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Page 1: Athens Brochure English

GREECE

Page 2: Athens Brochure English
Page 3: Athens Brochure English

Athens, having been inhabited since the Neolithic age, is

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.

Year-round visitors are fascinated by Athens, one of the most at-

tractive and charming capitals of Europe.1. A section

of the pedimentof the Athens

Academybuilding.

Page 4: Athens Brochure English

ΟLYMPIEION

The Olympieion includes thesanctuary (temple) of

Olympian Zeus, Roman baths,classical houses as well as a sec-tion of the ancient city’s fortifi-cation wall. According to thegeographer Pausanias, the tem-ple of Olympian Zeus wasfounded by Deukalionas, a mythical ancestor of theGreeks. In the age of tyrrany,circa 515 BC, Peisistratos theyounger grandson of the tyrantPeisistratos, attempted to re-place the old temple with anew, more impressive temple.The tyranny, however, wasabolished and constructionwork was terminated. The con-struction of the new templewas later assigned to theRoman architect DecimusCossutius by the king of SyriaAntiochus IV Epiphanes.Antiochus died in 163 BC andthe construction of the templewas once again abandoned.The structure did not have aroof and pediment. The con-struction of the temple, whichranks among the biggest in an-tiquity, was completed in 131

AD by the Roman Empe rorHadrian. It is of Corinthian order (110m in length and approximately 44m in width),three rows of eight columns atthe narrow sides and two rowsof twenty columns at its longsides. Inside the temple therewas a gold and ivory statue ofZeus which does not exist today.

• Ilissos Valley. The surviv-ing section of the Ilissos rivervalley (right behind the templeof Olympian Zeus) is worth avisit. In antiquity the Ilissos riv-er was known as the sacred riv-er of the Muses. Scattered re-mains of ancient sanctuariesare located in the valley. Youwill find nearby the rock of theKalliroi spring – which was fa-mous in antiquity – and thechurch of Ayia Fotini, whichwas built in 1872 at the site ofan ancient temple, on the foun-dation of the sacred sanctuaryof Ekati. You will find nearby,the preserved monuments ofthe Classical, Roman, andByzantine age, among others,(the Temple of Apollo Delphinios,

2. Temple ofOlympian Zeus:16 of a total of 104 columns(with a height of 17 metres)have beenpreserved.

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ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1

Tour of Athens, stage 1:

ΑNTIQUITIESIN ΑTHENS

A3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the biggest inEurope) 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(opposite Hadrian’s Arch) to the crossroads

of Ermou Str and Piraeus Str (in the Kerameikos area)may enjoy the ancient landscape in a tranquil

setting of the city.

The archaeological tour is an unforgettable experience.

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Page 5: Athens Brochure English

the Temple of Cronos and Rhea, aByzantine quarter with workshops,and Leonidis Church).

HADRIAN’S ΑRCH

Following the con-struction of the

temple of Zeus, theAthenians, in 131AD, in honour ofEmperor Hadrian,built an arch on the

northwestern perime-ter of the temple. The

monument is 18m tall and 13mwide while the arch, built ofPentelic marble, bears two in-scriptions on the architraveover the arch. One inscription,facing the Acropolis and theold town (facing west), says:“This is Athens, the city ofTheseus.” The other inscription,facing the sanctuary and an ex-tension of Athens constructedby Hadrian, (facing east), says:“This is the city of Hadrian, notTheseus.” DIONYSSIOU

ΑREOPAGITOUSTR

Dionyssiou Aeropagitou Stris one of the most impres-

sive streets of Athens, offeringan extraordinary view of thesouthern slope of the Acropolis,where some of the city’s mostsignificant monuments stand,and the Parthenon. Most of thebuildings on one side of theroad facing south were con-structed in the late 19th centu-ry and the early 20th century in the neoclassical or mod-ernist style, reflecting the bour-geois style of the street.

THE ANCIENTTHEATRE OF DIONYSOS

Directions: Enter the ar-chaeological area on the

southern slope of the Acropolis(entrance at Dionyssiou

Areopagitou Str ), and descend.On the slope to your right isthe most ancient theatre of theworld, the Theatre of Dionysos.In this theatre, the most famousancient Greek poets, Aeschylus,

4. Famous sightsof Athens: the rock of the Acropolis,the Parthenon,the Erechtheion,the Temple of AthenaVictory and the Propylaea.In theforeground, the RomanOdeion of HerodesAtticus and in the backgroundLycabettus Hill.

5. View of thepedestrianizedDionyssiouAreopagitouStr., centerpieceof the “grandpromenade” in thearchaeologicalsites of Athens.

