Politis

Greece Acquires Authentic Photos from Kaisariani Executions, 262 Documents

Published February 20, 2026, 17:17
Greece Acquires Authentic Photos from Kaisariani Executions, 262 Documents

The Greek state has acquired 12 historical photographs from the execution of 200 Greeks in Kaisariani on May 1st, 1944, as well as the entire collection of German Wehrmacht Lieutenant Hermann Hoyer. The collection, comprising 262 photographs and documents from the period 1943-1944, was initially put up for auction but was withdrawn following intervention from the Ministry of Culture. The authenticity of the material was confirmed by experts, and the collection has already been declared a monument due to its historical value. The photographs depict scenes from the Occupation, such as German soldiers at Greek monuments, Greeks in traditional costumes, prisoners in camps, and impoverished citizens. The collection provides a rare testimony to the period of the Occupation and how the occupying forces used imagery as a means of propaganda. The acquisition process began with the signing of a preliminary agreement with collector Tim de Crane in Belgium. The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, emphasized the importance of the collection as a document of historical memory and the formation of perceptions during World War II. The declaration of the collection as a monument underscores the recognition of its historical value and Greece's commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The acquisition of the Hoyer collection is a significant step towards documenting and understanding the period of the Occupation in Greece.