Athens Brochure English

GREECE
thens, having been inhabited since the Neolithic age, is
A considered Europe’s historical capital. During its long,

everlasting and fascinating history the city reached its
zenith in the 5th century B.C (the “Golden Age of Pericles”),
when its values and civilisation acquired a universal significance
and glory. Political thought, theatre, the arts, philosophy, science,
architecture, among other forms of intellectual thought, reached
an epic acme, in a period of intellectual consummation unique in
world history.
Therefore, Athens constituted the cradle of western civilisation.
A host of Greek words and ideas, such as democracy, harmony,
music, mathematics, art, gastronomy, architecture, logic, Eros, eu-
phoria and many others, enriched a multitude of lan-
guages, and inspired civilisations.
Over the years, a multitude of conque-
rors occupied the city and erected
splendid monuments of great signifi-
cance, thus creating a rare historical
palimpsest.
Driven by the echo of its classical past,
in 1834 the city became the capital of the modern Greek state.
During the two centuries that elapsed however, it developed into
an attractive, modern metropolis with unrivalled charm and great
interest.
Today, it offers visitors a unique experience. A “journey” in its
6,000-year history, including the chance to see renowned monu-
ments and masterpieces of art of the antiquity and the Middle
Ages, and the architectural heritage of the 19th and 20th cen-
turies. You get an uplifting, embracing feeling in the brilliant light
of the attic sky, surveying the charming landscape in the environs
of the city (the indented coastline, beaches and mountains), and
enjoying the modern infrastructure of the city and unique verve
of the Athenians.
1. A section
Year-round visitors are fascinated by Athens, one of the most at-
of the pediment tractive and charming capitals of Europe.
of the Athens
Academy
building.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS
Tour of Athens, stage 1: 1 ΟLYMPIEION

AD by the Roman Emperor
ΑNTIQUITIES T he Olympieion includes the
sanctuary (temple) of
Hadrian. It is of Corinthian
order (110m in length and
15 IN ΑTHENS Olympian Zeus, Roman baths,
classical houses as well as a sec-
approximately 44m in width),
three rows of eight columns at
tion of the ancient city’s fortifi-
the narrow sides and two rows
cation wall. According to the
of twenty columns at its long
geographer Pausanias, the tem-
sides. Inside the temple there
14 ple of Olympian Zeus was
was a gold and ivory statue of
founded by Deukalionas,
Zeus which does not exist
a mythical ancestor of the
today.
Greeks. In the age of tyrrany,
circa 515 BC, Peisistratos the • Ilissos Valley. The surviv-
younger grandson of the tyrant ing section of the Ilissos river
13
Peisistratos, attempted to re- valley (right behind the temple
place the old temple with a of Olympian Zeus) is worth a
new, more impressive temple. visit. In antiquity the Ilissos riv-
The tyranny, however, was er was known as the sacred riv-
abolished and construction er of the Muses. Scattered re-
work was terminated. The con- mains of ancient sanctuaries
struction of the new temple are located in the valley. You
was later assigned to the will find nearby the rock of the
4 Roman architect Decimus Kalliroi spring – which was fa- 5
Cossutius by the king of Syria mous in antiquity – and the
Antiochus IV Epiphanes. church of Ayia Fotini, which
Antiochus died in 163 BC and was built in 1872 at the site of
the construction of the temple an ancient temple, on the foun-
was once again abandoned. dation of the sacred sanctuary
The structure did not have a of Ekati. You will find nearby,
roof and pediment. The con- the preserved monuments of
struction of the temple, which the Classical, Roman, and
ranks among the biggest in an- Byzantine age, among others,
tiquity, was completed in 131 (the Temple of Apollo Delphinios,
A
3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the biggest in
Europe) has been established in central roads
(Vas. Olgas Str, D. Areopagitou Str, Ap. Pavlou Str,
Adrianou Str. and a section of Ermou Str)
leading to the major archaeological sites of Athens
(archaeological park).
Visitors to the section from Dionyssiou Aeropagitou 2. Temple of
Olympian Zeus:
(opposite Hadrian’s Arch) to the crossroads
16 of a total
of Ermou Str and Piraeus Str (in the Kerameikos area) of 104 columns
may enjoy the ancient landscape in a tranquil (with a height
of 17 metres)
setting of the city. have been
The archaeological tour is an unforgettable experience. preserved.
the Temple of Cronos and Rhea, a

Byzantine quarter with workshops, 4. Famous sights
of Athens:
and Leonidis Church).
the rock
of the Acropolis,
2 HADRIAN’S ΑRCH the Parthenon,
the Erechtheion,
F ollowing the con-

struction of the
temple of Zeus, the
the Temple
of Athena
Victory and
the Propylaea.
Athenians, in 131 In the
AD, in honour of foreground,
Emperor Hadrian, the Roman
built an arch on the Odeion
northwestern perime- of Herodes
Atticus and in
ter of the temple. The
the background
monument is 18m tall and 13m Lycabettus Hill.
3. Hadrian’s wide while the arch, built of
arch, Pentelic marble, bears two in-
the symbolic scriptions on the architrave
gate of the city over the arch. One inscription,
of Athens.
facing the Acropolis and the

old town (facing west), says:
6
“This is Athens, the city of
Theseus.” The other inscription,
Δ Ε Ι Τ Ε : 7
facing the sanctuary and an ex-
tension of Athens constructed
by Hadrian, (facing east), says:
“This is the city of Hadrian, not
Theseus.”
3 DIONYSSIOU 4 THE ANCIENT
ΑREOPAGITOU THEATRE Areopagitou Str ), and descend.
STR OF DIONYSOS On the slope to your right is
the most ancient theatre of the
D ionyssiou Aeropagitou Str
is one of the most impres-
sive streets of Athens, offering
D irections: Enter the ar-
chaeological area on the
southern slope of the Acropolis
world, the Theatre of Dionysos.
In this theatre, the most famous
an extraordinary view of the (entrance at Dionyssiou ancient Greek poets, Aeschylus,
southern slope of the Acropolis,
where some of the city’s most
significant monuments stand,
and the Parthenon. Most of the
buildings on one side of the 5. View of the
road facing south were con- pedestrianized
structed in the late 19th centu- Dionyssiou
ry and the early 20th century Areopagitou
Str., centerpiece
in the neoclassical or mod-
of the “grand
ernist style, reflecting the bour- promenade”
geois style of the street. in the
archaeological
sites of Athens.
5 THE STOA 8. Fireworks

OF EUMENES over the
Acropolis during
A bove the theatre is the Stoa

of Eumenes, which was
built by the King of Pergamum,
the millennium
festivities.
Eumenes II in the 2nd century

BC. The arch provided shelter
to theatregoers in case of bad
weather or shade from the sun.
Nearby are the ruins of the
Asklepeion of Athens, which was
built in 429 BC, following the
plague, which decimated the
population.
6. The Theatre
Aristophanes, Euripides, and
of Dionysos. 6 THE ODEION
Sophocles saw premiere per-
OF HERODES
formances of their plays in the
5th century BC. The auditorium
ATTICUS
8
and the proscenium were made
of wood. In the 4th century BC
they were reconstructed using
T he Odeion of Herodes
Atticus was built in 161 AD
by the wealthy Herodes 9
marble. Sections of the stone Tiberius Claudius Atticus, a
auditorium survive. According teacher and philosopher, who
to experts, the theatre had a ca- inherited a fortune from his fa-
pacity of 17,000. On the slope ther. Herodes Atticus construct-
overlooking the theatre, sculpted the covered Odeion in
ed on the rock of the memory of his wife Regilla.
Acropolis, is the choregic Ancient Greeks organised
Monument of Thasyllus (319 BC) events in the Odeion.
and two choregic Corinthian Nowadays, the 5,000-seat the-
columns. atre is a venue for concerts of

the Athens Festival ( page ancient civilisation with the
136). You may enjoy the modern city.
beauty and charm of The monuments on
the Odeion in a the Sacred Rock
morning stroll on date back to the
prehistoric era 9. The
the way to the
performance
Acropolis. and antiquity. of a ballet
The grandeur on the stage
and beauty of at the Odeion of
7 THE the Sacred Rock Herodes Atticus.
ΑCROPO- attract Greek
LIS and foreign visitors.
A visit to the
7. The Roman
Odeion of
Herodes Atticus.
T he Acropolis is the
symbol of Athens, the sa-
cred rock, linking the fabulous
Acropolis is a unique ex-
perience.
7.2 THE T EMPLE OF of the architect Kallikrates. 12. The northern

THE A THENA V ICTORY The site was the location of wing of
(Wingless Victory) a sancturary in the prehistoric the Propylaea,
era. To the left of the temple known
south of the Propylaea, was
as the Gallery,
built circa 420 BC in commem- you will find the Erechtheion.
was decorated
oration of the victory of the Facing the temple is the with paintings.
Greeks against the Persians. Parthenon.
The temple was the work
7.3 THE PARTHENON
is an architectural masterpiece
of great renown. You will ap-
preciate its splendour if you
visit, and learn about
the history and the se-
crets of the construc-
7.4 tion of the
Parthenon. This
THE SIGHTS:
7 unique temple,
dedicated to the
7.1 7.1
goddess Athena,
THE P ROPYLAEA was built of
7.3
adorned with monuments, 7.2 Pentelic marble.
10 11
is the grand entrance of the The Parthenon of
Acropolis. The Propylaea, the classical era
10. built by Pericles in 437-432 was built on the
The Parthenon, BC, were the work of the remains of the
the most famous Athenian archi- monumental
splendid tect, Mnesikles. They 6 earlier
architectural
were incorporated in the Parthenon, an ar-
achievement
of classical wall which has been pre- 5 chaic temple
Greece. served until today and was built in the late
4 6th century BC.
built during the first half of the

5th century B.C., in place of the
older destroyed Cyclopean
wall. Before reaching the
Propylaea, you will pass
11. The western through the Beuleέ gate, part of
side of the tower the Roman fortifications of the
of the Temple Acropolis. Right after that you
of Athena will encounter a 13 m. high
Victory. In the pedestal, known as the “monu-
lower section
ment of Agrippa”, on which the
is a small
sanctuary Athenians in 27 B.C. erected a
shaped as statue of the Roman Marcus
a double niche. Agrippa, benefactor of the city.
The architects of the classical 7.4 THE

temple, which was constructed ΕRECHTHEION
and decorated from 447-432BC Take note of the following: was built from 420-406 BC at
(in the golden century of columns, which appear the most holy site
Pericles), were Iktinos and Please be patient when you ascend
to bulge. of the Acropolis,
Kallikrates. It is a Doric peri- the holy rock. You will be
where goddess
pteral temple with 8 columns rewarded by the spectacular view • The Erechtheion is a unique
Athena planted the
on the front and the back and at the top. temple constructed
olive tree, her sa-
17 columns on each side. In • You will pass through the according to the style cred symbol. The
the Parthenon stood the chry- Propylaea before you arrive of ancient Athens. It is tree was later de-
selephantine statue of Athena, constructed on two levels. stroyed by Persian
at the Parthenon.
the work of the famous sculp- It is asymmetrical and has invaders. According
tor Pheidias, who was also in • The view from the temple
two balconies, which are to mythology, fol-
charge of the overall construc- of the Athena Victory is
not thematically connected lowing the expul-
tion. The statue was the desti- spectacular. sion of the
to each other. The small
nation of the great procession • The slight bulge of the Persians, the tree
of the Panathenaea, depicted balcony on the south side is
columns of the Parthenon better known, mainly due miraculously
on the frieze of the temple. sprouted again.
gives the impression that to the six Caryatids that
The chryselephantine statue they are bending support the roof. The Caryatids:
of Athena: under the weight The figures of the
differences between the
According to of the roof. maidens support-
sections of the temple may
12 mythology, the ing the roof of the southern 13
name of the city • The secret of the be due to the fact that the
harmony of the balcony of the temple are
is connected various parts are dedicated
copies. Five of the six Maidens 14.
with a rivalry be- Parthenon is that to various gods. The eastern Varvakeios
that once adorned the temple
tween Poseidon there is not a section was dedicated to Athena, a copy
are displayed in the Acropolis
and Athena for straight line in the Athena Poliada, and the of Pheidias’s
Museum, while the sixth is dis- gold and ivory
the guardianship of the city. design. Don’t be deceived by western section to Poseidon played in the British Museum. statue (National
Poseidon offered the Athenians the optical illusion of the Erechtheus. Archaeological
13. The a horse, while Athena, struck THE new ΑCROPOLIS Museum).
Erechtheion the rock of the Acropolis with ΜUSEUM
pages 45, 90-91)
on the northern her spear, and an olive tree
side of the rock (
sprouted. The Athenians pre- ferred the olive tree, which and the analytical descriptions
of the Acropolis. symbolised peace and prosperi- of Pausanias
ty. The city was named after (2nd century
Athena. The 12-metre high stat- AD), testify to
ue stood in the Parthenon. The the existence
interior of the statue was made of the statue.
of wood, while the nude parts Archaeologists
were made of ivory. The re- have derived
movable robe and the helmet information
were coated with gold plating. about the statue
The statue, which represented from copies.
the goddess Athena bearing The most fa- 15. The
southern
arms, and on her right hand a mous copy balcony of
2-metre high ivory statue of is the the Erechtheion
victory, was lost in the early Varvakeios with the famous
Byzantine era. Ancient sources, Athena. Caryatids.
Orestes for the murder of his 10 THE P NYX the National Observatory, 19. Pnyx:
mother Clytemnaestra, and her page 47). The semicircular the speaker’s
lover Aegisthus. Apostle Paul
spoke to the Athenians at the
Areios Pagos in 51 AD.
T he Pnyx is situated between
the Hill of the Muses (the lo-
cation of Philopappus’
square was after 6th century BC
the location of the assembly
of the people of Athens. They
podium, facing
the rock
of the Acropolis.

A bronze plaque on the base Monument) and the Hill of the gathered here to hear orators
of the hill commemorates his Nymphs, (the location of the speak from a rock platform in
sermons. Sanctuary of the Nymphs and the centre of the Pnyx, and par-
ticipate in the democratic
9 polity. The assembly is thought
PHILOPAPPOU to have a capacity of 10,000.
HILL
W ell worth a visit any time

of the year. A walk at
Philopappou Hill is a fascinat-
11 THE Α NCIENT
ΑGORA
16. The hill
of Areios Pagos 8 THE ΑREIOS
ing experience: you will find
here a magnificent park, im- T he archaeological area of
the ancient Agora is located
commanding PAGOS portant monuments such as the on the foothills of the
an impressive alleged “Prisons of Socrates,” the Acropolis, near metro stop
view of the
Acropolis T he Areios Pagos, venerated
in antiquity, is the most an-
cient law court of the world. It
“Tombs of Kimon,” the ancient
Koilis street, which was a mer-
“Thission.” In antiquity, the
Agora was not solely a com-
cantile boulevard with shops mercial centre. It was also an
14 was the seat of the first aristo- and houses, the “Iroo important political, cultural and 15
cratic assembly of ancient Mousaiou,” the Philopappus religious centre. In the area of
monuments Athens. The assembly gradually Monument and the spectacular the agora were located admin-
and the present- lost political influence and in view of the Parthenon and the istrative buildings, temples,
day city. the latter half of the 5th centu- Acropolis. public services and courts. The
ry, it retained solely its func- Athenians gathered here every
17. Philopappus tion as a court, mostly hearing day to buy and sell their goods,
Hill: the cobbled murder cases. The Oresteia de- learn the current news, criticise
footpaths
of D. Pikionis.
scribes the trial at this court of THE SIGHTS: the government, exchange
18. The funerary monument
of Philopappus (with a height
• Philopappus Monument of 12 metres), decorated with sculpted
was built by Athenians in the depictions of Philopappus
2nd century BC in honour of and his family.
the benefactor, ruler of Syria,
Gaius Julius Antiochus. Gaius
Prolylaea of the Acropolis and
Julius was also known as
Philopappou Hill. Take note of
Philopappus, which roughly
the hand made cobbled roads
translated means “one who
leading to the monuments,
loves his grandfather.” His
the church of Ayios Demetrios
grandfather was the last King of
Kommagini Antiochus IV.
Loumbardiaris ( page 25)
and the refreshment room.
• Cobbled road. In the The area has been designated
1950’s the Greek architect D. a Scheduled and Protected
Pikionis developed the design Monument of the Global
of the area encompassing the Cultural Heritage.
THE SIGHTS:
11.1 Thission (Theseion) - Temple of Hephaistos. 22. The Temple

of Hephaestos
The Thission was dedicated to Hephaistos and Athena, and not
(“Thission”),
Theseus. It is located in the western perimeter of the Agora. It is
on the western
the best-preserved temple of antiquity. It was built in 460-415 BC. side of the
In the temple stood the statues of Hephaistos and Athena, thought Ancient Agora
to have been sculpted by Alkamenes. (Agoraeios
11.2
The monument of the Eponymous Heroes. Here Kolonos Hill).
stood the statues of the ten heroes of Attica (4th century BC). The
ten clans of Attica were named after the heroes. Public announce-
ments were displayed on the pedestal of these statues.
11.3
Poikile
16 Stoa. It is thought that 17
the Poikile Stoa derived

its name from the vari-
20.
Panoramic view ety of the colours and
of the archaeo- themes of its frescoes.
The name “Poikile” (poikile means diverse) leads us to the suppo- 23. A model
logical site of
of the
Ancient Agora. sition that the frescoes here were painted in a variety of colours Eponymon
Among others, and themes. Here Zinon taught Stoic philosophy, which was
the Stoa
ideas, or engage in discussion. AD. The church of Ayioi Iroon
The area was settled in the Apostoloi was built in the 11th named after the Poikile Stoa (460 BC). monument.
of Attalus,
the Odeion
of Agrippa
Neolithic age. The monuments
located there
century AD ( page 24). 11.4
The Stoa of Attalus. The Stoa of Attalus, a two-floor
building, was donated by the King of Pergamum Attalus II (159-
and the Temple were built in 138 BC) to the city of Athens. It is thought to have been a kind of
of Ares (Mars) various histori- ancient commercial centre with 21 shops on each floor. The col-
(440 BC)
cal periods: lection of the Museum displays everyday objects, which were un-
can be seen.
from the clas- earthed in excavations in the ancient Agora. Visitors may get an
sical age to the idea of everyday life in ancient Athens.
11th century 11.5
The Basileios Stoa. The Basileios Stoa, constructed
circa 500 BC, is located on the foothills of the Theseion. It was the
seat of the Archon Vasileus and the council of the Areios Pagos.

21. Attalus
colonnade was
11.6
Odeion of Agrippa. Built by Agrippa in 15 B.C.
It could seat 1,000 spectators and had a two-storeyed portico.
fully restored
It was destroyed in 267 A.D. by the Herulians and in 400 A.D.
from
1953-1956. the Gymnasium was built in its place. On the north side four large
It houses the statues of Giants and Tritons, salvaged from the Odeion, were
Ancient Agora placed on pedestals. Three of these statues still exist.
Museum.
Athens. It was partly enclosed 26. Detail

12
24. A drawing 13 by, and partly beyond, the walls of the Kyrristus’
representing that divide the area of the exca- Clock, with
the Ancient and vation. In the centre of the ar- bas-reliefs
Roman Agora. of the winds
11.4
chaeological site are the two
and their
best known arches of ancient symbols.
11.6 Athens, the Dipylon where the
Roman emperor Panathenaic procession would
Vespasianus. start and the Sacred Arch,
11.3 where the sacred way would
11.2 • Fetihie begin and the Elefsinian
Mosque. Mysteries procession would pass
11.5
( page 27) through ( page 115). In the
vicinity of the arches was the
most ancient and the biggest
cemetery of Attica. Moreover
13 H ADRIAN’S
it was the place of burial of citi-
LIBRARY zens who were honoured by
the city of Athens. According
I t is situated north of the
Roman Agora (the entrance
is on 3 Areos St). It is a rectan-
to the geographer Pausanias,
the location was named after
11.1
gular building measuring 122m Keramos. However, the place
18 was most likely named after the 19
x 82m with a Corinthian propy-
lon on the west side. It was neighbourhood of the ker-
12 THE R OMAN ameoi (potters). (The definition
built by Roman emperor
ΑGORA Hadrian in 132 A.D. It formed of Kerameikos is something re-

lated to ceramics of potters).

25. The central
yard of the
Roman Agora
T he Roman Agora (in the
Plaka area) was an architec-
tural complex, built between
a colonnade with specific areas
used for the storage of papyrus-
es and books, lecture halls etc.
The neighbourhood of the ker-
ameoi was established on the
and in banks of the river Iridanos. You
19 and 11 B.C., consisting of There was a courtyard in the
the background can see the riverbed in the ar-
Kyrristus’ Clock a large rectangular court sur- center. In this courtyard an
(“The tower rounded by colonnades (stoas). Early Christian Church was chaeological area. The ancient
stands an octagonal monument. Demos of Kerameikos covered
of the winds”). Behind the stoas were various built during the 5th century
The Clock of Andronicus a large area. Only part of it has
shops. A.D., which was later destroyed
Kyrristus , constructed in the 1st
and replaced by a
century BC, was a hydraulic
7th century three-

clock. On each face of the
THE SIGHTS: aisled and an 11th
clock can be seen bas-reliefs of
century single-aisled
• Gate of Athena the eight winds. The monu-
basilica.
Archegetis. Located at the ment has taken its name ‘Winds’
west side of the area. A monu- from the depictions.
mental gateway with four Doric 14 THE
• Vespasianes (public lava-
columns and a pediment of
tories). Rectangular building
ΚΕRA-
Pentelic marble, preserved in
with anteroom and square
MEIKOS
excellent condition.
• Kyrristus’ Clock – Tower
of the Winds. On the east-
room with benches with holes
in them on all four sides and a
sewage canal underneath (1st
T he ancient
Kerameikos was
located in the north-
ern side of the Roman Agora century A.D.), named after western outskirts of

been unearthed in excavations. sculpture of the Dexileos tomb 29.
THE SIGHTS:
It is thought that the area of the stele, as well as other finds of Dexileos’s
Kerameikos was bounded by the the excavation, please visit the funerary
• The Sacred Residence
north-western perimeter of the Museum. The tomb stele of monument.
of the Geometric period Dexileos
Agora on one side and the copse Hegeso is displayed in the consists of seven rectangular was killed
that was named after the hero National Archaeological spaces. It has the same features in 394 B.C.
Akademos, on the other side. Museum ( page 87). as the sacred residence of in a battle
Eleusina. Remnants of sacri- near Corinth.
• The

Kerameikos fices found at the residence
THE SIGHTS:
Museum. Is locat- seem to indicate that intensive
• Tombs and ste- ed in the archaeo- worship took place here.
lae (columns). logical site of • The Gymnasium.
27. The stele
The Kerameikos is Kerameikos. It dis- The Gymnasium is a large rec-
of Hegeso.
mainly known for its plays very signifi- tangular building (1st century
tombs and columns. cant finds of the ex- • The Public Memorial.
BC – 1 century AD), with an in-
The copy of the mar- cavation of Kera- A section of the ancient ceme-
ternal peristyle and rooms on
ble bull in the enclo- meikos, including tery, including the tombs of
the northern side. In the
sure of the tomb of funeral gifts found public figures and a multitude
Gymnasium is a small area that
Dionysus from in tombs and of the graves of soldiers fallen
served as an arena.
Kollytos, and the scrulptures adorn- in battle, was recently excavat-
copy of the famous ing tombs of the ar- ed near the archaeological area • The Peristyle building.
columns of Dexileos and chaic and classical periods. of Kerameikos (at 35, Salaminas A large rectangular building
20 21
Hegeso (late 5th century BC). Str). (4th century BC) with an interi-
If you want to see the original or peristyle. It is thought to be
an arena or an annex of the
15 THE A KADEMIA Gymnasium.
The festival of the PLATONOS
28. The Panathenaea. (PLATO’S ACADEMY) • The Early Greek Arched
procession Residence. It consists of a
of the great
Panathenea,
Every year the ancient Atheni-
ans celebrated the Mikra
(small) Panathenaea, and
T he area was inhabited in
the prehistoric age (in the
6th century BC one of the three
hall, a chamber and a storage
room. It is thought to be the
depicted prehistoric residence of
on a part of the every four years they cele- famous Gymnasia of Athens was 30. Plato’s
Akademos.
Pathenon frieze brated the Megala (great) founded here). It is named after Academy.
(circa 440 BC). Panathenaea, which were the hero Akademos, or Ekadi-
grander and included horse racing, athletic contests, com- mos. However, it is known after
petitions in music and other activities. On the last day of the famous philosophical
the festival, a procession began at Kerameikos, (the prepa- school founded by Plato (neigh-
ration of the procession would take place in a large 5th bourhood Akademia Platonos) in
century B.C. building with a peristyle central court named 387 BC. The school was a focal
Pompeion next to the Dipylon). The procession passed point of the prestigious Neopla-
through the Agora and ascended the Acropolis, where a veil tonist philosophers. Today, the
named “Peplon” was offered to goddess Athena. According archaeological site is developing
to custom, during the festival, statues were covered with within a park. It occupies a sur-
real clothes. The robe of the gods was basically a woollen face of approximately 37 acres,
tunic, woven by a priestess assisted by young virgins. It was between Athinon Avenue and
placed on the mast of a large wooden boat as its sail and Lenorman Avenue (access from
carried to the Acropolis. The procession followed the boat. the streets Monastiriou, Faonos
This procession is depicted on the frieze of the Acropolis. and Drakondos).
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 2 BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN ATHENS
Tour of Athens, Stage 2:

of the bishops from the
BΥΖΑΝΤΙΝE Parthenon by the Franks
and later the Turks.
MONUMENTS IN ATHENS From 1839 to 1842
it was used as a library.
The new Metropolis
T
he 11th and the 12th centuries are thought nearby was built from
to be the Golden Age of Athens’ Byzantine art. 1842 and 1862 as the
Most of the better known and more important cathedral of Athens.
Byzantine churches of Athens were built in these two It is a domed church
built in the neobyzan-
centuries as part of a Christian reconstruction following tine and neo- 31. Kapnikarea.
the campaigns of Emperor Basil II in the Balkans. Some classical style. Ermou Str, and was a hindrance
of the better-known monasteries were also founded to traffic. However, thanks to
in the same period in the suburbs of Athens. the intervention of Ludwig of
Bavaria, father of King Otto, and
Neofytos Metaxas, Bishop of
Talantio and Bishop of Athens,
the church was preserved at the
present location.
22 3 ΑYIOS NIKOLAOS 23
RANGAVAS (Plaka)
is located near the Anafiotika
area of Plaka. The church was
built in the 11th century. It was
part of the Palace of the Ranga-
vas family. Michael I, Emperor
2 ΚΑPNIKAREA of Byzantium, was descended
(Ermou Str) from this family. The area
around the church was formerly
Cathedral.
T he Kapnikarea is a cruci-
form, domed Byzantine
church with a dome dedicated
called Rangavas. 32. Ayios
Eleftherios.
It was built in the to the Presentation of the Virgin

late 12th century. It Mary. The original building was
is dedicated to Gorgoe- constructed in the 11th centu-
pikoos Panayia (the Virgin ry. Construction was completed
Mary) and Ayios Eleftherios. in the 13th century. It has had
Ancient and Byzantine bas-re- various names: Camoucharea,
THE SIGHTS: liefs were used for the con- Chrysocamouchariotissa, Panayia
struction of the church. In the tis Vasilopoulas (Virgin of the
1 THE OLD façade is an ancient frieze, tak- Kings daughter). In 1834, the
METROPOLIS en from a monument of the 4th year of the construction of
(CATHEDRAL) century B.C. depicting official Ermou Str, the authorities con-
(Mitropoleos Square)
attic festivals. The church was sidered plans to relocate the
T his charming church is lo-

cated near the new
the official Episcopal Seat of
Athens following the expulsion
church, or demolish it, since it
was located in the middle of
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 2 BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN ATHENS
7 ΜETOCHI Byzantine frescoes of the church 13 ΑYIOI ΑSOMATOI

PANAYIOU TAFOU of Ayios Spyridonas, which has (Thissio)
(Anafiotika) been demolished, were trans-
I t is located at Erechtheos Str.

