Friday, April 2, 2010

Numismatic Museum


This is the Iliou Melathron (The Palace of Ilion), once the house of Heinrich Schliemann, now the Numismatic Museum of Athens, on Panepistimou Street. It's one of my favourite buildings in Athens, often neglected because of its position on a busy street, far too close to other buildings of architectural and historical insterest, namely the Parliament on one side and the University on the other.


It was built in 1879, designed by German architect Ernst Ziller in the style of buildings of the Italian Renaissance adapted to the neoclassical spirit of the late 19th century. The detail on the ceilings is amazing.

I took this photo after the 25th March parade, this is why there are people strolling where cars should have been wizzing past.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful building! I like the peeping shot too, amazing frescoes.

Unseen India Tours said...

What a beautiful building !! I love these kind of places a lot !! Great sharing !!Unseen Rajasthan

Tinsie said...

Glad you like it :-)

I really ought to visit the museum one of these days and take more photos of the interior.

VP said...

I'm sorry that I 'neglected' it too, a very beautiful building indeed.

Tinsie said...

Put it on your list for next time ;-)