Athens Neo-classical Public Buildings

Athens is a melting pot of many different architectural styles, ranging from Greco-Roman, Neo-Classical, to modern. Many of the most prominent buildings of the city are either Greco-Roman or neo-classical in style. Some of the neo-classical buildings to be found are public buildings erected during the mid-nineteenth century under the architectural guidance of Theophil Freiherr von Hansen: These buildings include the Greek Parliament, the Zappeion Hall, the Old Parliament (1875-1932) (now the National Historical Museum), the Athens Academy, the National and Capodistrian University of Athens and the Athens Town Hall. But there are more exceptionally beautiful members in the neo-classical buildings' list. Almost all of them were financed by wealthy "Greeks of the Diaspora", i.e. Greeks who had created immense fortunes abroad and who contributed in the creation of the neccessary infrastructure, so that 19th century Athens be equipped to fulfill its function as the newly proclaimed capital of liberated Greece.

• The Academy of Athens
• The National and Capodistrian University of Athens
• The National Library
• Zappeion Megaron
• The Cultural Center of Athens

The National Library

The National Library: Frontal View from across El. Venizelou (or Panepistimiou) Street	The National Library: The Statue of Panaghis Vallianos Thanks to his donation, the erection of this building was possible. Vallianos was a merchant born in Kefallonia and during the Crimean War he became rich. In 1858 he moved to London, where he established and developed new business activities in commerce and banking, with remarkable financial results. Besides this building, he financed many projects in Kefallonia.
The National Library: Garden and Main Building	The National Library: A Swarm of Bibliophile Doves
The National Library: Right-wing Staircase	The National Library: Left-wing Staircase There is a row of griffins protecting the building. Griffins were mythological creatures, half lions and half eagles. One can also see griffins in the Delos mosaics (Please check the relevant album)
The National Library: Griffins (Detail of Previous Photo)	The National Library: Main Building Front Columns The architect designed this monumental entrance with this Doric-style row of columns having the Temple of Hephaestus in the Ancient Agora of Thission as a model.
The National Library: Side View from across Rigas Feraeos Street	The National Library: View from the Entrance to the Main Building Photo taken behind the Doric-style row of columns at the front
The National Library: Detail Detail of the column in the previous photo	The National Library: View From the Entrance Patio Photo taken from behind the row of the Doric columns (one of them is partly in the photo), showing the Library building to the right, the University and the Academy, the three buildings forming the "Neoclassical Trilogy"

• The Academy of Athens
• The National and Capodistrian University of Athens
• The National Library
• Zappeion Megaron
• The Cultural Center of Athens