It is a small monastery be-
ported to Ayioi Apostoloi.
A cruciform church built
in the 11th century, with
carved stone blocks, framed
11 PANTANASSA
longing to the Holy Sepulchre (Monastiraki Square) by bricks, while in places sub-
of Jerusalem. The church of the sequent Islamic influence
monastery, Ayioi Anargyroi was
built in the 17th century. I t is a three-aisled basilica built
in the 10th century. The
church belonged to the mona-
is obvious.
14 ΑYIOS IOANNIS
stery of Koimesi tis Theotokou STIN K OLONA
8 PANAYIA CHRYS- from which the district’s name
SOKASTRIOTISSA (Euripidou Str)
(Anafiotika) is derived (Monastiraki) In the
small chapel built in the
older days it was a dependency
A 12th century, it was named
O ne of several churches in
Anafiotika. According to
of the Kaisariani Monastery (
page 105). after a Roman column, pre-
served in the interior. Ayios
4 ΑYIA EKATERINI popular belief, the miraculous
(Plaka) icon of the church protects be- 12 ΑYIOS DEMETRIOS Ioannis o Vaptistis was thought
lievers in difficult circum- LOUMBARDIARIS to be a healer of all sicknesses
is located near the Lysikrates stances. of the head. Visitors may see
Monument ( page 32), in the
(Philopappou hill)
on the column offerings to the
square bearing the same name. 9 SOTIRA is a beautiful basilica of the 16th Saint offered by the faithful ex-
24 Shading the church is a palm 25
LYKODIMOU - century, with remarkable fres- pressing gratitude for his help.
tree. It was constructed from RUSSIAN CHURCH coes. According to prevailing
11th-12th century. In the corner (Filellinon Str) tradition its name
of the square are the ruins of (Loumbardiaris or Bombardiaris)
15 ΑYIOI
a roman monument. is the biggest medieval building was derived from an incident THEODOROI
of Athens. Built in 1031, it was (Klafthmonos Square)
that occurred in the 17th centu-
5 ΑYIOS IOANNIS part of a Roman Catholic ry when the Christians believed he church was reconstruct-
THEOLOGOS (Plaka) monastery that closed in 1701.
In the 1850’s the building was
that Saint Demetrios protected
them from a great Turkish can-
T ed in the late 11th century
on the foundation of a church
is a very beautiful cruciform renovated by Tsar Alexander II non (Loumbarda) located there. that was built in the 9th centu-
church of the 11th-12th centu- who donated a bell-tower.
ry. It is located at the cross- Sotira Lykodimou is the Russian
roads of Erotokritou Str and Orthodox Church of Athens.
Erechtheos Str. It has been reno-
vated several times. 10 ΑYIOI ΑPOSTOLOI
TOU SOLAKI
6 SOTIRAS (Ancient Agora)
TOU K OTAKI
is located in the compound of
(Plaka)
the Ancient Agora excavation.
33. The is better known as Ayia Sotira. It is one of the oldest churches
Byzantine It is located at Kythathinaeon of Athens (1000-1025 AD). It
church of Ayioi Str, opposite the Museum of was constructed on the ruins of
Apostoloi, 34. Ayios
Greek Folk art, in the Plaka a Roman nympheum of the 2nd
on the eastern Demetrios
side area. It was built in the 11th- century. In the 1950’s, following Loumbardiaris,
of the Ancient 12th century. It has been reno- a renovation, it was restored on Philopappou
Agora. vated several times. to its original form. Many post- Hill.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 2 TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 3

ry. It was built by N. Kalomaos, 18 ΑYIOS GEORGIOS
who was a Spatharocandidatos
(a rank of the Byzantine Court).
(Lycabettus Hill) O TTOMAN M ONUMENTS
is a whitewashed church at the
top of Lycabettus Hill. You can
IN A THENS
16 ΤAXIARHES 37. The
(the church of the Petraki Mo- reach the church on foot, or by Tzistarakis
A
funicular. It is thought that in thens was conquered by the Ottomans in 1456 Mosque, on the
nastery, at 14, Gennadiou Str)
antiquity the temple of and liberated in 1833. Remarkable buildings picturesque
built in the 12th century, Akraios Zeus was locat- of the period have been preserved. Monastiraki
it belongs to the Square.
ed here. In the period
Petraki Monastery of Frankish rule, the 2 HAMAM
(18th century). In small chapel of (TURKISH
35. Byzantine
mosaic
the cross-domed Profitis Ilias was BATHS)
of the Virgin. church visitors may built here. Later
Constantinople,
10th century
(Benaki
see frescoes dating
back to 1719.
Ayios Georgios the
Rider was built here.
T he Old
Baths
(Hamam Abit
The exact date of the
Museum). Efendi), in Plaka
17 ΑYIOI construction of the
ISIDOROI (at Kyrristou 8),
church is not known.
(Lycabettus Hill) built in the 17th century, were
The church bell was donat-
a popular meeting place in the
is a small church located in ed by Princess Olga who put
Ottoman era. The Old Baths
a large cave in Lycabettus Hill. the ruined church under her
26 It was formerly called Ayios protection. THE SIGHTS: have been renovated and they
house the Museum of Cleanliness
27
Sidereas church. It was burned and Body Embellishment as well as
in 1930 and reconstructed 36. Ayios Georgios, on the top 1 MOSQUES many artistic and cultural events.
of Lycabettus Hill. In the background
in 1931.
is its distinctive bell tower.
T he Tzistarakis Mosque (or
Kato Sintrivaniou), located in
Monastiraki Square, was built in
3 ΜUSLIM
1759 by the Turkish voivod
SEMINARY
Moustafa Agas (or Tzistarakis).
Seeking lime for the construc-
tion of the Mosque, Tzistarakis
T he gate of the Muslim semi-
nary, at the crossroads of
Aeolou Str and Pelopida Str, is
38. The gate
of the Muslim
seminary
removed the 17th column of the the remains of the building, (medreses).
Temple of Zeus ( page 5). The which was destroyed
Mosque has a loggia with four in a fire in 1911.
columns and two rows of four According to an in-
windows on each side. Since scription above the
1981 it has housed the Museum entrance, the semi-
of Traditional Ceramics. In nary was built in 1721
Athens, there is only one and consisted of a
mosque open to the public, the main building, which
Tzistarakis Mosque. Near the was a school and
Roman Agora ( page 18) is mosque, buildings
the remarkable Fetihie Mosque, housing the students
built in 1458 in honour of and teachers (hodjia),
Mohamed II the Conqueror, on kitchen and hygiene
the occasion of his visit to areas, and a central
Athens. court.
THE ARCHITECTURE of M O D E R N A T H E N S
Eclecticism The modernist The post-war era 42. The building

movement (1950-2000) of the
In the late 19th century the Headquarters
tradition of neoclassicism was In the early 1930’s, buildings In the post-war era, the popu- of the National
with more than two or three lation of Athens and demand Bank of Greece,
enriched by the romantic
one of the most
aesthetic, usually following the floors - the usual number of for housing rapidly increased. impressive
French style. Although floors of buildings at the time - In the 1950’s and the early buildings
Athenian classicism remained 1960’s, buildings with marble in Athens
the predominant architectural facades, parapets, and imposing (2002).

style, public and private entrances were in vogue. From
buildings were constructed in 1960-1975 (the development
this period in a breezy style, era) the mass construction of
influenced by the decorative dull modern buildings was in
style in vogue in Western vogue, altering the physio-
Europe. gnomy of the new neighbour-
hoods. Quality buildings were
also constructed in this era. In
Art Nouveau
the past few decades, following
This radical movement was not a period of stagnation, Athens
established as a major has acquired important new
Neoclassicism architectural trend in Athens. (predominantly public)
was from 1834 to the 1920’s However, after 1920, Greek buildings, giving the city a new
28 29
the predominant architectural bourgeois from Smyrna, Egypt, splendour, and upgrading
style of the small city – and Constantinople constructed depressed areas.
which was situated in what residences following the art
39. University is today the historical centre. nouveau style. The few, 41. In the period from 1930-1960
of Athens: The style of neoclassicism, impressive art nouveau build- a multitude of buildings reflecting
a superb which was in vogue in West- architectural trends from modernism
ings contrasted with the to more recent styles were built
example
ern Europe, was a product uniform neoclassical and in Athens.
of neoclassical
architecture. of the romantic fascination eclectic architecture prevailing
with antiquity. It was in Athens.
introduced by German were constructed. These small
architects who came to blocks of flats, which
Greece in the early 1830’s to sometimes had six floors,
plan Athens. In the interwar introduced a Greek variety of
era and especially after 1955, the international modernist
a number of Athens’ architectural style (Bauhaus,
neoclassical buildings were Art Deco). The main
torn down. However, in characteristic of buildings
many areas of the historical constructed in this period, (as
centre, the charming, well as the preceding period),
neoclassical style has been are the semicircular ledges,
and the facades. A multitude

preserved.
40. Distinctive of these buildings are thought
art nouveau
to be important monuments
mansions at
Vassilisis Sofias exemplifying the global
Avenue. history of the modernist style.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 4 HISTORIC CENTRE (1)
Tour of Athens,
Stage 4: beauty and atmosphere of the old Athenian homes, named 44. Handmade
neighbourhood are enchanting. “granddad and grandmother’s wooden toy
HISTORIC In Plaka the air you breathe is

different; it is lighter, cleaner,
room,” where children may
dress with period dresses.
representing
a bridegroom
CENTRE (1) and fragrant, like a gift of

the gods. When you visit
The Museum houses
among others, an exhibi-
on horseback.
The design
is derived from
Plaka you should tion of paintings by an embroidery
bring a map, be- children, old toys, of the 18th
cause you might a fairground and a century. (Benaki
get lost in the labyrinth library. If you have Museum).
of narrow streets and al- children, be sure
leys. In Adrianou Street, to visit the
the central street of the Children’s Museum.
neighbourhood, as in other Its, also, worth seeing the
streets in the area, you will find neighbouring Museum of Greek
shops selling traditional prod- Children’s Art (9, Kodrou str.),
ucts, souvenirs, Greek folk art which, among other things, ex-
and handicrafts, etc. hibits in its premises paintings
and three dimentional artworks
THE SIGHTS: by children up to 14 years old
from all over Greece, which are
30
1.1
FILOMOUSOU renewed on a regular basis.
31
ETAIREIAS SQUARE
the central square of the neigh- 1.3
LYSIKRATES
bourhood, was named after the MONUMENT
Filomousos Etairia (The Society In ancient Athens, theatrical
43. of the Friends of the Muses, in
Traditional
performances held at the the-
other words, the nine gods of
taverna in the 1 PLAKA the Arts), which was founded
Plaka. There are
in 1813. The purpose of the
a multitude
of tavernas
in the district.
P laka, also known as the
“neighbourhood of the
gods,” is the oldest neighbour-
Society was the promotion of
Greek studies and the preserva-
hood of Athens. Walking on its tion of the archaeological treas-
paved narrow streets you get ures of Athens. At the square,
the feeling that you are travel- located at the crossroads of
ling back in time. The origin of Kydathinaion Str, Farmaki Str,
the name of the neighbourhood Olympiou Dios Str and Angelou
is unknown, although theories Geronda Str, are a multitude of
abound. According to popular cafes, restaurants, clubs with
belief, Plaka was named after live music and souvenir shops.
a slab of stone that was found
near the church of Ayios
1.2 THE CHILDREN’S
Georgios Alexandrias, in the MUSEUM
vicinity of the theatre of located at Kidathinaion Str is a
Dionysos. The beautiful neo- wonderful place for children.
classical style colour of the In the attic is a reconstructed
houses, the architecture, the room with old furniture, a ra- 45. Lysikrates
well-kept gardens, and the dio, and theatre in the style of Monument.
atre of Dionysos were funded

by wealthy citizens, the donors.
1.4 AΝΑFIOTIKA and Alexandra 48. The facades
on the foothills of the Acropolis, Kanellopoulos to the of neoclassical
The city gave a prize to the Greek state. It is houses
has the charm of a beautiful is- in Monastiraki.
donor of the winning per- housed in the neoclas-
land village. It was built
formance. When the sical mansion of the
in the mid 19th centu-
wealthy Lysikrates Mihalea family. The
ry by the renowned
46. Wooden won the prize in 334 Kanellopoulos collec-
builders of the Aegean
window BC, he constructed a tion consists of archae-
decorated
island of Anafi, who
monument to house ological finds and
with flowerpots were invited to con-
it. The monument is works of art from the
in the struct the palace of
preserved (ancient prehistoric era to
“neighbourhood the first king of the
of the gods.” Tripodon Str - pave-
ment of the road is
Hellenes, Otto ( modern times.
page 53). Feeling nos-
preserved in a special THE R OMAN
talgic for their birth-
space in a renovated AGORA
place in their long stay
building at number 28). The
monument has had a long and
in Athens they recreated it in
( page 18)
the upper area of Plaka. They
varied history. In 1658, a ΒYZANTINE
built small, whitewashed hous-
Capuchin monastery was CHURCHES
es, reproducing the architectural
founded here. In 1669, Capu-
chins bought the monument.
style of their village. We recom- page 22-24)
(
mend that you visit Anafiotika,
Lord Byron stayed at the mona- OTTOMAN
the neighbourhood of the
32 stery in his second visit to MONUMENTS 33
Anafiotes, a unique, charming
Greece. In the gardens the cul-
tivation of the tomato, hitherto
area.
( page 27) gettable experience. You will
be stunned by the variety and
unknown in Greece, was intro- • The Museum of the quality of things you can buy
duced. University of Athens. The
2 ΜΟΝΑSTIRAKI in the market.
building housing
the Museum of
Athens, located at
A distinctive “old” Athens
area, with narrow, irregu-
larly criss-crossing streets, and
THE SIGHTS:
Tholou Str, was for- small buildings, characteristic 2.1 MONASTIRAKI

merly the resi- of Ottoman and to some extent SQUARE
dence of the archi- Byzantine urban planning. On Historic Square, fully renovat-
tect Kleanthis the outdoor stands of street ed, paved with colourful stones
(1832-1833). sellers, or the small shops on and paving blocks forming a
Subsequently it the central roads (Adrianou Str, multi-coloured mosaic. In the
housed the first Pandrosou Str, Ifaistou Str, background, one can see the
University of Thiseiou Str, Ayiou Filippou Str, Acropolis Rock ( page 9) and
47. A multitude
Athens (1837-
1842).
Astigos Str and Ermou Str) you
can find anything, such as
the Plaka ( page 30). In this
of the magnificent square, significant
labyrinthine shoes, clothes, old and new monuments from many differ-
alleys • The furniture, old books and maga- ent historic eras coexist. Such
of the Plaka Kanellopoulos zines, souvenirs, jewellery, hats, monumental sites are the
lead to Museum was bronze objects, new and used Tzistarakis mosque ( page

the Anafiotika
founded in 1976, records and CDs and tradition- 27), Hadrian’s library ( page
and the
peripheral following the dona- al Greek instruments (bouzouki, 19), the Byzantine church of
footpath tion of the private
collection of Pavlos
touberleki). Shopping or walk-
ing in Monastiraki is an unfor-
Pantanassa ( page 25). Of
of the Acropolis. particular interest also is the
mezedes - in one of the small page 22) dominates Mitropoleos

shops of the square, and ob- Square. On the square are sever-
serve the bustle of the bazaar. al cafes. In the colourful Dimo-
pratiriou Square nearby you will
2.3 ADRIANOU STR find tavernas with traditional
a distinctive Athens street, con- Greek food .
nects Hadrian’s library with the
“Theseio” metro stop. In the 3.2 ERMOU STR
neoclassical one-floor or two- The street is named after the
floor buildings are shops with god Hermes – the protector of
traditional items, and antique trade. Ermou Str was one of the
shops. Street-sellers sell their first streets paved by Kleanthis
ware here Sundays. You will and Schaubert. More than 60
find here cafes and small fash- years, from the late 19th centu- 50. Ermou
Markou Streets, there are many
ionable restaurants with a ry to the 1960’s, it was a centre Street and in
shops selling clothing and shoes the background
unique view of the archaeologi- of women’s fashion. It is one of at very reasonable prices. the Greek
cal area of the Αncient Agora the best areas for shopping in
renovated neoclassical metro

( page 15). the capital. You will find a vari-
In the section of Ermou Str
closest to Syntagma Square, (up
Parliament.
ety of silver, among others,

station - one of the oldest of to Athinas Str) you will find the
3 THE OLD

candle holders, bowls, vases
the metro network (1895). Kapnikarea church ( page 23).
Next to the platforms, in a spe-
COMMERCIAL and jewellery, often hand-made
In the section of Ermou Str
34 cially formed space of 300sq.m.
CENTRE goods produced in Greece, in
closest to Pireaus Str (from 35
shops at Lekka Str, which con-
Thiseio to Pireaus Str) you will
one can see the encased with
stones, bed and banks of
Iridanos river, dating from antiq-
T he area encompassed by
Mitropoleos Str, Athinas Str
and Stadiou Str is the heart of
nects Perikleous Str and
Kolokotroni Str, and the nearby
find the Archaeological site of
Keramikos ( page 19)
arcades. Also, in the pictur-
uity. It is visible even from the the historic centre of Athens,
ATHINAS STR
esque Evangelistrias and Ayiou
square, through the archaeolog- and the old commercial area. 3.3
ical excavation pit. In the area, with the smaller or A central commer-
larger labyrinthine streets, are cial road connecting
2.2 AVISSINIAS more than 2,500 shops selling Omonia Square
SQUARE (Giousouroum) a wide range of products.
Pedestrian zones have been es-
( page 69) with
is the central square of Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki. Here you will find tablished. The historic commer-
cial centre is a rather quiet area,
( page 33).
a wide range of rare furniture, Designed in per-
antiques and the copies of an- with a multitude of cafes, small spective of the
tiques, and a variety of used bars and modern restaurants. Acropolis Rock, it
items. Moreover, you will find was one of the first
old wardrobes, bookcases, THE SIGHTS: main roads con-

frames, mirrors, antique office structed in modern
MITROPOLEOS
51. The
3.1 Athens and has a
tables, tables, gramophone Metropolis
49. You can records and musical instru- STR multitude of impor- (Athens
enjoy a cafe ments. Come early if you want It connects Syntagma Square tant architectural ex- Cathedral)
or a meal at to shop. Noon is the best time
( page 52) with Monastiraki amples of 19th cen- at Mitropoleos

Adrianou Street Square.
with a view
to come if you want to take a Square ( page 33). The build- tury and early 20th
On the right
of the Ancient look around. You can have a ings on the street are built in century styles. Noisy is Ayios
Agora and glass of Greek wine or ouzo the neoclassical style. The and busy most of Eleftherios
the Acropolis. with Greek snacks - called Metropolis (Athens Cathedral, the time, Athinas chapel.
Varvakeios
52. The Athens is the newly constructed
3.6
Town Hall. Administration Building of the
Municipal (Central) Market
National Bank of Greece (2002),
is a rectangular building one of the most important
(1886) with a large covered modern architectural sights of
court. There are a total of 73 Athens. The building was de-
food stalls (meat market, fish signed by Greek architects,
market, vegetable market and with the collaboration of the fa-
groceries) in the interior mous architect M. Botta.
and exterior sections. On the ground floor you
The market is covered 53. A detail
will find a restored sec-
with a glass and metal of the central
tion of the ancient entrance of
roof and has sym- Acharnai road. At the G. Stavrou
metrical windows. 10 Sophocleous Str mansion
You will find here is the old mansion (Kotzia Square).
small restaurants of the Athens Stock
(eating-houses) Exchange, with a
Str is connected mainly to the representing all the mayors of with fresh food, at- classical style façade
food trade. In the arcades of the Athens. In the vicinity of the tracting Athenians with four Dorian
old market most of the shops municipality is an attractive, especially after columns. As you
sell groceries. The fragrance of small square, Theatrou Square. midnight. There is a small head towards Plaka you will
foods, fruits, herbs and nuts per- grove on the square see two marvellous churches,
36 vades the air. The street has the 3.5 Kotzia Square (Varvakeios Square) across the
street.
which are well worth a visit:
The Panagia Chrysospiliotissa
37
charm of the bazaars of the East. (Ethnikis Antistassis Square)
(1863 - at the crossroads of
3.4 Athens Town Hall
formerly called Laou Square,
and Loudovikou Square, faces
3.7 EVRIPIDOU STR Aiolou Str and Panagia Chryso-
(Athinas Str 63) the Town Hall. The eclectic a charming street with an ori- spiliotissa Str) and Ayia Eirini
was constructed in 1874 in a style Melas Mansion (Ern. Ziller ental atmosphere, connects (1847 - Athinaidos Str) both
strictly neoclassical style. Origin- 1887), with an impressive fa- Koumoundourou Square ( built by the architect L. Kaftan-
ally a two-floor building, in çade, and two small towers at page 71) with Klafthmonos tzoglou. Ayia Eirini, which was
1937 a floor was added and the the sides, dominates the south Square ( page 38). You will the first Cathedral of Athens, is 54. The new
building of the
building was modified due to side of the square. The central find here a multitude of shops located at a picturesque square,
selling spices, sweets, nuts, cof- where one can find a flower National Bank
the increased space require- hall is covered with a glass of Greece
ments of the Municipality. In roof. In the perimeter are Doric fee, and traditional oriental market and many small cafes.
(Aiolou Street).
the interior you will find the and Ionian style colonnades. products.
paintings of known Greek paint- The building, formerly the resi-
ers of the 19th century, and dence of V. Melas, houses the
3.8 AIOLOU
frescoes of F. Kontoglou with Cultural Centre of the National STR
representations of mythological Bank of Greece. In the eastern A pedestrian zone
and historic themes (1937- side of the square is a renais- has been established
1940). You will find a large oil sance style building, the in a large section of
painting depicting the Apostle G. Stavrou Mansion, housing the Aiolou Str, which
Paul teaching the Athenians services of the National Bank of connects Panepisti-
Christian religion (1877) in the Greece. A section of the miou Str with the
Municipal Council hall. In the Acharnic Gate of the Themisto- Roman Market
reception room (1st floor), you cleian walls was uncovered and (Plaka). At the cross-
will find in special glass-show- is exhibited in the northeastern roads of Aiolou Str
cases, small terra cotta figures section of the square. and Sophocleous Str
55. The
“National
3.9 STADIOU STR modernism in Athens, with ele- 3.16 National Historical
is a central street – one of the ments of older architectural Museum
Reconciliation”
first paved roads of modern styles, it is the work of the
monument This impressive neoclassical
on Klafthmonos Athens. It was built on a river known Greek architect An. Me-
construction was built during
Square. bed. It was formerly called taxas (1931). the period 1858-1871 according

Feidiou Str and Akakiou Str.

Kolokotroni
to the plans of Fr. Boulanger,
3.15
There was a plan to extend the which were later modified by
street to the Panathenaean Square the Greek architect P. Kalkos.
Stadium – which was never put a small square, with the Up until 1935 the build-
into action – hence the name National Historical ing constituted the
Stadiou. Museum and the seat of the Greek 57. The (old)
impressive statue Parliament and for Athens Stock
3.10 National Printers of the hero of this reason it is Exchange
Building the Greek Revo- called Old mansion (1930).
connects Sarantoza Str and lution Th. Kolo- Parliament. Since
Arsaki Str. One of the first pub- kotronis on 1961 it houses
lic mansions raised in the mod- horseback the collections
ern city (1834), it is built in the (L. Sohos, 1904) of the National
sionist bronze statue represent- at its centre.
neoclassical style. Before 1905, Historical Museum
ing the “National Reconcilia- Opposite the
it housed the “National Printers.” (for the museum
tion” (Doropoulos 1988) stands square (Stadiou Str collections,
Klafthmonos
in the centre of the square. 8) is the dilapidated
38 3.11 page 94). 39
Square Douila Residence, one of
is a spacious square with inter-
3.12 “Attikon-Apollon” the oldest buildings of the
58. The statue of Th. Kolokotronis
building modern city, the work of
esting buildings (among others, before the building
is an eclectic style mansion. Chr. Hansen.
The Museum of the City of Athens, of the National Historical Museum.
page 98), the former It houses two cinemas, among
the oldest of Athens, which have
56. The building Ministry of Merchant Marine,
housing the Ministry of Internal Affairs, recently been renovated.
the cinema halls the Byzantine church of Ayioi
“Attikon”
and Apollon”
Theodoroi page 25) and a 3.13 Karytsi Square
(1916-1920).
multitude of cafes. An impres- is a small square, named after
the church at its centre. The ele-
gant church (built by L. Kaftan-
tzoglou) was built at the site of
an older church where the Athe-
nians in January 1833 selected a
deputation to welcome the new
king Otto in Nauplion. Opposite
the square is the neoclassical
style “Parnassos” building.
3.14
Hellenic
Telecommunications
Organisation (OTE)
Mansion
an exceptional example of

Following the liberation 60. Two-storey
H ISTORIC C ENTRE (2) of Greece (1833), veteran
freedom fighters and im-
neoclassical
building
migrants from the at Iroon Square
59. Distinctive (Psyri).
provinces settled in the
decorative motif
1 PSYRI neighbourhood. They
on an old
building
of the historical A colourful neoclassical
Athens neighbourhood, en-
compassed by Athinas Str,
opened cottage industries
and workshops, which
have given the neigh-
centre of Athens.
Ermou Str and Evripidou Str. It is bourhood a distinctive
a busy neighbourhood, espe- character. In the early
cially in the night. You will find 1990s, following a series
on its narrow alleys a multitude of construction works,
of cafes, small bars, clubs, the neighbourhood be-
restaurants, ouzo-restaurants, came a popular nightlife
and taverns with live and residential area. The
Greek music, the- churches in the area are
atres, galleries, art also quite interesting,
galleries, and an- such as Ayioi Anargyroi,
tique shops. Ayios Demetrios, Ayios
Gregorios (Armenian)), et
al. Iroon square, the cen-
40 tral square, is good place 41
for you to start your walk.
page 95), Melidoni Str (you will
find here the Jewish synagogue
2 ΚΕRΑΜΕΙΚΟS Beth-Shalom and the “Museum
N ear the archaeological area

( page 19) is the his-
toric neighbourhood of
of Modern Ceramics”) and
Salaminas Str. In recent years,
the area has become one of
Kerameikos. Worth seeing are Athens’s popular nightlife hubs
Ayion Assomaton Str (with the with many small restaurants,
“Museum of Islamic Art”, bars and live-music nightclubs.
61.
The Kerameikos
neighbourhood
lies around the
archaeological
site.

