Technopolis- Industrial Gas Museum
Technopolis is the former gas factory, which lit the city for almost a century. It is the largest cultural multiplex venue of the municipality.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
1859 Beginning of the construction that lasted until 1861.
1984 Closure.
1999 Inauguration of Technopolis.
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 Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens is located in the former gas factory, which lit the city for almost a century. Technopolis is the largest cultural multiplex venue of the municipality. It is also the first industrial museum of the city, showcasing the production line of the former factory through projections, historical items, machines, photographs and audio content. In addition, the area hosts the municipal radio station, an amphitheater, the Technopolis cafe and “The Globe of Peace”, a sculpture by Nikos Giorgos Pappoutsidis. The architectural style of the factory is a mix of “utilitarian” typology, eclecticism of the period and industrial romanticism. During its third phase of operation (1920-1950) and on the advice of German engineers, the buildings were arranged in such a way as to meet the needs of the production cycle and got a constructivist style. Inside the complex, one can distinguish simple and well-designed patterns on metal and plinth, which add elegance to the premises. Today, the Technopolis exhibition grounds and the cafe have incorporated decorative elements from industrial buildings.
What I can't see
The workers of the gas factory died soon after retirement, as a result of the unhygienic conditions. Each time a worker retired, a macabre and self-deprecating custom would take place: his colleagues performed an iconic funeral that involved carrying the soon-to-be retiree around, on a table. The high levels of pollution emitted by the plant, its proximity to the archaeological site of Keramikos and the fact that gas became outdated, led to its eventual closure. It has been listed as a monument of industrial cultural heritage and is considered one of its kind in Europe. Today, Technopolis attracts major exhibitions, conferences, cultural events and over 600,000 visitors annually. This, coupled with the opening of the nearby metro station in 2007 has boosted the area’s popularity, making it one of Athens’ main entertainment hubs.
Info
- Address: 100 Pireos St.
- Postal Code : 11854
- Phone: +30 210 3475518, 210 3461589
- E-mail: [email protected] , [email protected]
- Website: http://www.technopolis-athens.com
Bibliography
Antonopoulou Z., (2003), Τα γλυπτά της Αθήνας, Υπαίθρια Γλυπτική1834-2004 [The sculptures of Athens, Outdoor sculpting 1834-2004], Potamos
Archaeology of the city of Athens, (d.u.), Γκάζι (Εργοστασιακό συγκρότημα φωταερίου Αθηνών), [Gazi (Athens Gas Industrial Complex)], ΕΙΕ,
http://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/gr/arxeio_more.aspx?id=216,
Last visit 20/12/12
http://www.culture2000.tee.gr/ATHENS/GREEK/main2.html
Last visit 13/6/2020
Spyridaki Th., Florou M., (2014), Technopolis/ Gasworks the Industrial Gas Museum, in Navigating the routes of Art and Culture, Part 1, Athens, Ministry of Culture and Sports
