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Athens (Attica) | Attica

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.

The Academy of Athens

The buildings of the Academy of Athens, the National and Capodistrian University of Athens and, of course, the National Library, bind together to form the so-called “Athens Neoclassical Trilogy”.

Danish Architect Theophilos Hansen erected this masterpiece of a building in 2 phases: the first one in the period 1859-1863 and the second one in 1868-1885. It is regarded as the finest of Hansen's work, the most beautiful such building in the world, and consists of aesthetically distinct parts, which altogether form a harmonic visual. The structure is set off by its wide pediment and Ionic Style entrance which opens the door to 2 lateral wings, connecting perfectly to a corridor. One can observe Hansen's originating ideas, as the key elements to captivate one’s eye were inspired by the Erechtheion formation found on the Eastern side of the Acropolis; these elements are also visible upon entry into the Academy.

The embossed components found on the central pediment and statues, positioned ideally on the outside of the building, were created by sculptor Drosis. Many more contributed to this fine ornament, including Melnizki, who embossed the 8 smaller elements found on the pediment and Grupenckel, who truly enriched the inside of the building with exquisite wall paintings.

The completed masterpiece was delivered to the then Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis in 1887 after being financed by Sinas, Ambassador of Greece in Vienna, Berlin and Munich and, later, by his widow. From time to time, deterioration due to ageing is rectified and brought back to life, with a subtle and costly restoration process which allows its original charm to live on..
(Photos by Michael Tziotis)



The Academy: Lateral View

The Academy: Lateral View


Photo taken from the University Entrance
The Academy: North-Western Lateral Wing and Access Passage to Main Building

The Academy: North-Western Lateral Wing and Access Passage to Main Building
Athens Academy Frontal View of Main Building

Athens Academy Frontal View of Main Building
The Academy: North-western Lateral Aisle

The Academy: North-western Lateral Aisle


Oriented towards the neighboring University building
The Academy: North-western Lateral Aisle Pediment

The Academy: North-western Lateral Aisle Pediment
The Academy: South-Eastern view of the North-Western Aisle

The Academy: South-Eastern view of the North-Western Aisle


The high column to the right is the one with the statue of Athena on top of it.
The Academy: South-Eastern view of the North-Western Aisle

The Academy: South-Eastern view of the North-Western Aisle
Statue of Athena to the Left of the Main Building

Statue of Athena to the Left of the Main Building


That is to our left as we are looking at it!
The Academy: Statue of Athena (Detail)

The Academy: Statue of Athena (Detail)


The statue being on a very high column, we could not take a tele-photo but being at a much lower level
The Academy: Athena Statue Under the Protection of the Pediment Griffin of the Main Building

The Academy: Athena Statue Under the Protection of the Pediment Griffin of the Main Building
The Academy: Statue of Apollo to the Viewer's Right

The Academy: Statue of Apollo to the Viewer's Right


As was the case with Athena statue, we are lower than Apollo while taking the photo
The Academy: Statue of Apollo (Medium Close-up)

The Academy: Statue of Apollo (Medium Close-up)
The Academy: Main Building Columns and Pediment

The Academy: Main Building Columns and Pediment
The Academy: Basis of the Marble Lamp-posts

The Academy: Basis of the Marble Lamp-posts
Pediment on the Façade of the North-Western Aisle

Pediment on the Façade of the North-Western Aisle
Pediment on the Façade of the North-Western Aisle (Detail)

Pediment on the Façade of the North-Western Aisle (Detail)
The Academy: Main Entrance Columns and Ceiling

The Academy: Main Entrance Columns and Ceiling
The Academy: Main Entrance Column Detail

The Academy: Main Entrance Column Detail
The Academy: Owl and Lion Decorative Details from Entrance

The Academy: Owl and Lion Decorative Details from Entrance


Please note that the Greek equivalent to the expression 'To bring coal to Newcastle' is 'To bring an owl to Athens', since this bird was always considered as the personification of Wisdom. Bringing wisdom to Athens was considered unimportant, the same unimportant as bringing coal to Newcastle!
The Academy: The Statue of Plato in Front of the Academy Building

The Academy: The Statue of Plato in Front of the Academy Building


The statue of the Greek philosopher was sculpted by Leonidas Drosis (1834-1882) and Attilio Picarelli (1866-1945). It is to our left as we climb the staicase at the front.
The Academy: The Statue of Socrates in Front of the Academy Building

The Academy: The Statue of Socrates in Front of the Academy Building


The statue of the Greek philosopher was sculpted by Leonidas Drosis (1834-1882) and Attilio Picarelli (1866-1945). It is to our right as we climb the staicase at the front.
The Academy: The Statue of Socrates (Close-up)

The Academy: The Statue of Socrates (Close-up)
The Academy: Back View with the Athena Statue over the Roof

The Academy: Back View with the Athena Statue over the Roof
The Academy:

The Academy:

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