tion (serving railway lines to
THE SIGHTS:
the Peloponnese) is a copy in a
Marble fountain
reduced scale of the
4.1
Constantinople railway station,
The marble fountain, located at reflecting the European archi-
Metaxourgeio Square, was built tectural trends of the 19th cen-
in the 19th century. It was tury. Opposite the Peloponnese
transported here from Railway Station is the Larissis
Dimopratiriou Square. Railway Station (serving railway
THE SIGHTS:
4.2 Iasonos Str and
lines to central and northern
Greece), built in 1908, in the
3 GΑZΙ
3.1 THE G AS W ORKS Yiatrakou Str neoclassical style, and later re-
was founded in 1857 and closed Starting at Karaiskaki Square, constructed.
take Achileos Str, turn at
T he former Gas works is at
the centre of the neigh-
bourhood, which was formerly
in 1983. It produced lighting gas
for the city. Formerly in the area
Iasonos Str, and proceed to
Agisilaou Str. You will find here
5 ΚΟLONOS
were, among others, wood work-
small theatres in historic build-
called “Gazohori” (Gas village).
Located in western Athens, it is
the third square of the city, in
shops, foundries, machine-works,
garages, restaurants, barbers
ings. Take a right turn at
Akadimou-Yiatrakou
If you want to go for
a walk, you can visit
Kolonos, a working-
shops, medical centre. The Gas Str, and proceed to
accordance with the Kleanthis- class neighbour-
works, a scheduled building, is Achilleos Str. Take
Schaubert urban plan. It has to hood of Athens,
the only one of its kind in note of the
a large extent maintained the near the historic
42 Europe. The buildings have un- small, neoclassi- 43
colour of a historic Athens centre.
adorned, neoclassical masonry, cal (one-storey
neighbourhood. You will find Although the
cafes, bars and luxury restau- a varnished, wooden roof with and two-storey) area has been
rants, popular among skylights, covered with Byzantine houses with rebuilt, the
or French style tiles and sheet- balconies, 63. The marble
Athenians, in a multitude of neighbour- fountain
old, picturesque buildings. In iron. It is an industrial zone, balusters, and hood maintains at Metaxourgeio
the area, one can choose be- housing a cultural centre of the ornate front its distinct, his- Square.
tween different theatres and Athens Municipality doors. At the toric character.
theatrical scenes. (“Technopolis.”) crossroads of Starting at
Yiatrakou Str and Peloponnese
Germanikou Str, Railway Station take
4 ΜETAXOURGEIO is the old section, and on the you will find a small Ioanninon Str, to Ippiou
The traditional neighbour- other side (facing Lenorman colourful square (Avdis Kolonou Hill and (take a
Π hood in the centre of
Athens was planned by archi-
Str), is the new section. The
new section, which has been
Square), with cafes, bars and
a playground.
turn at Evripou Str) proceed to
Skouze Hill. Around these small
tect, Chr. Hansen. The name is reconstructed, has not main- wooded hills, you will find an
derived from a silk fabric manu- tained the historic character
4.3
The Peloponnese area of detached houses with
facture factory, which closed in of the neighbourhood, while in Railway Station gardens and small, elegant
1875. The building still stands the old section a number of Starting at Karaiskaki Square, blocks of flats, preserving the
on Meg. Alexandrou Str, between buildings constructed in the take a turn at Diliyianni Str, and atmosphere of the old Athens
62. A view of Mylerou Str and Giatrakou Str traditional style have been pre- you will arrive at this colourful neighbourhood (the nearest
the industrial and is undergoing renovation building, built in 1912-1913, metro stop is “Sepolia”).
served. In the area, a multitude
park at Gazi
(“Technopolis”),
in order to house the municipal of small restaurants-bars, and with an architectural design
the venue Art Gallery and different cultur- cafes are in operation serving combining the neoclassical,
of cultural al events. On the one side of traditional oriental drinks, central European and Art
and other events. Achilleos Str (facing Piraeus Str) sweets, and food. Nouveau styles. The railway sta-

H ISTORIC C ENTRE (3)
the Philopappou Hill Area
THE SIGHTS: excavation. The main entrance

is on Dionyssiou Areopagitou
44
1.1 The new Acropolis Street ( page 6). In addition,
45
Museum the imposing Weiller building
It is one of the most important stands in the vicinity. Having
contemporary works of archi- been built by German architect 65. External
tecture in Athens. Its construc- W. Von Weiller, it combines view
tion, designed by architects Byzantine style masonry and of the Acropolis
neoclassical decorative patterns. Museum.
B. Tschumi and Mih. Fotiadis
was completed in 2007. Stand- Initially it was used as a mili-
ing only 300m away from the tary hospital and later as police
Acropolis, its total area covers unit headquarters, whereas
21,000 sq.m, while it offers a since 1987 it houses the “Acro- 66. View of
polis Research Centre” (for muse- the Acropolis
display area of 14,000 sq.m. It
1 MAKRIYIANNI is made of steel, glass and con- um exhibits, pages 90-91). Museum,
eastern façade.
A residential area, enclosed

by the Dionyssiou
Areopagitou Str to the foothills
crete; it uses natural light effi-
ciently so that its 4,000 exhibits
would show off. The last level
of Philopappou Hill. The neo- (The Parthenon room) has the
classical houses, and the newer dimensions and the direction
buildings, (especially buildings of the Parthenon and it has
built in the interwar era), are been rotated by 23 degrees in
charming. Makriyianni is one relation to the rest of the build-
64. of the most elegant neighbouring so that the visitor would
View of the hoods of the city. Worth a visit have an immediate view of the
archaeological
are, among others, Mitsaion Str, monument. The surrounding
excavation
at the entrance Parthenonos Str, Webster Str, area, visible from the glass
of the Acropolis Cavalloti Str, Kallisperi Str, R. floor of the ground level, func-
Museum. Gali Str, Mouson Str. tions as an open-air museum-
which has participated in a

67. A scene
of a performance
2 ΚΟUΚΑΚΙ multitude of festivals world-
68. The dome
of the National
of the “Dora Observatory,
Stratou” theatre.
The dance group
N eighbouring Makriyanni is
Koukaki, a district with a
friendly, pleasant ambience
wide, is known in Greece and
abroad. The dancers wear tra-
ditional Greek costumes of var-
the highest point
of Nymphon Hill.
comprises
of 75 dancers, and interesting sites especially ious regions of the country, and
musicians the area near Philopappou hill perform songs and dances of
and singers. (Panaitoliou Str, Arakinthou Str). all periods of Greece’s history.

3 ΑΝO PΕΤRALONA 3.2 Mercouri Square

is a colourful square, with small
A charming, colourful neigh-
bourhood, exuding the at-
mosphere of 1950’s Athens.
cafes, and traditional tavernas,
in the nearby streets.
Several examples of working-
class urban architecture are 3.3 Stone-built houses
preserved, among others, one- An attractive, small neighbour-
storey and two storey houses. hood -in the area of Apolloniou
Str and Troon Str- with stone-
THE SIGHTS: built houses, (of the post-war
period), exuding the atmos-
houses and public mansions. 4.3 National
Have a drink at one of the out- Observatory
46
3.1
Dora Stratou phere of a mountain village, is door cafes at Thission Square the oldest research institution 47
Theatre being redeveloped. (at Apostolou Pavlou Str), and of Greece and the Balkans, was
is located west of the hill enjoy a unique view of the founded in 1842. The building
(ancient Amphitheatre). Acropolis and the Ancient
You can see performances of
4 TΗISSIO Agora area.
of the Observatory at Nymphon
hill (which took its name from
Greek folk dances by the Dora
Stratou dance group. Dora T he area was named after
the nearby ancient temple 4.1 Irakleidon Str
the sanctuary with the same
name that stood there in antiq-
Stratou dedicated her life to the
( page 17). A traditional
is the central pedestrian zone uity), opposite the Acropolis
research and preservation of neighbourhood with a multi- and the Ancient Agora, was de-
of the area, with attractive neo-
Greek folk art. The group, tude of charming neoclassical signed by Th. Hansen. It is an
classical buildings. Here, and at 69. Ap. Pavlou
Akamantos Str, which is parallel attractive neoclassical building. Street
to Irakleidon Str, you will find The building is cruciform, fac- in the vicinity
a multitude of cafes and bars, ing the four compass points. of the Thissio.
open all day. Moreover, in the
nearby pedestrian zone at
Eptahalkou Str you will find tra-
ditional tavernas with
Mediterranean cuisine.
4.2 D. Aiginitou Str

connects Apostolou Pavlou Str
with the National Observatory.
It has a unique view of the
Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, the
Ancient Agora and the new
city.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 6 HISTORIC CENTRE (3) TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

70. The 4.4 Ayia Marina Square
renovated
platforms
is a colourful, quiet square, ΚΟLONAKI
with Ayia Marina church (19th
of the Thission
metro station, century) at its centre. In the THE RIGILLIS AREA -
one of the oldest
stations
north-western side, sculpted in-
to the rock, lies the original cha-
ΜΕΤZ
of the network. pel, with a posterior dome and

frescoes of the 13th century.
4.5 Thissio Park

is the north-western section of
the Ancient Agora archaeologi-
71.
cal site. It was planted with
The popular
cafes of Thissio trees in 1862 and ornamental
Square offer plants in 1931. Formerly it was
an unobstructed the area where Athenians cele-
view of the brated Easter.
Ancient Agora

and of the
4.6 Poulopoulos
Acropolis.
Hat-factory (66, Iraklidon Str) mark that housed a hat-factory
is a noteworthy industrial many years, is a scheduled
48 49
building with interesting ma- building. The space is used for
sonry and a tiled roof. The various purposes (“Melina
building, an important land- Mercouri” Cultural Centre).
72.
Located at Kolonaki
are some of the best-known
fashion companies.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7 KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ
1 ΚΟLOΝΑΚΙ Str, Fokylidou Str, Karneadou Str, You will find here an old aque- 1.6 Voukourestiou Str 75. A view
Loukianou Str, Ploutarchou Str, duct and an open-air cinema. distinctive Athens road, it con- of Kolonaki
K olonaki is situated at an ex-

clusive location, encom-
passed by Syntagma Square,
Haritos Str, Spefsipou Str and the
Lykabettos circular. 1.3 Skoufa Str
nects the foot of Lycabettus hill
with Syntagma Square. In the
from the foot
of Lycabettus
hill. A series
is the central street of pedestrian zone (linking of steps lead
THE SIGHTS: Kolonaki, with interesting neo-

classical and art deco style
Academias Str to Panepistimiou
Str), you will find a multitude
to the top.

1.1 Kolonaki Square buildings. Along the street of attractive cafes and bars.
(Philikis Etairias Square) (from the Kolonaki square to-
When you visit Athens you wards Neapoli), one would find
many shopping centres, con-
1.7 Marasleio
should have a coffee at one of An impressive neoclassical
the cafes at Kolonaki Square. temporary cafes, and small bars building (at the crossroads of
Modern Athenians and foreign with a distinct air, particularly Marasli Str and Spefsipou Str),
visitors enjoy a break at one of popular all day long. it is the work of architect
the cafes, eating, drinking cof- D. Kallias (1905) and houses
fee and chatting. 1.4 Ayios Dionyssios the education Institute “Mara-
(Skoufa Str) sleios Academy of primary edu-
1.2 Dexamenis Square a stately church, was built in cation”.
is a small square, which serves the early 1930’s at the site of an
as a local recreation ground. earlier church. The façade is 1.8 Taxiarhes
The traditional café on the built in a neo-renaissance style, (the church of the Petraki
50 square attracts Athenians and and the interior is decorated in Monastery in Kolonaki, 51
Vassilisis Sofias Avenue and visitors. It was the meeting the Byzantine style. Ayios page 26).
the slopes of Lycabettus place of intellectuals in the Dionyssios
Hill. It was named after 20th century. Areopagitis, one
73. Tsakalof the old column (the of Athens’ early
Street, one of
Greek for small col- Christians, is the
the central roads patron saint
of Kolonaki, umn is kolonaki), in
the centre of Kolonaki of Athens.
with a multitude Shopping in

of cafes Square. The area was Kolonaki. 1.5
and commercial not developed before
shops, the 1880’s. In Kolonaki In Kolonaki you will Lycavittou
is a busy street.
you will find parks and attrac- find the most fash- Square
tive buildings, built predomi- ionable boutiques, with high cou- is located near
nantly in the neoclassical and ture items produced by Greek and Ayios Dionyssios
modernist architectural style, international designers, among (at the crossroads
lending the area a distinguished others, shoes, and leather goods, of Lycavittou Str
character. It is considered the toys, old furniture, jewellery, house and Anagnostopou-
“aristocratic” neighbourhood of ware. At Voukourestiou Str and the lou Str). Domina-
Athens. You will find here the surrounding area - in the vicinity of ting the square
most expensive commercial is the Dragoumis

74. A traditional
Syntagma Square - you will find
shops, popular cafes and mod- Mansion (1925),
silver bracelet world-famous Greek jewellers,
ern bars, and luxury restau- a private resi-
(19th century),
rants. If you seek diversion and bookshops specialising in foreign dence, which for-
from the Eastern language editions, and major gal-
Thrace region relaxation, go for a stroll at merly accommo-
(Benaki Patriarchou Ioakim Str, Tsakalov leries exhibiting the works of Greek dated the Brazilian
Museum). Str, Anagnostopoulou Str, Milioni painters and sculptors. Embassy.
76. The Greek 1.9 Gennadios Library 2 SYNTAGMA when you ask direc-
Parliament Impressive building in the clas- SQUARE tions if people refer
dominating to Syntagma square.
sicistic style, which was inaugu-
the east side
of Syntagma
Square.
rated in 1926 to house the
book collection (a total of
S yntagma Square is Athens’
central square. The name of
the square is derived from an
Plaka, the Acropo-
lis, the Cathedral,
the National Garden,
26,000 volumes) donated in
uprising on 3 September 1843, Ermou Str, and
1922 by the scholar I. Genna-
of the people and the guard of Kolonaki, are locat-
dios to the American School of
Athens before the then Royal ed in the vicinity
Classical Studies at Athens. In
Palace building, (what is now of Syntagma Square.
1960 the building was expand-
the Parliament), demanding You will find fash-
ed. It is surrounded by a large
that King Otto grant a Consti- ionable cafes and
garden with lush vegetation
tution (Syntagma means Consti- small restaurants
(for the library’s collections

tution). Syntagma Square and located here.
and books, page 99).
Omonias Square are the two The square is busy
central locations of the city. around the clock.
You should not be surprised At the kiosks you
will find miscella-
neous items, among
others souvenirs,
newspapers, and
foreign magazines.
52 2.2 Monument of the 53
THE SIGHTS: Unknown Soldier

Built from 1929-1932, in front
2.1 THE PARLIAMENT of Parliament, it is a sculpted
Dominating Syntagma Square, depiction of a slain soldier (the
the building was the residence work of sculptor K. Dimitria-
of the first king of Greece Otto. des), bearing an inscription
The building was constructed with excerpts of Pericle’s
from 1836 to 1842. George A’, Epitaph. Commemorated on
who succeeded Otto on the the marble wall surrounding
throne, also resided in the the monument are the greatest
palace. During his reign, two battles of the Greek army pos-
successive fires destroyed the terior to 1821. Greek and visit-
building, making it unsuitable ing officials lay a wreath at the
for use as a royal residence. In monument on national holi-
1924 the government decided days. The monument is guard-
to situate Parliament in the ed around the clock by two se-
building. Reconstruction work lect troops, called Evzones, who
was completed in 1934. The in- wear the traditional uniform.
terior was redesigned by archi- The ceremony of the changing
tect A. Kriezis. In Parliament of the guard, which takes place
you will find national treasures, every hour, is worth seeing, es- 77. The
monumental
such as the first Greek pecially on Sunday morning
space
Constitution, and a multitude of (11 a.m.), when it is accompa- of the
valuable paintings. The library nied by a military band and a “Unknown
is worth a visit. large regiment of Evzones. Soldier.”
You will find here attractive Vassilisis Sofias Avenue, Irodou structed from 1874-1888. In 79. One
neoclassical buildings and, at Attikou Str, Vassilisis Amalias the past few years some of the of a multitude
the crossroads of Philellinon Avenue, and two entrances con- most significant events in the of refreshment
Str, Xenofontos Str and Souri necting the National Garden to history of the country have tak- stands
at the verdant
Str, the Sotira Lykodimou the Zappeion. You will also find en place in the “Conferences

National
church ( page 24) and the here a small pond, a small zoo, and Exhibitions Mansion,” such Garden.
Anglican church of Saint Paul the Botanical Museum, a tradi- as European summits, the an-
(1843) ), the work of Ch. tional café, a children’s library, a nouncement of election results,
Hansen, with elements of playground, various monuments and significant political an-
Gothic style and cruciform of antiquity, and the busts of im- nouncements. Moreover, art ex-
shape. portant personalities of modern hibitions and occasionally con-
Greece (among others, politi- certs are held here. In the
2.6 Amalias Avenue cians and authors). vicinity of the mansion are the
is a broad avenue connecting statues of the Zappas brothers,
Hadrian’s Arch ( page 6) who funded the construction
with Syntagma Square. An ele- THE SIGHTS: of the building, and an attrac-
2.3 “Grande Bretagne” gant street with stately neoclas-
3.1 ΖAPPEION
tive park, where Athenians go
Hotel sical and modernist buildings, for a walk, especially on
it is located in the vicinity of MANSION Sundays. Near the Zappeion
a luxury hotel, built in 1842.
the National Garden. As you as- an attractive building designed Mansion is a luxury café and an
The building, designed as a pri-
cend towards Syntagma Square, by Th. Hansen, it was con- opain-air cinema.
vate residence, was the work of
Th. Hansen. Renovated in 1874, you will have a view of
54 Parliament and, in the distance, 55
it accommodated a hotel. In
1958 the hotel was reconstruct- Licabettus Hill.
ed to meet increasing demand,
and several floors were added
to the structure. In 2003 the
3 NATIONAL
building was completely reno-
GARDEN
vated. The hotel is connected
to major events of Greek histo-
ry. A multitude of notables and
T he National Garden, open
from dawn to sunset, is an
oasis in the centre of the city.
celebrities visiting Athens It has a total area of 160,000
stayed here. Worth a visit is the m2. Some five hundred differ-
interior, with a café and luxury ent kinds of plants, bushes and
restaurant, exuding a unique at- trees from various locations
mosphere. around the world are grown
here (in total, it has 7,000 trees
2.4 Ancient aqueduct and 40,000 bushes). At the
same time, it comprises an im-
A section of the ancient ceme-
portant natural life reserve in
tery and Peisitstratos aqueduct,
78. Athens as many different
unearthed in the northeastern
The hotel species of birds, hedge-
“Grande section of the square, is dis-
hogs,turtles, ducks and even
Bretagne” played in an outdoor, covered
bats are gathered here. The
dominating area.
the north-
National Garden - which was
Philellinon Str
eastern side formerly the palace garden -
2.5
of Syntagma was laid out from 1838-1860.
Square. is a prolongation of Stadiou Str. There are six entrances: at
(1927), the marble Wood-chop- 82. The

per by D. Filippotis, 1872- “Xylothrafstis”
1875) – gymnast V. Yiannoulis (“woodchopper”),
posed for the work – and the one of the
distinctive
Statue of G. Karaiskakis, a
statues
bronze monumental sculpture of Athens.
(4.40 metres high), by
M. Tombros (1963-1966), de-
picting a hero of the Greek rev-
olution on horseback.
5 PANATHENAIKON
(KALLIMARMARO)
STADIUM
T he Panathenaikon Stadium,
a remarkable construction,
was made of white marble. The
4 THE R IGILLIS the President of the Hellenic
petal shaped stadium is located
Panathenaean festival ( page
facing the National Garden. 20). The stadium that stands to-
AREA Republic. It is surrounded by In 330 BC a stadium made of day has a capacity of approx.
an attractive 6 acre garden. The
56 A prestigious area with luxu-
ry residential buildings, vil-
las and abundant vegetation.
mansion is guarded by
Evzones, wearing a distinctive
wood was built at this location.
Herodes Atticus constructed a
marble construction, which was
60,000 spectators. It was built
in 1869-1870 and it was the
venue of the first Olympic
57
It is encompassed by Vassilisis uniform. the model for the construction Games in modern history
Sofias Avenue, Rigillis Str, of the stadium that stands to- (1896). Surrounding the stadi- 83. The
80. Zappeion
Mansion.
Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue 4.2 Maximou Mansion day. It was used as a space for um is the wooded Ardittos Hill, Presidential
and Irodou Attikou Str. The area (Irodou Attikou Str) athletic competitions, which Mansion,
Eight pairs
where local residents go for a
at Herodou
of Corinthian is located in the vicinity of the the official residence of the re- took place during the walk. Attikou Street.
columns old palace (now the spective Greek prime minister,
can be seen Presidential Mansion). it was designed in 1924 by Ant.
on its forefront. Helmis. The mansion
THE SIGHTS: was constructed fol-
lowing the death
4.1 of Helmis, by
Presidential his wife, and

Mansion her new hus-

81. The dome
of the atrium (Irodou Attikou Str) band D. Maxi-
at Zappeion mos. It has a small
The former Royal
Mansion, with garden.
palace, three storeyed, bear-
the two-storey
ing profound neoclassical and
stoa.
elite elements (1890-1897), de- 4.3 The statues
signed by the architect Ern. The sculptures at the junction
Ziller. Formerly it was used as of Irodou Attikou Str (facing
the residence of the princes- Kallimarmaro Stadium) are
heirs to the Hellenic Royal among the most attractive in
Crown, later as a palace, and in Athens: the Discus thrower, a
1974 as the official residence of bronze statue by K. Dimitriades
outdoor sculpture display, with stones, built by some of the

a stately and serene garden, ex- most important Greek sculptors
cellent monumental tomb- of the past two centuries.
THE SIGHTS:
Koimomeni: The most famous sculpture of modern Greek

art, made by Y. Halepas in 1878, for the grave of
S. Afentakis.
G. Averof Monument: The grandest monument of the ceme-
tery, built by the sculptors G. Vitalis and D. Filippotis.
The remains of the national benefactor are here.
Hein. Schliemann Monument: The tomb monument of the
German archaeologist who discovered ancient Troy, made
by Ern. Ziller (1892). It is shaped like a church. On the
groundwork are sculpted depictions of the Trojan Cycle.
Chr. Zografos Monument: Built in the renaissance style, it re-
6 If you take Kleitomachou Str, calls the Mausoleum of Lawrence of Medici in Florence.
ΜΕΤZ Arhimidou Str and Embedokleous
Nude Angel: A remarkable tombstone sculpture by
58
O ne of the most fashionable
neighbourhood of Athens,
was developed in the 1870’s. It
Str, you will reach Varnava
square. You will find here cafes,
traditional tavernas and luxury
G. Vitsaris (1872), on the tomb of N. Koumelis. 59
was named after the Metz restaurants. You can return to

84. The
brewery that was located in the the Panathenaikon Stadium via
Panathenaikon area, and for a long time it was Agras Str.
(Kallimarmaro) a popular recreational area. In
Stadium. the 1950’s the riverbed of the
Ilissos (at Ardittou
7 1st CEMETERY
Str). passed
through it.
Today it is a
I t is the oldest
and biggest
cemetery of
quiet residen- Athens. Several
tial area, en- important per-
compassed by sonalities of
the Ardittou modern Greece
hill and the have been laid to

1st Cemetery rest here (among

85. One
of the distinctive (along the others, politi-
“Hermes” statues Loginou Str cians, scientists ,
facing the track pedestrian zone). In the central artists, religious leaders etc). 86. The famous
of the Pana- road of the area, M. Mousourou The foundation of the cemetery “Koimomeni”
thenaikon Str, are cafes. Worth seeing are coincided with the foundation by Y. Halepas
Stadium. (1st Cemetery).
other distinctive roads of the of the modern Greek state. The
One faces
the grandstand
neighbourhood (among others, design recalls the major ceme-
and the other Nik. Theotokis Str, Trivonianou teries of Western Europe in the
faces the track. Str, Dikaiarchou Str, Balanou Str). early 1900’s. It is basically an
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 8 FROM LYCABETTUS HILL TO STREFI HILL

88. The view
FROM of the city and
the Acropolis
LYCABETTUS HILL from the top
of Lycabettus
TO STREFI HILL Hill is unique!
60 61
1
LYCABETTUS
(LYCAVITTOS)
HILL Mount Penteli ( page 103), Zeus. By the time Athens was
Α forest in the heart

of the city, it is
considered by
and took a large rock with the
purpose of placing it on the ex-
isting rock. As she transported
liberated from the Turkish oc-
cupation, Lycabettus Hill had
no trees at all. Reforestation
Athenians one of the the rock, two black birds ap- started in 1880 and was com-
most favourite places proached her, bringing her bad pleted in 1915.
for hiking, resting and news regarding something she
relaxing in the different
cafes and restaurants
had to take care of immediate-
ly. In her rage and haste, the
THE SIGHTS:
operating there. rock fell in the centre of The view of the city: Don’t
According to mytholo- Athens. The rock, which is 278 miss the view of the Acropolis
87. gy, goddess Athena metres high, is located in the and of the entire city
Walking
wanted her temple in centre of Athens. In ancient extending up to the sea. You
on the footpaths
of Lycabettus Acropolis to be closer times the hill was covered by will also enjoy walking along
Hill to heaven. One stormy lush vegetation and on its top narrow paths all the way to
is a pleasure. night she went to stood a temple dedicated to the top of the hill.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 8 FROM LYCABETTUS HILL TO STREFI HILL
1.1 Lycabettus Theatre 2 NΕΑPOLI tude of important neoclassical,

An open-air theatre built from eclectic and modernist build-
1964-1965 by the architect
T. Zenetos at the site of an old N eapoli is encompassed by
Lycabetus hill and
Mavromihali Str. It is, after
ings are preserved. Following
the renovation works, the
neighbourhood attracted a new
mine following the recommen-
dation of the Greek actress Plaka, the oldest neighbourhood generation of residents. Go for
A. Synodinou, for performances of Athens (Neapoli means New a walk in the pedestrian zone
of ancient drama. It has a ca- Town). Neapoli and Exarhia of Themistocleous Str (from
pacity of 3,000. In summer cul- were developed in 1860. The Themistocleous Square to
tural events are staged here, at- first residents were mostly stu- Kallidromiou Str) and other
tracting music and theatre fans. dents. The area is situated near pedestrian zones of the area
89. Lycabettus
Theatre. the University and the Poly- (among others, Valetsiou Str, 4 STREFI HILL 90. A detail
of the balcony
technic. Later it be- Methonis Str, Eresou Str), a quiet
came a favourite
residential neigh-
area, and rest in a café, bar or
traditional taverna.
S trefi hill is located in the
vicinity of Exarheia Square,
and despite of its relatively
of a neo-
classical house
in Exarhia.
bourhood of artists. small size (approximately 12.5
At Asklipiou is the
remarkable neo-
THE SIGHTS: acres) it forms a green oasis in
the densely built city. It was
classical church 3.1 Exarhia Square planted with trees in the
of Ayios Nikolaos is the central square of the decade of the 1920’s, until then
Pefkakion (1895). neighbourhood. It is a busy it was used as a quarry.
Facing Lycabettus square, with a vivid night life. Nowadays one will find here
62 Hill, is an area on a 63
You will find here a multitude of sport facilities, ouzo bars, an
steep incline, with cafes and small, trendy bars and open-air theatre made of stone,
pedestrian zone, two open-air cinemas,offering and at the top you may enjoy
lined with trees unique entertainment in the a panoramic view of the city.
and steps leading summer. Also, in the neighbour- To get there, you take
to the central roads ing streets apart from the many Kallidromiou Str, a beautiful
(among others, restaurants and café-bars, one street, with neoclassical man-
Solonos Str., Asklipiou Str, would find unique shops selling sions and small popular cafes
1.2 Ayios Georgios Ippokratous Str, Sina Str, Massalias clothes, old records, books and and bars, (from Emm. Benaki
( page 26) Str,and Delfon Str) where you
will find, among others, a multi-
hand-made jewellery. Str to Deliyianni Str).
1.3 Ayioi Isidoroi tude of cafes, small bookshops, 91. Exarhia

( page 26) antique shops. Square.
GETTING THERE: If you want to

go by car, there is only one
3 EXARHIA
road leading to the top of the
hill. If you want to walk there
are a multitude of footpaths.
A n old Athens neighbour-
hood, with a special charm.
It is known as a residential
You may also use the funicular, neighbourhood of students and
which operates daily from the artists, with a Bohemian charac-
crossroads of Aristippou Str and ter, contrasting with the “world-
Ploutarchou Str (Kolonaki). ly” Kolonaki Square. In the past
few decades, a series of recon-
struction works have consider-
ably upgraded the area. A multi-
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 9 FROM SYNTAGMA SQUARE TO OMONIA SQUARE

FROM
SYNTAGMA SQUARE
TO OMONIA SQUARE
1 SYNTAGMA
SQUARE ( page 52)
2 PANEPISTIMIOU rennaissance style. It was the

AVENUE residence of the German ar-
(EL. VENIZELOU) chaeologist and philhelene
Hein. Schliemann. It has a dou-
O ne of the oldest roads of

Athens, it was originally
THE SIGHTS: ble stairway in the northern
side, while in the façade and
64 designed to be a Boulevard 2.1
Army Pension the other two floors, are colon- 65
(formerly called Boulevard Str). Funds Building

nades with ionic columns.
Today it is one of the busiest 2.3 Archaeological
A stately building occupying The interior is decorated with
roads, linking Syntagma Square the block encompassed by “Pompeian” frescoes and de- Society Mansion
with Omonia Square. On this Panepistimiou Str, Voukoure- pictions of the landscapes and A five-storey building, it is an
broad avenue, a number of the stiou Str, Amerikis Str and finds of Troy. In 1927 it became exceptional example of late
most important, representative Stadiou Str, it was built from the seat of the Supreme Court classicism. The entrance is dec-
public buildings of Athens were 1927-1938. The royal stables (the highest penal court of the orated with ionic columns.
92. Iliou
Melathron
built, unique landmarks of the were formerly located here. country). It houses now the Nu- Located at the crossroads of
also known
as “Schliemann
city. The façade was built in the Art mismatic Museum ( page 92). Omirou Str and Panepistimiou
Avenue, it houses the Archaeo-
Deco style. In the centre is an
Mansion.” arcade with shops. Recently re- logical Society of Athens.
constructed, the building is
now a shopping centre and an
office building, while it incor-
2.4 Catholic Church
of Ayios Dionyssios (1853-
porates three theatres (the 1865) (Panepistimiou Avenue
“Pallas”, the “Small Pallas” and and Omirou Str)
the “Aliki” Theatre), cafes and
The three columned, cross-in-
restaurants.
square style church was de-
signed by the architects L. von
2.2 Iliou Melathron Klenze and L. Kaftantzoglou.
(12, Panepistimiou Str) The portico in the western side
93. The catholic
is one of the most attractive has five cylindrical arches (it is
church of Ayios
neoclassical buildings of located at the crossroads of Dionyssios
Athens. It was reconstructed in Panepistimiou Avenue and (Panepistimiou
1879 by Ern. Ziller in the neo- Omirou Str). Street).
94. A detail
unadorned, stately atmosphere
of the central of the interwar period.
entrance
of the Athens THE T HREE T EMPLES
Eye-Clinic.
OF L EARNING
(“Athenian Trilogy”)
Three stately buildings con-
structed by two Danish archi-
tects, the Hansen brothers, who
lived in Greece.

