Zappeion

Just steps from the National Garden, you’ll find the Zappeion Hall. Built in 1874, it’s entirely dedicated to the modern Olympic Games. As you surely know, this tradition began in ancient Greece with athletic competitions held between the different Greek cities. Starting as early as the 8th century BC, they were held every four years, with Greeks taking part in various sports events in honor of Zeus. Many historians claim that the games in question began much earlier. We may never know for sure how and why it all started, as the line between history and myth begins to blur that far back; this was millennia ago, after all! There is but little evidence of their existence in ancient times, among them sports facilities and lists of winners on papyrus. In any case, back in Antiquity and Roman times, these games were a major tradition in Athens. The last ancient games are thought to have been held in the 4th century AD. Fast forward 15 centuries to 1894, and Pierre de Coubertin led an ambitious effort to revive the Games. And so, two years later, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens! While inspired by the ancient games, there were some key differences. First of all, the sporting events, though similar in some ways, weren’t run in the same way; the Olympic flame was a new addition, and there wasn’t a single overall winner anymore. Still, Coubertin managed to honor this ancient tradition, which he has kept alive to this day! As for the Zappeion Hall, it was built precisely for these modern Olympic Games and it actually hosted the fencing competitions of the first modern Games in 1896. Today, it is used as a conference and exhibition hall, and it remains a symbol of the revival of the Olympic Games!