The Academy of Athens, situated in Athens, Greece is the country’s national academy and the highest research establishment within the country. It was officially opened in 1926 and comes under the administration of the Ministry of Education. The main building is one of Athens’ most visited tourist attractions.

Today, the academy houses 14 research centres, seven research offices and a central library. The main building of the academy is a neoclassical one situated between Akadimias Street and Panepistimiou Street in central Athens. It was conceptualised as part of an architectural trilogy in 1859 by the Danish architect Theophil Hansen, as well as the national library and the university. As you wander around the Academy, giant statues of Plato and Socrates flank the building, defining Greek philosophers worthy of mention. The academy’s facade was even chosen to be featured on a commemorative coin during the 2004 Summer Olympics.