2.7 Athens Academy
(1859-1887): On either side of
the Academy, are two wings
2.5 Athens Eye-Clinic decorated with friezes and
(Panepistimiou Avenue and a pair of high columns
Sina Str) supporting the statues of
A stately building (1854) with Apollo and Athena, whereas at
elements of Byzantine and neo- the front side of the building
classical architecture, it was de- the visitors are welcomed by
signed by Ch. Hansen and mod- the statues of Plato and
66 ified by L. Kaftantzoglou. Form-
erly a one-storey building, in
Socrates. The Academy was
studied by Th. Hansen,
2.9 National Library 67
produced by K. Rahl. (1887-1902): A remarkable
the younger of the Hansen
the mid-1860’s a second floor The Academy is thought to be building, planned by Th. Hansen. 97. Panoramic
was added to the structure. brothers. The statues were a prime example of Greek It is the largest library in the view of the neo-
sculpted by L. Drosis and architectural style. country, housing a unique classical “Athen-
2.6
Bank of Greece
the painted decoration was ian Trilogy”.
On the left,
Mansion
the National
(Panepistimiou Str 21) Library, the Uni-
A stately building occupying a versity and the
whole block. The foundations Athens Academy
can be seen.
95. The stately were laid in 1933 and the
building Behind them
building was opened in 1938. stands the
of the Athens The transactions halls recall the
Academy. building of the
Cultural Center
2.8 University (1839- of the Athens
Municipality
1864): The University of
Athens was designed by and the Palamas
Building.
Ch. Hansen, the elder of the
Hansen brothers. Worth seeing 98. Over
are the fountain in the court, the central
the circular stairway and the entrance
multicoloured frescoes with of the Athens
classical themes (designed by University
96. The Statue of Apollo (see right) are
at the top of an Ionian style
the Bavarian K. Rahl), decorat- the frescoes
column, at the entrance ing the walls, located behind of the Bavarian
of the Athens Academy. the columns on the balcony. K. Rahl (see left).
tional café. Exactly adjacent to 2.13

Arsakeion custom, Athenians, after a night 101. Two silver
the café (at Akadimias Str) is the Mansion (1846-1855) out Saturday evening, buy domes
stately Palamas building (with a Sunday papers at kiosks and decorating
A stately two-storey mansion, it the tower-like
pink interior, it is known as the is a distinctive example of stands on the square. Omonia is
corners
“pink building”). Built in 1857- Greek classicism with a the oldest central square
of the Arsakeio
1859, it houses the Theatrical strain of eclecticism. of modern Athens. Megaro facing
Museum library. Diagonally Formerly the A visit to Omonia, Stadiou Street.
across the street, (at the cross- to get a sense of

Arsakeion Girls
roads of Ippocratous Str and School, it is now the vibrancy of the
99. The range of thousands of books Akadimias Str), is the Student the Council of square is a must
construction in all languages. On the façade Union of the University of Athens State, (highest for all visitors.
of the National
is a stately six-column portico (1926-1931), designed by Al. Court of State). At the square you
Library Nikoloudis in the eclectic style will find the usual
was funded by
in the Doric style, based on Adjacent to the
the design of the Thiseion. of the Beaux Arts. mansion is the fast-food shops.
P. Vallianos.
The interior, designed by Ern. Courts Square. Foreign newspapers
Korai Square
In the
2.11 are sold in kiosks.
foreground Ziller, is lighted by a skylight
the statue
of the donor.
on the roof and encompassed is a small, attractive square, de-
veloped when a pedestrian
2.14 Arsakeion At the square are stately
buildings, in particular the
by an Ionian style colonnade. Arcade (Orfeos): The arcade
street was created at Korai Str. in the Mansion, built in the hotels “Bangeion” and
2.10 Cultural Centre North-east of the square is the neobaroque style, has a “Alexandros” (at the crossroads
of the Athens Municipality Rallis building (10, Korai remarkable glass roof with a of Athinas Str,) the “Neon” café,
Located in the vicinity of the Square) built in the early neo- dome in the centre. You will and a branch of the National
68 Bank (at Panepistimiou Str). 69
“trilogy” (at Akadimias Str 50), classical style. Opposite the find here shops, cafes and the
it is a remarkable neoclassical Rallis building is the modernist “Stoa tou Vivliou”, (Book At Omonia Square is a central
building which was built in building of the General Arcade) with the bookshops metro station.
Accounting Office (designed by of 60 Greek publishing
E. Lazaridis). Northwest of the houses. Cultural events are
square is the remarkable for- held at the Stoa tou Vivliou. 4 THE O MONIA
mer hotel Grand Hotel (2, Korai SQUARE AREA
Square, today used as a shop- 2.15 “Rex” Cinema tadiou Str, Patision Str, Pane-
ping centre). Opposite the
Grand Hotel is the modern
A mansion with three halls
(cinema-theatre), built from
S pistimiou Avenue, 3rd
Septemvriou Str, Piraeus Str,
102. A view of
Omonia Square
with buildings
building of the Commercial 1935-1937, the design was in- of a variety
Athinas Str and Ayiou Konstanti-
Bank. At the square you will al- fluenced by contemporary of architectural
nou Str converge at Omonia
so find the recently renovated American skyscrapers. Two styles.
“Korai Arcade” with a multitude halls are now used for perform-
of cafes, fast food restaurants, ances of the National Theatre.
shops, and a cinema. The third is an entertainment
1835 according to the design of
Chr. Hansen. It was a hospital in 2.12
Ionian Bank
centre.
the course of decades. Cultural Mansion (Pesmatzoglou Str)

3 OMONIA SQUARE
events are held in the building. A remarkable eclectic style
100. In front of the main entrance of
The Cultural
Centre
the building is a small garden
with the busts of historical fig-
mansion with art deco decora-
tion (1925). The central transac-
tions hall has a notable colon-
Α central square, which is
busy around the clock,
throughout the year, by contrast
of the Athens
Municipality ures (among others, artists and nade and balconies. The light- with Syntagma Square. Omonia
and its small politicians), while on the other ing, a skylight with stained glass Square has always been busy
garden. side, (at Solonos Str), is a tradi- windows, is spectacular. around the clock. According to
4.2
ΑYIOS 4.4
Koumoundourou with copies of the famous twin
KONSTANTINOS Square (Eleftherias) Caryatids on the balcony. The
(Ayiou Konstantinou Str) An attractive, wooded square. house, is among the most pho-
Facing Pireos Str is the tographed and painted themes
Facing the National Theatre, it is of Athens.
a monumental church (1871- grand neoclassical man-
sion of the “Municipal
1896/1905) built by L. Kaftan-
Gallery” built in 4.6page
Gazi
tzoglou. The recently renovated
three-columned, cross-in-square 1874 (designed by ( 42)
G. Metaxas).
church has a stately façade in a 4.7 Botanical
combination of neoclassical and Neighbouring the 104. Copies
gallery is the small Garden of the Caryatids,
renaissance styles, a monumen- of the Athens
church of Ayioi at the small
tal entrance in the form of an University
Anargyroi (1893). house at 45,
ancient propylaea, and an attrac- Ayion
tive interior decoration. Located on the Located at the cross-
Assomaton Str.
square is a small roads of Iera Odos,
stone-built theatre, which in Greek means
Square. It is a busy area, with
with small roads around Omonia
4.3 PIREOS STR which is used for events. Sacred Road (built along
(P. Tsaldari Str) the path of the ancient road of
Square and Kaniggos Square and
interesting places (small shops,
Constructed along the path of 4.5 Ayion Assomaton Str the Eleusinian Mysteries
the ancient road linking Athens As you descend Pireos Str take page 115) and Sp. Patsi Str. It has
traditional cafes etc.). to Piraeus. The Long Walls were a total area of 7,000 m2. Some
a left turn at Ayion Assomaton
constructed along the side of 120 varieties of trees and plants

70 Str. You will find at number 45 71
THE SIGHTS: the street. The first paved road and mosses and grasses from
one of the best-known tradi-
different parts of the world.

in Athens, Pireos Str links the tional buildings of Athens (pic-
4.1 THE NATIONAL city with the port of Piraeus. turesque classicist style, 1880),
THEATRE OF GREECE In the 19th century an industrial
(Ayiou Konstantinou Str) zone was developed and a mul-
Built from 1891-1901, accord- titude of factories were con-
ing to the design of Ern. Ziller, structed along the road. In the
it was commissioned by the past few years a multitude of
king George I and funded by factories were renovated and
Greeks residing abroad. A repli- used for another purpose (mu-
ca of the National Theatre of seums, cultural centres, the
Vienna, it is built in the renais- Higher School of Fine Arts).
sance style. The theatre opened The buildings at Pireos Str, a
in November 1901. It was for- very busy street, are interesting
merly called the Royal Theatre, examples of urban industrial ar-
but in 1930 it was renamed chitecture. At number 138 of
National Theatre. The central Pireos Str one will find a mod-
auditorium (Italian style) has ern building that houses the new
a capacity of 1000 spectatores Benaki Museum where periodic
(stalls, dress circle, upper circle, exhibits of the Museum are held

103.
and two boxes). Facing the the-
( page 94). At number 254,
atre (at Menandrou Str) is the Tauros area stands the Civilisa-
Panepistimiou 105.
three-storey neoclassical Eynard tion Centre “Hellenic Cosmos”
Avenue by night, The Botanical
at the junction Mansion, which accommodates established by the Foundation Garden
with Omonia a Museum dedicated to actors of the Hellenic world ( of the Athens
Square. K. Paxinou and A. Minotis. page 99). University.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 10 FROM OMONIA SQUARE TO KYPSELI

Papadiamantis Square), former- umental staircases lead to the 107. Bell-shaped
FROM OMONIA SQUARE ly a garden city (with villas,
two-storey blocks of flats,
Ionian style four-column propy-
laea of the ground floor, a copy
idol with
movable legs
TO KYPSELI densely vegetated) devel- of the northern hall of the from Thebes,
oped in the 1920’s - the Erechteion ( page 13). Boeotia (early
7th century
suburban style has been B.C.), a model
preserved notwithstanding
subsequent development.
1.2 “Acropol Palace” of the mascot of
the Athens 2004
Hotel (1925-1926)
Olympic Games
A five-story building (In the photo
THE SIGHTS:
designed by the archi-
tect I. Mayiasis, the
an exact copy
of the idol. You
1.1 Polytechnic Acropol Palace is a dis-
tinctive example of
may purchase
one at the shops
School (National of the
Metsovio Polytechnic) Athens Art Nouveau ar-
Archaeological
chitecture. Resources Fund
Designed by the ar-
– T.A.P.).
Tositsa Str
chitect L. Kaftan-
1.3
tzoglou, the
Polytechnic was built A wide pedestrian zone,
from 1861-1876. It is an flanked by the National
archetype of the urban tra- Metsovio Polytechnic
dition of Athens. It compris- and the garden of the
72 es of a central building and T- National Archaeological 73
shaped wings facing Patision Museum, with a row of trees in
Str. It has two floors and the the middle, Tositsa Str is a
development, entrance is elevated. Two mon- place to relax and stroll.
it became
clearly an ur-
ban location,
now one of the
busiest streets of Athens.
Among a multitude of new
buildings, neoclassical, Art
Nouveau and modernist build-
ings are preserved. As you head
from the crossroads of Patision
Str and Alexandras Avenue, to-
wards Patisia, on your left is
Victorias Square (at 3rd
Septemvriou Str), on your right
is the stately Higher School of
106. The
1 PATISION STR Economic and Scientific Studies,
National (28th OCTOVRIOU STR)
(1935), on your left the “Hara”
Archaeological central road linking Patisia block of flats, an pioneering
Museum and its
garden. In the
A to the centre, before the
early 20th century Patision Str
work built in the 1920’s at
Patission Str 337 and on your
background, part
of the Exarhia was a rural area with small hous- right the Kypriadis neighbour-
district. es and gardens! Following rapid hood (in the vicinity of

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 10 FROM OMONIA SQUARE TO KYPSELI
108. remains and the statue of prince Ayia Zoni (1927) and Ayios
The propylaea Alexander Ypsilantis (1792-1828), Georgios (at the square of the
of the wholly who was closely connected to same name, 1931.)
renovated the GreekRevolution of 1821.
National
Archaeological 2.5 Ayios Haralambos THE SIGHTS:
Fokionos Negri Str

Museum.
The church was built in 1928, 3.1
in cruciform shape, at the site A wide, stately, densely vege-
of an old church. In the church tated pedestrian zone linking
are icons of the important Kypselis Square to Drosopoulou
Greek painter F. Kontologou. Str, Fokionos Negri Str is the
centre of the neighbourhood.
1.4 The National geois character of the area, lo- 2.6 Mavromateon Str Originally called the “green
Archaeological Museum cated at the crossroads of Ale- An elegant road linking the boulevard”, Fokionos
xandras Avenue, and Patision Str. Archaeological Museum with Negri Str was built in 1937,
A stately building constructed in
Kodringtonos Str. Facing at the site of a stream.
the late 19th century, the Natio-
nal Archaeological Museum was
2 PEDION Pedion tou Areos is a row of In the 1960’s it ac-
designed by L. Lange and Ern. TOU A REOS stately, luxury blocks of flats, quired a reputation
most of them built in 1925- for nightlife, attracting politi-
Ziller. The Ionian style propy- 110. The statue
laea are adorned with clay stat-
ues, the copies of ancient
T he largest park in Athens
(230,000 m2), was laid out
in 1934. Named after the roman
1960, when the street was
thought to be one of the most
cians and artists. A busy street
throughout the day, it is a pop-
of Athena
Promahos.
prestigious locations of the city. ular recreational area, with
74 works, while on either side is campus martius, the park used 75
dozens of cafes, restaurants and
an oblong arcade. Athenians like to be a training ground for mili- 111. The
3 small bars. On the pedestrian
to stroll in the attractive garden tary units. Athenians like to go KΥPSELI passage between Sporadon and
Kypseli
in front of the museum, espe- for a walk here all year round, neighbourhood
Zakynthou Str (42, Fokionos
cially in summer (for museum
exhibits page 86).
or seek entertainment at cafes,
outdoor theatres, and other
A distinctive bourgeois
neighbourhood of Athens,
Kypseli has preserved its aristo-
Negri Str) stands the preserved
building of the old Municipal
has been largely
redeveloped.
However,
venues.
Egyptou Square cratic character, although in the Market (1935), used now by the a multitude
1.5 examples of the
An elegant square with neoclas- 2.4 Taxiarhon Church past few decades it has been
rebuilt and is now densely pop-
residents of the area as a cultur-
al event centre and an organic
varied architect-
sical and modernist buildings, Post-Byzantine church of the ure distinctive of
ulated. In the 1990’s a multi- foods market. the neighbour-
examples of the formerly bour- 16th or 17th century. In the court tude of immigrants settled in hood in the past
there is a monument with the Kypseli, transforming it into a 3.2 Courts (former Army are preserved.
109. THE SIGHTS: charming multicultural neigh-
bourhood. Among the modern
Cadet School)
A complex of neo-
The statue
of king
Constantine
2.1 The statue of King Constantine: A bronze statue of king
Constantine (1868-1922) placed on a monumental marble pedestal,
blocks of flats several examples classical buildings,
of stately neoclassical buildings the courts are located
on horseback. erected in 1938. It is located at the central entrance of the park, and blocks of flats of the inter- south of Kypseli
facing Egyptou Square. war period are preserved, (Evelpidon Str). The
2.2 Statue of Athena (Promahos): A monument which are worth seeing. They
are located on distinctive roads
building was built
dedicated to the British, Australian and New Zealand from 1900-1904, (de-
soldiers killed in the Second World War, it was sculpted in of the neighbourhood (among signed by Ern. Ziller),
1952 by sculptor V. Falireas. The marble lioness at the base others, (Drosopoulou Str, for the Army Cadet
was sculpted by Ath. Limnaios. Eptanisou Str, Ithakis Str, Tinou School. In the early
2.3 Iroon Avenue: A wide, stately road in the park with Str, Tenedou Str, Spetson Str, 1980’s the Athens
the busts of the freedom fighters of the Greek Revolution. Lefkadas Str). You will also find Courts were accom-
You will find it at the Mavromateon Str entrance. in Kypseli the notable churches modated here.
TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 11 HISTORICAL WALK
THE SIGHTS:
Tour of Athens, Stage 11: (from Syntagma Square to
Ampelokipi):
HISTORICAL WALK 1 THE MINISTRY
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
BUILDING
(5, Vassilisis Sofias Avenue)
The work of Ern. Ziller (1872-
1873), it belonged to the
Syngros family before being
bequeathed to the Greek state
in 1921. The neoclassical man-
sion housing the main services
of the ministry, has been desig-
nated a work of art. In 1985 it
was linked to a later building,
at Zalokosta Str.
VASSILISIS SOFIAS
AVENUE 2 THE FRENCH
EMBASSY
T he most impressive road of
Athens, linking Syntagma
Square to Ampelokipi.
(Psyhas Mansion)
A stately three-storey building
Formerly called Kifissias at the crossroads of Akadimias
76 Avenue, it linked Athens to the Str). It was built in 1894 by An. 77
traditional suburb of Kifissia. It Metaxas for the Psyhas family.
has in part lost the original It has notable modernist deco-
I
f you don’t have much time, in the historical walk rative elements connected to
character of a classic boulevard.
(approximately 3.5 kilometres) you can visit and see However, it is one the most the neoclassical style.
the most important monuments and sights of Athens. charming roads of the city,
It is a walk through history, from classical antiquity, with some of the most attrac- 3 THE Ι TALIAN
tive buildings, museums and EMBASSY
through all the historical periods, architectural styles,
parks. The residence of prince
and successive phases of the development of the city
Nicholas, before the expulsion
to the 21st century (classical period, of the royal family in 1917, it
roman period, Byzantium, Turkish occupation, later accommodated a luxury
neoclassicism, and 20th century). hotel (“Le Petit Palais”). Later it
In fact it is a walk in history, which only Athens can offer. was bought by the Italian gov-
ernment to accommodate the
embassy.
THE Α CROPOLIS ( page 9) OTTOMAN
MONUMENTS 4 THE NATIONAL
THE O DEION OF IN Α THENS GARDEN ( page 54)
HERODES ΑTTICUS page 27)
(

( page 8)
SYNTAGMA
5 THE BENAKI
MUSEUM 112.
PLΑΚΑ ( page 30) SQUARE (1, Koumpari Str) A detail of the
page 52)
central building
( The most impressive neoclassi- of the Greek
ΒYZANTINE MONUMENTS cal building of Athens, it was Ministry of
IN Α THENS ( page 22) built in stages from 1910 to 1931 Foreign Affairs.
7 THE STATHATOS
MANSION
A remarkable neoclassical man-
sion (at the crossroads of Iro-
dotou Str and Vassilisis Sofias
Avenue), Stathatos Mansion was
designed by Ern. Ziller in 1885.
It accommodates the new wing
of the Goulandris Museum of
Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art

( page 92). It is linked to the
museum by a glass-covered
passage.
the embassy, it became the res- 115. A view of
9 THE WAR MUSEUM
8 THE ΒYZANTINE AND Vassilisis Sofias
idence of the ambassador.
A modern building (designed Avenue with the
CHRISTIAN MUSEUM
by Th. Valentis), inaugurated in War Museum
The main building of the 1975, for the purposes of gath- 11 ΑYIOS NIKOLAOS and and a section
Museum is “Villa Ilisia” ), a neo- ΑYIOS GEORGIOS of Rizari park.
ering, preserving and exhibit-
renaissance style building, con- ing military relics and other na- Small churches in cruciform
structed at the bank of the then tional tokens demonstrating the four-column style, Ayios
(designed by An. Metaxas). For- uncovered Ilissos river. It was history and struggles of the Nikolaos and Ayios Georgios
78 merly the residence of Ant. Be- the residence of S. de Marbois- 79
Greek nation, (for the exhibits, are representative examples of

nakis, since 1931 it houses the Lebrun, known as the “Duchess

page 96). the architectural trends of the
Museum exhibits ( page 94). of Plaisance.” The building was late 19th century. Ayios
designed by St. Kleanthis, (or 10 THE RESIDENCE
113. The Benaki 6 THE SAROGLEIO Nikolaos (1876 neighbouring
according to some sources Chr. OF THE B RITISH the British embassy) is built in
Museum MANSION Hansen). Following the death
mansion. AMBASSADOR a distinctive neo-Byzantine
(Officers Club) of the duchess (1854), the man-
Located at the crossroads of style, while Ayios Georgios
A stately building constructed sion was acquired by the Greek combines the Byzantine, classi-
Vassilisis Avenue and Loukianou
in the Beaux Arts style, it is lo- state. It hauses the museum cist and roman styles.
Str, the building was construct-
cated at Rigillis Square (P. Mella). since 1930. Two new wings
ed from 1930-1932
It was designed by architect were built in 1952 and 1994

(designed by An.
Al. Nikoloudis. (for the exhibits, page 95).
Metaxas). Formerly
the residence of the
then Prime Minister
Eleftherios
Venizelos, it was
granted to the
British state follow-
ing his death. It ac-
commodated the
British embassy in
Athens before 1960.
Following the con-
114. struction in a neigh-
The Stathatos bouring location of
Mansion. the new building of 116. Rizari park.
14 ELEFTHERIAS PARK cently it has lost some of its for- 119. The Tower
mer charm as a result of the of Athens,
A park with a statue of at the crossroads
traffic on the surrounding streets.
Eleftherios Venizelos (sculpted of Vassilisis
by the sculptor G. Pappas). In Sofias Avenue
18 THE Ι PPOKRATEIO
the rear section are three stone and Mesogeion
built buildings, accommodating
HOSPITAL Avenue.
A scheduled public building,
the Athens Municipality Arts
Centre and the "Eleftherios constructed in the 1880’s in the
Venizelos Museum." Facing the neoclassical style. It has accom-
park is a row of three un- modated a hospital since 1912.
adorned neoclassical buildings Adjacent to the hospital is the
of the hospitals "Aeginitio," chapel of Ayios Andreas (17th
12 THE glass. Facing the square is the century).
117. "Aretaeio," and "Alexandra."
“E VANGELISMOS” “Hilton” (1958-1963) hotel,
The “Dromeas”
HOSPITAL (old building) with elements of the interna- 19 TOWER OF ATHENS
at Megali tou 15 THE ATHENS
Genous Scholi A neoclassical building (de- tional modernist style (at the
CONCERT HALL The first glass skyscraper of
Square signed by G. Metaxas) Evange- neighbouring streets, Ventiri
A monumental work (designed Athens (1971-1973) – one of
(Vassilisis Sofias lismos hospital was inaugurated Str, Mexi Str etc. are cafes, bars
by M. Vourekas), the Athens a few skyscrapers constructed
Avenue).
in 1880 by then Queen Olga. and small restaurants). On the
Concert Hall was built in stages in the greater urban area of the
Later an English-style garden opposite side of the square (at
from 1973-1991. It is thought capital. A complex of respec-
was laid out in the yard. the crossroads of Vassilisis
to be one of the best concert tively two 25- and 12- storey
Sofias Avenue and Gennadiou
80 halls in the world. It has, buildings, the tower of Athens 81
Str) are two remarkable Art
13 MEGALI TOU among others, concert and accommodates mainly compa-
Deco blocks of flats of the in-
GENOUS SCHOLI opera halls, a musical library, ny offices. In front of the Tower
terwar period. Adjacent to the
SQUARE a conference centre, and halls of Athens is a small villa with
“Hilton” hotel is the building of
for multiple uses. In the winter a garden, a relic of the 1920’s
A small square at the cross- the National Gallery - Museum
concerts, opera, theatre and when the area (Ampelokipi)
roads of Vassilisis Sofias Avenue Alexandros Soutzos ( page
dance performances, and other was rural.
and Vassileos Konstantinou Ave- 96), built in 1966-1975 in the
nue. In the centre is the im- brutalist architectural style of events, are held here.
pressionist sculpture of K. Varo- Le Corbusier. Facing the Natio-
tsos “Dromeas” (1988), sculpted nal Gallery is the Rizari park, 16 THE ΑMERICAN
exclusively out of sheets of one of Athens’ oldest gardens. EMBASSY
The most important example of
modern architecture in Athens
(1959-1961), designed by the
famous architect W. Gropius.
17 MAVILI SQUARE
Among the most “vibrant”
squares of Athens, with a multi-
tude of cafes, bars and restau-
rants in the area, Mavili Square
attracts visitors throughout the
day. It is a prestigious residen-
118. tial area, near Lycabetus Hill and
The “Hilton” the central Vassilisis Sofias Ave-
hotel. nue and Alexandras Avenue. Re-
SUBURBS SUBURBS
SUBURBS 121.
An impressive
mansion
of Kifissia.
D
uring your stay in Athens you may want
to visit the suburbs. In the suburbs you may go
for a walk on vegetated roads, and relax
at a confectionery, café or bar.

air cinemas and the Flower
Show, which takes place every
May in Kifissia Grove. Some of The main road linking Athens
the best restaurants, confec- to the suburbs is Kifissias
tioneries and cafes of Athens Avenue. You can reach
are in Kifissia. Alsos Syngrou, Maroussi and Kifissia on line 1
(1,000,000 m2) adjacent to of the metro.
82 Kifissia and Maroussi, a wood- 83
ed area, is an ideal place to go
for a walk and relax.
122. The Athens Olympic Stadium

(see right, during the Opening Ceremony
of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games),
location of a multitude of athletic
installations and recreation areas, linked
to other areas of the capital by bus lines,
the suburban railway and the metro
THE N ORTHERN (“Irini” station, see left). The roof was
SUBURBS haps the most elegant suburb of designed by the well-known architect
S. Calatrava.
(Psihiko, Filothei, Maroussi, northern Athens. The luxury
Kifissia) villas of Kifisia of the 19th cen-
tury were raised by the oldest
T he suburbs of Psihiko,
and Filothei were devel-
oped in the late 1920’s on the
Athenian families. With attrac-
tive villas and vibrant shopping
streets, Kifissia is an attractive
model of British garden cities.
area. Worth seeing is the
They are quiet residential areas,
Goulandris Natural History

with attractive villas, abundant
Museum ( page 100), the sig-
120. Old eclectic vegetation and broad streets.
nificant Archaeological
building
in Kifissia.
In Maroussi are the facilities
Collection ( page 135),
The building
of the Olympic Athletic Centre of which comprises Roman monu-
houses Athens (Ο.Α.Κ.Α.), the central ments, grave stelae, terracotta
a modern group of facilities for the 2004 and marble findings, statues
shopping centre. Olympic Games. Kifissia is per- and busts from the area, open
SUBURBS SUBURBS
The Glyfada Golf 125.

