Averof Museum

The crown jewel of the Greek Navy, Georgios Averof is the most famous of all Greek warships and was in service for over 40 years, including seeing action during both world wars. Today, the Averof is the floating home to a maritime and nautical museum that explores life above and below decks, and is located in Athens.

Averof Museum history

Launched in May 1911, the warship was built at the Orlando Shipyards in Livorno in Italy between 1908 and 1910. The armoured cruiser was bought from the Italian Navy for 24 million drachmas and was paid for with loans from other countries plus the help of one of Greece’s most significant benefactors, Georgios Averof – after whom the ship was named.

Over the following decades, the Averof had a long service history. She saw action in both the first and second World Wars as well as during the two Balkan Wars of 1910-1912 during which she led Greece to victory and aided in the transport of refugees from Asia Minor in 1922.

The battleship had therefore become such an emotionally significant symbol for Greeks that she was tenderly referred to as ‘Papa George’ or ‘Barba Yiorgis’.

Averof Museum today

Decommissioned in 1952, the Averof has now been renovated and transformed into the Averof Museum, a naval museum that serves to honour all those who lost their lives at sea fighting for their country.

Open between 9am and 2pm on weekdays and 10am and 5pm at weekends, visitors to the Averof can learn the history of the Hellenic navy and the museum also organises exhibitions and seminars exploring Greek and international nautical history.

Getting to the Averof Museum

Nowadays, the Averof battleship is moored in Trocadero Marina only a few minutes from Athens’ centre. The closest bus stop is Oylen and closest tram stop is Trokantero which is on routes 1 and 3.