Overview:

is a monument commemorating the more than 60,000 Jews of Greece who perished during the Holocaust of World War II. It is an iconic public space located in Athens’ city center, in the shadows of the Acropolis. The Holocaust Memorial is one of the main cultural monuments of Athens, hosting events, research, education, and remembrance every year. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Greece
Prominent Features:

1. The Holocaust Memorial in Athens Honors The Jewish People Who Rest In Peace During The Nazi Occupation In Greece During World War II: This memorial honors the memory of the over 70,000 Greek Jews who died during the Holocaust in Greece under German occupation. It consists of a simple yet powerful structure; an open foyer with five pillars that symbolize the five generations of Greek Jews lost during the Holocaust. 2. The Memorial Is Near The City Center Of Athens And Has Become A Popular Tourist Attraction: Located in the center of Athens, the Holocaust Memorial is situated in a prominent area known as Syntagma Square. Visitors to the memorial can also explore the plaque dedicated to the victims, which is made from the ashes taken from the Klarides Castle in North Greece—where many Jewish prisoners were held. 3. A Standing Flame And Opening Spacious Steps Allow For A Place To Linger On Reflection: The Holocaust Memorial in Athens features a standing flame that never lights out, symbolic of the eternal memory of the people who perished in this dark chapter of Greek history. The memorial’s open stairwell allows for people to linger and reflect on the solemn yet powerful message of the memorial. 4. Ornate Statues And Plaques Are Included As Part Of The Memorial: Ornate Statues are placed in the heart of the monument. These depict two figures inspired from the Biblical story of Jacob and Rachel, in grief over the Jewish people of Greece who were killed in the Holocaust. The memorial also includes several plaques with inscriptions of the victims’ victims’ names, helping to preserve the memory of those lost. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Greece.

History:

The Holocaust Memorial in Athens was dedicated in 2006, to mark the 62nd anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is an outdoor memorial sculpture designed by the architect Emanuel Walz, located on the grounds of the Jewish Museum of Greece (JMG). The memorial honors the victims of the Holocaust as well as those who helped rescue and protect Jews during the Nazi occupation of Greece. The monument is composed of seven stylized Torahs (scrolls of the Hebrew Bible) in stainless steel, standing 20 feet tall, and arranged in a curve, forming an inclined, ascending straight line. The entrances and exits to the memorial site are marked by two large geometric forms in black granite. The steel symbolizes the strength of those who survived and resisted the Nazi occupation while the granite reliefs represent the solidarity of the Greek nation in helping to protect and rescue the persecuted. The memorial is a tribute to the resilience and courage of the Greek people in the face of Nazi oppression. It is the first major memorial to the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust in Greece, and it provides a place for contemplation and reflection on the victims and their struggles. The Memorial is surrounded by a tranquil olive grove, which symbolizes that the Jewish community is still alive and thriving in Athens. The Athens Memorial is an important place for Holocaust Remembrance, and it serves as a reminder of the individuals who lost their lives during the Nazi occupation of Greece. Visit one of the famous monuments of Greece with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Holocaust Memorial in Athens was built in 1994 and serves as a reminder of the millions of Jews who were killed in the Second World War. 2. It is located in central Athens near the entrance of the National Garden and is made up of several dozen white marble blocks of varying sizes and shapes. 3. Each of the blocks has a quotation from a Jewish author or survivor of the Holocaust. 4. It is an important symbol of remembrance and reflection and is a popular destination for visitors to the city. 5. It was designed by the sculptor George Zongolopoulos and was funded by Greek Jewry. 6. The memorial is open for free and is lit up at night, making it a hauntingly beautiful sight to behold. 7. Each year on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust, a ceremony is held at the memorial to honor those who perished in the war. One of the historical monuments of Greece, it tells the story of a bygone era