Presidential Palace, Athens

The Presidential Palace 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.

History

The decision to construct the building which is used today as the Presidential Mansion was taken in 1868. That year, George I's 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 Sophia, Princess of Hohenzollern, 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.

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 Plaisance (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.

Today, with the city of Athens extending over many square miles, the Presidential Mansion is located right at 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 up with the political and social life of Greece, since also situated there is the Maximou 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.

Design & Construction

The design of the palace was entrusted to architect Ernst Ziller. 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.

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 Greece (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.

Gardens

The garden of the Presidential Mansion occupies an area of about 25,000 square metres (just over 6 acres) and constitutes a green haven 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. It also where all official receptions are held in Athens from 1913 onward.

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 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)

ources

* [http://www.presidency.gr/ Presidency of the Hellenic Republic] el icon
* [http://www.presidency.gr/en/ Presidency of the Hellenic Republic] en icon
** [http://www.presidency.gr/en/topo8esia.htm English section on the mansion]