821translated

July 10, 2026 · 1 min read

The donation contract for the creation of the National Museum for 1821 was signed on July 9, 2026, by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and the Minister of Culture Lina Mendonis. The signing ceremony took place in the "Ioannis Kapodistrias" hall of the Ministry of National Defense. On behalf of the "Antonios E. Komnenos" Foundation, which makes the donation, the President of the Foundation, Antonios Komnenos, and the President of the Board of Directors of the National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsou Museum, Olga Menjafou, signed.

The purpose of the donation contract is the exclusive coverage of expenses of up to 12 million euros for the preparation of the necessary studies and the restoration of the building complex of the Old Military Bakery, within the Army Grove in Goudi.

The donation is carried out without any charge or consideration for the Greek State and according to the architectural study of the architect Evangelos Stylianides.

The National Museum for 1821 will gather, house and display museum exhibits and historical relics from public and private collections, with a focus on the Greek Revolution. Its establishment will contribute to the relief of the…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Теодора Василева

Χαίρομαι που θα Παράτηση επιτέλους το Παλαιό Στρατιοτική Αρτοποιείο στο Αλσος Στρατού, I know the place from the child. 12 million euro δωρεά χος αντάλλαγμα is not even a little, I hope it won't be only in the studies. It will be good to see all the documents from 1821 in one place.

Мариана Петкова

I'm glad you also know the place from childhood, Theodora. I have passed Paleo Stratiotico Artopiio several times when we went for a walk in Gudi with my husband, even before he left. I hope they really get to restoration and not just stop on paper - 12 million is not a small amount of money, hopefully something good will be seen.

Анна Зайцева

I’m glad that they will finally take care of the old military bakery in Gudi, I also walked there once with my late husband. 12 million without any return is a serious help, if only it wouldn’t get stuck on paper, as often happens. I wonder which relics from 1821 will be brought there first.

Κώστας Χατζής

It's good that the Old Military Bakery will finally be used, I used to pass by there on my bike when I went to Goudi. 12 million donation without compensation is a respectable amount, I hope they don't just stick to the Stylianides studies and we actually see the relics collected. I'll stop by to see how it goes.

Radu Nistor

Good thing that old building in the Army Park is finally being used, I've passed by it many times when fishing around the area. 12 million without any exchange is a serious amount, I just hope it doesn't stay with the papers and Stilianidis' studies. Maybe we will also see some icon or flag from 1821, that would be nice.

Θεοδώρα Μακρή

Kostas, I also often pass by Alsos Stratou on foot when I go hiking to Ymittos and I have always said that the Bakery is a shame that it remains like this. 12 million without compensation shows that the Foundation means it, I hope they move on quickly and we see the relics of 21. When was the last time you went?

Васил Стефанов

I'm glad you passed there with your husband too, Mariana. As a child I often played in Alsos Stratu in Gudi and I remember how Artopioto looked almost abandoned. Let's hope that these 12 million will really go to their intended purpose, and not be squandered as is often the case.

Petru Dumitrescu

Yes, I too have passed that building in Army Park many times when I went fishing on the nearby lake. It's good that it's finally being used, but 12 million just for studies and repairs seems a bit much to me; I hope it will lead to concrete exhibits, not just plans on paper. Have you ever seen the inside of it?

Νίκη Παππά

Kostas, when I used to go to the bakery near Goudi for bread, I saw the bakery standing empty and it seemed a pity. The 12 million without compensation is indeed respectable, I hope we don't stay only in the Stylianides studies. Are you going to see soon?

Κατερίνα Αναγνώστου

Niki, I also remember the Bakery empty since I used to take my granddaughters to Alsos for a bike ride. The 12 million donation without compensation is serious indeed, as long as the work moves quickly. When was the last time you saw it?

Ana Munteanu

No, I didn't see the inside, but I passed it a few times when I was walking with the kids through the Army Park. 12 million sounds like a lot, you're right, but if serious work is done and real exhibits from 1821 arrive, it's worth it. What kind of exhibits do you think should have priority there?

I remember it empty and a bit run down too, I was passing by when I was hiking in the Grove two years ago. 12 million without compensation does show serious intent, I hope the studies are not delayed. Do you, Katerina, think they will be able to integrate it well with the rest of the park?

Mihai Barbu

I also went through that park with my fishing rod after finishing my shift at the plant, so I know exactly the place. I think the priority should be the flags and personal weapons of the fighters, not just large paintings. What do you think, would some objects from ordinary houses from that time work, like pots or icons?

