Top five facts about The Zappeion Megaron in Athens

·

By Georgene Dilernia.

The Zappeion Megaron is one of the most significant buildings currently standing in Athens, Greece. The building was inaugurated on October 20th, 1888.

Here’s out top five facts about the building.

Where is the building?

The building is located in the heart of Greece’s capital, Athens. The structure resides inside the National Gardens of Athens, also known as, the Zappeion, a major park that is enjoyed by many.

Who is the building named after?

The Zappeion Megario is named after its benefactor, Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy businessman from Epirus. Zappas played a major role in starting the Zappian Olympic Games, which was an important inspiration for the modern Olympic games.

The Zappeion Megario is named after Evangelos Zappas, a wealthy businessman.

Zappas offered to sponsor the revival of the modern Olympic Games, which created the path to restart them. Not long after the building’s inauguration, the first modern Olympic games were held at Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in 1896.

What was the building used for back then?

As Zappas played such a large role in the revival of the modern Olympic Games, the Zappeion Megaron also played a role in them.

During the first Olympics in 1896, the building and park it resided in was the official Olympic village for the games and also hosted the fencing events.

After using it for sport events, the Zappeion Megaron was a tribute to the man who brought the Olympic Games back to the modern world.

What is the building used for currently?

The Zappeion Megaron is still used today for such things as: public exhibitions, wine tasting, trade shows, business meetings and cultural events.

The most notable events to be held in the building in recent history includes: Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis signing the integration into the now European Union in May 1979 and hosting the official press centre of the 2004 Olympic Games.

What is the building’s architecture like?

Inside the Zappeion Megaron.

The classic architecture of the Zappeion Megaron is breathtaking, with its oval shaped open area, flanked by a two-story colonnade.

The building is painted in traditional rust colours and shares many common features with other ancient Greek buildings and the Parliament of Austria in Vienna, as the two buildings shared the same architect.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek glamour meets Aussie pop: Inside the colourful universe of Stavroula Adameitis

Adelaide-born designer Stavroula Adameitis is a creator of bespoke pieces that she describes as ‘wearable art.’

Melbourne seminar to focus on the odyssey of Michel ‘Pablo’ Raptis

Michel Pablo was a twentieth century revolutionary whose life and ideas remain relevant and inspirational until today.

Lawyer Greg Masselos warns NSW workers’ comp changes could devastate frontline workers

Greg Masselos has warned that proposed changes by the NSW government to raise the threshold for claims could have devastating consequences.

Niki Louca shares how to make Focaccia Bread

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for pita bread with The Greek Herald. You can follow her on Instagram.

Greece and Cyprus top global loneliness rankings

A new study conducted by researchers at Emory University has revealed that Greece and Cyprus are home to the world’s loneliest populations

You May Also Like

The Greeks of Tashkent: Photo exhibition and talk by Costas Politis in Sydney

The Greek Festival of Sydney will proudly host two very important events for "The Greeks of Tashkent" as part of its program for 2024. The...

Greek police detain Turkish consular official on spy claim

Turkey’s foreign ministry swiftly condemned the arrest, saying it violated the consular official’s rights.

The Greek Herald wants youth to enter its Christmas print cover competition

As the festive season approaches, The Greek Herald newspaper wants youth to participate in its annual Christmas competition.