Are You In?

Join our mailing list and receive the latest news and travel offers from our team.
Don’t worry, we hate spam as much as you do!
Newsletter Exit Pop up Form

Athenian Trilogy: The University of Athens, the Academy, and the National Library

We Need Your Support!

We want to remind you that Athens by Locals is reader-supported. By booking tours, hotels, tickets, and other travel services through the links on our website, you can help us continue providing valuable content and information. Note that we receive a small commission only if you make a booking using our links at the time of your visit. So, if you're not quite ready to book yet, you can save this post and the links and return to make your booking when the time is right. We genuinely appreciate your support and are thrilled to have you in our travel community. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Happy travels!

The Athenian Trilogy is one of these attractions of Athens that you’ll rarely hear locals talking about. In fact, while walking through the city center of Athens, you’ll hardly notice anyone taking the time to admire the magnificent complex that stands amidst the traffic and the crowds of Panepistimiou street, just a few minutes away from Syntagma Square.

So, what exactly is the Athenian Trilogy?

It’s a quintessential example of neoclassical architecture in Athens that stands against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding modern metropolis. This wonderful 3-building complex encompasses the University of Athens, the Academy, and the National Library.

The Athenian Trilogy consists of three neoclassical buildings: Academy – University – Library

The buildings -as well as the impressive statues of Athena and Apollo that stand guards at their facades- look like they were left behind by ancient Greeks to serve as a reminder of the city’s erstwhile glory. In reality, however, they are much more modern than they look.

The Academy of Athens is part of the so-called “Neoclassical Trilogy” of the city of Athens.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

In this article, we’ll go over the history of the Athenian Trilogy and the neoclassical jewels of the city: the Academy, the National Library, and the University of Athens.

Neoclassical architecture in Athens

Neoclassical refers to the artistic movement that sprouted in Europe’s 18th and 19th centuries. Its architectural aspect focused on reviving the styles of classical-era Greece and the Roman Empire.

Gradually, the movement became very popular both throughout Europe and in Greece.

It wasn’t long after that Athens started showing signs of embracing the new trend, with different kinds of impressive new buildings popping up around the city.

Neoclassical architecture in Athens. Courtesy: Athens By locals

You can still find many examples of neoclassical architecture in Athens like the beautiful mansions in the neighborhood of Plaka, King Otto’s former Royal Palace which eventually became home to the Greek Parliament, the famous Zappeion Hall, the National Historical Museum, and of course, the buildings of the Athenian Trilogy complex: the National Library, the University of Athens and the Academy.

The University is part of the Athens Trilogy. Courtesy: Athens By locals

A brief history of the Athenian Trilogy

Athens was chosen as the capital city of Greece shortly after the country gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Then, Bavarian-born Otto found himself on the throne, anointed King of Greece. Among King Otto’s first remarks about the new capital was that it bore no resemblance or connection to the notion of Athens as the birthplace of Western civilization and the cradle of democracy.

Hence, he decided that a large-scale renovation was long overdue.

He intended to revamp the city center of Athens with majestic buildings while building a bridge to the past, a connection between the modern capital city of Athens and ancient Athens, home to some of the renowned scientists and philosophers.

Courtesy: Athens By locals

With that purpose in mind, he called upon two of the most famous architects of the time: Danish brothers Christian and Theophil Hansen, both avid admirers of the Greek classical era and experts on neoclassical aesthetics.

Initially, the project was funded by King Otto himself and undertaken by the Hansen brothers who proved to be more than ambitious with their vision of the city.

The construction of the Athenian Trilogy began around 1864 but it was immediately apparent that this task would require more than a few talented architects with private funds.

Courtesy: Athens By locals

Soon enough, artists from all around Europe -including Theophil Hansen’s student Ernst Ziller– found themselves working feverishly in Athens while Greek businessmen and merchants from around the globe took over a significant part of financing the enormous project.

The construction of the three buildings was completed several decades after their conception, around 1890, and the result was nothing less than stunning.

Socrates and Plato statues at the Academy of Athens. Courtesy: Athens By locals

Evidently, the Athenian Trilogy was an ode to neoclassical architecture that would withstand the test of time and become a monument to be celebrated even centuries later.

Indeed, the University of Athens, the Academy, and the National Library still stand today in downtown Athens as some of the city’s most important architectural feats and beloved attractions.

Athens neoclassical trilogy. Courtesy: Athens By locals

The University of Athens

The University of Athens, or “Panepistimio” as locals call it, is the building standing in the middle of the three.

The Old University of Athens is one of the city’s best-known Neoclassical buildings.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

It was the first to be built and thus gave its name to the street (and later on to the metro station as well) that runs from Syntagma to Omonoia Square.

Its building was designed by Christian Hansen who chose a simpler, more humble approach for the university compared to the other two buildings on its sides.

Courtesy: Athens By locals
Courtesy: Athens By locals

Yet, its interior is decorated by a colossal 45-meter mural designed by Carl Rahl and Eduard Lebiedzki that is both extravagant and pompous.

Exterior roof details and columns of Athens University building entrance.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

It depicts King Otto surrounded by the personified concepts of science and art wearing classical-era Greek vestments.

Courtesy: Athens By locals

At the entrance of the building, you’ll see five statues of five different but equally important men who shaped Athens as a modern capital city.

