George M. Averoff

(from Wikipedia) George M. Averoff (August 15, 1815, Metsovo – July 15, 1899, al-Raml/Ramleh, Alexandria), alternately Georgios Averof (in Greek: Γεώργιος Αβέρωφ), was a Greek businessman and philanthropist of Aromanian origin.

Born in the town of Metsovo (Epirus, Greece, then Ottoman Empire) Averoff moved to Alexandria while still young. He was known through most of his life for founding numerous schools in both Egypt and Greece.

As a benefactor, he contributed funds for the restoration of the Panathenian Stadium in readiness for the 1896 Summer Olympics. This he did at the request of Crown Prince Constantine. The stadium was refurbished in 1895, its second refurbishment in the 19th century, using white marble from Mount Penteli pursuant to Averoff's request. The cost was initially estimated at 585,000 drachmas but eventually reached 920,000.

He also served as a member of the reception committee for the foreign competitors at the Games.
In gratitude for his contributions, a statue of Averoff was commissioned and placed in front of the Panathenian Stadium. It remains there today.

In addition, a Greek cruiser, the flagship of the Hellenic Navy, which was constructed largely with funds (2,500,000 Gold francs) provided for under his will, was named after him.

Buried at The cemetery of Athenes, A Koimitirio Athinon.

First Cemetery of Athens (Greece)

The First Cemetery of Athens (A Koimitirio Athinon) was founded around 1837, when Athens was also established as the capital city of the modern Greek state.

About the cemetery

The First Cemetery of Athens spreads on the slope of the Ardittos hill, close to the Panathinaiko Stadium. Major Greek figures are buried in the First Cemetery, such as heroes of the Greek Revolution, politicians, poets, artists, etc. 

The style of the cemetery can be traced to the Romantic period. The collection of sculptures hosted in the cemetery can be considered as a most significant and genuine example of the quality attained in marble carving in Greece between 1850 and 1920. Memorial art flourished during the 19th century and marked the rebirth of the new Greek state. All kinds of monuments and ornamental patterns appeared which conveyed the influence of ancient times (stelae, columns, reliefs, sarcophagi, small neoclassical temples). Apart from funerary artworks based on ancient models, some samples can be found of Byzantine and Egyptian patterns, as well as a remarkable number of copper masterpieces.

Address

First Cemetery of Athens
Logginou 3,
Athina 116 36,
Greece

Contacts

Phone: +30 21 0922 1621