★★★★★ 5.0
Discover
Museum Ship Averof
December 3rd, 1912... cannon smoke fills the Aegean as Admiral Kountouriotis raises a single flag - the letter Z - meaning "Independent Action." Here at Marina Flisvos in Paleo Faliro floats the very ship that answered that call: Georgios Averof, the world's LAST and ONLY surviving armored cruiser. As you approach her steel hull, you're looking at maritime history's final chapter. Built in Italy for 24 million gold drachmas, she arrived obsolete - her entire ship class already rendered extinct by newer battlecruisers. Yet this "Devil's Ship," as the Turks fearfully called her, single-handedly secured Greek naval dominance. Step aboard and discover what visitors miss: a tiny Orthodox chapel hidden inside what was meant to be an ammunition storage room, dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Her stern still bears that ornate balcony, a romantic nod to ancient sailing ships, while her bow conceals a steel ram honoring the ancient triremes that once ruled these same waters. She fired her guns for the very first time in actual battle... and changed the course of Greek history forever.
Did You Know?
- The armored cruiser Georgios Averof is the only surviving major warship of its kind in the world, having served as the Greek flagship for most of the first half of the 20th century and playing a decisive role in securing Greece’s modern borders during the Balkan Wars and both World Wars—its victories were so legendary that sailors affectionately nicknamed it 'Papa George' or 'Barba Yiorgis,' a sign of deep national pride and emotional connection.
- Visitors can explore the ship’s beautifully preserved Edwardian-era interiors, including the ornate officers’ quarters, the original engine rooms, gun emplacements, and even a small onboard chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas—a rare feature that highlights the spiritual life of the crew and offers a glimpse into daily naval traditions.
- After being decommissioned in 1952, the Averof narrowly avoided being scrapped thanks to a grassroots campaign by its former crew and naval enthusiasts; it was transformed into a floating museum in 1984, where families can now climb aboard, try out the ship’s telegraph, and imagine life at sea during wartime—making history tangible and engaging for children and adults alike.