THE YESSIOS MUSEUM
“THE MACEDONIAN STRUGLE
AND EDESSA"
THE YESSIOS MUSEUM
“THE MACEDONIAN STRUGLE
AND EDESSA"
The Yessios Museum “The Makedonikos Agonas and Edessa”, located in the center of Edessa, began its operation on 18/10/2024.
The Museum, created by the donor and founder Christos Yessioscomprises a valuable setting for the evocation dedicated to the great fight of the Greeks for the liberation of Macedonia. Through the historical narrative and the exhibits hosted by the Museum, the visitor understands the importance and decisive role that the Makedonikos Agonas played in the annexation of Macedonia to the Greece. Particular emphasis is given to the contribution of the Edessa region and its inhabitants to the outcome of the Agonas. The Yessios Museum aims to be a valuable place to remember and disseminate historical facts, as well as to be an active center for cultural activities.
The Yessios Museum is a contemporary museum that provides the visitor with the opportunity for a dynamic experience through the use of technology.
THE MUSEUM’S PROGRESS
The creation of the Yessios Museum “The Makedonikos Agonas and Edessa” was carried out on the initiative of Christos I. Yessios. He decided to donate his family building, in the center of Edessa, in order to make it an active space of tribute to history and culture. The decision to create a Museum dedicated to the Makedonikos Agonas arose, initially, through the realization of the importance of this particular period for Macedonia and Greece.
Also of decisive importance was the realization of the lack of a similar Museum in the more prosperous area of Greater Pella. After approximately five years of demanding work and research, the Yessios Museum was inaugurated on October 18, 2024, the day of the Eleftheria (the Liberation) of Edessa. Accordingly, the Museum hopes to continue to fulfill its original goals and work to further education and dissemination of knowledge, both through educational programs and the use of modern technology (AI, multimedia).
True to its initial goal, the Yessios Museum intends to continue to transmit the value and contribution of the Makedonikos Agonas for the liberation of Macedonia and maintain the purpose of its creation. On a social and educational level, it aims to organize and promote appropriate and educational activities that will contribute to the transmission of historical knowledge.
THE BUILDING
The building that houses the Yessios Museum, dates back to 1936. It was built by the brothers Ioannis, Konstantinos and Michalis Yessios on the site where their father, Christos Yessios, had a space heater workshop.
The three brothers operated a hardware and housewares store until its occupation by the German occupiers in 1942. It became the property of Christos Yessios in 1973 and in 2024 he decided to donate it to the city of Edessa as a museum of the Makedonikos Agonas.
It is an Art Deco building, of particular architectural interest, fully accessible to people with mobility issues.
It has 3 floors: The first two floors host the Museum's permanent exhibition on the Makedonikos Agonas and the contribution of the residents of Edessa.
