Exhibition Guide: Philhellenism and the Greek Revolution — The Monastery of Daphni through the Eyes of Travellers

The exhibition catalogue titled “Philhellenism and the Greek Revolution: The Monastery of Daphni through the Eyes of Travellers” served as a concise guide to both the exhibits and the history of the Monastery, as well as to the exhibition space itself. The exhibition opened in November 2021 in the Post-Byzantine Refectory of the Monastery of Daphni.
At its core were Philhellenic objects from the Thanasis and Marina Martinos Collection, most of which were presented to the public for the first time. These were complemented by a small number of maps from the local collector Giannis Ynglesis, as well as contemporary depictions of heroes of the Greek Revolution by the archaeologist and visual artist Mantou Papaioannou.
The fortunate occasion of the first use of the renovated refectory—within a space of exceptional historical and symbolic significance—contributed to the success of the exhibition, which was visited by hundreds of students and thousands of visitors. With the financial and scholarly support of AIGEAS AMKE, the seemingly unlikely space of the monument was transformed into a welcoming setting for highlighting the history of the Monastery during the pre-revolutionary years and the period of the Greek War of Independence.
The objects of the Collection—busts, porcelains, paintings, Philhellenic clocks, jewelry, and everyday items—revealed the influence of the Philhellenic movement in Europe. The fruitful collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of West Attica was also a natural outcome of the continuous support offered by AIGEAS AMKE to the Ministry of Culture and its services.