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.

Contents

Constructing the Zappeion

History

Current Building Uses

Halls and Floor Plans

References

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. Greek Parliament also passed a law on November 30, 1869 specifically "for the building works of the Olympic Games" since the Zappeion was the first building to be purpose-built specifically for the revival of the Olympic Games in modern times. ^[1][2] The ancient Panathenian stadium was also refurbished as part of the "building works of the Olympic Games". Following some delay, on 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 October 20 1888 the Zappeion opened.^[3] Unfortunately for its benefactor Evangelos Zappas, he did not live long enough to see the Zappeion built. His cousin Konstantinos Zappas was nominated by Evangelos Zappas to complete this building.^[6]

History

It was used during the 1896 Summer Olympics as the main Fencing Hall. In the 1906 Summer Olympics it was used as the Olympic Village.^[7]
Many 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.

Current Building Uses

The Zappeion is currently being used as a Conference and Exhibition Center for use both publicly and privately.

Halls and Floor Plans

It contains about 25 distinct rooms that range in size from 97 m² to 984 m².

References

1. Επιτροπή Ολυμπίων και Κληροδοτημάτων, Ζάππειο 1888-1988, Dimitri Iatridi, Grigori Ksirogianni, Georgio Andreaki, Konstantino Zappa, Iaonni Joachimidi, Panagioti Samartzi, Georgio Tsiami, , , Economic Ministry of the Olympic Committee and Legacy at the Zappeion Megaro, 1988,
2. The Modern Olympics - A Struggle for Revival, David C. Young, , , The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, ISBN 0-8018-5374-5
3. http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_3.htm
4. http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_3.htm
5. http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_3.htm
6. http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_2.htm
7. http://www.zappeion.gr/en/en_history_4.htm

External links

★ Official Zappeion Megaron Website

★ A Virtual Tour of the Zappeion

★ Zappas.org

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