Dioramas

In the basement’s exhibition hall you will find four dioramas in life size and one smaller one – specially made using Playmobil – with scenes from the daily life of the people and the battles in the Swamp of Giannitsa during the Macedonian Struggle.

1. The attack of a “zaptié” (Ottoman gendarme) at a Greek school, during class, while a guerilla rushes to hide in a crypt in the next room.

2. The conflict between a Greek and Bulgarian armed group in the lake of Giannitsa, among the reeds and marsh bulrushes.

3. The attempt of a priest of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to perform the Divine Liturgy, while “Patriarchists” and “Exarchists” are fighting at the village square for the possession of the only church in the village and the Greek school.

4. The arrival of a Greek spy-agent at the Florina railway station, disguised as a merchant. He is picked up by a muleteer, who is actually his liaison to the Greek organisation in the region.

Scene from the transport of weapons and fighters, Makedonomachoi and Comitadjis, in the lake of Giannitsa, and the patrol of Ottoman cavalry in the villages. This is a faithful representation using Playmobil dolls, inspired by the novel “Secrets of the Swamp” by Penelope Delta, courtesy of the collector Tasos Pantazopoulos.