Utterly fascinating museum that doesn't focus on the classical past, but on telling the much less famous, but arguably more fascinating story of how "Greece," against all odds, became a modern country centuries after the last independent Greek speaking state had collapsed. I'm a professor of middle east/Islamic/Turkish studies, so I'll provide a bit of background that I think can help visitors make sense of what they're seeing and why it's so interesting. The story of Greek people in modern (e.g. post 1500) times is a mix of impressive feats, tragic mistakes, and fascinating cultural influences most people will never have heard of, but all of which have profoundly shaped who the Greek people are today. But beyond being a story many people don't know, the foundation of Greece was arguably the beginning of a huge change in world history in which nationalism - the basic idea that countries should be organized among people that speak the same language - became respected as an international norm as opposed to the old order, where it was normal for people to be part of multiethnic empires without expecting them to reflect their own culture. A large part of creating this huge change involved convincing powerful aristocrats in Western Europe that the Greek people of the time - Turkish subjects with a different language and religion from their rulers - were basically the same as the classical figures every gentleman had read about since childhood. Of course, as the museum shows, the culture, clothing, and history of Greeks by the 1800's was much more influenced by other things then the classical heritage - Orthodox Christianity, Ottoman culture, and the beginnings of modern learning from Western Europe, to name a few. A section of the museum shows tons of philhelenic art from early 19th century Western Europe that was the product of this campaign - much of which is excellent, including a magnificent painting by Eugène Delacroix (the same artist that made the most iconic painting of the French revolution). You'll also see portraits of major figures from Greek history - both the founders of the Greek nation and, interestingly, the Greek aristocrats who did very well for themselves as highly placed vassals of the Ottoman Empire. There's also a fascinating and sobering exhibit in the main hall on one of the saddest chapters of Greek history - the horrible conflict with turkey after world war one that resulted in the expulsion of the Greek and Turkish minorities from each other's countries. This is made all the more powerful because the exhibit is housed in the very room where Parliament made its most important decisions at that time. Make sure to look to your right in one of the rooms of costumes to see a real treasure: a box make with American and Greek flags back in the 1820's that conveys a message of connection between the American and Greek struggles for independence - definitely something anyone of Greek American heritage will find speaking to them. There's a lot to learn in here, and even more to think about. For foreign visitors, if you're looking for something that's really explains where the people offering you a drink, joking with you in taxis, and making your souvlaki are coming from, this is a much better place to start than museums about the long-gone Greece of mythical heroes and marble statues (which are treasures in their own right for different reasons). I was able to see most of it in something of a rush in half an hour, with a whole hour, I'd have really been able to see everything. And for 3 euros its an excellent deal. The only warning I'd give is that I'd strongly recommend take a lot of what the museum says about Turks and the Ottoman Empire with a grain of salt.

Today the former Parliament acts as an interesting museum and surely worth while a visit, especially for all Greek nationals and students, as a memory of their rich history. One can see the nice Greek architecture and the big round shaped central hall where the Greek Parliament organised all of their meetings.

Interesting museum and not too many visitors during the week mornings.

Impressive neoclassical building used as Parliament a few decades ago. Nowadays it houses a museum about the independence of Greece. You need about one hour to explore it. On Sunday the entrance is free. The first Sunday of every month there is tour guide free of charge on 12.00. It deserves a visit.

Very nice museum located in the old Parliament building with pretty gardens and statues in front. Many historic documents, oil paintings, traditional costumes and stories of liberating Greece.

The museum itself is displayed in a confusing order, not hard to follow, but could be better organized. It has many wonderful items on display and great explanations. The parliament part was closed due to a meeting taking place in the time of the visit, consider that before entering.

A good site for history buff. You can do a walking tour from Hellenic Parliament to Botanical Gardens to the Old Parliament.

Great history information and only 3 euro. Well worth a visit

If you like the recent history of Greece don't hesitate to visit it! I really enjoyed this museum, it's great! The National Historical Museum of Athens is housed in an impressive Neoclassical building at the heart of the city, within a walking distance from Syntagma and Omonoia. Construction began in 1858, but stopped later and it was finally completed with a revised neoclassical design in 1875 by the French architect Boulanger. Until 1935, the building housed the Greek Parliament and the Ministry of Justice. It became a museum when the Parliament was transferred to its present home in Syntagma. The grand Central Hall of the National Assembly is still used for conferences today. Vsitors can see it when entering the museum, located just behind the ticket desk. Its collection covers the modern periods of the Greek history, from the 15th till the 20th century. In particular, there are flags, weaponry, furniture, folk costumes, personal items of historical Greek figures and pieces of everyday life. At the yard of the Historical Museum, there stand three statues: the state of Theodoros Kolokotronis, a prominent figure of the Greek Revolution, on horseback; the statue of Harilaos Trikoupis, a famous Greek politician of the late 19th century; and Theodoros Diligiannis, Greek prime minister and political opponent of Trikoupis, assassinated at the entrance of the Parliament in 1905. The National Historical Museum is located in central Athens, one block northwest of Syntagma Square and about 1km from Monastiraki Square. The nearest metro stations are Syntagma or Panepistimio, both about a 300-meter walk on city streets.

