Zappeion

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The Zappeion. Lycabettus Hill can de seen behind.

The 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.

1 Constructing the Zappeion
2 History
3 Current Building Uses
- 3.1 Halls and Floor Plans
- 3.2 In numismatics
4 References
5 External links

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 30 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.^[1]^[2] The ancient Panathenian stadium was also refurbished as part of the works for the Olympic Games. Following some delay, on 20 January 20 1874, the cornerstone of the building was laid;^[3] this new building would be designed by Danish architect Theophil Hansen. ^[3] Finally, on 20 October 20 1888, the Zappeion opened.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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 1 January 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 Olympic Village Zappeion commemorative coin

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.

In numismatics

The Zappeion was recently selected as main motif for a high value euro collectors' coins; the €100 Greek The Olympic Village Zappeion commemorative coin, minted in 2003 to commemorate the 2004 Summer Olympics. In the obverse of the coin, a front view of the building can be depicted.

References

^ 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. ISBN 0-8018-5374-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Building the Zappeion Exhibition Hall". The Zappeion Megaron Hall of Athens. Retrieved on 2008-11-11.
^ "The will of Evangelis Zappas". The Zappeion Megaron Hall of Athens. Retrieved on 2008-11-11.
^ "The Zappeion Exhibition Hall over time". The Zappeion Megaron Hall of Athens. Retrieved on 2008-11-11.