This private museum is housed in the two-storey ancestral home of the leader of the garrison in the Exodus, Athanasios Razi-Kotsikas. The Razi-Kotsikas family was wealthy from their involvement in shipping and trade. By the end of 1824, Athanasios Razi-Kotsikas had become a very important local leader, while his military service during the last siege of the city allowed him to move up in the military hierarchy , combining the role of city-elder with that of a chieftain.
The building is one of the few surviving pre-revolutionary buildings of Messolonghi, with a plan of 400 sq.m. It was purchased in 1998 by the lawyer Nikolaos Kordosis, a resident of the city, who after its renovation turned it into a private historical museum. By a joint decision of the Ministers of Culture and Finance, it has been recognized and operates as a Public-Benefit, Private Cultural Organization of Non-Profit Character, and has received awards for its work from the Academy of Athens.
The museum’s collection runs to thousands of objects: mainly paintings, sculptures, engravings, historical relics, weaponry, souvenirs of the War of Independence, costumes, philhellenic objects, rare manuscripts, political and military documents, old publications and religious icons. A number of events and temporary exhibitions, educational programmes and a reading club are held in the museum.
Address:
– Historical Museum, 23 Ath. Razi-Kotsikas Street, 302 00 Messolonghi
– Cultural Library: 5 Ragou – 1st floor, 302 00 Messolonghi
Telephone: 26310 51260
Opening hours: Daily (except Wednesday and Thursday) 11.00-13.30
Entrance: No ticketing – free
Website: www.diexodos.com.gr
Email: info@diexodos.com.gr