Club (tel. Vouliagmeni
210 8946820, lake has
website: therapeutic
water.
www.athensgolf.net)
The geological
is open daily from attraction
08:00 am to sunset. is the popular
Situated along the destination
coast are hotels with of the residents
a view of the sea. of Attica.
In the coastal area

of the bay of Faliron,
123. The
(from Neo Faliro to Paleo
distinctive THE S OUTHERN
Faliro) a huge recreational and
circular building SUBURBS cultural park is being planned,
in the “Floisvos” (Faliro, Glyfada, Voula,
area of P. Faliro. Vouliagmeni) which will comprise the exist-
ing sport facilities built for the
he southern suburbs are lo-
T cated on the coast of the
Saronic Gulf, from Piraeus
Olympic games, smaller venues
for recreational and cultural
purposes, an impressive aquari-

to cape Vouliagmeni. Access um putting on display the sub- In Trocadero (P. Faliron) you
from Athens is easy (the south- marine species of the seas of may visit the Maritime Museum,
84 85
ern suburbs are just 20-30 min- Greece and the Mediterranean, on one of the most famous
utes from the centre). The
In order to reach these sub-
a birds garden, nautical facili- warships of recent Greek histo-
southern suburbs are an ideal urbs you may use the tram
ties, all of which will be con- ry, the battleship Averof, as well
place to go for a walk by the nected by an esplanade. as an exemplary playground, which leaves from Syntagma
seaside, and swim. open-air cinema and cycling Square and runs along two
The best and most tracks. In Ayios Kosmas is a lines: line Γ1 towards Neo
popular beaches of large seaside park. A metropol- Faliro (terminal at the Peace
Attica, with clean itan park with an area of 1,000
water ( page acres will be constructed in the
and Friendship Stadium) and
line Γ2 towards Voula (termi-
132) are located area of the old airport
here. The areas (Helleniko). Vouliagmeni is nal at “Asclepeio Voulas”).
each have a shop- an attractive suburb with abun- Moreover line Γ3 follows
ping centre with su- dant vegetation, elegant villas, the itinary Voula - Neo
perb shops. In the attractive beaches, the unique Faliro, offering you the
southern suburbs Vouliagmeni Lake, and some
you can walk on the opportunity to enjoy a
of the best hotels in Attica.
marinas, have lunch Athenians visit the coast and unique trip along the coastal
or dinner by the have lunch at a restaurant or area. Also, you can reach the
seaside, enjoy your a drink at a bar by the seaside. southern suburbs by using
favourite water
bus lines Β3 (Akadimias-
sports, or play golf,
in a court with in- Glyfada, via Vouliagmenis
ternational stan- Avenue), Ε22 (Akadimias-

124. View dards (18 holes, par Saronida, express line), et al.
of Glyfada 72 course), located
from the sea. in Glyfada.
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
preserved statue from Elefsina Myrrine’s name. It is sculpted

MUSEUMS was sculpted from around 440- on white marble and was dis-
127. The room
housing the
430 BC. It depicts Dimitra giv- covered in 1873. It is decorated “Jockeyboy of
ing hay to the Triptolemos, the with a sculpture representing Artemission”
in the National
Cypriot (room 64 1st floor). In young king of Elefsina. To her Hermes driving with one hand a
THE N ATIONAL Archaeological
addition to the permanent ex- right, her daughter Persephone young woman, Myrrini. Accord-
ARCHAEOLOGICAL gives her blessing. Notice that ing to the epigram located on
Museum.
MUSEUM hibits, the Museum also holds
temporary exhibitions and edu- the Triptolemos and Dimitra her head, the god's purpose was
The completely renovated cational programs. We list some have different sizes. In that pe- to bring the woman to Pluto
National Archaeological of the exhibits of the museum: riod artists made gods taller (god of Hades). Three men, rel-
Museum ranks among the lead- when they were depicted with atives of Myrrine observe the
• The golden mask of mortals on a dedicatory col- spectacle. (430-420 BC).
ing archaeological museums in
Agamemnon (Room 4). umn - a sign of respect of the
the world. You will be im- • The stele of Hegeso
Although it has been proven that gods.
pressed by the treasures of the (Room 18). Don’t fail to see the
it is not the mask of Agamem-
museum and will want to come famous column (stele) of
non, it is a noteworthy exhibit, • The Poseidon (or Zeus)
back for another visit. However, Hegeso (5th century BC). It was
well worth seeing. Schliemann’s of Artemission (Room 15).
if you come just once, be sure
to have enough time. The mu-
theory was mistaken – today it Is it perhaps a statue of Posei- discovered in Kerameikos (
is thought to be the mask of a don or of Zeus? Archaeologists page 19-21). There is copy of
seum contains approximately the column in Kerameikos. The
dead king, who died three cen- have not come up with an an-
11,000 masterpieces dating sculpture depicts Hegeso seat-
turies before Agamemnon (16th swer. The bronze statue, a mas-
from the 7th millennium B.C to ed, taking a jewel from a box.
century BC). In the gallery of terpiece of the sculpture of the
the 5th century B.C which are A slave is holding the box. It is
86 Mycenaean Antiquities, other classical period, is 2.09 metres 87
classified in 7 collections: thought that the colours used
than the mask, you can high. It is one of the few pre-
see jewels, golden served original bronze statues. for the background of the
works of art, sculpture and the jewel are blue
swords etc, found in • Myrrine’s oil-flask and gold respectively. On the
the royal graves of (Room 16). It is the main exhib- upper section of the column is
Mycenae. it in the hall, which bears carved the name “Hegesou tou
• The Harper of Keros

(Room 6). It dates back to the
early Bronze era (2700-2300
B.C) and is one of the most an-
cient depictions of musicians
of Early Cycladic idol sculpture.
It represents a man seated on
a throne holding a harp or lyre
Prehistoric (Neolithic, Cycladic in his right hand, with a raised
and Mycenaean antiquities, head and slightly open thighs.
rooms 3-6 and 48 on the 1st
• The Kouros of Sounion
floor), Sculptures (rooms 7-35),
(Room 8). It was a votive offer-
126. National Bronze (rooms 36-39), Egyptian
Archaeological ing of a sailor to Poseidon, dat-
Antiquities (rooms 40-41, of
Museum: ing from 600 B.C. It bears a
world-wide importance),
a Black Figure height of 3m in frontal position,
Stathatou (room 42 with 970
cup with with his left foot forward.
a depiction works of art mainly minia-
of runners tures), Vases and Miniatures • Dimitra and Persephone
(circa 540 B.C.). (rooms 49-63 1st floor) and (Room 14). This attractive, well-
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
128. National Proxenou.” Notice the artful de- statue is thought to be a mas- • The exhibition of Thera 129. National
Archaeological piction of her melancholy ex- terpiece. It is thought to be the (Room 48). The main exhibits of Archaeological
Museum: pression and the folds of her work of Praxiteles, or his stu- the exhibition are the frescoes, Museum:
“The Ephebe dress. dent (330BC). which are a valuable source of the marble
of Antikythera.” funerary column
information on life in the
• The Horse rider of • The Adolescent of of a running
Aegean in the Bronze Age. They soldier (Athens,
Artemision (Room 21). The Antikythira (Room 28). were discovered at Akrotiri circa 500 B.C.).
bronze statue of the 2nd centu- Archaeologists have varying (Cape) in Thera (Santorini).
ry BC and a statue of Poseidon opinions regarding the signifi- They are the earliest examples of
were discovered in the vicinity cance of the statue. The main large-scale painting in Europe.
of Cape Artemission. The subject holds a spherical object
horseman and his horse may in his hand. Some archaeolo- The fresco of spring: Depicts a
have been smelted separately. gists claim that the statue de- rocky landscape with vivid red
Notice the excellent depiction picts the god Pan holding an lilies and swallows, some flying
of the extended muscles of the apple, while others claim that it in pairs some on their own.
horse and the expression of is the statue of Perseus holding The fresco of the fisherman: One
agony on the horseman’s face. the head of Andromeda (340 of the best preserved frescoes,
• The statuette of Zeus
• The Adolescent of BC). It was found in a ship- it depicts a nude fisherman
(Bronze rooms). The statuette of
Marathon (Room 28). The wreck in the vicinity of Anti- holding two strings of fish.
the Zeus casting lightning from
statue of a youth was named kythira in 1900. Dodoni. Notice the stance of The fresco of two children box-
after the bay of Marathon, the god as he prepares to cast ing: Two children boxing. The
• The head of Hygeia
where it was discovered in lightning. It is the same as child standing to the left wears
88 (Sculpture rooms). Discovered 89
1926. The inscription on the Poseidon of Artemision. boxing gloves and earrings. No-
in the temple of Alea Athena in
pedestal states that he is a box- tice their almond-shaped eyes.
Tegea the head of Hygeia was • Statuette of Pharaoh
er. Excepting for the left hand,
apparently part of a statue
which is thought to be the pro- Savaka (Room 41). Dating • Epigraphical Museum.
(350-340 BC), attributed to
duce of a posterior repair, the since 700 B.C, the Pharaoh is A section of the Archaeological
sculptor Scopas. You will recog-
represented kneeling down Museum, with a separate en-
nise the head of Hygeia (the
with extended arms. His name trance. (Tositsa 1) Displaying
goddess of health), which has
is engraved on his belt brooch 14,000 inscriptions from
been reproduced in photo-
and he is wearing the crown of Greece and Asia Minor, it is
graphs.
the Nubian Pharaoh. a leading epigraph museum.
• Marble votive bas-relief
(Sculpture rooms). Dimitra,
Persephone and Asklepios.
Persephone stands to the left,
holding two torches on her
right hand. In front of her sits
Dimitra and to her right stands
Asklepios. To the right are six
supplicants who, according to
the inscription, dedicated
the sculpture to Asklepios 130. National
and the two Elefsinian god- Archaeological
Museum: view
desses. Their names are
of the room 4
carved on the pedestal en- with the
compassed by crowns Mycenaean
made of olive branches. collection.
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
Some of the most significant of works of art in the history 133. The
exhibits are listed below: of all times. Among others, one backside of one
would find sections of the of the Caryatids,
• The Moschoforos. The ex- situated
frieze depicting the
ceptional statue of a beard- on the 1st level
Panathenaean proces-
ed youth (6th century of the Acropolis
sion, the Olympian Museum.
B.C) is carrying a calf
gods and certain
on his shoulders, a sacri-
metopes depicting scenes
fice to goddess Athena.
of the Centauromachy (battle
• Alexander the of centaurs), the
Great. The Head of Giantomachy (war of gi-
Alexander the Great ants), the Amazonomachy
which was found near (battle of Amazons) and
Erechtheion. It is spec- the Trojan War.
ulated that the statue
• The Caryatids. The
was made by sculptor
statues of the beautiful
Leocharis, after the vis-
priestesses were used for
it of the Macedonian
supporting the roof of
king to the city, follow-
the southern balcony of
ing the battle of
THE new A CROPOLIS M USEUM the Erechtheion (420
Chaeroneia (339 B.C).
B.C). Apparently they
It houses priceless finds from made glass floor, as well as sig- • The daughter of were named after the
90 91
the Acropolis monuments that nificant finds deriving from the Antenor. The marble women of Caryes (an an-
represent its history and func- slopes of Acropolis. On the first statue which dates back to cient city of Arcadia in the
tion as the most important reli- level there are finds from the 525 B.C is famous for its Peloponnese), who are
131. Acropolis gious centre of ancient Athens. Acropolis during the Mycenaean
Museum: monumental grandeur thought to have been
On the main level , the visitors and Geometric era, exhibition (2m high), its expres- the models of certain
The archaic
gallery. can see extended remnants of of archaic items, architectural siveness and austere statues. During the
the ancient city, revealed with structures and sculptures from facial expression. Turkish Domination the
the excavations that are dis- Propylaea, from the temple of 134. Acropolis
• The Archaic Kores. The
Caryatids were also referred
played under the specially- Athena Nike and Erechtheion, Museum: view
to as Petrified Princesses or the
as well as works dating from statues of the maidens who of the Parthenon
Maidens of the Castle. Gallery.
the late ancient period to the were dedicated to goddess
early Christian years. On the Athena for a long period
second level you can find the of time. No two maidens
restaurant, the Museum’s shop were alike, their varying
and book store, balconies with hair styles and the drap-
the view of the exhibits on the ery of their robes give the
132. visitor the chance to ad-
The portrait
main and first level as well as
a digital media area. Finally on mire the development of
of Alexander
the third level (the Parthenon the sculpture in ancient
the Great. It was
found near room) are displayed the frieze, Greece.
Erechtheion the metopes and the temple’s • Sculptures decorat-
(1886). pediments. The museum also ing the Parthenon
Attributed
to the sculptor
offers an area for occasional (444-432 B.C).
Leochares exhibitions and cultural events, Creation of the sculptor
or Lyssipos an amphitheatre, an internet Pheidias, the sculptures
(c. 336 B.C.). hall and an information centre. are unique masterpieces
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
life in ancient times”, Cypriot art over a period 137. View

where the visitor has the of 9,000 years (from the of the Museum
opportunity to ‘visit” the Neolithic Era until the of Diachronic
public and private life in end of the Middle Ages), Art (“Athinais”).

ancient Athens by means depicting the unique cha-
of special films and racter of Cypriot civilisa-
three-dimensional virtual tion. A significant num-
reality representations, ber of the exhibits comes
associated with the 142 from the archaeological
objects belonging to the collection of the scientif-
permanent collections of ic foundation founded by
the museum. In 1992 a the Pierides family.
new wing was added to
the Museum, at the
Stathatos Mansion ( THE Α RCHAEO-
page 78). In the New LOGICAL
Wing you can see the COLLECTIONS
Academy of Athens collec- IN THE M ETRO
tion of ancient Greek art.
The biggest excavation
On the basement of the
ever in Greece was dug at
building at N. Douka Str
the time of the construction of
you can buy replicas of ΜUSEUM the metropolitan railway of
92 museum exhibits. OF DIACHRONIC 93
Athens (1993-2000). Some of
THE GOULANDRIS ART the approximately 50,000 finds

135.
MUSEUM THE N UMISMATIC It is located in an old silk mill that were uncovered in these
The entrance OF CYCLADIC MUSEUM which was converted into the excavations are exhibited in
of Stathatos AND ANCIENT It is one of the five most impor- multicentre for cultural events specially designed spaces in the
Mansion GREEK ART tant numismatic museums in the “Athinaïs” in the Votanikos area metro stops “Panepistimio”,
at Vassilisis
The well-organised museum world. It displays more than (near Gazi). The objects exhib- “Syntagma,” Akropoli,” “Evange-
Sofias Avenue.
was founded with the purpose 600,000 coins, “treasures” ited present the evolution of lismos” and “Monastiraki.”
of housing the “Goulandris” (closed coin collections), stan-
private collection of Cycladic dard weights, metals and
Art. It is one of the leading mu-
136. seums in Athens.
The Numismatic
Museum: Exhibits. On the 1st floor you
Athenian four- will find various relics of
drachma coin Cycladic civilisation, while on
(440-430 B.C.). the 2nd floor are miniatures

and other objects of the same

period. On the 3rd floor there is
a collection of antiquities of the
Cypriot civilisation as well as
other temporary exhibits, where 138. Part of the
archaeological
as the 4th floor houses the an- precious stones, from the an- finds which
cient Greek art collection of cient Greek period, the Roman are displayed at
K.Politis and the permanent ex- period, Byzantium, the western the “Acropoli”
hibition “Scenes of everyday middle Ages, and modernity. metro station.
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
1931. It displays more than The Museum of Islamic Art. It is icons etc). At the same time, 140. The Benaki
45,000 exhibits of the collec- housed in a neoclassical build- the surrounding area of 17.5 Museum:
tion of Ant. Benakis and other ing complex dating from the acres, serves as a park with an detail of the
donors, organised in six collec- beginning of the 20th century, open-air amphitheatre, gift embroidery
of a cushion
tions. consisting of two residential shop, restaurant-café and recre-
(19th century).
Greece at the Benaki Museum. buildings and located ational facilities.

This section comprises of vari- in the Presently, there are
ous categories with over 33,000 Kerameikos plans in considera-
works, representative of Greek
area ( page tion so that the
culture from antiquity to the 41). It is one above men-
creation of the modern Greek of the lead- tioned park
state and 1922 (the Asia Minor ing would connect
Disaster). Islamic to the adjacent
Art collec- archaeological site of
Hadjikyriakou-Ghika Gallery.
tions in the “Aristotle’s’ Lyceum” (that is
Granted by the famous Greek
world. It displays more than the school where the philoso-
painter, the Hadjikyriakou-
8,000 exhibits from Europe, the pher taught since its establish-
Ghika Gallery is an annex of
Middle East, North Africa, ment in 335 B.C until 323 B.C).
the museum. Housed in the
Persia and India, representative The Museum also organises sig-
building where the artist lived
of the development of Islamic nificant temporary exhibitions
40 years (at Kriezotou Str 3),
art from the early Islamic age as well as educational pro-
the gallery displays a represen-
to the 19th century. grams.
94 tative example of his work. 95
Exhibitions. Sometimes the
Toys and Childhood.
Benaki Museum holds impor- 141. Byzantine and Christian Museum:
THE N ATIONAL Included are 15,000 old toys icon of the 14th century, depicting
tant exhibitions in the central
HISTORICAL and children’s objects from
building or in its other build- the archangel Michael.
MUSEUM Greece and the area of Greater
ings.
Hellenism, from antiquity to
Located at Kolokotroni Square

1970 – and Europe, America,
( page 39). The exhibits,
displayed in 16 galleries, cover
Africa, and the countries of THE Β YZANTINE
the period dating back to the
the East. AND C HRISTIAN
last years prior to the fall of Coptic Art. MUSEUM
Constatinopolis (15th century) A large collection of fabrics, This Museum can rightfully take
to the beginning of World War metalwork and woodwork, pride in possessing one of the
II; where as the largest part representing the production leading collections of
of the exhibition pertains to the of Egypt in the 5th and 6th Byzantine icons in the world.
characters and historic events centuries. Its exhibits, that represent 1700
of the Greek revolution Chinese Art. years of Byzantine art and ar-
of 1821. Displays more than 1,300 ex- chitecture (3rd to 20th cen-
hibits (most of them were do- turies), include 25,000 ecclesi-
nated by G. Eumorfopoulos), astical objects from Greece, the
THE B ENAKI representative of the Chinese Balkans, Cyprus, Constatinople
ΜUSEUM civilisation from the 3rd and Russia, classified in 11 col-
One of the leading museums in Millennium BC to the 19th lections: Sculptures, Mosaics,
139. National
Athens, the Benaki Museum is century (among others, vases, Frescoes, Replicas and the
Historical
Museum: well worth a visit. It was found- funeral statuettes, porcelain, Loverdos’ Collection (includes
the portrait ed by patrician Ant. Benakis miniatures and semi precious manuscripts, woodcarving
of Lord Byron. (1873-1954) and inaugurated in stones). crafts, vestments, portable
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
characteristic types of ar- G. Iakovidis (1900), “The Concert

tillery guns, as well as vari- of Angels,” by Domenico Theo-
ous models of war air- tocopoulos and “Equestrian
crafts, some of which you Greek Warrior,” by Eug. Dela-
can enter. croix (1856), “Port of Kalama-
ta” by K. Parthenis (1911) etc.
THE N ATIONAL Exhibitions. The National
GALLERY- Gallery mounts periodic exhibi-
MUSEUM tions featuring important Greek
ALEXANDROS and foreign artists, often held
SOUTZOS in parallel with other events.
It is the leading Gallery
National Glyptotheque
in Greece. The core of
of Greece. The museum is
the collection comprises
housed in two renovated build-
of 117 paintings, listed in factory (“Fix”), the Museum 144. The
ings (former royal stables) with
1878. Later the Gallery was en- opened in 2000. It displays National
a beautiful surrounding area oc-
THE W AR M USEUM riched by private collections the works of Greek and foreign
Gallery:
cupying 6500 m2 in Alsos Iakovos Rizos
granted by Al. Soutsos, Eur. artists, and holds important
On display are weapons from Stratou (district of Goudi). One “On the terrace
Koutlidis, and other Greek temporary exhibitions. The
the Stone Age and the Classical hundred and fifty Greek sculp- (Athenian
painters and collectors. A num- complete renovation of the
Period to the World War II. tures dating to the 19th and evening)”
ber of important works of art, building and the installation (1897).
Amongst them there is a siege 20th century are exhibited in
96 such as the “Crucifixion” by of its permanent collections 97
machine with a bridge and a the museum’s indoor and out-
Lorenzo Veneziano and a collec- will be completed in 2011.
ram dating back to the door areas. Periodic plastic arts
tion of engravings of the 16th
Hellenistic years, moreover, exhibitions featuring Greek and Note: Until the renovation of
and 20th centuries were ac-
maps, flags, military uniforms foreign artists are also held. the museum’s main building is
142. The War quired by the Gallery.
and the models of warships completed, its temporary exhi-
Museum:
and aircraft that are displayed, Well worth seeing are: “The Kiss” bitions will be held in various
a firearm
representing the entire spec- by N. Lytras (drawn before 1878), NATIONAL MUSEUM other exhibition halls. For this
of the first
decades of the trum of Greek history. In the “The Engagement,” by N. Gyzis OF CONTEMPORARY reason it would be wise to con-
145.
20th century. front yard you will also find (1877), “Children’s Concert” by ART tact the museum for specific in-
The buildings
of the National
Accommodated in an old beer formation before visiting. Glyptotheque
of Greece.
143. The
National Gallery
is one
of the vibrant
cultural
attractions
of Athens.
MUSEUMS MUSEUMS
ΜUSEUM OF THE played on the exhibited instru- of modern technology. In or-

CITY OF ATHENS ments. At the shop you will find der to fulfil this objective the
(VOUROS-EUTAXIAS CDs, selected books and copies Center of Civilisation named
FOUNDATION) of the musical instruments. “Hellenic Cosmos” was estab-
lished. “Hellenic Cosmos”,
The museum is accommodated presents among other things
in a neoclassical building con- THE J EWISH Greek history on the Internet
structed in 1833 (Vourou MUSEUM from the Stone Age until today,
Mansion, at Klathmonos OF G REECE digitally reproducing ancient
Square), which was used as monuments and spaces, pro-
Founded in 1977, its collection
King Otto’s temporary palace jecting historical and cultural
comprises of 8,000 authentic
from 1836-1842. You will find documentaries, organising ex-
pieces, photographs, docments
here paintings and engravings hibitions and educational pro-
and archives that refer to the
connected to the history of the grammes and staging cultural
history of 2,300 years of Jewish
Greek capital, mainly from the tours by means of the Virtual
life in Greece. Moreover this
early 18th century to the 20th Reality systems: “Tholos,” “Ark”
permanent exhibition depicts
century. Moreover, furniture be- and “Magic Screen.”
themes such as the Synagogue,
longing to the first King of
worship utensils, the Synagogue
Greece, Otto is displayed.
THE F RISSIRAS calendar, traditional costumes, THE V ORRES
MUSEUM the Holocaust, the cycle of life, ΜUSEUM
THE Μ USEUM the history and tradition of
The only Museum of Contemp- OF G REEK F OLK Greek Jews. Six thousand exhibits, repre-
98 99
orary European Painting in ΜUSICAL senting 40 centuries of Greek
Greece, the Frissiras Museum is INSTRUMENTS history, are displayed in the
housed in two neoclassical THE G ENNADIOS Museum. The area of the
146. The super- buildings in Plaka. The collec- Accommodated in an unadorned LIBRARY Museum is 4,500 square me-
modern, tions include paintings, draw- mansion built in 1842, at Aerides COLLECTION tres. It is divided in two sec-
impressive ings, sculpture, and engravings Square, the museum displays The collection includes valu- tions. In the first section you will
“Tholos” of the 1,200 folk musical instruments
of major European and Greek able manuscripts and books, find a collection of modern
Civilisation
artists (among others, Hockney, of the F. Anogeiannakis collec- documents, periodicals, maps Greek art comprising of paint-
centre “Hellenic
Cosmos” Auerbach, Blake, Rustin, Pat tion. Every showcase has audio. of the most important periods ings and sculptures of the late
a hemispheric Andrea, Dado, Rego, Arroyo, You can hear excerpts of songs of Greek literature. Moreover, 20th century. The second section
virtual reality Adami, Diamantopoulou, you will find here a Byzantine is housed in a complex of two
theater where Moralis, Theofylaktopoulou, traditional village houses and a
library, a reading room and an
the spectator 148. The Vorres
Botsoglou, Byzantiou). exhibition room. Well worth building, which was formerly
is taken on Museum.
a stereoscopic seeing is the collection of the
tour of Ancient THE Μ USEUM personal objects of Lord Byron
Greece.
OF G REEK (golden clock, laurel wreath,
POPULAR ART seals, etc).
The remarkable collections of

this museum are dated from
THE F OUNDATION
1650. The museum displays wo-
OF THE H ELLENIC
ven items, embroidery, uni-
WORLD
forms, silver and puppet theatre. It was established in 1993,
147. Internal
view of the
Moreover, the works of Theofi- with the intention to inform
Jewish Museum los Hadjimihalis, woodcuts and the public and preserve Greek
of Greece. sculpted stones are displayed. history and culture by means
MUSEUMS DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA
149. The
Goulandris DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA
Natural History
Museum:
an aerial
photograph
of the “Gaia”
centre.
used as a winepress. You will THE G OULANDRIS

find here household objects, NATURAL HISTORY
such as carpets, furniture, mill- ΜUSEUM
stones, and ceramic art works (“GAIA” CENTRE)
from various areas of Greece.
100 Moreover, in the section are ex- In this important Museum you 101
hibited oil paintings and en- can learn about the interde-
gravings connected to historical pendence of living organisms.
events, and certain archaeologi- The museum displays rich col-
cal finds. lections of insects, mammals,
serpents, birds, and shells, and
rocks and fossils from Greece.
PLANETARIUM Moreover, it organises seminars
The digital “planetarium” estab- and lectures and holds tempo-
lished by the Eugenides rary exhibitions connected to
Foundation has a dome of 25m environmental issues relating to
in diameter and 950 sq.m sur- Greece and the world.
face area. It is one of the “Gaia” Centre. Recently, the
biggest and better equipped Museum opened the Centre of
digital planetariums in the
G
Environmental Research and reater Attica, an area of natural beauty, has been
world. The ultra modern pro- Education “Gaia.” Visitors are
since antiquity one of the most important
jection room has a capacity of offered a glimpse of the work-
280 persons, with specially de- ings of nature. Educational pro- cultural centre of Greece. With important
signed reclining; interactive grammes are also held at the historical and archaeological sites, unique Byzantine
participation seats, thus taking building. The area of the build- monuments, mountains, fertile plains and clean beaches
the visitor to a unique virtual ing is 12,500 square metres. – all easily accessible from Athens – Attica is an
reality journey to the universe.
attractive destination for day trips, offering an escape
It also has 1,800 sq.m. of avail- For information regarding
able exhibition space, modern from the busy streets of Athens.
museums
congress center and a scientific
library. pages134-136.
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA PARNITHA / PENTELI
1 MOUNT Greece). Walk on one of hun- named after the Nymphs and material used for the construc-
PΑRNITHA dreds of footpaths, take a God Pan which were wor- tion of all attic architectural
mountain bike ride on a desig- shiped in that area. 2,000 and sculptural marvels of the
Parnitha was first inhabited dur- nated trail in the area of Ayios lanterns were found in the cave classical period. The unique
ing the Mycenaean period; it al- Merkourios, explore dozens of and it consists of two halls dec- white colour of Pentelic marble
ways constituted a key-point in small caves and visit a lot of orated with stalagmites and sta- was well known in antiquity.
Attica’s defence, as it was the beautiful churches and monas- lactites while one can still see Pentelic marble was an impor-
most fortified mountain in an- teries (Ayia Triada, Moni Kleiston, carved on the rocks since an- tant export product of ancient
cient Greece. Moni Ayiou Kyprianou etc). At tiquity, the sockets for the vo- Athens. Later it was used in the
Being the highest mountain in the location Bafi (alt. 1,160 m. tive offerings. construction of the
Attica (1.400 m) and one of the tel. 210 2469050) and Panathenaean (Kallimarmaro)
The “Mont Parnes” Casino.
most beautiful mountains of Flambouri (alt. 1,158 m. tel. Stadium, which was the loca-
The casino is open daily except
Greece, it is located 30 kilome- 210 2464666), two mountain tion of the 1st modern
Wednesdays. Visitors should
tres northwest of Athens. Mount resorts operate offering a ca- Olympics (1896), revived by
wear evening dress and carry
Parnitha’s National Park has an pacity of 50 people each. The the French baron Pierre de
a valid passport. Visitors under
area of more than 300 square mountain attracts climbing fans Coubertin. The locations
23 years of age are not allowed
kilometres. It is a home to 30 (locations “Arma”,”Katebasma Daveli’s Cave and “Dytikos
into the casino.
species of mammals (deer, Gouras”, “Flambouri”, toixos” (Western Wall) are ide-
hares, foxes, etc) and 120 bird “Korakofolia” and “Megalo al for climbing. For information
species (many of which are en- Armeni”). Moreover, one can
visit the luxury hotel “Mont
GETTING THERE: contact the Greek Federation
for Hiking-Climbing tel. 210
demic); while more than 800 If you use your own car,
kinds of herbs and plants occur, Parnes” and challenge his luck 3645904)
102 in the casino. follow the National Road 103
(including 17 % of the flora of towards Lamia and take a left THE SIGHTS:
THE
SIGHTS:
turn at the Parnitha exit.
The road leading to the top The Penteli Monastery. The
follows a picturesque route, wealthiest and biggest
Frourio Filis. This with many turns. If you do not monastery in Greece, Penteli
fortress is located on want to take your car to the Monastery was founded in 1578
the west slope of the by Archbishop Timotheos. It is
top, park at the foot of the
mountain. It was dedicated to the Dormition of
mountain and take the
built during the 4th the Virgin. A number of build-
funicular (tel. 210 2421234). ings were added to the original
century B.C in a
strategic position Bus number 714 from Vathi structure. Sections of the origi-
with an unobstructed Square (Athens) reaches the nal building were later recon-
view, replacing an top of the mountain in about structed. Recently a multitude
older one nearby. SE two hours. of new buildings were added
of the fortress along for the monks staying at the
the road leading to monastery. Visitors may see the
Athens, there are still 2 MOUNT PΕΝΤΕLI original hospital, fountain and
visible chariot wheel some of the cells.
Penteli is a densely vegetated
tracks.
mountain with springs and at- Palace of the Duchess of
Spileo Panos. (Cave tractive locations. From the top, Plaisance. Impressive 19th cen-
of God Pan) is locat- you have a spectacular view of tury mansion which looks like
ed near Frourio Filis, the city as well as the Euboean a gothic castle and was built for
150.
Climbing it is accessible via a Bay. Penteli is a well known S. de Marbois-Lebrun, known
the craggy rocks stream, by climbing source of marble, as the as the “Duchess of Plaisance”.
of Parnitha. a rough slope. It was Pentelic Marble was the main The building which now hous-
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA HYMETTOS
es the Byzantine and Christian is the most popular destination plex, which has been pre-
Museum was also built for her in the vicinity of Athens, com- served, includes a four-side

