What I can see

This building by architect Petros Tzanetos is characteristic for its circular shape and the structurally challenging large roof in a dome shape. The architectural design is a direct reference to the standards of ancient theatres and conservatories and the external stairs lend solidity to this “Modern Rotunda“. It is located within the area of TIF. During its renovation for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the facades, spectators’ moving areas and locker rooms were reconstructed, while technical equipment and lighting was replaced with the latest technology. The reconstruction resulted in a reduction of the initial capacity of 5,576 to about 4,800 seats. Furthermore, even though the building is circular, internal platforms are horseshoe-shaped because of an auxiliary indoor hall located behind one of the baskets in the central arena.

What I can't see

Initially named the “National Indoor Arena in Thessaloniki”, this building was eventually renamed to “Alexandreion Athletic Melathron of Thessaloniki”. The French construction company that built it has also build the Palais des Sports de Gerland in Lyon. Because of the architectural similarities between the two buildings, which have an almost identical capacity and roof, the Alexandreio Melathron has been nicknamed “Palais des Sports”. It initially hosted basketball and volleyball games by Thessaloniki-based teams, until most of them moved to their own facilities. The building belongs to the Ministry of Culture and the General Secretariat of Sports and is now home to one of the largest sports teams in the city. In 2013, the main hall was named “Nikos Galis”, in honour of Greece’s star basketball player. This was the largest indoor stadium in the country until 1985, when the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens was constructed. Finally, it has hosted several Greek and European cup finals and it frequently hosts cultural events.

Info

• Address: TIF

Bibliography