Τhe permanent exhibition of the National Historical Museum narrates the history of Hellenism from the fall of Constantinople (1453) till the Greek-Italian War of 1940-1941, through paintings and engravings, flags and weapons from national liberation struggles, personal items of historical figures, documents and photographs, utensils and tools as well as traditional costumes and works of modern Greek craftsmanship.

In the central corridor of the Museum are presented characteristic works and relics from different periods of Greek history which introduce the visitor to the flow of the permanent exhibition.The entrance is surrounded by weapons of the Greek War of Independence and busts of kings and politicians of the 19th century.At the left edge of the corridor, before entering the first room, is the imposing figurehead belonging to corvette “Karteria”, the first ever steamship to have entered in the service of the Greek State, during the Greek Revolution of 1821. Next to it is displayed a faithful copy of the famous oil painting by EugèneDelacroix, "Chios massacre".