What if I told you this square embodies a century of parliamentary tradition? I am referring to Kolokotronis’ Square. This Athenian square is more than just a space. It is a place of history. It is a gateway to entertainment.
Kolokotronis’ Square is named after Theodoros Kolokotronis. He was a key figure in the Greek War of Independence. Dominating the square is his bronze equestrian statue. The statue shows Kolokotronis riding a male horse. His left hand holds the reins. His right hand points forward.
Legend says he is pointing towards Istanbul. Some researchers disagree. The statue has been moved. This relocation has confused the initial intent.
Kolokotronis’ Square is anchored by the Old Parliament House. Today, it is the National Historical Museum. This building witnessed significant historical events.
The mansion housing the Old Parliament was built in 1858. Queen Amalia commissioned French architect François Boulanger. The building was for both the Senate and the Parliament. King Otto was later deposed. The Senate ceased to exist. The plans were reconfigured. The Hellenic Parliament moved in on August 11, 1875. Harilaos Trikoupis presided as Prime Minister. Parliament functioned here for 60 years. It moved to the old Royal Palace in 1935. The Old Parliament building became the National Historical Museum in 1962. It has hosted countless historical and cultural exhibitions since then.
Besides Kolokotronis’ statue, the museum courtyard has other statues. There is a marble statue of statesman Harilaos Trikoupis. Thomas Thomopoulos created it. There is also a statue of Theodoros Deliyiannis. Constantine Demetriades sculpted it. These sculptures embody Greece’s parliamentary democracy. They also represent the nation’s history in the early 19th century.
The statue of Kolokotronis is iconic. It is the first statue of a mounted man in Modern Greek sculpture. Residents of Nafplion funded it in 1884. They assigned its construction to Lazaros Sochos. Sochos studied Kolokotronis’ relatives. He used a cast from Kolokotronis’ corpse. He sculpted a detailed rendering of the hero. The manikin was sculpted in Paris between 1891 and 1895. It won an award before arriving in Greece.
The horse’s stance is also symbolic. One front leg is in the air. In sculpture, this often means the rider died from battle wounds. However, Kolokotronis died of a stroke. He died at his son’s wedding banquet. The stance pays eternal tribute to the hero.
An inscription is carved on the pedestal’s front. It reads: “Ride on, oh Brave General… teaching the nations… how slaves can become free men.”
Kolokotronis’ Square provides access to entertainment and dining. The statue points toward the Galaxy bar. It has been a cornerstone of Athens’ bar scene for over fifty years. Stoa Bolani houses Low Profile Whisky Bar and Barreldier. “Drachma” offers a cozy spot for coffee or drinks on the west side.
Kolokotronis’ Square represents a century of parliamentary history. It also links us to a hero of the Greek War of Independence.