This imposing, archaic building was built from 1859 until 1885, and was sponsored by the family of business entrepreneur, Baron Simon Sinas, who then lived in Vienna. Based on plans by Danish architect, Theophile Hanssen, and supervised by Ernst Ziller, the precise location of the construction site had already been selected in 1842, specifically chosen to be part of the famous “Athenian trilogy” of neo-classical buildings.
Based on Ionian era designs, the building is covered in white Pentelic marble, and its pediments adorned with Peiraic stone; statues of Athena, goddess of Letters, and Apollo, god of the Arts, both created by Leonidas Drossis, are seen standing on two high Ionic order columns overlooking the entrance. Two other impressive statues greet visitors at the entrance escalade, Plato and Aristotle. Though originally drawn by Drossis, these two statues were not completed until after his death. And although the building was ready for occupancy in 1885, the Academy was not officially founded until 1926, when it commenced operations as the supreme research establishment in the country.
Source: www.athensattica.gr