This, however, is only partly true. Byzantine culture along with 19th century neoclassical buildings are vital and important parts of Athens’ overall cultural heritage. ‘Neoclassicism’ was a general cultural and ideological movement, which tried to revive the norms and the cultural values of ancient Greece. Neoclassicism in architecture tried to rediscover ancient Greek order and intended to merge the symmetry of the ancient Greek buildings and the overall ancient Greek cultural value of ‘analogy’ with the needs of the west civilization during the last quarter of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century. We can see typical examples of this architectural movement in Vienna. In Panepistemiou Street, we have the University of Athens’ building, the Greek National Library, the ‘Kostis Palamas’ building and the Numismatic Museum of Athens.
Few meters away from these buildings we can find, in Stadiou Street, the Old Parliament Building. Less than 400 meters away from there we can find ‘Zappeion Megaron’. To really see Athens then, requires this easy-going stroll and it would be an unforgettable experience!
