Zappeion

The Zappeion is a building in the National Gardens of Athens in the heart of Athens, Greece. It is generally used for meetings and ceremonies, both official and private.

Constructing the Zappeion

In 1869, the Greek Parliament allocated 80,000 m² of public land between the Palace Gardens and the ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus, and also passed a law on November 30, 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. [cite book |first= |last= |year= 1988 |title= Επιτροπή Ολυμπίων και Κληροδοτημάτων, Ζάππειο 1888-1988| publisher= Economic Ministry of the Olympic Committee and Legacy at the Zappeion Megaro |url=http://www.zappeion.gr/ |authorlink= |author= Dimitri Iatridi, Grigori Ksirogianni, Georgio Andreaki, Konstantino Zappa, Iaonni Joachimidi, Panagioti Samartzi, Georgio Tsiami |language=Greek] [cite book |first= |last= |year= 1996 |title= The Modern Olympics - A Struggle for Revival| publisher= The Johns Hopkins University Press |id=ISBN 0-8018-5374-5 |url= |authorlink= |author= David C. Young] The ancient Panathenian stadium was also refurbished as part of the works for the Olympic Games. Following some delay, on January 20 1874 the cornerstone of the building was laid; http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_3.htm] this new building would be designed by Danish architect Theophil Hansen. Finally, on October 20 1888, the Zappeion opened. Unfortunately for its benefactor, Evangelos Zappas, he did not live long enough to see the Zappeion built, and his cousin Konstantinos Zappas was nominated by Evangelos Zappas to complete the building. [http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_2.htm]

History

The Zappeion was used during the 1896 Summer Olympics as the main Fencing Hall. A decade later, at the 1906 Summer Olympics, it was used as the Olympic Village. [http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_4.htm]

A number of historical events have taken place at the Zappeion, including the signing of the documents formalizing Greece's accession to the European Union on January 1, 1981, which took place in the building's marble-clad, peristyle main atrium.

The head of Evangelos Zappas is buried underneath his statue which is located just outside 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 97 m² to 984 m².

References

External links

* [http://www.zappeion.gr/en/index.asp Official Zappeion Megaron Website]
* [http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_tour.htm A Virtual Tour of the Zappeion]
* [http://www.zappas.org/ Zappas.org]
* [http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/ENGLISH/BUILDINGS/BUILD_TEXTS/B7_t.html Zappeion Remodelling Project, 2000]