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.