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There was a significant delay on the establishment of the G.S.A. compared to the other European countries which had already had well-organized Archival Services and were concerned with the issue of free access and research to their archival material. A systematic production of documents was initiated when the Greek War of Independence (1821-1827) started and it was then that the first public infrastructures were created. Even though, during this Period, the records that were produced in every level of the public and military administration were maintained, it was not until the period that Ioannis Kapodistrias governed Greece that substantial measures were taken regarding the organisation of the archival material within the modern Greek state.
Law 4610/2019 determines the new legislative frame which regulates the operation of the General State Archives from May 2019. The Central Service is structured into Directorates and Departments and supervises its 54 Regional Archives throughout Greece.
1443
The “Archives” of Corfu is founded which holds documents dating back to 1500-1864.
The “Archives” of Corfu is founded which holds documents dating back to 1500-1864.
16th century
Archives operating at the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and Kythira), the island of Crete and of Samos.
Archives operating at the Ionian Islands (Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and Kythira), the island of Crete and of Samos.
1821-1823
The “Administration”, the “Chief Secretariat” of the Greek State, the “Ministries” (later called “Secretariats”) are founded with the intention of exercising all legislative, executive and judicial functions.
The “Administration”, the “Chief Secretariat” of the Greek State, the “Ministries” (later called “Secretariats”) are founded with the intention of exercising all legislative, executive and judicial functions.
1829
The “Archives of the Greek State” is founded with the purpose of collecting public files of the “Ministries” and housing archives of the “Secretariats”.
The “Archives of the Greek State” is founded with the purpose of collecting public files of the “Ministries” and housing archives of the “Secretariats”.
1833
The “Archives of the Greek State” is dissolved and each “Secretariat” retrieves the files it deposited.
The “Archives of the Greek State” is dissolved and each “Secretariat” retrieves the files it deposited.
1834
The Royal Decree provided the National Library with a solid legislative frame which reinforced its policy in terms of monitoring and collecting archival material.
The Royal Decree provided the National Library with a solid legislative frame which reinforced its policy in terms of monitoring and collecting archival material.
1836
The archives of the Court of Audit are organised and public files are gathered and stored there.
The archives of the Court of Audit are organised and public files are gathered and stored there.
1846
The archives of the National Assemblies are gathered at the Greek Parliament.
The archives of the National Assemblies are gathered at the Greek Parliament.
1855
The publication of the National Regeneration Archives is announced.
The publication of the National Regeneration Archives is announced.
1864
Following the union of the Ionian Islands (Eptanissos) with Greece, the “Archives” of Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and Kythira are all subject to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Following the union of the Ionian Islands (Eptanissos) with Greece, the “Archives” of Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and Kythira are all subject to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
1882
The foundation of The Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, legal entity governed by private law, aims at collecting, preserving and promoting the relics and testimonies that illuminate the history of Modern Greece. To accomplish this goal, the Society immediately sets up its Museum, Archive and Library.
The foundation of The Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, legal entity governed by private law, aims at collecting, preserving and promoting the relics and testimonies that illuminate the history of Modern Greece. To accomplish this goal, the Society immediately sets up its Museum, Archive and Library.
1914
Under the governance of Eleftherios Venizelos and attributed to the efforts of Professor Spyridon Lambrou and to historian-researcher Yiannis Vlachogiannis, the Law 380/1914 “Establishment of the Greek State Archiving Service” is passed with the purpose of “collecting and monitoring documents included in all public archives dating 50 years back”. The first Director of the General State Archives was Yiannis Vlachogiannis who donated his valuable collection to the General State Archives and the first Chairman of the Supervisory Council was Nikolaos G. Politis. The Archives of the Ionian Islands, the island of Crete and of Samos fall under this Service.
Under the governance of Eleftherios Venizelos and attributed to the efforts of Professor Spyridon Lambrou and to historian-researcher Yiannis Vlachogiannis, the Law 380/1914 “Establishment of the Greek State Archiving Service” is passed with the purpose of “collecting and monitoring documents included in all public archives dating 50 years back”. The first Director of the General State Archives was Yiannis Vlachogiannis who donated his valuable collection to the General State Archives and the first Chairman of the Supervisory Council was Nikolaos G. Politis. The Archives of the Ionian Islands, the island of Crete and of Samos fall under this Service.
1939
The Law 2027/1939 “Reorganization of the General State Archives” is passed.
The Law 2027/1939 “Reorganization of the General State Archives” is passed.
1991
The Law 1946/1991 determines a new legislative frame which regulates the operation of the General State Archives to this day. The Central Service is structured into Departments and Archives are established in prefectures which did not exist till then.
The Law 1946/1991 determines a new legislative frame which regulates the operation of the General State Archives to this day. The Central Service is structured into Departments and Archives are established in prefectures which did not exist till then.
2003
Relocation of the Central Service of the General State Archives of Greece and inauguration of the new building (10.11.2003)
Relocation of the Central Service of the General State Archives of Greece and inauguration of the new building (10.11.2003)
2005
The Public Special Service of Prime Minister's, Ministers', Deputy Ministers' and General Secretariat of Government Archives (founded by the Law 2846/2000) is incorporated into the Central Service of the General State Archives of Greece with the Law 3391/2005.
The Public Special Service of Prime Minister's, Ministers', Deputy Ministers' and General Secretariat of Government Archives (founded by the Law 2846/2000) is incorporated into the Central Service of the General State Archives of Greece with the Law 3391/2005.
2011
National Conference on the formation of a new Policy for Archives and Libraries, under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, and the publication of a White Paper.
National Conference on the formation of a new Policy for Archives and Libraries, under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, and the publication of a White Paper.
2014
Completion of 100 years (1914-2014) since the establishment of the General State Archives of Greece. Celebration of the 100-year anniversary with an Exhibition named “100 years of the General State Archives 500 years of history”.
Completion of 100 years (1914-2014) since the establishment of the General State Archives of Greece. Celebration of the 100-year anniversary with an Exhibition named “100 years of the General State Archives 500 years of history”.