THE NATIONAL LIBRARY

The "Athenian Trilogy" of Panepistimiou is completed with the National Library located in the block that is formed by the streets Panepistimiou, Akadimias, Ippokratous and Riga Feraiou. It is the work of Theophilus Hansen and was built 1887-1892, under the supervision of Ernst Ziller.

The building is Doric style and is divided in three compact areas: the central that includes the reading room and the two side wings where the books are located. Entrance to the building is through a Doric style row of columns (prostyle) whose prototype is the Temple of Hefaestus in Ancient Agora (Thisio). A double round staircase in Renaissance style leads to the prostyle. The reading room, with parametric columns of Ionian design, is covered by a glass ceiling.

The iron made bookcases were considered stunning for that era. The base of the building is made of Piraeus stone and the main area is made of Pendelic marble. The building is fireproof, since wood was only used for the doors and the windows.

The first public library in Greece was established in Aegina by Governor I. Ioannis Kapodistrias in 1829 and was moved to Athens in 1834, where it was temporarily housed in various old buildings and finally in the Panepistimiou building. Since 1858, there was an order given by King Otto to Hansen to study the creation of a library next to the University, which was being built during that time.

In 1884, Prime Minister Harilaos Trikoupis took the final initiative of the construction, with the donation of the Vallianos brothers. In 1887, Panagis Vallianos offered 2.500.00 drachmas for the construction of the building. That was followed by a second donation by the brothers and a grant from the Public Treasury.

Today, housed in this building is the Public Library, the most complete library in Greece, though it is lacking a computerized classification system.

THE ADDRESS

National Library of Greece
Eleftherios Venizelos Avenue 32
10679 Athens (Greece)
Tel. +30 210 - 3226549

HOW TO GET THERE

BY ATHENS METRO: 2 (Red Line), Station "Panepistimio"

BY BUS: 022, 024, 025, 026, 027, 054, 057, 103, 108, 111, 155, 227, 230, 608, 622, 732, 790, 815, 856, B2, E6, E22

TROLLEY: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 21

BY FOOT: Taking Eleftherios Venizelos Avenue from either Syntagma or Omonia Square, the National Library (part of the Athenian Trilogy) is a 10 minute walk away.

• Official Site of the National Library of Greece

Shopping

POLITEIA
It is difficult to walk out of this store empty handed. Seven specialized departments and tens of thousands of book... more
PAPASOTIRIOU
This bookstore chain offers foreign language publications ranging from Fiction, The Arts to Children’s and Educational books. ... more
BIBLIOPHILIA
A paradise for booklovers. Here you may find antique and rare books, engravings and manuscripts from the 15th - 20th... more
ARSAKEIO MEGARO
The Arsakeio Megaro is located between Stadiou and Panepistimiou – where the prestigious Arcade of Books is housed, in addition... more
ANAVASI
Maps and Navigation Systems in a nice travel bookstore in the Arsakios arcade with a wide variety of foreign-titled books.... more
HONDOS CENTER
This is by far the biggest and most popular department store chain for beauty products in Greece. Hondos center has... more

Gastronomy

FASOLI
\"Trendy\" restaurant / kitchen based primarily on the Mediterranean cuisine, but also on \"exotic variations\"... more
POLIS
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EVER GREEN
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ZONAR'S - LE CAFE D'ATHENES
Large café in the most central spot in the city off of the busy avenue of Panepistimiou – with customers... more
KAFENEIO KAPETAN MICHALIS
Small hangout for snacks in the heart of the business district of Athens and an ideal place for quick breaks... more
ETHNIKON BRASSERIE
This historic café / bar is found directly on Syntagma Square and across from the Grand Bretagne Hotel. People from... more