New Royal Palace
Encyclopedia
The Presidential Mansion in Athens
, Greece
, is the official residence of the President
of the Hellenic Republic
. It previously served as the Royal Palace, until the abolition of the monarchy
by referendum
in 1974.
son, Constantine
, the heir to the throne, was born and the Greek
state decided to present him with a private dwelling, when he came of age. Twenty one years later when Constantine married princess Sophia of Prussia
, the state assigned the planning of "The Crown Prince's Palace", as the building became known, to Ernst Ziller
. Building began in 1891 and was completed six years later in 1897.
On Christmas
Eve 1909 a fire destroyed a large part of the Royal Palace (today used by the parliament
), with the result that the Crown Prince's Palace was used temporarily as the residence of the royal family. After the assassination of George I in 1913 and the accession of Constantine to the throne, the Crown Prince's Palace finally became the royal residence.
The use of the building as a Palace was interrupted in 1924 when the monarchy was overthrown and a Republic was declared. It was then used as the Presidential Mansion until 1935 when the monarchy was restored and the King
returned.
Since 1974, when democracy was restored after a seven year military dictatorship, the building has been used as the Presidential Mansion and the residence of the President of the day.
(known as "Ilissia" and today housing the Byzantine Museum) and the Petraki Monastery, both built in country areas far from the centre of town.
The limited significance of the area at the time may be seen by the fact that a girl's orphanage (which no longer exists) was built there in 1854. Furthermore, the land along Kifissias Avenue
(today called Vasilissis Sofias Avenue) also remained unbuilt and was earmarked by the state for the construction of ministry buildings.
In early 1870 the State allowed the sale of land to private individuals which led to the construction of mansions to house the wealthy families of Athens
. Around 1890, the architect Ernst Ziller was entrusted with the construction of the Crown Prince's Palace. This palace later became the residence of the Royal Family and is now used as the Presidential Mansion.
In modern times, with the city of Athens extending over many square miles, the Presidential Mansion is located in the centre of the capital next to the National Garden and Parliament
.
Herodou Attikou Street
, where the Mansion is located, is not only one of the most beautiful roads in the city, it is also bound to the political and social life of Greece, as also situated there is the Maximos Mansion
where the Prime Minister
of the day has his office.
The Presidential Mansion with its garden takes up a total area of about 27,000 square metres (about 7 acres). The official entrance to the Mansion is on Herodou Attikou Street
.
. He became the Official Court Architect under King George I and designed an estimated 700 buildings all over Greece for both official and private use. It is said the King George I ordered Ziller not to make the building too pretentious, so it would blend with the other mansions on the street, and not to model it after any other palaces in Europe. Following these guidelines, Ziller designed a three-story, symmetrical, neoclassical
mansion. Construction of the palace took six years.
(daughter of King Paul
and Queen Frederika
) became engaged to Prince Don Juan Carlos I of Spain
(now King and Queen of Spain). So, in 1962 the King commissioned architect Alexander Baltatzis to design an addition which became the largest room in the palace and today is called the Reception Hall.
After the erection of the mansion in 1897 and the construction of Herodou Attikou Street, the area which surrounded the Crown Prince's Palace was fashioned into a large ornamental garden. The planning of this appears to have been assigned to Ziller's technical office. The selection of suitable plants, though, must have been entrusted to a Greek specialist, since most of the trees are native to Greece.
From the very beginning the garden was divided into two large sections because of the slope of the land. The building is situated in the upper section.
The design of the garden in front of the building was similar to that of other neo-classical structures of the period (the Academy, the University and the National Library). The garden follows a relatively rigid geometric plan of the French type, with symmetrical beds of grass and seasonal flowering plants. The formalism of the composition approaching Herod Atticus Road is alleviated by the perennial plane trees, lindens, palms and cypress trees.
Since the mid 1970's, the President holds a reception on the 24th of July every year. This is to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1974 and the political, military and academic leadership of the country, as well as representatives of the Press, of all sectors of the economy and many Bodies and Organizations are invited.
1889 Crown Prince Constantine I
engaged to Princess Sophia of Prussia
.
1891-1897 Construction.
1897-1913 Use as Crown Prince's Palace by Crown Prince Constantine I and Crown Princess Sophia.
1913-1924 Becomes Royal Palace after King George I
is assassinated.
