Tatoi: 70,000 treasures from the collections come to light
Over 70,000 objects discovered and restored over the past five years during the renovation of the Tatoi Estate have been documented, cataloged, and digitized by the Directorate for the Management of the National Archive of Monuments under the Ministry of Culture
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These treasures are now being presented to the public through a new online portal, “Tatoi Collections: Unlocking Material Culture and a Century of History,” shedding light on Greek and European history from the 19th to the 20th century.
Highlights of the Collection
Furniture and antiques, exquisite jewelry, elaborate garments, glassware, and crystal pieces.
Fine porcelain and ceramics, metalwork items, covering everyday life and royal ceremonies.
Painting and sculpture works representing European art.
Icons and religious relics reflecting the beliefs of the former royal family.
Books and objects related to outdoor activities and sports.
The collection spans chronologically and geographically from ancient Greece to everyday items from the 1960s, and from Europe to the Far East. Digitized items include mechanical objects like a gilded bronze and marble table clock by French watchmaker J.B. Baillon and a Gospel from 1840.
All these items are complemented and interpreted through surviving documents and photographs in the Tatoi Archive, revealing previously unknown aspects of more than a century of Greek and European history. By the end of the year, the digitized collection is expected to grow to 90,000 objects.
Printed Edition and Future Exhibitions
Alongside the online portal, a printed edition titled “Unlocking Tatoi” has been produced, showcasing part of the collections that will eventually be displayed in the estate’s new exhibition spaces.
Official Statements
Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni emphasized:
“Despite its historical and environmental significance, the Tatoi Estate remained neglected for decades due to ideological biases and misunderstandings of modern history. In 2019, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis included the protection, restoration, and promotion of Tatoi among the emblematic projects of his government.”
She added:
“Documenting and digitizing the Tatoi Collections is not just an act of preservation—it is an act of knowledge and responsibility towards history. Every object gains its voice and place in a larger narrative that connects past and present, providing valuable tools for research, education, and public understanding of history.”
Mendoni also highlighted the role of the National Archive of Monuments, calling it the cornerstone for developing public policies for the protection, conservation, promotion, and utilization of Greece’s cultural heritage.
