Athens trilogy, Neoclassical building complex on Panepistimiou Street, Athens, Greece.
The Athens trilogy consists of three neighboring buildings on Panepistimiou Street: the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, and the National Library. Together they form a harmonious neoclassical ensemble of marble and stone with columned facades and careful proportions.
Danish architects Christian and Theophil Hansen designed these buildings between 1839 and 1885, during the period when Athens was establishing itself as capital of the new Greek state. The structures became symbols of the nation's cultural and intellectual aspirations.
The Academy displays marble statues of ancient philosophers Plato and Socrates at its entrance, while Apollo and Athena decorate the main facade. These sculptures connect ancient Greek traditions with the identity of the modern state.
The exteriors of all three buildings can be viewed freely while walking along Panepistimiou Street. Some interior areas are accessible to the public, but it is worth checking ahead to see which sections are currently open and what entry requirements apply.
The University building contains a large mural depicting King Otto alongside representations of sciences and arts. This fresco is a rare artistic addition to the classical stone facades and reveals how central education was to the nation's new identity.
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