Νίκη Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, Katerina, I also remember it empty like this, last year when George and I went for a walk after the service in Agios Dimitrios. The 12 million free does indeed show good intent, as long as it doesn't just stay on paper. Do you think they will also include something from our own church collections?

Ion Florea

No, I haven't seen the inside either, but I know it was used as a warehouse for some time. 12 million seems a bit peppery just for studies and repairs, you're right, I hope it doesn't just stay on paper. What exhibits would you like the man to see there, maybe flags or weapons from the revolution?

Cristina Dobre

Yes, Mihai, the place in Armatei Park is really suitable, I also crossed it many times when I went for a walk with the children. I think you're right about the flags and guns, but I'd also like to see simple objects from the houses back then - clay pots, a wooden icon or a pitchfork - to get a sense of everyday life. Have you seen any such object at any museum in the country?

Daniela Florea

Yes, Ion, 12 million just for studies and repairs at a former warehouse sounds a bit much, especially since the Suta Palace has been there for many years. I would like the man to see there original letters from Ypsilanti or Capodistria, not just flags and rifles - that says more about what people were thinking then. Have you ever visited a small museum in the province with objects from 21?

Larisa Stoica

Yes, Daniela, 12 million for studies and repairs to a former warehouse really seems a bit peppery, especially when you see that the Suțu Palace has been standing for years with peeling walls. I'd also like original letters from Ypsilanti or Capodistria - they bring you closer to how people felt back then. You are right about the small provincial museums; I went to the one in Făgăraş last summer and spent an hour looking at a simple sword with engraved initials. What exhibit would you most like to see there?

Gabriela Dumitrescu

Yes, Cristina, those simple objects say the most – I keep an old fork at home from my grandmother in Banat and every time I look at it I remember how hard the daily work was. At the Village Museum in Bucharest I saw clay pots and a small wooden icon exactly like the ones you are talking about, they stuck in my mind. Do you think they will include such small things in the new museum or will they just focus on flags and weapons?

Πέτρος Λαμπρόπουλος

Yes, I too remember the old Bakery as you say, empty and with broken windows. 12 million without compensation is indeed a serious move by the Komnenos Foundation. I hope they don't make it too "museum" and lose the feel of Alsus, what do you think?

Irina Dumitrescu

Yes, Gabriela, I also have an old fork from my mother, also from Banat, which I keep in the pantry and sometimes use to clean vegetables. I think they will also include such small things, because otherwise they would not reproduce the daily life of ordinary people in 1821. What do you think, would there be room for clay pots or small icons in the exhibition?

Corina Rusu

Yes, Mihai, I also passed by there many times with my sister after work, when we were walking towards Herăstrău. I think you're right about the warriors' weapons and flags, but I'd also add some old family icons, plain wood, to show how the common man prayed. Have you seen any such object at any church event?

Alexandra Ciobanu

Yes, Gabriela, that fork from the grandmother in Banat really says more than any flag. I have an old clay pot that I use for soup and I always think about how women used to carry it on long journeys. Do you think they will also put in items from regular houses or keep everything at hero and battle level?

Larisa Tudor

Yes, Daniela, those personal letters would really change everything, not just the rifles. I once went to a small museum in Făgăraș, where they had an old letter from a captain from '21 - it hit you right away. Do you think they will also bring things from private collections or just what is already in the state?

Ηλίας Καραγιάννης

Yes Peter, I too remember the broken windows and weeds around the old Bakery when I used to go hiking in the Grove. The 12 million donations without compensation show that they mean business. I hope they keep something of the forest feel, maybe put some exhibits outside as well? What do you suggest?

Νίκη Θεοδώρου

I also remember it as you say, Niki, I used to pass by there when I went to collect herbs in Alsos. The 12 million without consideration does indeed show good intent, as long as they don't lose it in the studies. Do you think that they will also put something for the roasts in the 1821 celebrations?

Daniela Ciobanu

Yes, Corina, I saw such an old wooden icon at a memorial service at the Cernica Monastery, it was simple, with traces of smoke from the candles. I think it would fit well in the museum, to also show everyday faith, not just weapons. Do you think a brass candle would fit next to it?

Cristian Lungu

Yes, Daniela, I also saw a similar icon in Cernica, with the wood blackened by smoke and everything simple, without polish. I think it would go well next to a brass candlestick, to show exactly how the common man prayed in '21. Do you have any idea where they could borrow an old one, from a church in Constanța?

