Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is an architectural and urban project in Athens, Greece. It is a complex of cultural and recreational facilities located on the site of the former horse-racing track. The entire complex was funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, a Greek philanthropic organization. The first facility on the site, which opened in 2017, is the Stavros Niarchos Park, a traditional Mediterranean park of 170 acres along the shore of the Saronic Gulf boasting artificial hills, an Olympic-sized pool, extensive walkways, and beaches. The second facility, the National Library of Greece (NLG), was completed at the same time and houses a vast collection of books and multimedia. The final piece of the complex, the National Opera house, opened in 2021 and boasts great acoustics and state-of-the-art facilities. Nearby, the Agora is a public gathering place with shops, restaurants, a public theater, and in the summer months a lake. Access to the Complex is gained through a new underground metro station. The SNFCC is a unique architectural feat and a delight for visitors to Athens.