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The Old Primary School in Magazia, now known as the Paxos Archive Repository, is a significant historical and cultural landmark on the island of Paxos. Originally built as a primary school in 1906, the building has been repurposed to serve as a repository for the island’s rich historical records and documents.
The Paxos Archives is one of the oldest archives in Greece, with its origins tracing back to the Venetian era. The oldest document preserved in the archives dates back to 1610. During the Venetian rule, the archives were part of the Corfu Archives. Count Ioannis Makris, a prominent local figure and one of the three Presidents of Paxos, recognized the importance of establishing a dedicated archive to safeguard Paxos’ historical documents. In 1800, he advocated for the creation of a local archive to house and preserve these valuable records.
The archive holds an extensive collection covering the latter half of the 18th century, the 19th century, and the 20th century. This collection includes notarial codes from 1658 to 1902, court files, municipal records, and government publications. The archives are a critical resource for understanding the island’s history, although they have faced challenges over the years. Notably, the archives suffered significant damage during the Paxos uprising against the French in 1810 and endured further neglect and deterioration due to inadequate storage conditions and staffing issues.
The Paxos Archive Repository has had several phases of operation and relocation. From 1925 to 1935, it was closed and its materials were transferred to the Paxos Court. It reopened in 1935 and operated until 1995, experiencing another closure from 1952 to 1960. In 2004, the archive was re-established in the neoclassical building in Magazia, which had previously housed a primary school. The renovation and organization of the archives continued, including a significant digitization project.
In recent years, the archive has faced staffing challenges but has remained a vital institution for preserving Paxos’ historical documents. It officially reopened in September 2020, with a dedicated staff member assigned to ensure its continued operation and maintenance.
Today, the Paxos Archive Repository stands as a testament to the island’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, despite the challenges it has faced over the centuries.
Source: Paxos Culture
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