TATOI
PALACE
The
most important historical monument of Parnitha National Park
area, is the palace of the former royal family at Tatoi, along
with its outbuildings.
This
palace has been the main residence of the former royal family
of Greece. The purchase of the Tatoi estate was completed after
several attempts of King George Á' and the relinquishment of
the Mpafi National Estate (1,500 hectares) to him. The first
purchase was made in 1871. Several others followed, so that
in late 1870's the total expanse of the Tatoi estate was 4,500
hectares. In 1891, George Á' made a mutual trade of a 100 hectares
area, with various inhabitants of Acharnai.
The
history of Tatoi estate and its palace was linked with the modern
history of Greece. In 1916, when Venizelos' government resigned,
the nation was disunited and a huge segment of Tatoi estate
(2,800 hectares),
along with outbuildings of the palace were burnt to ashes. After
the Minor Asia Catastrophe (1922) and the declaration of the
Á' Hellenic Republic (1923), Tatoi and its palace became public
property, except for an area of c. 350 hectares, where refuges
settled and formed modern Kryoneri. In 1936, when regality was
restored, it was given back to its first owners. In 1946, after
a relevant referendum, the former royal family moves back to
the palace.
In
1973 a new referendum caused the compulsory expropriation of
the entire estate and in 1975, when regality was permanently
abolished, this estate was left to be regulated.
In
1992 a regulation gave an area of 400 hectares, including the
palace and all its outbuildings to its former owner and the
rest is managed by the "Tatoi National Park" Foundation,
the members of which are appointed by the former owner. Other
small areas were given to institutions.
In
1994 a new regulation brought back the expropriation of 1973
and the whole estate became public again.
After this regulation, the former owners have recoursed to the
law and the case was closed in 2002 after a relevant decision
of the European Court of Human Rights. By this decision, the
former kings received 4,000,000,000 drachmas and Tatoi became
Public Property permanently.
The
Tatoi palace complex includes numerous outbuildings, such as
personnel quarters, outposts, storehouses, mews, apiaries, stock
farms etc., which are now derelict.
The
long-lasting non-solving of the ownership issue of the Tatoi
estate resulted to its neglect for years and consequently, to
severe damage. The palace and several buildings can still be
preserved and become excellent places for historical museums,
environmental education centers, natural history museum, recreation
grounds, etc. They are not far from Athens and the natural environment
is ideal.
