EVTAXIAS HALL
The legacy of a
Prime Minister
The hall is dedicated to Athanasios Eftaxias (1849–1931), an important figure in Greece’s political and intellectual life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who originated from Dadi (modern-day Amfikleia).
The space presents personal belongings, documents, paintings, as well as part of his arms collection, offering insight into his life, his political activity, and his connection to his place of origin.
THE ARCHIVE
The personal archive of Athanasios Eftaxias includes important documents, letters, memoranda, and draft laws that shed light on political, economic, and cultural issues of the period 1880–1930.
Equally significant is his library, which contains a large collection of books and pamphlets in Greek, French, German, and English. This material has been studied and documented by the Historical Archive of the University of Athens, and has been digitized and catalogued according to modern archival standards.
THE ARMORY
Particular interest is drawn to Eftaxias’s arms collection, which included both older and contemporary weapons of his time.
Part of this collection is now displayed in the hall, offering insight into his personal interests as well as the culture of the period.
EARLY YEARS
Athanasios Eftaxias was born in Dadi on February 16, 1849, the son of priest Loukas Eftaxias and Asimo Strogyli. He received his early education at the village’s single-teacher primary school.
He later attended the Varvakeio Practical Lyceum and the Rizareios Ecclesiastical School (1863–1867).
He continued his studies at the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1867–1871).
With a scholarship from Queen Olga of Greece, he pursued further studies in Leipzig, where, alongside theology, he studied foreign languages such as German, English, French, and Italian.
He later continued his studies in Bonn, focusing on Ecclesiastical History and Canon Law.
THE WILL
Athanasios Eftaxias passed away on February 5, 1931, at the age of 82, leaving behind a significant political and intellectual legacy.
In June 1930, Eftaxias drafted his will, through which he bequeathed an important legacy to his place of origin.
Among other provisions, he stipulated:
a donation of 100,000 drachmas for the construction of the Amfikleia Gymnasium
the transfer of his library and archive to the school
the donation of his arms collection and art collection
These donations became an important intellectual legacy for the local community.
POLITICAL CAREER
His political career began in 1885. Throughout his life, he served repeatedly as a Member of Parliament for Fthiotis and held important ministerial positions.
Among others, he served as:
Minister of Education in the government of Sotirios Sotiropoulos (1893)
Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and Public Education in the government of Dimitrios Rallis (1897)
Minister in the government of Georgios Theotokis (1899)
Minister of Finance in 1909 in the government of Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis
Minister of National Economy in the government of Dimitrios Gounaris (1915)
In the summer of 1926, he briefly served as Prime Minister of Greece. His government was overthrown by the military movement of August 22, 1926.
WRITINGS
Athanasios Eftaxias was also an author. Among his works are:
“The Bills of the Ministry of Education” (1900)
“The Ecclesiastical Question of Cyprus” (1901)
“Our National Music” (1907)
“The Revision of the Constitution” (1911)
“Our Finances and the National Question” (1913)
His works reflect his interest in education, politics, and the national issues of his time.