Gennadiοs Library
The Gennadios Library is one of the two libraries of the American School of Classical Studies and architecturally references the Propylaea of the Acropolis.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1922 Donation of 26,000 drachmas by Ioannis (John) Gennadius,
1923 Start of construction.
1926 On 26 April 1926, was inaugurated by Ioannis (John) Gennadios and his wife.
1960 At the end of this decade it was renovated and expanded.
2000 During this decade, it was renovated and expanded again.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
The Gennadiοs Library is one of the two libraries of the American School of Classical Studies and one of the most important libraries in Greece. The architects chose a Greek style, evident on its facade, the interior and the floor plan of the building, which references the Propylaea of the Acropolis. It has many elements, a magnificent marble facade and a portico with eight Ionic columns. On the architrave, one can see the inscription “WE CALL GREEKS THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN OUR CULTURE” by Isocrates Panegyricus. To the right and left of the central part, there are two lateral wings connected with the main building through small stoas. This is pure late neoclassicism, which was later criticized intensely (see Biris p. 290).
What I can't see
It is a treasury of rare books, manuscripts, archives and works of art that bear witness to the legacy of Hellenism from the end of antiquity to the present. The Gennadios Library has been named in honour of the scholar and teacher George Gennadius (1786-1854). George was the father of John Gennadius (1844-1932), who served as a diplomat and was also a scholar and a bibliophile. Gennadius donated his book collection to the American School of Classical Studies of Athens under the condition that it be housed in a separate building. With funding from the Carnegie Foundation and a design by the Von Pelt and Thompson company, the work was indeed completed in a short time. Parts of the collections were stolen during the German Occupation (WW2).
Info
- Address: 54 Souidias St.
- Postal Code : 10676
- Phone: +30 210 7210536
- Website: http://www.ascsa.edu.gr
Bibliography
American School of Classical Studies, (d.u.) Πληροφορίες – Ιστορικό, [Information- History]
http://www.ascsa.edu.gr/index.php/gennadiusgreek/about-us-gr/about-us-gr ,
Last visit 25/1/2013