1924-1935 Presidential Palace (Monarchy Overthrown)
1935-1974 Royal Palace (Monarchy returns)
1974- Presidential Mansion (Monarchy abolished)
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, is the official residence of the President
President of Greece
The President of the Hellenic Republic , colloquially referred to in English as the President of Greece, is the head of state of Greece. The office of the President of the Republic was established after the Greek republic referendum, 1974 and formally by the Constitution of Greece in 1975. The...
of the Hellenic Republic
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It previously served as the Royal Palace, until the abolition of the monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
by referendum
Greek plebiscite, 1974
The Greek plebiscite of December 8, 1974, resulted in the final abolition of the monarchy in Greece and the establishment of the current Third Hellenic Republic....
in 1974.
History
The decision to construct the building which is used today as the Presidential Mansion was taken in 1868. That year, King George I'sGeorge I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
son, Constantine
Constantine I of Greece
Constantine I was King of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and led the Greek forces during the successful Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece won Thessaloniki and doubled in...
, the heir to the throne, was born and the Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
state decided to present him with a private dwelling, when he came of age. Twenty one years later when Constantine married princess Sophia of Prussia
Sophia of Prussia
Princess Sophie of Prussia was Queen of the Hellenes as the wife of King Constantine I.-Princess of Prussia:...
, the state assigned the planning of "The Crown Prince's Palace", as the building became known, to Ernst Ziller
Ernst Ziller
Ernst Moritz Theodor Ziller was a Saxon architect who later became a Greek national, and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a major designer of royal and municipal buildings in Athens, Patras and other Greek cities.- Buildings :* Presidential Mansion, Athens* National Theatre of...
. Building began in 1891 and was completed six years later in 1897.
On Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
Eve 1909 a fire destroyed a large part of the Royal Palace (today used by the parliament
Hellenic Parliament
The Hellenic Parliament , also the Parliament of the Hellenes, is the Parliament of Greece, located in the Parliament House , overlooking Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece....
), with the result that the Crown Prince's Palace was used temporarily as the residence of the royal family. After the assassination of George I in 1913 and the accession of Constantine to the throne, the Crown Prince's Palace finally became the royal residence.
The use of the building as a Palace was interrupted in 1924 when the monarchy was overthrown and a Republic was declared. It was then used as the Presidential Mansion until 1935 when the monarchy was restored and the King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
returned.
Since 1974, when democracy was restored after a seven year military dictatorship, the building has been used as the Presidential Mansion and the residence of the President of the day.
Location
The land on which the Presidential Mansion was built was, until the final decades of the nineteenth century, outside city limits. The eastern limit of the town was the Royal Palace. Beyond that, there were fields and small farms. The only buildings appearing on the maps of the period were the manor of the Duchess of PlaisanceDuchess of Plaisance
Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun, Duchess of Plaisance was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where her father, François Barbé-Marbois, was serving as French Consul-General in the United States....
(known as "Ilissia" and today housing the Byzantine Museum) and the Petraki Monastery, both built in country areas far from the centre of town.
The limited significance of the area at the time may be seen by the fact that a girl's orphanage (which no longer exists) was built there in 1854. Furthermore, the land along Kifissias Avenue
Kifissias Avenue
Kifissias Avenue is one of the longest avenues in the Greater Athens area. Its total length is about 20 km, beginning 4 km northeast of downtown Athens and ending by the municipal boundary of Nea Erythraia north of Kifissia...
(today called Vasilissis Sofias Avenue) also remained unbuilt and was earmarked by the state for the construction of ministry buildings.
In early 1870 the State allowed the sale of land to private individuals which led to the construction of mansions to house the wealthy families of Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
. Around 1890, the architect Ernst Ziller was entrusted with the construction of the Crown Prince's Palace. This palace later became the residence of the Royal Family and is now used as the Presidential Mansion.
In modern times, with the city of Athens extending over many square miles, the Presidential Mansion is located in the centre of the capital next to the National Garden and Parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
.
Herodou Attikou Street
Herodou Attikou Street
Herodou Attikou Street or Irodou Attikou Street is located east of downtown Athens and is adjacent to the National Garden of Athens...
, where the Mansion is located, is not only one of the most beautiful roads in the city, it is also bound to the political and social life of Greece, as also situated there is the Maximos Mansion
Maximos Mansion
The Maximos Mansion is, as of 1982, the official seat of the Prime Minister of Greece. It is located in downtown Athens, Greece, near Syntagma Square...
where the Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of the day has his office.
The Presidential Mansion with its garden takes up a total area of about 27,000 square metres (about 7 acres). The official entrance to the Mansion is on Herodou Attikou Street
Herodou Attikou Street
Herodou Attikou Street or Irodou Attikou Street is located east of downtown Athens and is adjacent to the National Garden of Athens...
.
