Foundation ceremony

Otto’s new palace (present-day Parliament Building) was founded on January 25, 1834. Architect Friedrich von Gärtner offered the king the palace plans wrapped in foil to be placed by the foundations. Louis I of Bavaria, who came to Athens for the occasion, also deposited gold, silver and bronze coins and a gemstone watch. Then the two kings took a silver hammer and gave the first blows, accompanied by gunshots, cheers, and music.

Creator: Anonymous (1862)
Source: Le Tour du monde: nouveau journal des voyages, vol. 5, 1862