Ioannis Kapodistrias

What I can see

Ioannis Kapodistrias (1776-1831) is depicted on an archaic seat, in full symmetry with the statue of Korais, holding a book with a winged animal relief and the inscription “δράξασθε παιδείας” (=seize knowledge). The book and the inscription underline his vital contributions in the field of education.

What I can't see

He was the first governor of the now independent Greece, promoted important reforms, and was assassinated on October 9, 1831. Outside the church of Agios Spyridon in Nafplio (capital of the country at that time), there are still traces of the bullets. Before becoming governor of Greece, Kapodistrias was a special envoy of the Tsar of Russia to Switzerland, where he was assigned with disentangling the country from Napoleonic influence. He contributed greatly to Switzerland’s independence and neutrality as well as to the establishment of its constitution, which envisaged a federation of 19 cantons. Later, Tsar Alexander I appointed him Foreign Minister of Russia. Even though he was the liberal counterpoint to the positions of the Holy Alliance and managed to stem Austrian influence, he was a conservative politician, opposed to the ideas of the French Revolution. He accepted the governorship of Greece only under the condition of the temporary suspension of the constitution passed by the Third National Assembly of the Greeks, also known as the National Assembly of Trizina (1827), whose core was the separation of powers.

Info

• Address: 30 Panepistimiou/ El. Venizelou St.

Bibliography