The Academy of Athens is one of the most wonderful neoclassical structures of the 19th century in the city. The design of the building has a lot in common with the famous Erechtheion.
Just two centuries ago, Athens was a town. Its narrow streets were grouped around the historical ruins.
After Greece became an independent country, Athens was defined as its capital, and the city started to be built up with new buildings. Athens was planned to have many important institutions such as Parliament, University and others. The Athenian academy is one of the most magnificent sites erected during that epoch.
The Academy was founded in 1926. The first team of principals and participants was determined by the Constitutional Decree.
The foundation of the Academy was preceded by lots of relentless attempts to create such an establishment. It took about one hundred years to turn the plans into reality.
The first step to creating an Academy was taken in 1824. Later, Alexander Rizos Rangavis continued to take actions in this direction; a bit less than one hundred years after that, new efforts were taken again.
Due to the generous financial contribution by Simon Sinas, in the ΧΙΧ cent. the construction of a building for an educational institution became possible. Theophil Hansen was appointed to designing architectural plans for it.
In 1859, a construction site of 9 900 sq. m. was given to the Academy. And just a couple of weeks later, the building’s cornerstone was set in the foundation.
In early 1861, the Hansen's projects were put in charge of Ernst Ziller, who was Hansen’s pupil.
After Otto had been expelled, a 4-year break in the construction has followed. Later, in 1868, the building’s sculptural design was entrusted to Leonidas Drosis.
In 1876, after the death of Simon Sinas, his wife Iphigenia decided to proceed with the construction of the Academy. Due to her sustained endeavors, after 9 years of efforts the plans were eventually brought to life.
During its existence, the Academy has been supporting various fields of science, appealing to various authorities worldwide on cultural and environmental issues, national and human rights.
Today, the modern Academy of Athens keeps great influence on the Greek society. It still performs the tasks assigned to it: to support research, to finance publications, to provide scholarships, as well as award prizes.
The most important goal of the Academy is to cultivate and develop Science, the Humanities and the Fine arts. It also has established the Foundation and supports its members. To achieve this goal, the educational institution organizes research projects, conducting separate agriculture, shipbuilding, industry, and economics researches.
The educational institution also provides scholarships, as well as awards. At present, 21 research centers in various fields of science are within its activity area.
The Academy is located in the heart of the city near the Acropolis, between Panepistimiou and Acadimias streets, a 3-minute walk from Syntagma square and Omonia square, next to the Attica fashion house, bank and museum.
You can easily reach the architectural monument by metro: get off at the Panepistimiou stop (red line). On the opposite side, you will see the University building, and to the right of it — the Academy.
You can get to the place by buses No. 022, 025, 026, 027, 054, 220, 221, 230, 608, 622, 732, 790, 815 and by trolleybuses No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 11. The name of the stop is self-explanatory — “The Academy”. Buses A3, B2, A5 (“The Afeteria” stop) stop at the Academy garden side.
Although this iconic building is closed to the public, its majestic architecture is worth exploring. Be sure to do it!
