Propylaea
Klenze's late work and the western terminus of Königsplatz. Built 1854–1862 as a monumental gateway in Corinthian style — dedicated to the Greek struggle for liberation and to King Otto of Greece, son of Ludwig I.
A gateway with a political message
Klenze's 1815 master plan already provided for a monumental gateway at the western end of Königsplatz. Concrete planning only began in 1846; construction was carried out between 1854 and 1862 — when Klenze was already 70. Model: the Propylaea of the Athenian Acropolis. Style: Corinthian — formally completing Königsplatz: Glyptothek Doric (north), Antikensammlungen Ionic (south), Propylaea Corinthian (west). Material: Würzburg limestone.
Dedicated to the Greek War of Independence
Thematically the Propylaea commemorate the Greek struggle against the Ottomans (1821–1832) and the choice of Otto of Bavaria, second son of Ludwig I, as the first king of modern Greece (1832–1862). The reliefs on the plinths depict scenes from the Greek revolution. Otto was overthrown in 1862 — barely after the Propylaea were completed; King Ludwig financed the building from his private purse.
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