This was an interesting museum. Great information on the modern history of Greece. Seeing the Elgin tombstone was a bit haunting. Can be done in an hour or two. Definitely worth your time.

The Old Parliament building (Greek: Παλαιά Βουλή, Paleá Voulí) at Stadiou Street in Athens, housed the Greek Parliament between 1875 and 1932. It now houses the country's National Historical Museum (Εθνικό Ιστορικό Μουσείο, Ethnikó Istorikó Mouseío). The museum houses the collection of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece (IEEE), founded in 1882. It is the oldest collection of its kind in Greece, and prior to its transfer in the Old Parliament, was housed in the main building of the National Technical University. The collection contains historical items concerning the period from the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453 to the Second World War, focusing especially in the period of the Greek Revolutionand the subsequent establishment of the modern Greek state. Among the items displayed are weapons, personal belongings and memorabilia from historical personalities, historical paintings by Greek and foreign artists, manuscripts, as well as a large collection of traditional costumes from the various regions of Greece. The collection is displayed in the corridors and rooms of the building, while the great central hall of the National Assembly is used for conferences.

Great museum, learned heaps over late Greek history and Greek independence from the Ottoman empire.

A very interesting building both historically and aesthetically. The temporary exhibition about the Greek Independence War of 1821 was also very nice to see.

A must visit to get in touch with person's faces, posture and tools and essense the culture that shaped modern era of Greek state.

If you have time you can see the museum but really it does not worth if you have no interest for greek history.

The hourly changing of the guard at the entrance to the old Parliament building is a great opportunity to see old traditions in action - rather bizarre by todays standards. A cross between the UK guard changes at Buckingham palace and Monty pythons institute of silly walks. Nearly as good as the hilarious Pakistan/India Border closure each evening.

One of Greece city's view you can see.

The history of modern Greece in one place, the staff is the definition of philoxenia

Good, interesting.

Amazing museum in the old parliament of athens!

Sehr interessantes Museum primär über den griechenschen Unabhängigkeitskrieg. Aber natürlich alles andere als objektiv (Die Türken als Unterdrücker, der orthodoxe Patriarch als Beschützer der Griechen usw.).

Very nice museum. Super informative, if you want to know something about "recent" greek flhistory.

It's a must, to visit thia museum, hosted inside the old parliaments building.

Very informative museum. Lots of information, costumes, paintings. It's a really nice museum, not too big, just enough to learn new things without getting overwhelmed. And the best part is the building is the old parliament. Very charming set up

One of the best build in Athens without old columns

Nothing super special but a nice place, however if you have time I would recommend a stop by this museum. I wouldn't recommend if you have limited time because I would recommend doing all the archeological sites first such as Acropolis, Hadrian's Library, etc. Keep in mind everything is pretty much within walking distance so you can get alot done if you plan ahead where you are going.

A very good museum. Well laid out and lots in English. Free on independence day.

Smyrna especial exhibit is well done, and very informative. The exhibits and particularly the dresses, very impressive.

It had a lot things to see that showed the independence movement of Greece and the armed struggle that took place. Would have liked to see more translations in English as not most were in Greek.

This is a very interesting and intense museum. The temporary exhibition from 1821 to today was particularly informative but requires a lot of reading, the permanent exhibition is equally interesting. One tip try to avoid visiting school parties

Good museum to visit.

Big parliament with visiting. Even standing to watch the guards changing shifts in the hot summer weather!

Special exhibition on the creation of Modern Greece. Excellent presentation and all exhibits in English Evolving new exhibitions

Excellent, especially the 1st floor. Very interesting display pieces. There is alot of information. Most, the classic display cards but digital interaction too.

Very interesting and nice museum! Starting from the Greek revolution, you move in circular path around the main parliament room, through the Greek history up until the end of the WW2. There is a collection of the personal belongings of various protagonists of those historical events and of the 19th c. dresses from various Greek places, as well. The historic parliament room is well preserved and one can gaze it from the balconies on the 1st floor as well. The 1st floor there are panels with the historic events that one can reads in both Greek and English.

Nice little museum. A few more English descriptions would have made it even better.

Full of history and worth a visit.

Lots of information about the Greek independence struggle / war / guerilla. Also attention for the role of named and nameless women in the war.

Beautiful building. Unfortunately close to the old parliament is quite dirty in the neighborhood.