Monday, October 9, 2006, 04:31 AM - » Athens & Attica, • Zappeio
The Zappeion was built in the 1880's with financing provided by the Zappas brothers, Evangelos and Konstantinos, strong advocates of the revival of the Olympic games. It is located between the National Garden and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and is surrounded by large gardens. It housed the International Olympic Committee during the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was again used during the 2004 Olympics as press center.
Today, Zappeion functions as an exhibition hall while the surrounding area hosts a variety of civic activities throughout the year. Last Christmas the city setup an ice skating ring here, something few Athenians had ever seen in person. The temperature was well above freezing and they barely managed to keep the ice from melting.
The Zappeion was built in the 1880's with financing provided by the Zappas brothers, Evangelos and Konstantinos, strong advocates of the revival of the Olympic games. It is located between the National Garden and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and is surrounded by large gardens. It housed the International Olympic Committee during the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was again used during the 2004 Olympics as press center. 
Today, Zappeion functions as an exhibition hall while the surrounding area hosts a variety of civic activities throughout the year. Last Christmas the city setup an ice skating ring here, something few Athenians had ever seen in person. The temperature was well above freezing and they barely managed to keep the ice from melting.