From left to right, the statutes depict philhellene William Ewart Gladstone, the scholar Adamantios Korais, who spearheaded the Greek Enlightenment, the first governor of Greece Ioannis Kapodistrias, and politician and strategist Rigas Feraios who contributed greatly to the Greek War of Independence and finally Gregory the Fifth, the Patriarch of Constantinople, who was executed for joining the revolt against the Ottoman Empire.

Courtesy: Athens By locals
Courtesy: Athens By locals

Nowadays, the building of the University of Athens is home to the institution’s administrative offices and it also serves as a grandiose backdrop to the university’s ceremonies and official events.

The University of Athens, Greece. Courtesy: Athens By locals

The National Library of Athens

On the left side of the University of Athens, we find the National Library of Athens, designed by Theophil Hansen and constructed during the last decade of the 19th century to preserve Greece’s intellectual heritage.

The National Library of Athens. Courtesy: Athens By locals

Its building features a splendid blend of Doric elements, minimalist aesthetics, and simple, straight lines that contrast beautifully with the impressive Renaissance-style staircase leading up to the entrance.

Curved staircase of the National Library of Athens.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

Parts of the National Library of Athens were built with the famous white Pentelic marble, the same material that was used in the construction of some of the city’s most important monuments that date back to the 5th century like the Parthenon and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

Elements of the stairs to the National Library of Greece in Athens.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

At the building’s central front side, you’ll find a statue depicting Panagis Valianos, a Greek benefactor who played a crucial role in both financing the National Library of Athens and the process of donating it to the Greek state later on.

The Vallianos National Library in Athens. Courtesy: Athens By locals

Until recently, in 2017, the National Library was responsible for safeguarding, preserving, and exhibiting over 2 million books, manuscripts, and periodicals.

Unfortunately, nowadays, it is not open to visitors. Nevertheless, its treasures remain accessible through Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center as an open archive.

The Academy of Athens

The Academy of Athens stands on the far-right end of the Athenian Trilogy complex. Its construction lasted a little less than three decades, from 1859 to 1885.

The Academy of Athens. Courtesy: Athens By locals

The building of the Academy of Athens is the result of a collective effort by architects Theophile Hansen and Ernst Ziller who were responsible for its design, sculptor Leonidas Drosis and painter Christian Griepenkerl, who undertook the challenging task of decorating its interior and exterior with elegant artworks and magnate Simon Sinas who financed the largest part of the project.

Courtesy: Athens By locals
Courtesy: Athens By locals

The Academy of Athens was built to resemble the Propylaea of the Acropolis, the imposing gateway to Acropolis Hill.

Its impeccable design with the use of Pentelic marble has made the building a world-renowned monument, widely considered one of the best examples of neoclassical architecture globally.

And here’s a little-known fact: the building did not always house the Academy of Athens. Before the academy was founded in 1926, it was home to the Numismatic Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the General State Archives.

Inside the Academy of Athens, in the western wing, you’ll find a gigantic mural designed by Griepenkerl and inspired by Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound that narrates the myth of Prometheus in a magnificent retelling of the famous tragedy.

On the outside, you’ll get the chance to marvel at Socrates and Plato, the most important philosophers in Greek history, on each side of the building.

Socrates and Plato, are two of the most well-known of all Greek philosophers.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

On the front, the statues of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and Apollo, the god of light, rise high above the hustle and bustle of the city’s traffic to remind us that this is the same city that gave birth to democracy and the western civilization – just like King Otto intended.

Front facade of the Academy of Athens in Greece. Courtesy: Athens By locals

Enjoy a private tour by the side of a local history expert! Visit iconic sites and hear stories and tales of Greek mythology from your local tour guide.

How to get to the Athenian Trilogy

Getting to and from the Athenian Trilogy is quite easy, as the beautiful complex is located in the heart of Athens.

You can easily get there on foot from Syntagma Square or Omonoia Square by walking up or down Panepistimiou street respectively.

Panepistimiou Street, Athens. Courtesy: Athens By locals

If you want to use the metro, just get off at Syntagma metro station (blue line), Omonoia metro station (red and green line), or Panepistimio metro station (red line) – the last being obviously the closest to the complex.

The three neoclassical buildings are just outside Panepistimio Metro station.
Courtesy: Athens By locals

In summary, the Athenian Trilogy is a place of contradictions: the marvelous complex is a neoclassical oasis in the city center of a busy metropolis, while its buildings are both world-renowned monuments and some of the most frequently overlooked attractions in Athens.

And even though you can’t possibly miss it while walking around downtown Athens, we can’t help but recommend that you take the time to admire its gorgeous buildings on your next trip to Athens.

A Quick Reminder:

Remember that Athens By Locals is here to guide you with planning the perfect trip to Athens and help you every step along the way. If you didn’t found what you’re looking for, or need any recommendations about your trip to Athens, feel free to contact us and we will do our best to help you. Please be as more detailed as possible regarding your subject so as to help you better.

If you like what you read please scroll down at the end of this page and subscribe to Athens By Locals so next time to receive more articles like this straight forward to your email. Join us on Facebook for comments, photos, and other fun stuff. If you enjoy this article please share it with your friends on Facebook.

Athens By Locals
Athens By Locals

THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN/EDITED BY A TEAM MEMBER OF ATHENS BY LOCALS

Copyright © 2024 Athens By Locals © All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.
Images owned by Athens By Locals. Image Banks or Companies promoted.