Zappeion
Zappeion Hall | |
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Ζάππειον Μέγαρο | |
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Alternative names | Zappeio |
General information | |
Status | Conference and exhibition center |
Architectural style | Neoclassical architecture |
Location | Athens,Greece |
Coordinates | 37°58′12″N23°44′13″E/ 37.970°N 23.737°E |
Construction started | 20 January 1874 |
Opened | 20 October 1888 |
Owner | Greek state |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Theophil Hansen |
Website | |
Official website |
TheZappeion(Greek:Ζάππειον Μέγαρο,romanized:Záppeion Mégaro,pronounced[ˈzapi.onˈmeɣaro] ) is a large, palatial building next to theNational Gardens of Athensin the heart ofAthens, Greece.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
[edit]In 1869, the Greek Parliament allocated 80,000 square metres (860,000 sq ft) of public land between the Palace Gardens and the ancientTemple 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.[1][2]The ancientPanathenian stadiumwas 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;[3]this new building would be designed by Danish architectTheophil Hansen.[3]Finally, on 20 October 1888, the Zappeion opened.[3]Unfortunately for its benefactor,Evangelis Zappas,he did not live long enough to see the Zappeion built, and his cousinKonstantinos Zappaswas nominated by Evangelos Zappas to complete the building.[4]TheAustrian Parliament Buildingwas also designed by Hansen and followed the same theme in the exterior.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Athens_Zappeion.jpg/600px-Athens_Zappeion.jpg)
History
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Attica_06-13_Athens_27_Zappeion.jpg/220px-Attica_06-13_Athens_27_Zappeion.jpg)
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Courtyard_Zappeion_Athens%2C_Greece.jpg/220px-Courtyard_Zappeion_Athens%2C_Greece.jpg)
The Zappeion was used during the1896 Summer Olympicsas the mainfencinghall. A decade later, at the1906 Intercalated Games,it was used as theOlympic Village.[5]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.[6][7]In 1938, theAthens Radio Station,the country's first national broadcaster, began operating in the premises. The building continued to house theNational Radio Foundationuntil the inauguration of theHouse of Radioin 1970.
A number of historical events have taken place at the Zappeion, including the signing of the documents formalizing Greece's accession to theEuropean Communityin May, 1979,[8]which took place in the building'smarble-clad,peristylemainatrium.
The head of Evangelos Zappas is 'buried' inside a wall in the Zappeion.[9]
Current Building Uses
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/2003_Greece_100_Euro_OS_Olympic_Village_Zappeion_front.jpg/220px-2003_Greece_100_Euro_OS_Olympic_Village_Zappeion_front.jpg)
The Zappeion is currently being used as a Conference and Exhibition Center for both public and private purposes.
Halls and Floor Plans
[edit]The building contains about 25 distinct rooms that range in size from 97 square metres (1,044 sq ft) to 984 square metres (10,592 sq ft).
In numismatics
[edit]The Zappeion was recently selected as the main motif for high-value euro collectors' coins; the €100 GreekThe Olympic Village Zappeion commemorative coin,minted in 2003 to commemorate the2004 Summer Olympics.In the obverse of the coin, a front view of the building is depicted.
Statues
[edit]Various statues are placed in the gardens of the Zappeion area.
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Statue ofEvangelos Zappasmade byIoannis Kossos
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Angel
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Little mower
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Eros breaking his bow
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Fisherman
References
[edit]- ^Dimitri Iatridi; Grigori Ksirogianni; Georgio Andreaki; Konstantino Zappa; Iaonni Joachimidi; Panagioti Samartzi; Georgio Tsiami (1988).Επιτροπή Ολυμπίων και Κληροδοτημάτων, Ζάππειο 1888–1988(in Greek). Economic Ministry of the Olympic Committee and Legacy at the Zappeion Megaro.
- ^David C. Young (1996).The Modern Olympics – A Struggle for Revival.The Johns Hopkins University Press.ISBN0-8018-5374-5.
- ^abc"Building the Zappeion Exhibition Hall".The Zappeion Megaron Hall of Athens.Retrieved11 November2008.
- ^"The will of Evangelis Zappas".The Zappeion Megaron Hall of Athens.Retrieved11 November2008.
- ^"The Zappeion Exhibition Hall over time".The Zappeion Megaron Hall of Athens.Retrieved11 November2008.
- ^2004 Summer Olympics official report.Volume 1. pp. 116–7.
- ^2004 Summer Olympics official report.Volume 2. p. 20. (Listed as Zappeio). Retrieved 3 October 2010.
- ^Ministry of Foreign Affairs."Greece in the EU".Archived fromthe originalon 5 January 2012.Retrieved16 August2012.
- ^ΜΕΓΑΡΟΝ, ΖΑΠΠΕΙΟΝ."Ιστότοπος Ζάππειου Μέγαρου".Η διαθήκη του Ευαγγέλη Ζάππα.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)