HERE - Olympia Summer Academy

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 9
FROM SYNTAGMA SQUARE TO OMONIA SQUARE
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99. The
construction
of the National
Library
was funded by
P. Vallianos.
In the
foreground
the statue
of the donor.
▲
100.
The Cultural
Centre
of the Athens
Municipality
and its small
garden.
range of thousands of books
in all languages. On the façade
is a stately six-column portico
in the Doric style, based on
the design of the Thiseion.
The interior, designed by Ern.
Ziller, is lighted by a skylight
on the roof and encompassed
by an Ionian style colonnade.
➣
2.10 Cultural Centre
of the Athens Municipality
Located in the vicinity of the
“trilogy” (at Akadimias Str 50),
it is a remarkable neoclassical
building which was built in
1835 according to the design of
Chr. Hansen. It was a hospital in
the course of decades. Cultural
events are held in the building.
In front of the main entrance of
the building is a small garden
with the busts of historical figures
(among others, artists and
politicians), while on the other
side, (at Solonos Str), is a traditional
café. Exactly adjacent to
the café (at Akadimias Str) is the
stately Palamas building (with a
pink interior, it is known as the
“pink building”). Built in 1857-
1859, it houses the Theatrical
Museum library. Diagonally
across the street, (at the crossroads
of Ippocratous Str and
Akadimias Str), is the Student
Union of the University of Athens
(1926-1931), designed by Al.
Nikoloudis in the eclectic style
of the Beaux Arts.
2.11
➣
Korai Square
is a small, attractive square, developed
when a pedestrian
street was created at Korai Str.
North-east of the square is the
Rallis building (10, Korai
Square) built in the early neoclassical
style. Opposite the
Rallis building is the modernist
building of the General
Accounting Office (designed by
E. Lazaridis). Northwest of the
square is the remarkable former
hotel Grand Hotel (2, Korai
Square, today used as a shopping
centre). Opposite the
Grand Hotel is the modern
building of the Commercial
Bank. At the square you will also
find the recently renovated
“Korai Arcade” with a multitude
of cafes, fast food restaurants,
shops, and a cinema.
➣
2.12 Ionian Bank
Mansion (Pesmatzoglou Str)
A remarkable eclectic style
mansion with art deco decoration
(1925). The central transactions
hall has a notable colonnade
and balconies. The lighting,
a skylight with stained glass
windows, is spectacular.
2.13 Arsakeion
Mansion (1846-1855)
A stately two-storey mansion, it
is a distinctive example of
Greek classicism with a
strain of eclecticism.
Formerly the
Arsakeion Girls
School, it is now
the Council of
State, (highest
Court of State).
Adjacent to the
mansion is the
Courts Square.
2.14 Arsakeion
Arcade (Orfeos): The arcade
in the Mansion, built in the
neobaroque style, has a
remark able glass roof with a
dome in the centre. You will
find here shops, cafes and the
“Stoa tou Vivliou”, (Book
Arcade) with the bookshops
of 60 Greek publishing
houses. Cultural events are
held at the Stoa tou Vivliou.
2.15
➣
➣
➣
“Rex” Cinema
A mansion with three halls
(cine ma-theatre), built from
1935-1937, the design was influenced
by contemporary
Ame rican skyscrapers. Two
halls are now used for performances
of the National Theatre.
The third is an entertainment
centre.
3 OMONIA SQUARE
Αcentral square, which is
busy around the clock,
throughout the year, by contrast
with Syntagma Square. Omonia
Square has always been busy
around the clock. According to
custom, Athenians, after a night
out Saturday evening, buy
Sunday papers at kiosks and
stands on the square. Omonia is
the oldest central square
of modern Athens.
A visit to Omonia,
to get a sense of
the vibrancy of the
square is a must
for all visitors.
At the square you
will find the usual
fast-food shops.
Foreign newspapers
are sold in kiosks.
At the square are stately
buildings, in particular the
hotels “Bangeion” and
“Alexandros” (at the crossroads
of Athinas Str,) the “Neon” café,
and a branch of the National
Bank (at Panepistimiou Str).
At Omonia Square is a central
metro station.
4 THE OMONIA
SQUARE AREA
Stadiou Str, Patision Str, Pane -
pi stimiou Avenue, 3rd
Septemvriou Str, Piraeus Str,
Athinas Str and Ayiou Konstanti -
nou Str converge at Omonia
101. Two silver
domes
decorating
the tower-like
corners
of the Arsakeio
Megaro facing
Stadiou Street.
▼
102. A view of
Omonia Square
with buildings
of a variety
of architectural
styles.
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