( page 95). From time to bining natural beauty with a fort-style court, two wings with
time, artistic events take place multitude of archaeological buildings and a main church,
in the courtyard of the palace. finds and important Byzantine built in cruciform style, with
However, you may find the monasteries. interesting frescoes of the 16th
building closed, due to repairs century. A domed cistern with
that are currently under way
(tel. 210 8042575).
THE SIGHTS: a fountain from the period of
Turkish occupation is pre-
The Ayios Ioannis Kynigos served. The monastery has
Monastery. Located at the been designated a historical
GETTING THERE: northern peak of Hymettos,
with a view of Athens and the
monument (open 08:00-15:00).
Take trolley Νο 19 from The Kaisariani Monastery. Built
Mesogeia Plain, the monastery
Athens (Vassileos Irakleiou in the 11nd century AD, the
was possibly built in the 12th
Str, in the vicinity of the monastery is located in an idyl-
century. Only the central
Archaeological Museum) to church (built of plinth), which lic location on the slopes of
Halandri Square, and change has been modified, and the Mount Hymettos, nearby
to local bus line 451 and get main entrance (13th century), Kaisariani suburb. According to
off at bus stop “Monastiri”. remains of the old monastery. Greek mythology, the god
Also, using metro line 1, get The monastery accommodates Hephaistos often came here.
The riverbed of the river Ilisos, Monastery is an excellent start-
off at “Maroussi”station and a women’s commune. Access to ing point for a hiking trip.
104 the sacred river of Aphrodite, is 105
from there take local bus line the monastery from Agia
located on a hill above the
446 (Amaroussio Station – Paraskevi (open 8:00-12:00 pm Ayios Ioannis Kareas Monastery.
monastery. The monastery was The monastery, founded in
Penteli Hospital). and 16:00-19:00).
built on the ruins of a roman 1550, is located a few hundred
The Ayios Ioannis Theologos and late ancient Greek temple. metres from the Kareas area.
Monastery. The monastery is lo- Four columns of the ancient The main church, a two-storey
3 MOUNT cated in the vicinity of the temple now support the dome wing of cells and a small one-
HYMETTOS perimeter of the Papagou sub- of the church. In the late 12th floor building on the northern
urb. You can get there via century and early 13th century side is all that remains of the
Mount Hymettos is located Anastaseos Str. The monastery the monastery prospered and old complex. After the 1970’s
south of the Athens basin. It is was built on the site of an an- became an influential cultural major reconstruction work was
linked to the history of Athens. cient building (you will find and spiritual centre. The church done on the old monastery and
Sanctuaries have been built here, among others, ancient of the monastery, dedicated to a new two-floor wing of cells
here since antiquity (among column capitals, pedestals). the presentation of the Virgin
was built. It is a women’s
others, the sanctuaries of Zeus The main cruciform church, is Mary, is built in the Hellenic
monastery (opening hours
and Pan). Moreover, in the dated to the late Byzantine pe- cruciform style, and decorated
08:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00).
western side were marble riod (13th- 15th century). The with frescoes of the 16th centu-
mines. Marble was used for the monastery accommodates a ry. On the western wall of the Panos Cave (Nymfolyptou).
construction of monuments in women’s commune. It is closed yard you will find a spring. The Located in the southeastern
the Hellenistic and roman peri- at mid-day (12:00-16:00). water gushes from the mouth area of the mountain (3 kilo-
ods. Hymettos has abundant of a marble goat. Formerly it metres north of the suburb of
vegetation and a large variety The Asteriou Monastery. was thought that the water Vari). It was dedicated to Pan.
of fauna and flora. In the past Located north of Ayios Ioannis cured infertility. It is thought The deity was worshiped there
few decades, the state has in- Theologos, on a wooded slope, that they have “magic” qualities. from 600 BC to 150 AC. Worth
troduced special measures to Asteriou Monastery is thought There is a spring at the stoup, a seeing are the unique sculp-
protect the important ecology to have been founded in the sanctuary on the northwest wall tures and epigrams preserved 151. Kaisariani
of Mount Hymettos. Hymettos 5th century. The building com- of the yard. Kaisariani on engravings in the rocks. The Monastery.
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA THE DAPHNI MONASTERY
Byzantine history. The Goths. However, according to prophets of the Old Testament.
Monastery is thought to be the another myth, the place was
The Assumption of the Virgin.
most important Byzantine named after the nymph
The mosaic is half destroyed. It
monument in the Athens area, Daphne, who escaped to the
is located on the western wall
while the mosaics are thought location from the god Apollo
of the Church. Notice the angel
to be masterpieces of the gold- and was metamorphosed into a
descending from the sky to re-
en age of Byzantine art. laurel bush.
ceive the soul of the Virgin. He
Built on hallowed
ground. In the 2nd century
THE SIGHTS: is thoughtful. His hands are gra-
ciously covered by fabric.
AD, the geographer Pausanias The mosaics. Daphni is famous Diomedes Botanical Garden .
referred to the Temple of for its unique and beautiful mo- It’s located near the monastery.
Daphnaios or Daphneios saics, created in the 11th centu- It’s the biggest of its kind in the
Apollo, located in a sacred lau- ry AD. You will see them on Eastern Mediterranean, with a
rel thicket, by the Iera Odos the walls, the dome, the arms total area of 465 acres. More
most important is an epigram (Iera Odos in Greek means of the cross, the roof and the than 3,000 species of trees and
by the sculptor Archedimos. Sacred Road), leading from altar. Seventy-six of the subjects flowers, originating from
Archaeologists researching the Athens to Eleusina. The Goths of the mosaics refer to the life Greece and abroad, are planted
multiple finds (among others, destroyed the temple in 395 of Christ and the Virgin Mary. in 50 acres, while the rest of it
clay oil lamps, stone offerings) AD. Later, the Byzantine em- Moreover, you can see mosaics preserves to a great extent its
deduced that the cave was used perors banned idolatry. The depicting saints and prophets. forestal character
as a place of worship also in Christians acquired the location (free entrance from 401 Iera
Christ Pantokrator. The central
106 the Christian period. and built a church, using the Odos, tel. 210 5811557). 107
materials of the old temple. figure on the dome is the Pan-
The Botanical Garden. Some They selected this location be- tokrator, encompassed by a cir-
5 kilometres from the centre
of Athens, you can enjoy a walk
cause it was on the road to
Eleusina, where the idolaters
cle symbolising the sky, while
the golden font symbolises GETTING THERE:
Paradise. Pantokrator’s face is Bus number 812 to Haidari

in an area with 3 million pine held the Eleusinian Mysteries

trees, cypress trees, fir trees, austere. He looks at the people departs from
( page 115). In 1100 AD
poplar trees, plane trees, and on earth and judges their ac- Koumoundourou Square.
a new octagonal church was
oak trees. Moreover, in the built. The monastery was modi- tions. He is surrounded by the
Botanical Garden are thousands fied several times before the
of birds and wild flora. It is the 19th century. In the Greek
ideal scene for a long walk and Revolution it was refuge
a picnic. You will find picnic ta- of Greek freedom fighters.
bles and benches, after about
20 minutes of walking from The myths. According to
Kaisariani Monastery. mythology, the location was
named after the ancient temple
and the laurel thicket.
4 THE D APHNI According to another myth,
ΜONASTERY Daphni was named after Queen
Well worth your visit is the Daphne, whose boat was ship-
Daphni Monastery (11 kilome- wrecked near the port of
tres from Athens, near the Eleusina. Queen Daphne was
153. Detail
Haidari suburb, the Athens - saved, and as an expression of
of the unique
Corinth Highway), which is gratitude to the god Apollo, she mosaics
152. The slopes linked to ancient mythology, built the temple. The temple of the Daphni
of Hymettos. the classical period, and was later destroyed by the Monastery.
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA PIRAEUS
5 PIRAEUS (PIREAS) completed the fortification,

building the Long Walls, which
THE SIGHTS:
Most people have heard at least Freatyda area parts of the an-
protected both sides of the 1 The Central port. The an-
once the song “The youth cient Walls of Piraeus (the
road from Piraeus to Athens. cient name of the central port
of Piraeus,” composed by coastal section) are preserved.
In the Middle Ages, Piraeus was was Kantharos. At present it is
M. Hadjidakis, with Melina named Porto Leone, after a gi- the centre of the city. You will 2 The Zea marina. In this ma-
Mercouri singing in the film ant stone lion, guarding the en- find here ships to all the islands rina, some of the most impres-
“Never on Sunday.” However, trance of the harbour. Today it of the Aegean (excepting for sive yachts and cruise ships an-
many people don’t know the is the main port of Athens, the the Sporades) and Crete. Walk chor. At the seafront are restau-
place, which the film and the biggest port in Greece, one around and look at the passen- rants, tavernas, bars and shops,
movie made famous – the city of the leading ports in the ger and freight ships, and the catering to the needs of passen-
and port of Piraeus. Mediterranean, an important arrivals and departures of mer- gers. You will find Flying
centre of the merchant marine, chandise and people from the Dolphins (hovercrafts) serving
The history of Piraeus. industry and transportation. entire world. On Vasiliades lines to the Argosaronikos Gulf.
Piraeus is encompassed almost The centres of Piraeus are its Coast the new modern building Adjacent to the Archaeological
on all sides by sea. The pace of three ports: the central port, of the Ministry of Commercial Museum is the Ancient Theatre
life of Piraeus is linked to the the Zea marina, and Shipping, is erected. In the of Zea (4th - 3rd century BC).
sea. In antiquity it was an is- Mikrolimano.
land. Travellers were ferried
across to the mainland
(in ancient Greek the
word for ferried is
108 diepairounto). That per- 109
haps explains the origin
of its name.
The architect
Hippodamus designed
the urban planning of
Piraeus in the mid 5th
century BC. Hippodamus
plans were used as the
guidelines for the recon-
struction of the city in
1834. Themistocles was
the first person to realise
the importance of the
role the city could play
for Athens. He made
Piraeus Athens’s leading
port, relegating the Bay
of Faliron, which the
Athenians used before
the 5th century BC. 154. The Zea
Seeking to develop a for- harbour
(or Pasalimani)
tified port for the city of
is one of the
Athens, from 493 to 479 central locations
BC he built the wall of of the city
Piraeus. Later Pericles of Piraeus.
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA PIRAEUS
155. Piraeus: 156.

Municipal The renovated
Theatre. Pireas metro
station.
of 2.35 m) , the bronze, ancient

tragedy mask of the 4th centu-
GETTING THERE:
You can take the metro and

ry BC (Rooms 3-4), the sanctu-
ary of Cybele (room 5), the get off at the station “Pireas.”
3 Mikrolimano. The port was galleries and balconies) of total
collection of tomb sculptures There are bus lines from
protected by the goddess capacity of 1,300 spectators.
(room 6) and the monument Athens to Akti Xaveriou in
Mounihia Artemis. At present it The outside area is one of the
of Kallithea bearing a height Piraeus. One line has its
is a popular location, attracting most frequented places, a meet-
110 of 7m (rooms 7-8). terminus at Syntagma Square 111
people from all over Attica. It is ing place of residents of Piraeus.
(number 040) and another
a beautiful little harbour with 8 The Nautical Museum.
6 The I.S.A.P. station (metro line has its terminus at Athinas
fishing boats, small boats and The Nautical Museum is located
station “Pireas”). The stately Str in the Omonia Square area
luxury yachts. If you like fish and at Akti Moutsopoulou. Its exhi-
eclectic building with the
seafood, have lunch or dinner at bits cover about 3,000 years (number 049).
arched dome (1929), replicates
one of its famous tavernas. of Greek nautical history.
the relevant European stations
4 Kastella. An elegant and of the period. Recently the inte-
popular neighbourhood of rior was completely renovated.
Piraeus, built on a hill also On one of the walls are dis-
known as Profitis Ilias. Walk to played the works of the students
the top of the hill, and admire of the School of Fine Arts.
the alleys with picturesque
7 The Archaeological Museum.
houses. The view of the main
It features mostly sculptures
port, Zea and Mikrolimano is
found in Piraeus at the coast of
unique. In the area is the open-
Attica. The exhibits, presented
air theatre “Veakeio,” which
in 10 halls, relate to the history,
hosts important cultural events
and the rise and fall of the an-
in summer.
cient city. Notice the bronze tri-
5 The Municipal Theatre. It dent-shaped piston of a trireme,
dominates one of the central the metrological bas-relief
squares (Korai Square). It was (room 1), the four rare bronze
built in the 1890’s in the neo- statues discovered in Piraeus
classical style by architect I. La- in 1959 (the Ancient Kouros
zarimos and has a horseshoe Apollo, two statues of Artemis,
shaped, Italian style hall (pit, Athena of Piraeus with a height
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA SOUNIO
157. The ruins The temple of goddess Athena. a multitude of traditional cafes
of the temple Worth your visit is the temple and fish taverns, with delicious
of Poseidon. of Athena Sounia, located at a snacks. Some 4 kilometres
distance of 400 metres from north of Lavrio is the archaeo-
the temple of Poseidon. You logical site of Thorikos, οne of
will find here the substructures the oldest settlements of Attica.
of two temples: a large temple Excavations have revealed the
built at around 470 BC or dur- most ancient theatre within the
ing the Peloponnesian War Hellenic territory, parts of the
(431-404), and a small temple. settlement, metal work facilities,
Archaeologists have diverging a 4th century B.C tower, ceme-
opinions regarding the small teries and a sanctuary of god-
temple: some believe it is the dess Demeter. In the area en-
ruin of an old temple dedicated compassed by Lavrio and
to Athena, and built in the peri- Sounio is the Sounio National
od 600-550 BC, other believe Park, with natural archaeological
the temple was dedicated to and cultural attractions.
Artemis.
6.1 LΑVRΙΟ GETTING THERE:
Located approximately 9 kilo- Two bus lines link Sounio to

metres northeast of Sounio is Athens: one route via, the
112 113
6 Lavrio, a small picturesque town coastal road of Varkiza and
SΟUΝΙΟ with a multitude of neoclassical Legrena, and another via the

The sanctuary of Sounio (the houses and mansions, which inland of Attica, namely Agia
THE SIGHTS:
famous temple of Poseidon is was famous in antiquity for its Paraskevi, Koropi and Lavrio.
here) is the most important mines. The mines of Lavrio The terminus of both bus lines
The Temple of Poseidon. At this
sanctuary of Attica. Situated at a closed in the 1970’s. At the
site the ancient Greeks wor- is located at Mavromataion Str
unique site (cape Sounio) the perimeter of the city is the
shipped the god of the sea, in the vicinity of Pedion tou
sanctuary is one of the major Technological Cultural Park of
Poseidon. Preserved are 15 Areos in Athens (tel.
sights of Greece. It is one Lavrio, including industrial units
Doric style columns (originally 210 8230179). Moreover, tra-
hour’s drive from the centre of of the period 1875-1940. Worth
there were 34). The temple was vel agents organise day trips
Athens (68 km). The route to a visit is the Mineralogical
built during the Golden Age of to the temple of Poseidon.
Sounio follows the coastline of Museum (Andr. Kordelas
Pericles on the ruins of a pre-
the Saronic Gulf passing through Avenue). At the seafront are
ceding temple. We do not know
the tourist resorts of Varkiza,
who the architect is. However, it
Ayia Marina, Lagonissi, Saronida,
is thought that it is the architect
Anavissos, et al. Look out of the
who designed the Theseion.
window of your car or bus and
you will enjoy the sparkling Its dimensions were 31.12 x
blue sea. If you travel by car, 13.47m.; it had a frieze with a
you can stop and go for a swim sculpted decoration above the
in a organised beach or one of architrave of the vestibule.
the beautiful little bays located Following an examination of the
at many places on your way. finds unearthed in the area ar- 158. Blue sky
You will also find here a multi- chaeologists have deduced that and blue sea
tude of cafes, tavernas serving Poseidon was worshipped here are joined at
fresh fish and ouzo restaurants. before the 5th century BC. Cape Sounion.
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA ELEUSINA
159. View
of the sanctuary
she requested that a temple be
built in her honour. She re-
THE SIGHTS:
of Eleusina. mained in the temple, devastat- The Archaeological site. During

ed by the loss of her daughter. your visit, bear in mind that the
The following year, not a seed greater part of the area was ava-
grew on the world. Zeus was ton – a place inaccessible to the
worried. He sent Hermes to ap- uninitiated - many centuries.
peal to Pluto. A compromise Worth seeing are the remains
was reached: Persephone of the Telestirion (ceremonial
would remain in the kingdom chamber), also known as the
of Pluto 1/3 of the year, and the Iero ton Mystirion, located in
remaining time she could stay the centre of the area, the Ieri
with her mother. Overjoyed, Avli (Sacred Courtyard), the
Demeter allowed the plants Great and Small Propylaea, and
and flowers to grow, and the Ploutoneio.
earth became fruitful.
The Archaeological Museum.
Displayed at the Museum of
Eleusina are the finds of the
The Mysteries of
digs of the sanctuary and the
Eleusina. The Eleusinian
western cemetery. Worth see-
mysteries were named mys-
ing is the Early-Attic Amphora
7 ΕLEUSINA Demeter and Persephone. teries because the most im-
114 of Eleusina (650 BC). The neck 115
(ELEUSIS) The citizens of Eleusina wor- portant part of the event,
of the amphora is decorated
shipped Demeter, the goddess involved intense mysticism.
Located 23 kilometres west of by a depiction of the blinding
of nature, spring and agricul- We don’t know much about
Athens, it was founded in the of the Cyclops Polyphimos by
ture. The myth of Demeter and the worship of Demeter by
2nd millennium BC; the sanctu- Ulysses. On the main body of
her daughter Persephone is, thousands of people over
ary became pan-Hellenic in the the amphora, Perseus beheads
like most myths, allegorical. It 15 centuries. The Great
8th century BC. Today, the city Medousa. Also worth seeing is
refers to the rebirth of plant Eleusinian Mysteries had
has mainly industrial character the Kori from the pediment
life, following its “death” in their starting point in
with obvious however indica- of the Ieri Oikia - Sacred House
winter, and the eternal longing Eleusina. The remarkable
tions of its older attributes, (490-480 BC). It is the statue of
for immortality. According to a procession moved on to
such as the aristocratic houses a running maiden, her head
hymn of the 7th century BC, Athens through the Sacred
of the early 20th century turned to the left.
one day the earth opened up in Way and headed by the
(mainly on Pangalou Str and two, Pluto, the god of the un- priestess and the sacred West Cemetery. Located near
Nicolaidou Str), as well as the derworld appeared, and seized symbols of the worship of the archaeological site, it was
neighbourhoods with one- the young Persephone. He took Demeter. The Mysteries the most significant necropolis
storey houses and the old in- her to his kingdom and made were concluded with cere- of the ancient city. A conglom-
dustrial buildings. The district her his wife. Her mother monies in honour of the eration of prehistoric graves,
around the harbour, where ru- looked for her in despair. She dead. After the ceremony, presumably belonging to the
ins of the ancient breakwater looked for her nine days and Athenians returned to personage of the tragedy Hepta
have been retrieved, is also of nights, without success. She ar- Athens. The Eleusinian mys- epi Thébas (Seven against
interest. However, uninitiated rived despairing at the door- teries were abolished in the Thebes).
visitors will not appreciate its step of the palace of Keleos, 4th century BC by the
glorious past, the history and king of Eleusina. She became Byzantine emperor Roman Bridge. Located on the
the mythology regarding the lo- the nurse of his son, not reveal- Theodosios. east entrance of the city (near
cal gods, the deities and the ing that she is a goddess. When the highway Athens-Korinthos).
worship thereof. her real identity was revealed, Dating to the 2nd century A.D
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA ATTICA ZOOLOGICAL PARK / MARATHON
160. The Attica it is made of stone 50 m. long rare animals of Greece (brown cation which has been declared
Zoological Park
is home to 27
and it was part of the Sacred
Way. Also, in central parts of
GETTING THERE: bear, wolves, wild cats, Lynx
pardinus, lutra-lutra, etc); the
a National Park), which has a
pine forest bordering on the
reptile species,
If you travel by car, take the
the city, sections of the Roman “African Savanna” (giraffes, ze- sandy shore. You can combine
304 bird species Athens-Corinth National
Aqueduct (125 A.D) are pre- bras, antelopes, jaguars, snow a visit to Marathon with a visit
and 50 mammal Road. The bus to Eleusina
species. served. leopards, white lions, etc); the the archaeological area of
(number A16 and B16) has section with the monkeys and Ramnounda. (12 kilometres

7.1 MEGARA its terminus at Koumoun-
dourou Square in Athens.
apes and the “Forest of Monkeys” from Marathon).
where visitors share the same The battle of Marathon.
The Archaeological Museum. space with monkeys; the feline
To reach Megara, you can use The main source of information
21 km. west of Eleusina is the section (tigers, servals, etc); the
the intercity bus service which regarding the battle of Mara-
town of Megara. A significant section with the hippopotamus-
town in antiquity, it is the has its terminus at the thon is the ancient historian
es, alligators, etc. The zoo is Herodotus. According to
birthplace of Euclides, Thission metro station (tel.
open to the public daily from Herodotus, the Persian fleet
Theognes and Eupalinos. Its 210 32444448), or you can
9:00 a.m. until sunset. disembarked 100,000 troops in
decline started with the end of use the Suburban Railway (for
the Peloponnesian War. Its in- more information, page Marathon in 490 BC. Facing
this immense army were just

teresting archaeological muse- 133). GETTING THERE: 11,000 Greek troops (10,000
um houses terracotta and mar-
ble findings from the greater By bus (No 319 from the were from Athens and 1,000
area, covering the chronologi- “Doukissis Plakentias” metro from Plataiai). The Greeks,
8 ΑΤΤΙCA
cal period from the 6th century station). By car via the Attiki thanks to the military genius of
ZOOLOGICAL Miltiades, won the battle.
116 B.C. till the Roman era. Among
PΑRK (SPΑΤΑ) Odos Motorway, exit 18 with 117
the most important exhibits are Following the victory, Feidippi-
direction to Spata (from the
the terracotta bust of Demeter One of the largest zoos in the dis, an Athenian soldier, was
airport) and exit 16P with
(5th century B.C.), a terracotta Balkans spreading across sent to bring the good news to
direction to Rafina (from the city. He ran all the way
female bust (5th cent. B.C.), a 128000 m2 in the area of
Eleusina). from the field of battle to the
spout with the shape of a lion’s Yialou (Spata). A visit there is a
head (around350 B.C.), a fe- unique experience especially Market of Athens. He said one
male statue wearing a peplos - for children. It consists of: the word: Nenikikamen (we won),
veil (325-300 B.C.), et al. “Ornithological Park” boasting 9 ΜΑRATHON collapsed and passed away. In
the third largest collection of memory of the event, the mod-
birds worldwide (1500 birds Well worth your visit is ern Marathon covers the dis-
from 300 different species), Marathon, with an archaeologi- tance Feidippidis ran, and is
farm animals and large cages- cal area and museum. Marathon symbolised in the opening cer-
miniatures of three continents; the is one of the most beautiful lo- emony of the Olympic Games.
“World of Reptiles” with cations in Attica. The way to
pythons, boas, crocodiles, etc; Marathon is beautiful. On your
way you will pass by fields,
THE SIGHTS:
the “Greek Fauna” featuring
vineyards, olive groves, wild The Monument (Tomb) of
vegetation, as well as man-made Marathon. Adjacent to the an-
Lake Marathon with its impres- cient battle field, at a distance
sive dam with marble coating, of one kilometre from
built in 1929. All over this area Marathon’s beach, you will find
you will find a multitude of a unique monument (Tomb),
beautiful beaches where you 9m. tall and 50m. in diameter,
can swim and sunbathe. The of the 192 Athenian soldiers
most famous beach is Schinias who were killed in this famous
(an exceptionally beautiful lo- battle. Nearby (at Mesospori-
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA AMPHIAREION
161. “Brexiza”. Next to the 10 ΑMPHIAREION and epigraphs. The temple is

The Marathon museum, in a lodged located in the vicinity of a
Archaeological area there is a Mid- Amphiaraos is one of the least spring, mentioned in the myth
Museum: Hellenic cemetery well-known deities of ancient of Amphiaraos. It was built in
clay vase of the mythology. Nevertheless, he
(2000-1300BC) and in the Doric style in the 4th cen-
Neolithic period
proximity there is the was popular, and twelve tem- tury BC. Most of the ruins in
from the Cave
of Pan (Oinoi). “Tymbos ton Plataeeon” ples and sanctuaries are known the area were dated to 6th cen-
(tomb of Plataeeon) to have been dedicated to him. tury BC.
which includes 11 His popularity was due to his
graves of warriors magical and healing qualities.
from Plataees who fell
in the battlefield.
According to myth, he was not
born, but emerged from a GETTING THERE:
spring, located near his temple, Amphiareion is located 48