Design & Construction
The design of the palace was entrusted to architect Ernst ZillerErnst Ziller
Ernst Moritz Theodor Ziller was a Saxon architect who later became a Greek national, and in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a major designer of royal and municipal buildings in Athens, Patras and other Greek cities.- Buildings :* Presidential Mansion, Athens* National Theatre of...
. He became the Official Court Architect under King George I and designed an estimated 700 buildings all over Greece for both official and private use. It is said the King George I ordered Ziller not to make the building too pretentious, so it would blend with the other mansions on the street, and not to model it after any other palaces in Europe. Following these guidelines, Ziller designed a three-story, symmetrical, neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
mansion. Construction of the palace took six years.
Additions
Since this was to be the Crown Prince's Palace, no large ballrooms were included in the design since it was believed that most large scale, official entertaining would take place in the much larger Old Royal Palace. So, the palace's main reception room was the large salon on the second story. However, when the palace became the main royal residence, a large ballroom became needed. So, in 1909, Ziller was again commissioned to design an extension which was used as a ballroom and is today called the Credentials Lounge. Another extension was needed when Princess Sophia of GreeceQueen Sofía of Spain
Queen Sofía of Spain is the wife of King Juan Carlos I of Spain.-Early life and family:Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark was born in Psychiko, Athens, Greece on 2 November 1938, the eldest child of the King Paul of Greece and his wife, Queen Frederika , a former princess of Hanover...
(daughter of King Paul
Paul of Greece
Paul reigned as King of Greece from 1947 to 1964.-Family and early life:Paul was born in Athens, the third son of King Constantine I of Greece and his wife, Princess Sophia of Prussia. He was trained as a naval officer....
and Queen Frederika
Frederika of Hanover
Frederica of Hanover was Queen consort of the Hellenes as the wife of King Paul of Greece.-Early life:...
) became engaged to Prince Don Juan Carlos I of Spain
Juan Carlos I of Spain
Juan Carlos I |Italy]]) is the reigning King of Spain.On 22 November 1975, two days after the death of General Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos was designated king according to the law of succession promulgated by Franco. Spain had no monarch for 38 years in 1969 when Franco named Juan Carlos as the...
(now King and Queen of Spain). So, in 1962 the King commissioned architect Alexander Baltatzis to design an addition which became the largest room in the palace and today is called the Reception Hall.
Gardens
The garden of the Presidential Mansion occupies an area of about 25,000 square metres (just over 6 acres) and constitutes a green heaven in the centre of Athens. In the middle of the nineteenth century, this area, because of its especially fertile soil, was in fact the vegetable garden of the Royal Palace (now Parliament building).After the erection of the mansion in 1897 and the construction of Herodou Attikou Street, the area which surrounded the Crown Prince's Palace was fashioned into a large ornamental garden. The planning of this appears to have been assigned to Ziller's technical office. The selection of suitable plants, though, must have been entrusted to a Greek specialist, since most of the trees are native to Greece.
From the very beginning the garden was divided into two large sections because of the slope of the land. The building is situated in the upper section.
The design of the garden in front of the building was similar to that of other neo-classical structures of the period (the Academy, the University and the National Library). The garden follows a relatively rigid geometric plan of the French type, with symmetrical beds of grass and seasonal flowering plants. The formalism of the composition approaching Herod Atticus Road is alleviated by the perennial plane trees, lindens, palms and cypress trees.
Functions
The Palace has had to serve as the offices and main residence of the Crown Princely Couple, Royal Family and President of the Republic, respectively. Since 1913, it is also where all official functions are held in Athens.Since the mid 1970's, the President holds a reception on the 24th of July every year. This is to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1974 and the political, military and academic leadership of the country, as well as representatives of the Press, of all sectors of the economy and many Bodies and Organizations are invited.
Timeline
1868 Upon the birth of the Heir, the state allocates funds to build a palace for the Crown Prince upon reaching maturity.1889 Crown Prince Constantine I
Constantine I of Greece
Constantine I was King of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and led the Greek forces during the successful Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece won Thessaloniki and doubled in...
engaged to Princess Sophia of Prussia
Sophia of Prussia
Princess Sophie of Prussia was Queen of the Hellenes as the wife of King Constantine I.-Princess of Prussia:...
.
1891-1897 Construction.
1897-1913 Use as Crown Prince's Palace by Crown Prince Constantine I and Crown Princess Sophia.
1913-1924 Becomes Royal Palace after King George I
George I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
is assassinated.
1924-1935 Presidential Palace (Monarchy Overthrown)
1935-1974 Royal Palace (Monarchy returns)
1974- Presidential Mansion (Monarchy abolished)