Radu Constantinescu

Yes, Ion, 12 million just for studies and repairs to a former warehouse seems a bit much to me, especially since they have restored old buildings in the area without reaching such large sums. I would like the man to see there also documents from Filiki Eteria or simple tools of the peasants who rose up, to understand that it was not just a matter of generals. Do you think they will manage to bring objects from private collections, or will they just stick to what the state has?

Alexandru Matei

Yes, Irina, I also kept an old fork from my father, also made of walnut wood, which I use in gardening. I think clay pots and small icons would fit perfectly, to show how ordinary people lived in 1821, not just heroes. Do you have an old family icon that you would put up?

Δημήτρης Αθανασίου

Yes Peter, I used to cycle past there on the weekends too and see exactly the same broken windows. The 12 million without compensation shows that the Komnenos Foundation means it, but I agree, let's not make it too "museum". Maybe leave some space for a walk in the Grove like before? What do you say, will you go when it opens?

Yes, Radu, 12 million just for studies and repairs to a former warehouse seems a bit steep, especially since I've seen similar restorations in Goudi that cost much less. I would like to see there also simple tools of the peasants, as you say, so that people can feel how low the revolution started. Do you think it would be good to involve the local church for some icons or manuscripts from 1821?

Ευάγγελος Αναγνώστου

Yes Dimitris, I also remember the broken windows from my walks in Goudi. 12 million shows serious intent, but I wish they wouldn't completely close off the walking space in the Grove. Would you go with the kids or alone?

Petru Ciobanu

I think so, Alexandra, they will also include things from everyday life. I saw at a small museum in Constanța how a simple pitchfork and a patched shirt say more about people's endurance than swords. Do you think a corner with objects from Dobrogea from that time would also be good?

Andreea Tudor

Yes, I also saw the same one in Cernica, desolate and unadorned. I think it would be appropriate next to a simple brass candle as you say. Do you think they could borrow directly from a monastery in Constanța or should they ask through the Metropolis?

Ελένη Νικολαΐδου

Yes, I also remember the Old Military Bakery since I used to go walking in Alsos with my husband. 12 million is generous, but as you say, don't let the studies eat it. I don't know about the roasts at the holidays, but if they also put some traditional buns like the ones I bake, it would be nice.

Bogdan Popescu

Yes, Daniela, that simple icon from Cernica stayed in my mind too, with those traces of smoke that show the daily prayer. It would go well in the museum, for the world to see that the Revolution was fought with faith, not just with rifles. Have you ever seen an old candle there, made of wood or brass?

Yes, Alexandra, 12 million for a former bread warehouse seems a bit much to me too, especially since I saw how a similar building in the area was restored for less. It would be nice if they also put simple peasant tools or blacksmith tools, as you say, so that anyone from below can see where it all started. Do you think the church in Goudi could provide any icons of theirs from that period, or would it be better to search through the monasteries?

Andreea Matei

Yes, Daniela, that simple icon from Cernica with the traces of smoke from the candles really shows the common belief of the people of that time. I think it would go well in the museum, especially since a brass candlestick from an old parish could be placed next to it. Have you ever seen such a candle at the services in Cernica?

Viorica Popa

Yes, Bogdan, I also thought of that icon from Cernica – the smoke trails say more than any explanatory panel. I even saw an old brass candle once at the monastery, it was simple and heavy, from the 19th century; it would complete the story perfectly. Do you think they will include such church objects in the museum plan?

Nicolae Constantinescu

I think it would be better to ask through the Metropolis, so that there is no confusion with the assets of the monasteries. In Cernica I also saw an old, worn-out candle next to a simple icon - it looked cleaner that way. What do you say, have you been to the monasteries in Constanța before?

Daniela Marin

Yes, Radu, 12 million for a former bread warehouse really sounds like a lot, especially when I see what was done with similar buildings in the area with smaller amounts. I think the simple peasant tools idea is really good, it shows where it all really started. As for the icons, I think it would be more appropriate to search through the monasteries in the area, because the church in Goudi is quite small and I don't know if it has anything from that period.

Radu Tudor

I say it is safer to go through the Metropolis, to avoid any misunderstanding with the monasteries. I saw at a monastery in Constanța a simple brass candle next to an old, weathered icon, and it looked exactly as you say - clean and unpretentious. Have you been there recently?

Gheorghe Radu

Yes, I think it is better to go through the Metropolis, so that there is no misunderstanding with the monasteries. I saw a simple brass candlestick at a monastery in Constanța, next to a tarnished icon, and it looked exactly as you say – clean and unadorned. Have you been to Cernica recently?