Philhellenes Monument (‘Friends of Greece’)

Monument of the Philhellenes

The Monument is dedicated to the French Philhellenes, Field Marshall Nikolas-Joseph Maizon, General Charles Nicolas Fabvier, and Admiral Henri de Rigny, three leaders who fought and sacrificed themselves for the liberation of Greece from the Ottomans during the Greek Revolution of 1821.

What are the characteristics of the sculpture?

It is a votive stele, in the shape of an obelisk, sculpted of gray marble. On one side of the tall base of the obelisk, there is a while circular sculpture in the shape of a medal. On the medal, two female figures are depicted crowning each other with wreaths. These are personifications of Greece and France, with the forms of the goddess Athena and the French goddess of Liberty, respectively. The eastern side of the base is decorated with votive inscriptions commemorating the French Philhellenes, and all the soldiers and sailors of France who took part in the struggle for Greek independence.

When was the work commissioned and installed?

The monument of the Philhellenes was designed in Paris but constructed in Athens at the marble studio of Ioannis Chaldoupis. In 1913, with the sponsorship of the attorney Nikolaos Kostakis, the monument was installed in the center of the square of the same name in Nafplio.