Impressive images have emerged from the Ministry of National Defence (MoD), where today, Wednesday, 26 March, the unveiling of the “Ark of National Remembrance”, the monument to Greece’s fallen heroes, took place.

The Ark of National Remembrance, located in the surrounding area of ​​the Ministry of National Defence in honour of the 121,692 fallen of Greece’s national struggles, is the work of the renowned sculptor and professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Kostas Varotsos.

It is worth noting that, for the first time, a piece of modern Greek art is installed within a military area. 

The Ark of National Remembrance is included as a reference point in the overall renovation of the Ministry’s façade and surrounding area, which comprises the new bioclimatic façade (a donation by Mr Evangelos Mytilinaios), the Cyberwar building under construction (a donation by Mr Thanos Laskaridis), and the already completed new entrance and dignitaries’ area (a donation by Mr George Peristeris / GEK TERNA).

The Ark of National Remembrance is flanked by two groves with 25 and 28 olive trees, symbolising 25 March 1821 and 28 October 1940, respectively.

Furthermore, the planting programme of 400 trees is underway at the Papagou military camp, symbolising the 400 years of Ottoman rule, which will also serve as a green lung for the area. Additionally, the design of an underground car park with 1,232 spaces has begun, allowing for the utilisation of the above-ground space as additional green space.

It is recalled that the “Ark of National Remembrance” replaces the “Monument of the Immortals of the Nation”, which was built in November 2023 on the initiative of the then Chief of the National Defence General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros.

Also read: In the pantheon of the immortals, the national benefactor and Honorable Major General, Iakovos Tsounis