9.1 RΑΜΝΟUS in the vicinity of Oropos. He
participated in the expedition
kilometres from Athens. If you
have a car, take the Athens-
(Kato Souli)
of the Argonauts, and later in Lamia National road, and turn
The name of the area
the siege of Thebes by the right on the road to Oropos.
is derived from the
Argeans. In the latter Zeus in- Two bus lines link Athens to
word 'ramnos,' the name of a
tissa), the replica of the tervened, saving Amphiaraos’s Oropos, both with a stop in
variety of bushes which cover
tropaion (trophy) erected by life. The most important temple
the area. In antiquity, Ramnous the vicinity of the
the Athenians following the vic- dedicated to Amphiaraos is
was known for its port and fort. Aphmiareion archaeological
torious battle is found (frag- Amphiareion, located in a gorge
In the archaeological area are area. Walk another 3
118 ments of the original are dis- on the border of Attica and 119
the ruins of two temples. The kilometres from the bus stop
played at the Archaeological Boeotia. An ancient theatre
Great temple was dedicated to to the archaeological site.
Museum of Marathon). with a capacity of 3,000 domi-
Nemesis, the goddess of Divine Two alternative bus lines link
nates the area. Notice the five
The Archaeological Museum Justice (it was the most impor-
white marble seats around the Athens to Ayioi Apostoloi
of Marathon. The museum is tant sanctuary of the goddess in
scene, with sculpted decoration

small. It houses exhibits from ancient Greece). The small
nearby towns, as well as other temple was dedicated to
periods and locations. Import- Themis, the goddess of Justice.
ant finds of the Neolithic Age, Both temples were built in the
such as the finds discovered at 5th century BC. The remains of
Cave of the Pan in Oinoi, and a a fort, theatre, funerary monu-
collection of columns, thought ments, among others, are pre-
to have been built in the 2nd served. This archaeological site
century BC, bas-relief portraits commands a unique view of
and inscriptions coming from Euboea and the Euboean Gulf
the Epavlis (mansion) of Herodes (Gulf of Evoikos).
Aticcus (2nd century A.D) foung
close by, are also on display.
Also exhibited are finds from
the Early Helladic (3000-2300
GETTING THERE:
You can take the bus to

B.C) cemetery found at the site
of “Tsepi”, the Egyptian sanctu- Paralia Marathona, from
ary of Isis (2nd century AD) Mavromataion Str (Aigyptou
162. Theatre
and the Roman valaneion (cir- Square) near Paidio tou
at Amphiareion
cular bath, 2nd-4th Century Areos. Tel. 210 8210872. archaeological
AD) found at the site of site.
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA VRAVRONA / NORTHWEST ATTICA
and brought their little girls to Koutouki Cave ranks among the 12 NORTHWEST 163. Vravrona:
(get off at Oropos, at a the temple, where they spend most interesting and rich caves ATTICA at Arkton
their childhood years serving in Greece. Located on the east- Collonade
distance of 3.3 kilometres
her and participating in the fes- ern slope of Mount Hymettos, Resort area where many resided young
from the archaeological site), girls dedicated
tivals organised there. The girls at an altitude of 540 metres, 4 Athenians have summer houses.
and Oropos. You can get off to the goddess
who went to the temple, were kilometres from Paiania in the It is an area of natural beauty
the bus at the Markopoulo Artemis.
called arktoi (bears). The festi- Mesogeia area, it has a total with large stretches of pine-
cemetery, at a distance of 3 woods and interesting moun-
vals in honour of the goddess area of 3,800 square metres.
kilometres from the location. were called Vravronia. Musical tains (Kitheronas, Pastra, Pateras,
You will find the terminus of performances, athletic competi- Geraneia) which are popular for
the buses at Mavromataion Str tions and poetry readings were GETTING THERE: hiking and mountain activities.
With numerous beautiful
in Athens (Aigyptou Square) held, among other things, at Vravrona is located 38
tel 210 8230179. the festivals. kilometres from Athens. If you beaches ( page 132), tradi-
tional villages (Alepohori, Vilia,
have a car, take Mesogeion
THE SIGHTS:
Avenue, and following the
Kriekouki or Erythres, etc.) and
many hotels in all categories.
11 VRAVRONA suburb of Ayia Paraskevi, take
Archaeological site. You will no-
a turn right on the road
Vravrona, with an interesting
archaeological site, is well
tice the co-existence of the ru-
ins of the ancient Greek temple to Markopoulo-Porto Rafti. THE SIGHTS:
worth a visit. On your way to of Artemis and a Christian A bus line links the area
Eleutheres. Ancient city of
Vravrona, you will travel church of the 15th century AD, to Athens. It departs every
Biotia, conquered by the
through one of the most beauti- dedicated to Saint George. hour from Mavromataeon Str
Athenians during the 6th centu-
120 ful areas of Attica, with green Unfortunately only the sanctu- (Pedio tou Areos, 121
ry B.C. The archaeological site
fields, vineyards, olive trees, ary of the ancient temple is tel. 210 8230179). (near the village Vilia) includes
gentle mountainsides, and the preserved. Archaeologists have foundations of a 4th century
coast of the blue Euboean Gulf. not determined the shape of
In summer, if you don’t like the the original temple. Walk over
heat, you can take a dip in the a bridge, built in the classical
sea. Be sure to follow the sign- period, which leads, to the
posts leading to Markopoulo temple, and visit the partially
and Porto Rafti, then take a turn renovated colonnade.
left at the sign for Vravrona. A
The Museum. Small and inter-
few kilometres inland is the ar-
esting, the museum houses ex-
chaeological site and the muse-
hibit from the Vravron area and
um on your left.
Anavyssos, Perati and other ar-
Artemis Vravronia. eas of Attica. These exhibits
Vravrona was dedicated to cover the period from the
Artemis, the goddess protector Bronze Age until the Roman
of hunters, animals and the safe times. The most important
birth of humans. Enraged by finds are the sculptures from
the murder of two small female the sanctuary of Artemis.
bears, Artemis caused an epi-
demic in Athens. She requested
that an oracle tell the Athenians
11.1 PAIANIA CAVE
that all girls aged 5 to 10 living (Koutouki)
in Attica were obliged to wor- With a large variety of rocks
ship her. The Athenians obeyed and the multiformity of the sta-
the command of the goddess lactites and stalagmites,
DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA NIGHT LIFE
ΝIGHT LIFE
A thens never
sleeps. Some
people say that Athens
your evening out at one of the
select restaurants or one of the
distinctive Greek tavernas lo-
165.
The bouzouki,
an integral part
of Greek
is more vibrant at cated in every neighbourhood
popular music.
night. Ancient and mod- of the city. The atmosphere in
ern Athens offers more Greek restaurants is relaxed
opportunity for nightlife and friendly and the food is ex-
than any other city. You cellent. You may go to a taver-
have a lot of options: an- na with live bouzouki music,
cient Greek drama in a the- or one of hundreds of
atre dated to the period popular, modern
the play was written, bars, clubs, disco-
world famous orchestras bars and bars
playing music ranging with live music,
from Beethoven and jazz in featuring all vari-
one of the most modern eties of music.
concert halls of Europe, You can find bars in
B.C temple, ruins of residences
122
dating from until early GETTING THERE: unique musical stages and clubs
offering variety and creativity.
all central areas, and all
the suburbs, (among others, 123
Christian years and ruins of two If you travel by car, take the
early Christian Basilicas. Kifisia, Faliro, Glyfada,
Athens-Corinth National The capital of Athens offers
Situated on a rocky hill the Vouliagmeni, Voula, Varkiza).
Road and after Eleusina get off nightlife fans special nights out.
fortress Gyftokastro (wall and follow the road to Mandra Whatever you choose to do, A night out at place with live
perimeter 860 m.), dominates you will discover that Athens bouzouki music is an unforget-
(approx. distances from
the area. This fortress was inte- nightlife offers variety and table experience. During your
Athens: Vilia 54 km,
grated in the defense mecha- unique choice, making it possi- visit, you should go to a
nism of Attica by the Athenians Alepohori 60 km, Erythres
ble to enjoy throughout the bouzouki joint, listen to au-
during the 4th century B.C. 61 km). You can also use the night. The only problem is that thentic Greek music, sing and
intercity bus service. Buses to the following day you have to dance with the patrons in the
Aegosthenes Fortress. Located Erythres, Porto Yermenό and see the sights… You can start joint.
near Porto Yermenό, it dates
Megara leave from the
from the 4th - 3th century B.C.
“Thission” metro station
and is considered the best-pre-
served ancient castle. Close to (tel. 210 3244448).
the fortress are the foundations
of a five-naved basilica (5th THE S ARONIC
cent. A.D.) with a mosaic floor, ISLANDS
while on the castle’s acropolis
one can see remnants of the Boats, ferries and flying dol-
cells of a medieval cloister, as phins depart daily from the port
well as a chapel from the same of Piraeus for the splendid is- 166. A classical
lands of the Saronic (Saronikos) music concert
period that is still being used.
164. Hydra, at the Odeion
Gulf, Salamina, Aegina, Angistri,
one of the most of Herodes
beautiful islands
Hydra, Poros and Spetses. Atticus, below
of the Saronic Moreover, tourist offices organ- the floodlit
Gulf. ise daily cruises to the islands. Acropolis.
SHOPPING IN ATHENS SHOPPING IN ATHENS
SHOPPING IN ATHENS ets and fur hats, with classic

and modern designs.
You may also find bargain sou-
venirs, hand made goods and The National Council of
167. Ermou bronze vases. Athens has been Social Welfare.
Street is a very
busy street most
famous for its copper utensils, Here you will find valu-
of the year. clay and ceramic goods since able hand made heavy
It is the location the Archaic Age. The ideal carpets and rugs made on
of a multitude place to find unique items of
wooden looms, and a
of well-known Greek ceramic art and pottery
shops. wide range of embroi-
is the suburb of Maroussi,
dery, embroidered tapes-
where most designers and ce-
tries, hand made cushions
ramicists have shops offering
hand made goods. and bags, decorative wall
embroideries and unique-
You may also find bargain qual- ly charming, authentic de-
ity woven wool and cotton signs of Greek popular art.
jumpers with unique designs 14, Filellinon Str
and leather goods and shoes Τel. 210 3250240-1, 197
made by Greek designers. You
will find these items at Ermou
tions of ancient Greek jewels Str and Kolonaki Square. The Hellenic Organisation of
124
Y ou will be surprised at the
bargains you will find in
Athens. Golden and silver jew-
and traditional and modern de-
signs. Most of them are hand
You will also find an abundance
Small Medium Sized
Enterprises and Handicrafts
125
of antiques in various shops in

ellery are popular, given the in- made by local craftsmen. (EOMMEX).
Kolonaki, Syntagma and
ternational renown of Greek Moreover, at a multitude of
Monastiraki. You may find vari- You will find here attrac-
168. Modern designers. A multitude of jew- Greek shops you can find silver
ous kinds of antiques, such as tive, quality, and hand
shopping centre ellers shops most of them lo- and turquoise filigrans, most of
furniture, hand painted wood- made carpets. EOMMEX
like this are cated in the Syntagma Square them made in the city of
en trunks, attractive miniatures, has established workshops
found in most and Kolonaki areas, have a Ioannina, in Epirus, with attrac-
areas of Athens and small decorative items. in the country teaching
wide selection of reproduc- tive traditional motifs.
and its suburbs. the art of traditional car-
Worth a vitis is the Ilias pet making. You will be
Lalaounis Jewellery Museum. impressed by the superb
The Museum houses more than designs, the lively colours
3,000 designs of jewels. Some
and quality of the materi-
45 collections representing the
als used for EOMMEX car-
history of Greek jewellery in-
pets. In the shop at
spired by the art and architec-
Mitropoleos Str you will
ture of eleven civilisations, na-
find a large variety of de-

ture, technology and biology.
signs and sizes. You are 169. At
You may be interested in the sure to find a good bar- “Giousouroum,
famous furs of Kastoria, the one of the most
gain.
product of an craft that was charming
9, Mitropoleos Str neighbourhoods
perfected over the centuries. Τel. 210 3252110 of Athens
In the Syntagma Square area is you can find
a multitude of fur shops offer- a multitude
ing a wide range of coats, jack- of old objects.
GREEK CUISINE AND WINE GREEK CUISINE AND WINE
seafood. The Aegean Sea and fried octopus or any other

G REEK CUISINE Ionian Sea, are clean seas, abun- Greek dish, sitting in the shade
AND W INE dant in fish. Fresh fish fried on
charcoal is a speciality.
of a tree in a small taverna by
the seafront, on an Aegean is-
land. Try to repeat the experi-
The Greek attitude. Greeks reli-
ence in your home country,
G reek cuisine has a unique
flavour. During your stay in
Greece you will be pleasantly
The basic ingredients. Greek cui-
sine has four secrets. Good fresh
ingredients, the proper use of
giously preserved the custom of
gathering around the table to
preparing the same dish, and
helping yourself to the same
enjoy a meal or various appetis-
surprised by culinary specialities. aromatic herbs and spices, the drink. You may try it anywhere,
ers, (mezedes), with ouzo.
“Mousaka,” “souvlaki,” “Greek famous Greek olive oil and sim- but you will soon realise that
Having a meal with friends at
salad,” is all most people know plicity. Greek olive oil deserves the flavour is not the same.
home or at a restaurant or taver-
of Greek cuisine. However, you a special mention. It accompa- Don’t try again. Your palate has
na is a deeply rooted social
will discover that Greek cuisine nies nearly all Greek dishes. It is not changed, nor is there some-
habit. The Greek word sympo-
comprises of a large variety of usually used in large measures. thing lacking in your cooking
sium, recalling the ancient ori-
dishes fully meeting the culinary Greece has high quality, healthy skills. The Greek food-relishing
gins of Greece, translated word
appetites of meat-eaters and olive oil. The artificial cultivation experience, in particular the
for word means “drinking with
vegetarians. of vegetables is not widespread combination of the food and
company.” The atmosphere in
in Greece because of the mild- the place where it is served, are
This is not surprising consider- typical Greek restaurants and
ness of the climate. Most unique, and cannot be exported
ing that Greece is the tavernas is casual, relaxed and
vegetables are cultivat- or imitated. It is simply some-
country where sympo- informal. Food is prepared ac-
ed in a natural way, thing you can find, taste and en-
siums originated cording to fundamental rules.
preserving their joy only in Greece.
126 and the homeland Good amateur cooks enjoy 127
aroma and taste. great respect in their social cir-
of the Epikureian
You will be de-
philosophers.
lighted by the
cle, while a good housewife in GREEK WINE
Archestratos wrote Greece means a good cook.
taste of Greek Greece, the country of
the first cookbooks A good cook sometimes dedi-
tomatoes, cab- Dionysos, the god of wine,
in history in 330 BC cates days to the preparation of
bage, carrots, is the home of the first Vins de
reminding readers that a meal for his friends..
onions, parsley, and Qualite Produit Region
cuisine is a mark of civili- The general atmosphere. Try (VQPRD) wines in history. The
garlic, not to mention fresh
sation. Greece has a gastronomic a glass of ouzo or wine with wines in question were from
Greek fruit, such as, among oth-
tradition of 4,000 years.
ers, grapes, apricots, peaches,
However, like most national
cherries, melons, and water-mel-
cuisines, Greek cuisine was in-
ons. The aromatic herbs, which
fluenced by neighbouring coun-
most Greeks pick in the moun-
tries, from the East and the West.
tains or the country, have a
unique flavour, aroma and thera-
peutic qualities. You will be de-
TRADITIONAL lighted by the intoxicating aro-
GREEK CUISINE ma of oregano, thyme, mint, and
Greek cuisine is unique because rosemary, in a large variety of
it combines the following fea- dishes. Don’t forget to try Greek
tures: unique ingredients, Greek cheeses, in particular, feta. Meat
dietary habits, the custom of has unique flavour because 170. The
making a meal a social event, enjoyment of a
sheep and goats graze on open
good meal with
and the pleasant atmosphere of fields, and grazing meadows are friends is
Greece. verdant. Mediterranean seafood adistinctive
tastes much better than ocean Greek custom.
GREEK CUISINE AND WINE INFORMATION
the islands of Hios and Thasos, Thessaly are the appellations

