What I can see

In eastern Attica, and on an area of ​​946,000 sq.m, the Olympic Equestrian Center of Markopoulo is located. The main entrance is to the west, the racecourse to the east, the equestrian centre to the north and the cross country area to the south and south-west. There are two separate entrance buildings leading to the racecourse and the equestrian centre. The hippodrome consists of a double track and the building of the spectators has additional uses. Main buildings of the equestrian centre are the show jumping and equestrian arenas, veterinary clinic, indoor arena, official area, stables (280 horses), storerooms, training rooms and other auxiliary areas. Despite the different functional needs of the buildings, their “architectural language” is the same. The buildings have been optimally adapted to the terrain, their lines are simple and the colours respect the natural landscape.

What I can't see

The challenge that architect Mina Vlaikidou was asked to face was the equestrian centre itself. Beyond the hippodrome, all the facilities surrounding such a complex must combine functionality and respect for the natural landscape, whether they were temporary for the Athens Olympics or not.

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