National Garden of Athens
Attikí
The National Garden of Athens, formerly known as the Royal Garden until 1974, is a 15.5-hectare (38-acre) public park located in the heart of Athens, Greece. Commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838 and completed by 1840, it was designed by German agronomist Friedrich Schmidt who introduced over 500 plant species and various animals, creating a unique urban oasis. The garden features a complex network of winding paths, water features, flower beds, and lawns, preserving its 19th-century English landscape style. It encloses numerous ancient Roman ruins including mosaics, column drums, and capitals, enriching its cultural significance. The garden borders the Greek Parliament building and extends to the Zappeion Hall, an important neoclassical structure linked to the early modern Olympic Games. The National Garden is a vital green lung for Athens, offering visitors a tranquil escape amidst historic busts of notable Greek figures such as Ioannis Kapodistrias and Dionysios Solomos. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, it remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, blending natural beauty, history, and cultural heritage in the city center.
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Astuce: Visit the National Garden during spring or early morning for a peaceful experience and cooler temperatures. Entrance is free, and the garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Accessibility is good, with wheelchair-friendly paths from most entrances except those on Vasilissis Sofias and Jean Moreas streets. Consider bringing a map or using the official website for navigation. No advance booking is required, but check for any temporary closures or changes in opening hours on the official website or social media.
Faits intéressants
- •The garden contains ancient Roman ruins including a villa with mosaics and Roman baths near the Zappeion.
- •King Alexander of Greece died in 1920 after being bitten by a monkey in the garden, an event linked to significant political changes.
- •The garden was originally called the Royal Garden until 1974 and was Queen Amalia's most successful project.
- •The Zappeion Hall adjacent to the garden was used as the Olympic Village in the 1896 Summer Olympics and hosted fencing events.
- •The garden features busts of important Greek historical figures such as Ioannis Kapodistrias and Dionysios Solomos.
Histoire
The garden was commissioned in 1838 by Queen Amalia, wife of King Otto, as part of Athens' transformation into a modern European capital.
Designed by Friedrich Schmidt, it originally served as the Royal Garden for the monarchy, with a private section for the royal family.
In 1920, King Alexander was fatally bitten by a monkey in the garden, a historical event that influenced Greek political history.
In the 1920s, the garden was opened to the public and renamed the National Garden.
Since 2004, the City of Athens manages the garden, which was officially designated a Historic Site in 2011.
The garden’s evolution reflects Greece’s modern statehood and urban development.
Guide du lieu
Central Palm Alley1839-1840
A monumental palm tree-lined avenue planted by Queen Amalia, serving as the main entrance and iconic feature of the garden.
Ancient Roman RuinsRoman period
Scattered throughout the garden are remains of Roman structures including mosaic floors, column drums, Corinthian capitals, and parts of Roman baths near the Zappeion.
Zappeion Hall1878
A neoclassical building adjacent to the garden, designed by Theophil Freiherr von Hansen and donated by Evangelis Zappas, used during the 1896 Olympics and now for exhibitions.
Busts of Greek Notables19th-20th centuries
Statues of important Greek figures such as Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first governor of Greece, and poets Dionysios Solomos and Aristotelis Valaoritis, located in various sections of the garden.
Contact
Téléphone: 21 0721 5019