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Athens (Attica) | Attica | Athens City

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.

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Click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

Zappeion Megaron

Zappeion Megaron is in downtown Athens, next to the National Garden and across Panathenaikon Stadium where the first Olympic Games of Modern times were held and where the finish line of the Marathon Run is set. It is named after Evangelos Zappas, a national benefactor of the 19th century who, in his will, made sure to make detailed arrangements for its construction and who was the first Greek to envisage the return of the Olympic Games to Greece.

Construction began on January 20, 1874 and, after several changes in the original plans, it was finished in 1888. The architect was Theophil Hansen, creator of many important public buildings of the period.

In 1896, during the Olympic Ganes, it is in Zappeion that the Fencing event was held. Much later, in 1936, and for the 40 years to follow, the building has also hosted Greece's first State Radio Station. On May 28th 1979, Greece's Accession Agreement to the European Economic Community was signed here.

Times have not always been favorable for this building. It was requisitioned by the German Army in 1941and used as military barracks in 1944. It was badly damaged by shells during the war and later, during the Greek civil war, to such an extent that its full demolition was contemplated. Fortunately, in 1960, a full preservation of the building was held, completed by a second one in 2007.



Zappeion Megaron: General View of the Building from the South-East

Zappeion Megaron: General View of the Building from the South-East
Zappeion: View of the Building from the South-West, with its Main Entrance

Zappeion: View of the Building from the South-West, with its Main Entrance
Zappeion: View of the Building from the South-West

Zappeion: View of the Building from the South-West

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