Zappeion

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Zappeion

The Zappeion is a classical building on the southern edge of downtown Athens , inaugurated in 1888 , designed by Theophil Hansen and built by Ernst Ziller .

building

Statue of Evangelos Zappas in front of the building

It was erected to fulfill the legacy of Evangelos Zappas , the founder of the Olympics (a forerunner of the Olympic Games ) who, after his death in 1865, bequeathed most of his fortune to the Committee of the Olympics on the condition that a suitable site for the Olympics was given erect. Years later, the official laying of the foundation stone took place on January 20, 1874, after numerous preparatory work had already been carried out. The Austrian Parliament, which began a little later (but was planned much later), had the same topic. When the Zappeion was completed in 1888, the building was named after its patron . The fourth Olympics were opened on the occasion of the inauguration in October 1888.

The Zappeion

use

The main hall
The circular atrium

From the beginning, the Zappeion was planned as a multifunctional building, especially for goods fairs, the first of which was held in 1888. In 1896 it was used as a fencing competition venue for the first modern Olympic Games , and it was used as the first Olympic Village at the 1906 Intermediate Olympics.

In 1938 the Exposition de Produits Helléniques was held for one year , an industrial fair that showed all the major industrial products in the country and also showed the Chara kai Ergasia (Joy and Work) exhibition.

The Zappeion often served as a fallback when other special buildings or structures were not available. In 1940 it served as a military hospital for the Greek armed forces and from 1944 as a barracks for the Wehrmacht . From April 1 to June 15, 1964, the art exhibition Byzantine art, an European art took place, and from April 14 to 21, 1966, the music event 1st Hellenic week of contemporary music. In 1974, after the fall of the junta, the building briefly served as the state's press and information center.

The building is popular for conferences and congresses, especially because of the large rotunda. Various European events were held in the building, for example Greece's accession to the European Community was signed here in 1979 , the EBU / EC conference "women and men in broadcasting: equality in the 90's" was held in 1990 and the "Oceanography of the eastern Mediterrranean and Black " in 2000 Sea "of the European Commission.

Involved architects

  • François-Louis-Florimond Boulanger (1807–1875), first drafts 1856
  • Theophil Hansen (1813-1891), modification of plans and execution
  • Ernst Ziller (1837–1923), on-site site manager for Hansen's office
  • Conversion and restoration 1982: Vassilis Sgoutas (* 1934)

Coordinates: 37 ° 58 ′ 17 "  N , 23 ° 44 ′ 11"  E

Web links

Commons : Zappeion  - collection of images, videos and audio files