Greeκ industrial heritage may not be as well known as other aspects of our cultural history, but is nevertheless a testament to the nation's innovation and resilience, reflecting its journey from agrarian societies to modern industrialization and urbanization.
The beginnings of Greek industrialization can be traced back to the 19th century, when the country emerged from centuries of Ottoman rule. The goal of harmonization with European developments paved the way for the growth of industries such as textiles, tobacco and shipbuilding.
Material remains such as industrial complexes and districts, infrastructures and other spaces that flourished at the intersection of urbanization and industry enhance perceptions of legacy, identity, memory, traditions, and labor movements.
Today, they are testimonies of history, mnemonic vehicles and integral parts of the urban cultural landscape. The industrial patrimony incorporates processing and refining areas, storage facilities, places where energy is produced, transported and used, transportation with all its infrastructure, as well as areas that were used for social activities related to industry.
In this thematic exhibition you can examine the patrimony of industrialization in Greece from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st. Photographs of industrial units, historic shipyards, textile and tobacco factories, abandoned tanneries and oil mills, flour mills and mines.
Through the archival collections hosted by SearchCulture.gr, you can explore their historical architectural context, as well as today’s landscapes generated by industrial decay. Apart from the material remains, the intangible aspects of industrial heritage are also illuminated – the social memories of industrial workplaces, landscapes and communities- through correspondence, petitions, newspapers and advertising material from the history of the Greek industry.
The exhibition contains items from the following institutions:
