THE STORY OF THE AUSTRIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDING'S GREEK CARACTER

 

 

 

One of the most beautiful and impressive Parliament buildings in Europe is in Vienna which has a distinctive Greek flavour.

 

Built during the 19^th century, the Austrian Parliament impresses tourists with it’s perfect resemblance to an ancient Greek temple.

Designed by architect Theophilos  Hansen and completed in 1883, the Austrian Parliament is one of the most characteristic examples of the classical Greek architectural renaissance of the 19^th century. 

 

Hansen decided to give the building its unmistakable Greek character because he wanted to revive the Greek architectural style.  During this period, called Neoclassicism there was an awakened admiration for ancient Greece’s achievements, leading architects across Europe and the Americas to design. buildings in the Greek classical style.

 

Designing holistically, Hansen was responsible both for the exterior and the interior of the Parliament building.  The result was a stunning recreation of classical Greece, with columns and pediments of white marble and frescoes along the walls of the entrance.

 

The Austrian authorities thought at the time, that classical Greek architecture was very appropriate for a parliament building because of its connection with ancient Greeks and their legacy for democracy.

 

Hansen, relying on the drafts he had drawn up for the Zappeion Hall in Athens was ready to implement his ideas and give Vienna a landmark that would capture the admiration of the world. 

The "Athena Fountain” in front of the parliament was erected several years after the parliament building’s construction.   Creating an urban complex that gives the impression of being in the ancient city of Athens.

 

Vienna is also home to the historical Greek community.   When we think of the key communities of the Greek  Diaspora Vienna often comes in mind.  However, when we consider historically significant communities for modern Hellenism, the Austrian capital should certainly be on a list with its own Greek enclave Little Greece.

 

The members of the Greek diaspora in Vienna came primarily from Macedonia, Epirus, and Thrace.

 

The Vienna Greek School is older than Greece itself, being founded in1804.  Aside from educational efforts that were going on since that time, Vienna is where the Greek language first appeared in print in the modern world.

 

The actual site of the first Greek printing press is gone.  Still, within the Greek Quarter, a stately baroque building houses the second Greek printing press, where Rigas Pheraos the protomartyr of Greek Independence edited the Greek newspaper “Ephimeris”.     

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