AIGLI ZAPPEIOU HISTORY
By Dimitris Antonopoulos
Aigli Zappeiou: The Landmark and Its History
At the end of the 19th century, Athens was finding its footing a few decades after the establishment of the Greek state. The decision to build the Zappeion Hall was pivotal in the development of Athenian urban planning. It was the first building in the world constructed exclusively for the Olympic Games, specifically for the 1896 games. The neoclassical hall, designed by Danish architect Theophil Hansen, is closely tied to the history of modern Greece and the image of Athens in the early 20th century. Construction began in the early 1880s, costing two million gold drachmas, and it was officially inaugurated on October 20, 1888. An integral part of the Zappeion is Aigli, located within the lush Zappeion Garden. Built in the early 1900s, Aigli aimed to be a landmark for Athenians and to maintain the aesthetics of the Zappeion Gardens, dedicating all its commercial profits to this cause. The “Aigli of Zappeion” refreshment stand opened its doors in 1904, becoming the must-visit spot for Athenians during the cheerful and optimistic atmosphere of the belle époque. It attracted the city’s residents and was a meeting point for all prominent personalities of the time.
In photographs from that era, we see ladies in Ascot racecourse outfits with hats and long lace dresses, and gentlemen in white suits, Panama hats, and hats in general, bow ties, and neckties, enjoying their coffee and refreshments. It was in the late 1910s that the capital acquired one of its first summer cinemas, and Cine Aigli became one of the entertainment hubs of that time. With a capacity of 400 people, it is the oldest open-air cinema in the city, which continues to operate, having been designated as a preserved monument since the 1990s. In those years after the end of the Balkan Wars, World War I, and the Asia Minor Catastrophe, political passions were at their peak, discussions were lively, aesthetic and ideological quests were bubbling, and Aigli was a breeding ground for new ideas. Writers duly honored it, and in a 1933 photograph, we see Stratis Myrivilis, Angelos Terzakis, Elias Venezis, and Thrasos Kastanakis drinking their coffee there.
Giorgos Theotokas vividly captures this feeling in his political novel ‘Argo’: ‘There was quite a bit of nervousness on Aigli’s terrace. The students had taken most of the tables and had driven away the other patrons with their noise. They were constantly moving around, pushing each other and overturning chairs, teasing each other from afar, shouting, laughing, and all discussing the electoral prospects of the next Historic day. They also formed groups and tried to speak seriously. However, cheerfulness was present everywhere, and ‘Argo’ still maintained its companionable and friendly character on this eve of the battle.
On the 100th anniversary of Evangelos Zappas’ will, the space was renovated and on March 22, 1961, it was reopened by then-Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis. Aigli entered a new phase of upgraded operation as an integral part of Zappeion.
The most glorious period of Aigli in our time begins in 1988 when Lakis Raptakis takes over the management of the venue, and Aigli becomes the ultimate social hotspot of Athens. Wild star parties, launch events, and glamorous occasions like the premieres of movies such as Mediterraneo and James Bond become the reason for lively celebrations. Everyone was there, and when we say everyone, we mean everyone: from Hadjidakis, Horn, Irene Papas, Ploritis, Dandoulaki to Vougiouklaki, Denisi, Laskari, Kourkoulos, Gianfranco Ferré, and from Polatof, Billy Bo, Jigger, Bonatsos to Theodoros Vardinogiannis, Christos Lambrakis, and Socrates Kokkalis. Fashion people clock in at Aigli, which manages to express the dynamism, joy, lifestyle, and optimism of the capital at the end of the 20th century.
It was there that the then-unknown Takis Zacharatos made his first appearance in Athens, imitating Aliki Vougiouklaki. At its tables, top international artists who came for performances in Athens, such as Agnes Baltsa, Montserrat Caballé, and many others, would sit. The artistic, intellectual, and business world all embraced Aigli, which was at the center of Athenian life. It was the setting for the filming of ‘The 13th Box’ starring Nikos Kourkoulos and Vana Barba. At the dawn of the 21st century, the management of Aigli was taken over by Thanasis Platis, followed by Dimitris Kontominas.
In its new era that begins now, Aigli Zappeiou becomes a gastronomic and cultural hub and a state-of-the-art event destination in the heart of Athens. With two restaurants, three event spaces, and its summer cinema, the new Aigli emerges as a cultural hub hosting experiences that reflect not only Athenian culture but also the global reality. Creative, multicultural, innovative, authentic, accessible, and multidimensional, the new Aigli Zappeiou is redefined and introduced with a new identity.