famous in antiquity. For a vari- Agialos and Rapsani. In the I NFORMATION
ety of historical and social rea- Athens area is the appellation of
sons, and due to natural disas- Kantza. In the Peloponnese are
GENERAL INFORMATION SEASONS
ters, the art of wine-making de- the appellations of Patras,
clined from the mid-19th cen- Mantineia, and Nemea. In the Greece is located in south-eastern We recommend that you visit
tury to the early 1960’s. Then Ionian islands is the appellations Europe. Greece has a population of Athens any season. The tourist sea-
11,262.000 people. Greece, a son is from April to October, peak-
the traditional customs of wine- Rombola Cephalinias. In the is- Presidential, Parliamentary ing in August.
making revived. Today you can lands of Paros, Limnos, Rhodes, Democracy, acceded to the
find a multitude of excellent and Santorini are the appella- European Union in 1981.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS
Greek wines from every region tions (Paros, Limnos, Rhodes Athens is located in the Attica pre-
of the country. When you taste and Santorini). In Crete are the fecture, in particular in the Attica New Year’s Day: 1 January.
Greek wine, bear in mind that appellations of origin, Arkanes, basin, which is encompassed by Epiphany: 6 January. Consecration
it is the produce of excel- Peza, Siteia and Daphnes. Mount Aegaleo, Mount Parnitha, of the waters in the Piraeus area.
lent harvest, made from Mount Penteli and Mount The Cross is cast in the sea and
Finally the last two Hymettos. Athens, the suburbs and young men dive in to retrieve it.
varieties of grape un- categories, i.e. the local the neighbouring town of Piraeus Shrove Monday: 41 days before
known to Western and table wines, offer constitute an urban entity (greater Easter. The commencement of
lovers of wine. wine lovers pleasant, urban complex of the capital) with Lenten fasting. On Shrove Monday
Greek wines are classi- exhilarating flavours. a population of about 4 million res- Greeks fly kites, fast, and celebrate
idents. the Shrove Monday feast. Athenians
fied in the following four The Vineyard of Attica. CURRENCY: The national currency gather mainly at Philopappou Hill
categories: Attica is a traditional high of Greece since January 1, 2001, is and other high grounds.
128 1) Controlled Appellation of quality wine producing region. the euro. You can exchange cur- Independence Day and the 129
Origin The total area of Attica’s vine- rency at the airport, at private cur- Annunciation: 25 March.
yards is 16,346 acres. The differ- rency exchanges, and banks. Military Parade.
2) Superior Quality
Appellation of ent varieties of grapes cultivated DIALLING CODE: The internation- Easter: Good Friday to Easter Bank
are: Savvatiano, Athiri, Bilana, al dialling code of Greece is +30. Holiday. On Good Friday in the af-
Origin ternoon churches decorate an epi-
white Moshato, Roditis, TIME ZONE: Athens time is seven
3) Local wine hours ahead of Eastern Standard taph. The procession of the
Asurtiko, Robola, Alexadreias Epitaph is joined by people hold-
4) Table wine Time, two hours ahead of
Moshato, Amvourgou Moshato, ing candles and singing psalms on
Greenwich Mean Time, and one
Controlled appellation of origin. Fileri, Malagouzia (Greek white hour ahead of Central European the streets of every town and vil-
wines), Mandilaria, Agiorgitiko Time. lage in the country.
Listed in the category are only
(Greek red wines), Chardonnay, CLIMATE: Athens has a mild cli- Resurrection: Celebrated with fire-
sweet wines, such as the
Sauvignon blanc, Ugni blanc, mate, with sunshine more than 260 works and flares at midnight, on
Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia the eve of Easter.
and Patra, the Moshato of Semillon (Foreign white wines) days a year.
and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Easter Day: According to custom, on
Patras, Limnos, Cephalonia and The average monthly temperature Easter Day, Greeks eat spited lamb.
Rodos, and the Sweet wine of Carignan, Syrah, Tempranillo is: The festivities include music and
Samos. (foreign red wines). Also the dancing.
Month Temperature in C
area of Eastern Attica (Mesogeia) January 10.3 May Day: 1 May. A multitude of
Listed in the category of superi- is well known for its Retsina, flower shows in Athens.
February 10.6
or quality appellation of origin are a popular wine which accompa- March 12.3 The Dormition of the Virgin:
some of the best wines of nies superbly the dishes of the April 15.9 On 15 August.
Greece. Some 20 locations have Mediterranean cuisine. May 20.7 28 October: National holiday.
been designated appellation of June 25.2 Military parade.
origin. In Northern Greece are For more information please ad- July 28.0 Christmas: 25-26 December.
August 27.8
the appellations Zitsa, dress the Assosiation of Attica’s OTHER TRADITIONAL
September 24.2
Amyntaio, Goumenisa and vineyard wine producers. October 19.5 HOLIDAYS:
Naousa. In Halkidiki is the ap- Tel. 210 6038019 November 15.4 Carnival: Carnival festivities of 3
pellation Playies Melitona. In website: www.enoaa.gr December 12.0 weeks duration, ending on Shrove
INFORMATION INFORMATION
Monday. In Athens the main braries etc.). Also in most neigh- tel. 210 3536899 nesses. Tourist Police speak foreign
Carnival festivities are held in bourhoods and outskirts , in E.L.P.A.: 395, Mesogeion Avenue languages. Officers wear the in-
Plaka. Peiraias and other parts of Attica tel. 210 6068800 signia “Tourist Police” on the shoul-
Wine Feast: Organised by a multi- operate a lot of internet cafés. der. For tourist information dial 171
E.L.P.A. Road Assistance: tel. 10400
tude of municipalities. any time and day, at any location in
Nautical Week: Celebrated in THE POST OFFICE HEALTH CARE: the country.
Phaliron. Emergency Number: tel. 166 Athens Tourist Police Station:
Pentecost: Celebrated 50 days after The signposts of post offices and Emergency hospitals, pharmacies, 43-45, Veikou Str, Koukaki
Easter. post office boxes are usually bright doctors: tel. 1434 (in Greek) tel. 210 9200724-26-27-29-30-32
yellow. Athens post offices are open Piraeus Tourist Police Station:
Medical information in Greek and
from Monday to Friday from 07:30 Xaveriou Str
EMBASSIES - CONSULATES English: tel. 210 8983146
to 14:00. Three post offices listed tel. 210 4290664-5
below have longer opening hours. Medical emergency help line:
For information regarding tel. 210 7460000
Embassies and Consulates, enquire 2, Mitropoleos Str, Syntagma Sq.
at the Greek National Tourism tel. 210 3319501, 210 3226253 SOS Doctors: tel. 1016 HOTELS
Organisation or: Open: weekdays from 07:30-20:00 National Blood donation centre:
In Athens and the greater Athens
Saturdays from 07:30-14:00 tel. 210 2410000
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: area (including the suburbs,
Public Information Center 3, Sundays from 09:00-13:30 Poisoning centre: Piraeus, and Attica), are more than
Akadimias Str (ground floor) 100, Aiolou Str (near Omonia tel. 210 7793777 700 lodgings of all categories, with
tel. 210 3682048, fax 210 3682474 Sq.) tel. 210 3216024, 210 3247690 AIDS help line: a total capacity of about 63,000
email: apodimos-ypex@kep.gov.gr Open: weekdays from 07:30-20:00 tel. 210 7222222 beds. Most of the lodgings have
website: www.mfa.gr Saturdays from 07:30-14:00 (Mon - Fri 09:00-21:00) been renovated and modernised
opening hours 8 π.μ.-6 μ.μ. 60, Mitropoleos Square. Social and Psychological emergency recently and have high quality,
tel. 210 3218143 help line: modern facilities.
tel. 197 (24-h service) The Hotel Chamber of Greece:
ABBREVIATIONS Open: weekdays from 07:30-20:00
Closed on Saturdays - Sundays. FIRE BRIGADE: tel. 199 24, Stadiou Str, 105 64 Athens
130 You will come across a multitude of tel. 210 3310022-6, 210 3237193 131
Hellenic Post Office (EL.TA): infor-
Greek abbreviations during your mation tel. 800 11 82000 fax: 210 3225449
visit in Athens. TOURIST INFORMATION email: info@grhotels.gr
website: www.elta-net.gr
ΕΟΤ: Greek National Tourism website: www.grhotels.gr
Organisation Domestic-International Telegrams: GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM
tel. 136 ORGANISATION (E.O.T.) The Hellenic Hoteliers Association
ELPA: Automobile and Touring (P.O.X.):
Club of Greece Post Office Phone Service (“Door to Central Office: 7, Tsoha Str
Door”): tel. 800 11 83000 (toll free) 24, Stadiou Str, 105 64 Athens
ELTA: Hellenic Post Office 115 21 Athens, tel. 210 8707000,
210 6073000 (only from mobile tel. 210 3312535-6,
KTEL: Inter-urban domestic buses 210 8708088, 1572
phones) fax: 210 3230636
OASA: Athens Urban Transport email: info@gnto.gr
email: info@hhf.gr
Organisation Parcels: website: www.visitgreece.gr
website: www.pox.gr
OSE: Hellenic Railways tel. 210 5249359 “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport
The Hellenic Union of Campsite
Organisation information centre:
Owners:
OTE: Hellenic Telecommunications EMERGENCY NUMBERS tel. 210 3530445-447
9, Mavromihali Str, 106 73 Athens
Organisation fax: 210 3532334
POLICE: tel. 210 3621560
email: venizelos@gnto.gr
General Police Headquarters of Attica: fax: 210 3621918
ELECTRIC CURRENT Greek National Tourism Organisation email: gr-camp@otenet.gr
173, Alexandras Avenue Offices Abroad: For Greek National
tel. 210 6476000 website: www.greececamping.org
The standard electric current in Tourism Organisation Offices en-
Greece is 220V (50Hz) alternating Emergency number: tel. 100 The Greek Youth Hostel Organisation:
quire at the Organisation’s central
current. Drugs Squad: 75, Damareos Str
office or visit the web page
tel. 109, 210 6476215, 210 6447534 tel. 210 7519530, 210 7510616
www.visitgreece.gr
email: yhostels@otenet.gr
INTERNET Athens Traffic Police: TOURIST POLICE:
tel. 210 5284000
In many parts of central Athens A department of the Greek Police TOURIST ORGANISATIONS
(Syntagma square, Kotzia square, Piraeus Police Headquarters: (EL.AS), manned by specially
the area of Thisssio etc.) there is 37, Iroon Polytechneiou Str trained men and women, providing ORGANISED
free wireless internet connection tel. 210 4174471 information and assistance to TOURS-EXCURSIONS:
available (information: Piraeus Traffic Police: tourists. The Tourist Police are au- For organised tours of Athens, the
www.athenswifi.gr), as well as in tel. 210 4139263-4 thorised to settle minor disputes Attica area, the islands of the
other public areas (museums, li- Airport police: between tourists and tourist busi- Saronic Gulf, and other areas of
Greece (among others, Delphi, ronment. For the programme visit tel. 210 8960012-4 of Kiato (105 km west of Athens,
Mykines, Epidavros, Meteora, the website: www.blueflag.org fax: 210 8960415 in Peloponnese), with intermediate
Northern Greece) contact the Zeas Piraeus marina: stops. At the stations you will find
ORGANISED BEACHES (with en-
Greek National Tourism tel. 210 4559000, fax: 210 4559031 timetables with detailed informa-
try ticket): Grand Beach Lagonissi,
Organisation or: Lavrion Olympic marina: tion.
Asteria Seaside, Asteras
The Hellenic Tourist and Travel Agents tel. 22920 63700 Website: www.proastiakos.gr
Vouliagmenis Plage, Vouliagmenis
Association: Lake, Attica Vouliagmenis Beach, ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIR-
11, Iosif Rogon Str, 117 42 Athens For further information regarding
Voula Beach A´, Varkiza Beach, marinas contact the Greek National PORT “Eleftherios Venizelos”:
tel. 210 9223522 Aghiou Kosma Beach, Voula Beach 190 19 Spata, Greece
fax: 210 9233307 Tourism Organisation or
B´, Alimos. tel. 210 3530000
email: hatta@hatta.gr Tourist Development Enterprises fax: 210 3530001
website: www.hatta.gr OTHER BEACHES: (E.T.A.): 7, Voulis Str, 105 62 website: www.aia.gr.
Southern Attica: Batis and Edem Athens The Suburban Railway and the
CAR RENTAL: In the Athens area tel. 210 3339516,
are many reliable car rental compa- (Paleo Faliro), Vouliagmeni – metro links the airport to Athens.
Deftero Limanaki; Anavyssos – fax: 210 3339507 Moreover, bus lines linking the
nies, most of them located at email: info@etasa.gr, website:
Syngrou Avenue. For information Eden and Thymari; Sounio (KAPE, airport to the greater Athens urban
Legraina, Temple of Poseidon, www.tourism-development.gr complex:
regarding car rentals contact:
Sounio-Poseidonia Coast), number X95 (to Syntagma, Athens),
Hellenic Car Rental Association:
31, Viltanioti, Str. Kato Kifissia,
Patroclos Island. PUBLIC TRANSPORT X96 (to Piraeus), X92 (to Kifissia),
145 64 Athens Eastern Attica: Kerateas beach X93 (to the inter-city bus terminal),
(Kakia Thalassa), Porto Rafti URBAN BUS AND TROLLEY X94 (to metro stop “Ethniki Amyna”)
tel. 210 6264281 LINES: For information on bus and
fax: 210 6264289 (Avlaki-Aghia Marina, Erotospilia), and X97 (to metro stop “Dafni”).
Vravrona-Artemis ( Hamolia, Aghiou trolley lines call tel. 185 (in Greek);
email: steea@steea.gr You can visit the 20 most signifi- Olympic Air:
website: www.steea.gr Nikolaou Artemidos Beach); Rafina Information - reservations
(Marikes Plage, Kokkino Limanaki); cant monuments of Athens by using
bus line 400, which every 30 min- tel. 210 3550500, 801 8010101
YACHT BROKERS: Nea Makri (Zoumberi, Mati, Paralia website: www.olympicair.com
For yacht rentals contact the follow- utes makes a tour of the historical
132 Neas Makris); Marathon (Schinias –
centre of the city, starting from the Aegean Airlines: 133
ing organisations: Karavi, Dikastika, Ramnountas,
Archaeological Museum. The total Information - reservations
Hellenic Yacht Brokers and Sesi). tel. 801 11 20000 (from a landline)
Consultants Association: Office A1 duration of the tour is 80-90 min-
Northern Attica: Oropos (Ayioi utes, while taped information con- 210 6261000 (from mobile phones
in Zea Marina, 185 36, Piraeus Apostoloi, Paralia Kalamou, only)
tel. 210 4533134 cerning the various monuments is
Oropos-Nea Palatia, Pigadakia being provided (website website: www.aegeanair.com
fax: 210 4599563 Halkoutsiou).
email: hyba@ath.forthnet.gr www.oasa.gr). HELLENIC RAILWAYS ORGANI-
Western Attica: Porto Yermeno,
website: www.hyba.gr Psatha, Alepoxoti, Kineta, Strava, ATHENS METRO: SATION (O.S.E.):
Hellenic Association of Leisure Craft Shinos. The Urban planning of the nation’s 1-3, Karolou Str, information on
Owners: Ktirio Dioikisis Marina capital, provides one of the most domestic and international train
Zeas Marina, 185 36 Piraeus sumptuous, cleanest subway sys- schedules: tel. 1110
tel. 210 4526335 MARINAS tems in Europe which is continu- website: www.ose.gr
fax: 210 4280465 In Attica are 6 marinas, with a total ously expanding. At every stop you
SEA TRANSPORT:
website: www.hpyoa.gr capacity of about 3,000 boats. can find a table with all the lines
and routes of the metro trains. Information on schedules:
Alimos marina: tel. 14944 (for Greek)
BEACHES tel. 210 9.80000, fax: 210 9853151 Website: www.ametro.gr
tel. 14541 (for English)
website: www.alimos-marina.gr ATHENS TRAM: Central Pireaus Harbour Police:
In the southern suburbs of Athens,
along the Saronic Gulf (from the P. Floisvos marina: Connects the centre of Athens tel. 210 4226000
Phaliron area to Vouliagmeni), and tel. 210 9871000-2 (Syndagma square) to the city’s
southern outskirts (towards Voula Rafina Harbour Police:
other areas of Attica, are dozens of fax: 210 9871060 tel. 22940 22300
organised and other beaches, with website: www.flisvosmarina.com and New Faliro - Stadium of Peace
and Friendship), meanwhile, its ex- Lavrion Harbour Police:
clean waters and easy access. Glyfada marina: Headquarters: tel. 22920 25249
Several Attica beaches have been tel. 210 8912362, pansion is being planned in order
awarded “Blue Flags of Europe,” fax: 210 8947284 to extend all the way to the centre INTERCITY BUS STATIONS:
granted every year to beaches and 1st marina: tel. 210 8947353 and the harbour of Piraeus. Buses for all regions and Attica de-
marines meeting strict criteria re- 2nd marina: tel. 210 8949374 Website: www.tramsa.gr part from three bus stations.
garding clean waters and beaches, 3rd marina: tel. 210 8941389 SUBURBAN RAILWAY: (Information tel. 14944
good organisation and security and 4th marina: tel. 210 8947920 Connects Athens to “Eleftherios website: www.ktel.org)
the protection of the coastal envi- Vouliagmenis marina: Venizelos” Airport and the city 1st Station: 100, Kifissou Str
tel. 210 5124910 tel. 210 3643774, 210 3612540 (metro station “Katehaki” ) “Megaro Moussikis”)
2nd Station: 260, Liosion Str website: www.nma.gr The National Museum of The Eleftherias Park Art Centre:
tel. 210 8317153 (metro station “Syntagma”) Contemporary Art: Kallirois & 10, Evzonon Str
Athens prefecture KTEL: The Goulandris Museum of Frantzi Str, FIX building tel. 210 7232603-4
tel. 210 8230179 (Sounio, Oropos, Cycladic and Ancient Greek Art: - Offices: 14, Amv. Frantzi Str The Newer Ceramics Research
Porto Rafti, Markopoulo) 4, Neofytou Douka Str tel. 210 9242111-2 Centre:
tel. 210 8210872 (Marathon) tel. 210 7228321-3 website: www.emst.gr 4-5, Melidoni Str, Kerameikos
website: www.cycladic-m.gr (metro station “Syggrou-Fix”) tel. 210 3318491-6
ΤΑXΙ:
All taxis have a taxi counter, record- Museum of Timeless Art: The Athens Municipal Gallery: website: www.potterymuseum.gr
ing charges. Drivers are obliged to Cultural Multicentre “Athinaïs”, 51, Piraeus Str, Koumoundourou (metro station “Thission”)
set the counter at every fare. From 34-36, Kastorias Str, Votanikos Square The Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery
05:00 – 24:00 hours tariff 1 is used tel. 210 3480000 tel. 210 3231841, 210 3240472 Museum:
and from 24:00 – 05:00 tariff 2. website: www.athinais.com.gr The Frissiras Museum: 12, Kalisperi Str, Acropolis
Taxis are supplied with a valid The National Historical Museum: 3, Monis Asteriou Str, Plaka tel. 210 9221044, website:
price list, recording the fare and 13, Stadiou Str tel. 210 3234678 www.lalaounis-jewelrymusem.gr
surplus charges not recorded by the tel. 210 3237617 website: www.frissirasmuseum.com (metro station “Akropolis”)
taximeter. website: www.nhm.gr The Greek Folk Art Museum: The Maria Callas Museum
(metro station “Syntagma”) 17, Kythathinaeon Str, Plaka (“Technopolis”):
MUSEUMS The Benaki Museum (central tel. 210 3229031, 210 3213018 100, Piraeus Str, Gazi
In Athens, Piraeus, the suburbs, and building): 1, Koumbari Str & The Greek Folk Musical tel. 210 3460981
environs, are a multitude of impor- Vas. Sofias Avenue Instruments Museum: (metro station “Kerameikos”)
tant museums and archaeological tel. 210 3671000 1-3, Diogenous Str, Plaka The Jewish Museum of Greece:
sites. The list below includes a se- website: www.benaki.gr tel. 210 3250198, 210 3254119-129 29, Nikis Str, tel. 210 3225582
lection of museums. For informa- - Piraeus Street building: website: www.instruments-muse- website: www.jewishmuseum.gr
tion regarding museums, you can 138, Pireaus Str. (Gazi) um.gr The Foundation of the Hellenic
134 also visit the site tel. 210 3453111 World: 135
- The Museum of Islamic Art: The Kyriazopoulou Ceramics
http://odysseus.culture.gr Collection: 18, Poulopoulou Str, Thissio
22, Ayion Assomaton & tel. 212 2543800, www.fhw.gr
The National Archaeological 12, Dipylou Str. (Kerameikos) Tzistarakis Mosque, Monastiraki
Museum: tel. 210 3251311-12 tel. 210 3242066 - Civilisation centre “Ellinikos Kosmos”:
144, Patision Str (metro station “Monastiraki”) 254, Piraeos Str, Tavros, Athens
tel. 210 8217717, 210 8217724 The Byzantine and Christian tel. 212 2540000
Museum: 22, Vas. Sofias Avenue The Hellenic Children’s
(metro station “Victoria”) Museum: 14, Kythatinaeon Str website: www.hellenic-cosmos.gr
tel. 210 7211027, 210 7232178
The new Acropolis Museum: website: www.byzantinemuseum.gr tel. 210 3312995-6 “Planetarium” Eugenides
15, Dionyssiou Areopagitou Str (metro station “Evangelismos”) website: www.hcm.gr Foundation: 387, Syngrou Avenue,
tel. 210 9000901, website: Museum of Greek Children’s Art: Paleo Faliro (entrance from
www.theacropolismuseum.gr The War Museum: 2, Rizari Str Pendelis Str)
tel. 210 7252974-6 9, Kodrou Str (extension of Voulis
(metro station “Acropolis”) Str.), Plaka tel. 210 9469600, 210 9469642,
(metro station “Evangelismos”) website: www.eugenfound.edu.gr
The Athens Ancient Agora tel. 210 3312621, 210 3312750
Museum: The Museum of the City of fax: 210 3313734, website: The Archaeological Collection
Stoa tou Attalou, Ancient Agora Athens (Vouros - Eutaxias www.childrensartmuseum.gr of Kifissia: 30, Georganta Str. &
tel. 210 3210185 Foundation): 5-7, Paparrigopoulou Kassaveti Str, Kifissia
Str (Klafthmonos Square) The Historical Museum
(metro station “Monastiraki” or of the University of Athens: tel. 210 8012116
“Thission”) tel. 210 3231397, website:
www.athenscitymuseum.gr 5, Tholou Str, Plaka The Goulandris Natural History
The Kerameikos Museum: (metro station “Panepistimio”) tel. 210 3240861 Museum: 13, Levidou Str, Kifissia
148, Ermou Str The Kanellopoulos Museum: tel. 210 8015870
The National Gallery - Museum website: www.gnhm.gr
tel. 210 3463552 12, Theorias Str & Panos Str, Plaka
Alexandros Soutzos:
(metro station “Thission”) tel. 210 3212313 - “Gaia” Centre: 100, Othonos Str
50, Vas. Konstantinou Avenue
The Epigraphical Museum: tel. 210 7235857 The Theatrical Museum: (Kifissia)
1, Tositsa Str website: www.nationalgallery.gr 50, Akadimias Str The Vorre Museum:
tel. 210 8217637 (metro station “Evangelismos”) tel. 210 3629430 1, Parodos diadohou Konstantinou
(metro station “Victoria”) - National Glyptotheque of Greece: (metro station “Panepistimio”) Str, 190 02 Paiania
The Athens Numismatic Parko Stratou, Goudi, entrance The Eleftherios Venizelos tel. 210 6642520, 210 6644771
Museum: 12, Panepistimiou Str from Katehaki Ave. Museum: Eleftherias Park The Piraeus Archaeological
(“Ilion Melathron”) tel. 210 7709855 tel. 210 7224238 (metro station Museum: 31, Harilaou Trikoupi Str
tel. 210 4521598 foreign language newspapers on music concerts are held in its two website: www.sportsnet.gr
The Greek Nautical Museum: sale at central kiosks (among oth- auditoria, (“Olympia” and The Sports Federations:
Coast of Themistocleous Str, ers, Syntagma Square, Omonia “Acropol” theatre). website:
Piraeus Square), or website: (website: www.nationalopera.gr) www.sportsnet.gr/3/g31.html
tel. 210 4286959, 210 4516264 www.culture.gr The “Olympia” Theatre: The Hellenic Olympic Committee
The Archaeological site ATHENS FESTIVAL: The Athens 59, Akadimias Str, 106 79 Athens, (E.O.E.): 52, Dim Vikela Str (372,
of Olympieion: Festival, established in 1955, is held information - reservations Kifissias Avenue), 152 33 Halandri,
tel. 210 9226330 in summer (June - September) at 210 3612461, 210 3643725 Athens, tel. 210 6878888
the open air Roman Herodes fax: 210 3643577 fax: 210 6878940
The Archaeological site of the The “Acropol” Theatre: website: www.hoc.gr
north and south slopes of the Atticus Odeion. It is one of
Europe’s major festivals. Some of 9-11, Ippokratous Str, 106 79 The Athens Classic Marathon: organ-
Acropolis: (Dionyssos Theatre, Athens; information - reservations
The Arcade of Eumenous etc.) the best Greek and foreign groups ized from 1983, is being held every
and artists perform classical and 210 3643700, 210 3608666 November on the authentic course,
entrance from Dionyssiou fax: 210 3608268
Areopagitou Str modern music, opera, dance and from Marathon to the
tel. 210 3224625 theatre. The Festival in summer HELLENIC GIRLS LYCEUM: Panathenaikon Stadium (Athens)
holds important cultural events at Founded in 1910 by the first Greek and also includes power walking
The Archaeological site the Lycabettus theatre, and other and two more road races (10km
of Acropolis: tel. 210 3210219 feminist K. Paren, the Hellenic
venues of the city. Girls Lyceum seeks to preserve and 5km). Information: SEGAS
The Archaeological site of the Hellenic Festival S.A.: Makriyianni Greek folk custom, research and (Hellenic Amateur Athletics
Ancient Agora: tel. 210 3210185 Str and 23, Hadjichristou Str, study different varieties of Greek Federation), 137, Syngrou Ave.,
The Archaeological site of the 117 42 Athens; information national dress, record Greek folk 171 21 Nea Smirni, Athens
Roman Agora: tel. 210 3245220 and reservations 210 9282900 music, and study and perform tel. 210 9331113, 210 9315886
fax: 210 9292933 Greek folk dances. The Lyceum’s fax: 210 9331152, website:
The Library of Hadrian: www.athensclassicmarathon.gr
email: info@greekfestival.gr museum (on 14 Dimokritou Str –
tel. 210 3249350
website: www.greekfestival.gr Kolonaki, tel 210 36.39.704) ex-
The Archaeological site Central ticket office: hibits a valuable collection of gen-
136 of Kerameikos: tel. 210 3463552 39, Panepistimiou Str (in the arcade) uine Greek dresses from every part WEBSITES 137
The Archaeological site tel. 210 3221459, of the country. Members of the ATHENS MUNICIPALITY:
of Sounio: tel. 22920 39363 opening hours: Lyceum’s folk dance groups wear www.cityofathens.gr
The Archaeological site 08:30-16:00 (Monday to Friday), valuable dresses during perform-
of Eleusina (Museum): 09:00-14:30 (Saturdays) ances in Greece and abroad. Official tourist portal of the
tel. 210 5546019, 210 5543470 The Odeion of Herodes Atticus ticket Website: www.lykeionellinidon.gr Municipality of Athens:
office: tel. 210 3232771, opening www.breathtakingathens.com
The Megara Archaeological DORA STRATOU THEATRE:
Museum: 22, Dimarchou Menidiati hours: 09:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00 ( page 46) tel. 210 3244395, MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Str, tel. 22960 22426 Lycabettus theatre ticket office: 210 9214650, fax: 210 3246921 AND TOURISM:
tel. 210 7227233, 210 7227209 Information on archaeological sites
The Marathon Archaeological ATHENS MUNICIPALITY CUL-
Museum: 114, Plataion Str, THE ATHENS CONCERT HALL: TURAL ORGANISATION: and historical monuments:
Marathon, tel. 22940 55155 Vas. Sofias Str & Kokkali Str, 115 21 Stages cultural and sporting events. www.culture.gr
- The Tomb of Marathon: Athens; information - reservations Information: tel. 210 3621601, MODERN ARCHITECTURE
tel. 22940 55462 tel. 210 7282333 210 3630706, fax: 210 3614358 IN ATHENS-ATTICA: www.cul-
email: webmaster@megaron.gr website: www.cityofathens.gr ture2000.tee.gr
The Archaeological site
website: www.megaron.gr
of Ramnous: tel. 22940 63477 OPEN AIR CINEMAS: ATHENS ARCHAEOLOGICAL
Central ticket office: opening hours: Rank among Greece’s attractions.
The Archaeological site of Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00, SITES UNIFICATION COMPANY
Amphiareion: tel. 22950 62144 Athenians in summer evenings like (Ε.Α.X.Α.):
Saturday 10:00-14:00, On days of to see a movie in a garden with
The Archaeological site performances: Monday-Friday www.astynet.gr
trees and flowers, beneath a starlit
of Vravrona: tel. 22990 27020 10:00-20:30, Saturday 10:00-14:00 ATHENS CONVENTION BUREAU
sky. In Greece films are not
Attica Zoological Park (Spata): & 18:00-20:30, Sunday 18:00-20:30 dubbed. Foreign films have Greek (ACB):
Thesi Yialou, P.O. Box 38, 190 04 Ticket office in the city centre: subtitles. www.athensconventionbureau.gr
Spata, tel. 210 6634724 8, Omirou Str, (near Syntagma
website: www.atticapark.com Square), opening hours Monday- ATHENS NEWS AGENCY:
Friday 10:00-16:00 SPORT www.ana-mpa.gr
CULTURAL EVENTS THE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE: The Culture Ministry - Sub-Ministry of SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD
The oldest opera theatre in Greece. Sport: 7, Kifissias Avenue, 115 23 SUMMER GAMES - ATHENS
For cultural events in Athens see Opera and ballet performances and Athens, tel. 210 6496000 2011: www.athens2011.org
THE MAP OF ATHENS
USEFUL INFORMATION
1. Greek National Tourism Organisation C8

- Head office E4
2. Athens Festival,
39, Panepistimiou str. (In the arcade) D4
3. Hellenic Chamber of Hotels E4
4. Aliens Bureau B8
5. Areios Pagos
(Supreme Civil and Criminal Court of Greece) B7
6. Court of Justice A6
7. The Stock Exchange House D3
8. Athens Traffic Police B2
9. Tourist Police C8
10. Automobile & Touring Club (E.L.P.A.) C8
138 139
THE MAP OF ATHENS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PUBLIC BUILDINGS - SIGHTSEEING

11. The Acropolis F3 51. Academy of Arts D4
12. Ancient Agora E2 52. Panathenaikon Stadium (Kallimarmaro) F5
13. Kyristes’ Clock (Tower of winds) E3 53. Iliou Melathron (Schliemann Mansion)
14. Areios Pagos E2 Numismatic Museum D4
15. Dionysos Theatre F3 54. Lycabettus Hill C6
16. Philopappou Monument F2 55. National Garden E4
17. Hadrian’s Arch F4 56. National Library D4
18. Hadrian’s Library E3 57. Gennadios Library D6
19. Kerameikos D1 58. Observatory E1
20. Lysikrates Monument F3 59. Parliament Building E4
21. Pnyx (Pnika) F1 60. Presidential Residence E5
22. Roman Forum E3 61. Technical University - School of Fine Arts B4
23. Socrates Prison Cell F2 62. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier E4
24. Temple of the Olympian Zeus F4 63. University D4
25. Theseion (Temple of Hephaistos) E2 64. Zappeion Exhibition & Congress Hall F4
MUSEUMS ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES - THEATRES

26. The new Acropolis Museum F3 65. Athens Concert Hall D7
27. Acropolis Research Centre F3 66. Dora Stratou Theatre G1
28. Museum of the City of Athens D4 67. Odeion of Herodes Atticus F2,3
29. Benaki Museum E5 68. Lycabettus Theatre C6
30. Byzantine & Christian Museum E6 69. National Theatre C3
31. Centre of Folk Art & Tradition E3,4 70. Opera House C4
32. Eleftherios Venizelos Museum D7 71. “Gazi” Cultural Park D1
33. Epigraphical Museum B4 72. The “Melina Merkouri” Cultural Centre E1
140 34. Frissiras Museum - 141
Contemporary European Painting E4 BYZANTINE CHURCHES
35. Greek Popular Art Museum E4 73. Ayia Ekaterini F3
36. Greek Traditional Musical Instruments 74. Ayia Triada (Russian Orthodox) E4
Museum E3 75. Ayii Apostoli E2
37. Jewish Museum E4 76. Ayii Assomati D2
38. Kanelopoulos Museum E3 77. Ayii Theodori D3
39. Keramikos Museum D1 78. Ayios Eleftherios E3
40. Lalaounis Ilias Jewellery Museum F3 79. Ayios Ioannis Theologos E3
41. Museum of the History 80. Kapnikarea E3
of the Greek Costume D5 81. Metamorfossis E3
42. National Archaeological Museum B4
43. National Gallery - CHURCHES OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS
Alexandros Soutzos Museum E6
82. Athens Cathedral (Metropolis)
44. National Historical Museum D4
Greek Orthodox E3
45. Goulandris Museum
83. Christus Kirche (German Evangelical) C5
of Cycladic & Ancient Greek Art E5
84. 1st Greek Evangelical Church F4
46. Old Mosque - Folk Ceramics Collection E3
85. St. Denis (Roman Catholic Cathedral) D4
47. Philatelic Museum F5
86. St. Gregory (Armenian) D2
48. Stoa of Attalus Museum E2
87. St. Paul’s Anglican Church E3
49. Theatre Museum D4
88. Synagogue D2
50. War Museum E6
TRANSPORTATION (information)
89. O.S.E. (Information - Reservations) C2
90. O.S.E. (Information - Reservations) D4
91. O.S.E. (Station for Northern Greece) A2
92. O.S.E. (Station for the Peloponnese) B2
METRO - TRAM - SUBURBAN RAILWAY OF ATHENS
142 143
CREDITS
MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

PUBLICATION: GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION
APRIL 2010
9 t h E DI T ION ( S U PPL E M E N T E D )
Overall supervision: SOFIA LAZARIDOU
Director of the Market Research and Marketing Department
Coordinator: LOUIZA STAVROPOULOU-BRIOLA
Director of the Publications and Audio-visual Media Department
Research - Concept - Texts: YANNIS RANGOS
Translation:
ALEXI PAPASOTIRIOU / INO BALTA / ATHENA ZAMBAZI
Design: M & M ADVERTISING
Photographs:
GNTO ARCHIVE, A´ DEPARTMENT OF PRE-HISTORIC AND CLASSICAL
ANTIQUITIES, C´ DEPARTMENT OF PRE-HISTORIC AND CLASSICAL
ANTIQUITIES, ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES FUND (T.A.P.A.), BENA-
KI MUSEUM ARCHIVE, K. VERGAS, Y. YIANNELOS,
G. GRIGORIOU, N. DANIILIDIS, A. DROUGAS, N. KONTOS,
M. MITZITHROPOULOS, D. ROZAKI, Y. SKOULAS, A. SMARAGDIS,
P. STOLIS, K. TSIGANOS, PHOTOKINISI, Ch. CHRISTODOULIDIS,
144 E. HOLAN.
We thank the General Director of the Ministry of Culture
for the provision of photographic material.
Design: A´ DEPARTMENT OF PRE-HISTORIC AND CLASSICAL
ANTIQUITIES, Y. TRAVLOS, M. KORRES
Maps: CHARTOGRAPHICA HELLENICA
Printed by: D. KASTORIS S.A.
ISBN: 960 - 534 - 036 - 4
Copyright: GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION
THE PRESENT EDITION IS NOT FOR SALE
G R E E K NAT IONA L TOU R I S M ORGA N I SAT ION

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Athens Brochure English

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GREECE

thens, having been inhabited since the Neolithic age, is

A considered Europe’s historical capital. During its long,

Tour of Athens, stage 1: 1 ΟLYMPIEION

the Temple of Cronos and Rhea, a

F ollowing the con-

5 THE STOA 8. Fireworks

A bove the theatre is the Stoa

Eumenes II in the 2nd century

7.2 THE T EMPLE OF of the architect Kallikrates. 12. The northern

built during the first half of the

The architects of the classical 7.4 THE

W ell worth a visit any time

11.1  Thission (Theseion) - Temple of Hephaistos. 22. The Temple

Athens. It was partly enclosed 26. Detail

lated to ceramics of potters).

Tour of Athens, Stage 2:

It was built in the to the Presentation of the Virgin

T his charming church is lo-

7 ΜETOCHI Byzantine frescoes of the church 13 ΑYIOI ΑSOMATOI

I t is located at Erechtheos Str.

Tour of Athens, Stage 3:

Eclecticism The modernist The post-war era 42. The building

HISTORIC In Plaka the air you breathe is

CENTRE (1) and fragrant, like a gift of

atre of Dionysos were funded

Tholou Str, was for- small buildings, characteristic 2.1 MONASTIRAKI

mezedes - in one of the small page 22) dominates Mitropoleos

ety of silver, among others,

Feidiou Str and Akakiou Str.

Tour of Athens, Stage 5:

N ear the archaeological area

Tour of Athens, Stage 6:

THE SIGHTS: excavation. The main entrance

A residential area, enclosed

which has participated in a

3 ΑΝO PΕΤRALONA 3.2  Mercouri Square

4.2  D. Aiginitou Str

Tour of Athens, Stage 7:

frescoes of the 13th century.

4.5  Thissio Park

K olonaki is situated at an ex-

THE SIGHTS: Kolonaki, with interesting neo-

THE SIGHTS: Unknown Soldier

(1927), the marble Wood-chop- 82. The

Mansion her new hus-

outdoor sculpture display, with stones, built by some of the

Koimomeni: The most famous sculpture of modern Greek

was named after the Metz restaurants. You can return to

1st Cemetery rest here (among

Tour of Athens, Stage 8:

Α forest in the heart

1.1  Lycabettus Theatre 2 NΕΑPOLI tude of important neoclassical,

1.3  Ayioi Isidoroi tude of cafes, small bookshops, 91. Exarhia

GETTING THERE: If you want to

Tour of Athens, Stage 9:

2 PANEPISTIMIOU rennaissance style. It was the

O ne of the oldest roads of

tional café. Exactly adjacent to 2.13 

the course of decades. Cultural Mansion (Pesmatzoglou Str)

Tour of Athens, Stage 10:

 Fokionos Negri Str

122. The Athens Olympic Stadium

The Glyfada Golf 125.

7.2 THE T EMPLE OF of the architect Kallikrates. 12. The northern

The architects of the classical 7.4 THE

11.1 Thission (Theseion) - Temple of Hephaistos. 22. The Temple

Tholou Str, was for- small buildings, characteristic 2.1 MONASTIRAKI

N ear the archaeological area

3 ΑΝO PΕΤRALONA 3.2 Mercouri Square

4.2 D. Aiginitou Str

4.5 Thissio Park

1.1 Lycabettus Theatre 2 NΕΑPOLI tude of important neoclassical,

1.3 Ayioi Isidoroi tude of cafes, small bookshops, 91. Exarhia

tional café. Exactly adjacent to 2.13

Fokionos Negri Str

6.1 LΑVRΙΟ GETTING THERE: