Brief History of the University of Athens

Today, the University of Athens is the largest Institution of Highest Education in Greece, with about 1.700 professors, 800 administrative personnel and 70.000 under-graduate and graduate students. It has five Schools (Faculties) those of Theology, Law, Medicine, Arts, and Sciences. Schools are divided to a total of 19 Departments and there are also 10 independent Departments. The 'Greek University of Othon', named after King Othon (Otto), the first King of the newly liberated Greek State, was inaugurated on May 3rd, 1837. This was the first Greek University. Appointed as the first Rector was Constantinos Schinas, Professor of History. The first 'Simantores' (Deans) were: Michael Apostolides for the School of Theology, Anastasios Lefkias for the School of Medicine, George Rallis for the School of Law and Neofitos Vamvas for the School of Arts. Later (1862) the University was renamed to 'National University'. In 1911, to fulfill a clause in the will of Ioannis Dompolis (one of the greatest benefactors of the University) , the 'Kapodistrian University' was inaugurated (named after the First Governor of the free Greek State, Ioannis Kapodistrias), which included the Schools of Theology, Law and Arts. The two remaining Schools, those of Medicine and Sciences, were left as parts of the 'National University'. These two Institutions, each one a separate legal entity, with its own budget, seal and flag, shared a common administration. In 1932 it was decided that these two Institutions were to be merged and form the 'National and Kapodistrian University of Athens', which now is the official full name of the University of Athens.

The University Building was first temporary situated under the Acropolis (Plaka district) in the private residence of the Architect Stamatis Kleanthis. Now, this old (17th century) modest Building, well preserved and restored, serves as Museum of the History of the University of Athens and it is known as 'Palaion Panepistimion' (Old University). The Main Building of the University, on Panepistimiou Street (University Street) in the Center of Athens (Athens map), was designed and built by the Danish Architect Christian Hansen in 1839. Today, the Main Building, houses the Office of the Rector, and it is the Administrative center of the University. The Main Building houses also the Great Hall of Ceremonies where (among others) the graduation ceremonies take place. In 1963, the Greek State granted to the University of Athens a large wooded and hilly area (about 380 acres) at the foot of the Hemittos Mountain, between the boroughs of Zografos and Kesariani at the East-Southeast outskirts of Athens. It was to be used for building of 'Panepistimiopolis' ( University Campus ). Until that time, the University Schools and Departments were scattered in the center of and around Athens. The first installations that became operational in Panepistimiopolis, were the student dormitories, the sports sites, and the Building of the School of Theology. In 1981, the Building of the School of Sciences was inaugurated and the Biology and Geology Departments were moved there. Following these, in 1988, the Building of the School of Arts was inaugurated and the Greek Literature, History-Archaeology, Philosophy, Education and Foreign Language Departments were moved. In 1990 the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacy followed suit. In various other areas of the Campus the Departments of Mathematics, Physics are now located.