Ζάππειο - Εθνικό Κήπος - Σύνταγμα

Zappeion Megaron or simply Zappeion is one of the most important buildings in Athens. It is located south of the National Garden and the old Palaces and west of Panathinean stadium. Its construction was financed by the national benefactor Evangelos Zappas and was completed in 1888. The neoclassical mansion is intertwined with the history of modern Greece. Today it operates as a conference and exhibition center. The building was founded on November 20,1874. The official inauguration took place on October 20, 1888.

Zappeion was the press center in all General Elections of the country where the winners and losers of elections give the standard interview after the end. The area of Zappeion was used and is up to date for various exhibitions and ceremonies. Particularly well known and loved by Athenians of all generations is the Aigli bar of Zappeion which has a history of many decades.

National Garden

The National Garden is a designated historic site in the center of Athens. The 155-acre garden was planned by order of the queen as a scientific and botanical garden for private use. In 1839, 15000 ornamental plants were transported from Sounio and Evia. The garden also houses ancient ruins columns, mosaics etc. The Garden was renamed as the National Garden in 1927 during the reign of the reigning republic. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset. The main entrance of the park is from Amalia’s Avenue but there are six other entrances.

Syntagma

Syntagma square is the central square of Athens. It took it’s name from the constitution which King Othon was forced to cede in 1843 due to the revolution of September 3, during which people and the military guard of Athens demanded, whilst gathered outside the royal palaces (the building that today houses the Greek Parliament) the issuance of a constitution, the fundamental law of state.

Syntagma square with Omonoia square are the two reference points of the city. Syntagma is surrounded by important buildings of the capital such as the Parliament building, the historic hotel ‘Great Britain’ and the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs. It is the second largest square in Greece, after Spianada square in Corfu and is included in the list of the 100 largest in the world.