Technopolis - Municipal Enterprise for the Protection and Promotion of the Athens Gazi Industrial Archaeological Park

Address: 100 Pireos St, 11854 Athens

Tel: 210 3461589, 210 3467322

Fax: 210 3413228

E-mail: info@athens-technopolis.gr

The City of Athens Technopolis, an industrial museum of incomparable architecture - among the most interesting in the world, has been transformed into a multipurpose cultural space. The centre has assisted in the upgrading of a historic Athens district and the creation of yet another positive element in Athens' cultural identity.

It is housed in the city's former gasworks, on a site known as Gazi spanning some 3 hectares, next to the Kerameikos area and in close proximity to the Acropolis. The gasworks was gradually transformed into an education centre and host venue for various events. The visitor can take a stroll through the site filled with images, knowledge and emotions.

The charm of a bygone area, conveyed through stacks, enormous cauldrons (gasometers), chimneys and ovens, "conspires" with reverence to establish the site as a "factory" for the protection and production of art. Etymologically, the word "gas" (derived from the ancient German galist, later geist) means spirit.

In operation since 1999, Technopolis is dedicated to the memory of the unforgettable composer Manos Hadjidakis.

In honour of Greek poetry, eight of the buildings on the site bear the name of great Greek poets: Andreas Embirikos (Hall D1), Angelos Sikelianos (D4), Yannis Ritsos (Athina Municipal Radio 9.84 FM amphitheatre) , Kostis Palamas (D10), Takis Papatsonis (D6), Constantine Kavafy (D7) and Kostas Varnalis (A8). Its trademark is the innovative "Millennium Sphere" sculpture, by artists Nikos and Yiorgos Papoutsidis, which portrays the globe surrounded by olive branches, symbolising the wish and hope that peace and humanity will prevail throughout the world.