Harilaos Trikoupis
Harilaos Trikoupis was associated with major infrastructure projects, as well as with the country's modernization.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1920 Unveiled on the 26th of January. Sculpted by Thomas Thomopoulos (1873-1937).
1954 It was placed in its current position. Before, it was located to the right of the stairs of the Old Parliament.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Harilaos Trikoupis is depicted standing, upright, wearing simple clothes. The podium bears the inscription “Η ΕΛΛΑΣ ΘΕΛΗ ΝΑ ΖΗΣΗ ΚΑΙ ΘΑ ΖΗΣΗ” (GREECE WANTS TO LIVE AND SHALL LIVE). The angel at the base of the monument symbolizes glory. His left hand was holding a metal laurel branch, now lost. In his right hand, he holds a chisel, which has only been partially preserved. The sculptor’s son was the model for the boy of the statue.
What I can't see
Trikoupis had a PhD in law studies and was a prominent personality of Greece’s modern era. He served as prime minister seven times. His name was associated with major infrastructure projects, as well as with the country’s modernization. In 1874, after losing the elections, he wrote his famous article “τις πταίει” (=who’s to blame), in which he accused King George the First of circumventing parliamentary procedures. When he became prime minister again, he applied the principle of declared confidence of parliament (“dedilomeni” principle). He is also famous for the quote “δυστυχώς επτωχεύσαμεν” (=regretfully, we are bankrupt) which he announced in Parliament (10/12/1893) before submitting the country under international auditing.
Info
- Address: 13 Stadiou St.
Bibliography
Yohalas T., Kafetzaki Τ., (2013), Αθήνα, Ιχνηλατώντας την πόλη με οδηγό την ιστορία και τη λογοτεχνία [Athens, Tracing the city guided by history and literature], ESTIA Bookstore
Mavros G. (1980), Παρουσία του Χαρίλαου Τρικούπη: στα εκατόν πενήντα χρόνια από τη γέννησή του, [ In Harilaos Trikoupis’ presense: to the one hundred and fifty years of his birth], Athens (d.u.).
