What I can see

The former Arsakeion Girls’ School currently houses the Council of State, (i.e. the Supreme Administrative Court which assesses the legality of administrative acts). The facade is “one of the best compositions of neoclassical order in two-storey buildings”, according to Biris. In the pediment of the entrance there is a bust of Athena by sculptor Leonidas Drossis. Currently, the entire building is being renovated to become a gastronomical landmark.

What I can't see

The donation for the completion of the project was made by Apostolos Arsakis. The design was initially assigned to Stamatis Kleanthes, but he was ousted by Lyssandros Kaftanzoglou, which sparked a notorious feud between the two architects, culminating in the distribution of defamatory leaflets by both sides. During the expansion works to Stadiou Street, Nikolaos Dimadis gave the upper floors an intense baroque style, which was later dampened by Ernst Ziller when he became engaged with the project. Although it is not one of the most famous buildings in Athens, it is of paramount importance because it was the first girls’ school in the country and hosts a major state institution. On the same block, there was the Greek Art Theatre “Karolos Koun” and the Book’s Stoa (Stoa Vivliou), which served as a cultural centre and housed several bookshops. It is also where the Free University operated and where many students from Athens’ universities came to receive their textbooks. On the west side, the Pesmazoglou gallery was illuminated through an impressive central glass dome.

Info

• Address: 5 Pezmazoglou St. and 47-49 Panepistimiou/ El. Venizelou St.
• Postal Code : 10564

Bibliography