Greek Independence Day and Our Greek Revival Architectural Heritage
Greek Independence Day will soon be celebrated on March 25, commemorating the day in 1821 when the Greek War for Independence began. That event not only brought about the modern Greek nation; it also helped launch a fascination with classical Greek architecture and design in the second quarter of the 19th century, just as the present-day neighborhoods of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo were experiencing their first wave of urban development. As a result, we have a wealth of what came to be known as Greek Revival architecture, including some of the most important landmarks of the style in the entire country. And thanks to hard-won landmark designations, more examples of this historic style survive in our neighborhoods than anywhere else in New York City.
The Greek Revival style in our neighborhoods includes churches, synagogues, and monumental terraces of grand houses designed to impress and inspire viewers, along with modest but beautiful structures meant to shelter average New Yorkers. And we’ve got a guide to all of them in our Guide to Greek Revival Architecture Interactive Map.
Our Greek Revival map is one of dozens Village Preservation has created to guide you through the rich history of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo, covering everything from the Greenwich Village Historic District to Women’s Suffrage Sites; Art Deco to Hip-Hop; Bob Dylan to 60 Years of Landmarking.
March 20, 2026
