Shooting Gallery
Its function prior and latter to the war
The Gallery's space, before 1922, was a forested rocky area used for the shooting training of the soldiers, especially for the artillery. The refugees' arrival in Athens brought up the huge matter of their settlement in several areas of Attica. One of those areas was also Kalithea, where the Gallery was. It was expropriated by the state to settle the refugees, followed by an effort to find a new place. The place that was chosen was Kessariani. Particularly, acreage of 710 acres of Kessariani was transferred to the Pan-Hellenic Shooting Association (P.S.E.), on the condition that it would also be used by the military force. It was later granted to the "Union of Supporters of the Hunting Gun" (O.F.K.O.). This area was chosen by the Germans as the place to shoot the Greek fighters… The shootings at the Shooting Gallery happened almost every day. In 1942, 13 patriots were shot, in 1943 another 147 and in 1944, 440 patriots were shot. Besides them, another 25 antifascist soldiers of the conqueror were shot (20 Italians and 5 Germans).
War was over but the area did not get the respect it deserved in regard to its sacredness. After the war the "allied" armies of the English blemish the memory of the dead fighters, practicing shooting in this holy place. The Shooting Association though remains on the area and profanes it… It is a common demand, the respect of memory, the removal of the Pan-Hellenic Shooting Association (P.S.E.) and the transformation of the area in a historical-monumental leisure park. This aggressive reaction of the people of Kessariani - after a long term effort - creates the proper conditions for a new order at that place. In 1984, the first step is being taken, the area of 110 acres is declared historical and monumental by the Ministry of Culture, a very important characterization, because every act opposing to this attribute is forbidden. The decision gives the chance to the Municipality of Kessariani to proclaim, in the same year, a nation-wide architectural contest, to transform this place into an aesthetic leisure and cultural park and bring out its historical value. The contest takes place at last and the Municipality's proposal is finally being scheduled.
Gradually, along with fights and sacrifice the "SANCTUARY OF FREEDOM", is turned into a place where historical memory harmonically blends with hope, to create a modern park with multiple social (Children's Health Centre, Counselling Centre for the handicapped, Nursery School et al.) cultural (Neoclassical building) and entertainment facilities (park, 200 patriots' Square, "AEOLIA" cinema et al.)
