What I can see

Later extensions were made to the original two-storey neoclassical building and the complex we see today was created gradually. It was originally built for the purpose it serves to this day, that is to house the American School of Classical Studies.

What I can't see

It was initially housed in a building on Amalias Avenue and in Melas Mansion (Kotzia Square), until it was permanently housed here, following the intervention of Prime Minister Charilaos Trikoupis. The spot chosen was not the best at the time, because it was located on a stream and quite far from the then centre of the city. For this reason, anti-flood works were carried out. The purpose of establishing the school was to give the opportunity to American students to get to know and study the ancient monuments up close. This idea was mocked by the New York Times in their article, speaking of “an obnoxious spirit of innovation” and “unsatisfied, troublemakers and cracked teachers”. The school has carried out a huge archaeological project, which is being carried out to this day. Most important of all, is the excavation of the Ancient Agora of Athens and its expropriation costs, as well as the excavations at the archaeological sites of Thorikos, Makronissos, Corinth, Pnyx and the northern slope of the Acropolis. It has a rich research history and international publications, it is contracted with 170 colleges and universities in North America, and it has two important libraries (Blegen and Gennadius) and the Wiener laboratory. Finally, the school has been publishing the scientific journal “Hesperia” 4 times a year since 1932, and is one of the most valid journals of Hellenic studies worldwide.

Info

• Address: 54 Souidias St.
• Postal Code : 10676
• Phone: +30 213 0002400
• Website: http://www.ascsa.edu.gr/

Bibliography