The Zappeion ( el, Ζάππειον Μέγαρο, Záppeion Mégaro, ) is a large, palatial building next to the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of

Athens, Greece Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...

. It is generally used for meetings and ceremonies, both official and private and is one of the city's most renowned modern landmarks.

Constructing the Zappeion

In 1869, the Greek Parliament allocated of public land between the Palace Gardens and the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus, and also passed a law on 30 November 1869, "for the building works of the Olympic Games", as the Zappeion was the first building to be erected specifically for the revival of the Olympic Games in the modern world. The ancient Panathenian stadium was also refurbished as part of the works for the Olympic Games. Following some delay, on 20 January 1874, the cornerstone of the building was laid; this new building would be designed by Danish architect Theophil Hansen. Finally, on 20 October 1888, the Zappeion opened. Unfortunately for its benefactor, Evangelis Zappas, he did not live long enough to see the Zappeion built, and his cousin

Konstantinos Zappas Konstantinos Zappas ( el, Κωνσταντίνος Ζάππας; 1814–1892) was a Greek entrepreneur and national benefactor who together with his cousin, Evangelos Zappas, played an essential role in the revival of the Olympic Games. Biography ...

was nominated by Evangelos Zappas to complete the building. The

Austrian Parliament Building The Austrian Parliament Building (german: Parlamentsgebäude, colloquially ''das Parlament'') in Vienna is where the two houses of the Austrian Parliament conduct their sessions. The building is located on the ''Ringstraße'' boulevard in the f ...

was also designed by Hansen and followed the same theme in the exterior. Athens Zappeion

History

The Zappeion was used during the

1896 Summer Olympics The 1896 Summer Olympics ( el, Θερινοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες 1896, Therinoí Olympiakoí Agónes 1896), officially known as the Games of the I Olympiad ( el, Αγώνες της 1ης Ολυμπιάδας, Agónes tis 1is Ol ...

as the main fencing hall. A decade later, at the

1906 Intercalated Games The 1906 Intercalated Games or 1906 Olympic Games was an international multi-sport event that was celebrated in Athens, Greece. They were at the time considered to be Olympic Games and were referred to as the "Second International Olympic Games i ...

, it was used as the Olympic Village. It served as the first host for the organizing committee (ATHOC) for the 2004 Games from 1998 to 1999 and served as the press center during the 2004 games. In 1938, the

Athens Radio Station The Athens Radio Station ( el, Ραδιοφωνικός Σταθμός Αθηνών) was a radio station that began to emit in 1938 in Athens under the auspices of the 4th of August Regime, Metaxas Regime's Radio Broadcast Service (, ΥΡΕ). It w ...

, the country's first national broadcaster, began operating in the premises. The building continued to house the National Radio Foundation until the inauguration of the House of Radio in 1970. A number of historical events have taken place at the Zappeion, including the signing of the documents formalizing Greece's accession to the European Community in May, 1979, which took place in the building's marble-clad, peristyle main atrium. The head of Evangelos Zappas is 'buried' inside a wall in the Zappeion.

Current Building Uses

The Zappeion is currently being used as a Conference and Exhibition Center for both public and private purposes.

Halls and Floor Plans

The building contains about 25 distinct rooms that range in size from to .

In numismatics

The Zappeion was recently selected as the main motif for high-value euro collectors' coins; the €100 Greek The Olympic Village Zappeion commemorative coin, minted in 2003 to commemorate the

2004 Summer Olympics The 2004 Summer Olympics ( el, Θερινοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες 2004, ), officially the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad ( el, Αγώνες της 28ης Ολυμπιάδας, ) and also known as Athens 2004 ( el, Αθήνα 2004), ...

. In the obverse of the coin, a front view of the building is depicted.

Statues

Various statues are placed in the gardens of the Zappeion area. File:Evangelos Zappas the creator of the Zappeion hall statue.jpg, Statue of

Evangelos Zappas Evangelos or Evangelis Zappas ( el, Ευάγγελος or ; ro, Evanghelie Zappa; 23 August 1800 – 19 June 1865) was a Greek patriot, philanthropist and businessman who spent most of his life in Romania. He is recognized today as one of the ...

made by

Ioannis Kossos Ioannis Kossos ( el, Ιωάννης Κόσσος; 1822–1875) was a Greek sculptor of the 19th century. Born in Tripoli, he later studied in Athens and Florence. His work includes several statues and busts in Athens, Patras ) , demographics ...

File:"Άγγελος", Ζάππειο - panoramio.jpg, ''Angel'' File:"Μικρός Θεριστής", Ζάππειο - panoramio.jpg, ''Little mower'' File:"Έρωτας που σπάζει το τόξο του", Ζάππειο - panoramio.jpg, ''Eros breaking his bow'' File:"Μικρός Ψαράς", Ζάππειο - panoramio.jpg, ''Fisherman''

References

External links

Official Zappeion Megaron Website
{{Authority control History of the Olympic Village Government buildings completed in 1888 Landmarks in Athens Venues of the 1896 Summer Olympics Olympic fencing venues Theophil Hansen buildings Convention centers in Greece Neoclassical architecture in Greece