3. Hadrian’sarch,

the symbolicgate of the city

of Athens.�

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

� Δ Ε Ι Τ Ε :

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Page 6: Athens Brochure English

Aristophanes, Euripides, andSophocles saw premiere per-formances of their plays in the5th century BC. The auditoriumand the proscenium were madeof wood. In the 4th century BCthey were reconstructed usingmarble. Sections of the stoneauditorium survive. Accordingto experts, the theatre had a ca-pacity of 17,000. On the slopeoverlooking the theatre, sculpt-ed on the rock of theAcropolis, is the choregicMonument of Thasyllus (319 BC)and two choregic Corinthiancolumns.

THE STOA OF EUMENES

Above the theatre is the Stoaof Eumenes, which was

built by the King of Pergamum,Eumenes II in the 2nd centuryBC. The arch provided shelterto theatregoers in case of badweather or shade from the sun.Nearby are the ruins of theAsklepeion of Athens, which wasbuilt in 429 BC, following theplague, which decimated thepopulation.

THE ODEION OF HERODES ATTICUS

The Odeion of HerodesAtticus was built in 161 AD

by the wealthy HerodesTiberius Claudius Atticus, ateacher and philosopher, whoinherited a fortune from his fa-ther. Herodes Atticus construct-ed the covered Odeion inmemory of his wife Regilla.Ancient Greeks organisedevents in the Odeion.Nowadays, the 5,000-seat the-atre is a venue for concerts of

the Athens Festival (� page136). You may enjoy thebeauty and charm ofthe Odeion in amorning stroll onthe way to theAcropolis.

THEΑCROPO-LIS

The Acropolis is thesymbol of Athens, the sa-

cred rock, linking the fabulous

ancient civilisation with themodern city.

The monuments onthe Sacred Rockdate back to theprehistoric eraand antiquity.The grandeurand beauty of the Sacred Rock

attract Greek and foreign visitors.

A visit to theAcropolis is a unique ex-

perience.

8. Fireworksover theAcropolis duringthe millenniumfestivities.

9. Theperformanceof a ballet on the stage at the Odeion ofHerodes Atticus.

6. The Theatreof Dionysos.

7. The RomanOdeion of

Herodes Atticus.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

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Page 7: Athens Brochure English

έ

THE PROPYLAEA

adorned with monuments,is the grand entrance of theAcropolis. The Propylaea,built by Pericles in 437-432BC, were the work of thefamous Athenian archi-tect, Mnesikles. Theywere incorporated in thewall which has been pre-served until today and was

built during the first half of the5th century B.C., in place of theolder destroyed Cyclopeanwall. Before reaching thePropylaea, you will passthrough the Beule gate, part ofthe Roman fortifications of theAcropolis. Right after that youwill encounter a 13 m. highpedestal, known as the “monu-ment of Agrippa”, on which theAthenians in 27 B.C. erected astatue of the Roman MarcusAgrippa, benefactor of the city.

THE TEMPLE OFTHE ATHENA VICTORY(Wingless Victory)

south of the Propylaea, wasbuilt circa 420 BC in commem-oration of the victory of theGreeks against the Persians.The temple was the work

of the architect Kallikrates. The site was the location of a sancturary in the prehistoricera. To the left of the templeyou will find the Erechtheion.Facing the temple is theParthenon.

THE PARTHENON

is an architectural masterpieceof great renown. You will ap-preciate its splendour if you

visit, and learn aboutthe history and the se-crets of the construc-tion of theParthenon. Thisunique temple,dedicated to thegoddess Athena,was built ofPentelic marble.The Parthenon ofthe classical erawas built on theremains of themonumentalearlierParthenon, an ar-chaic templebuilt in the late6th century BC.

12. The northernwing of the Propylaea,knownas the Gallery,was decoratedwith paintings.�

10.The Parthenon,

the mostsplendid

architecturalachievement

of classicalGreece.

11. The westernside of the tower

of the Templeof Athena

Victory. In thelower section

is a smallsanctuaryshaped as

a double niche.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

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The architects of the classicaltemple, which was constructedand decorated from 447-432BC(in the golden century ofPericles), were Iktinos andKallikrates. It is a Doric peri -pteral temple with 8 columnson the front and the back and17 columns on each side. Inthe Parthenon stood the chry-selephantine statue of Athena,the work of the famous sculp-tor Pheidias, who was also incharge of the overall construc-tion. The statue was the desti-nation of the great processionof the Panathenaea, depictedon the frieze of the temple.

The chryselephantine statue of Athena:According tomythology, thename of the cityis connectedwith a rivalry be-tween Poseidonand Athena forthe guardianship of the city.Poseidon offered the Atheniansa horse, while Athena, struckthe rock of the Acropolis withher spear, and an olive treesprouted. The Athenians pre- ferred the olive tree, which

symbolised peace and prosperi-ty. The city was named afterAthena. The 12-metre high stat-ue stood in the Parthenon. Theinterior of the statue was madeof wood, while the nude partswere made of ivory. The re-movable robe and the helmetwere coated with gold plating.The statue, which representedthe goddess Athena bearingarms, and on her right hand a2-metre high ivory statue ofvictory, was lost in the earlyByzantine era. Ancient sources,

and the analytical descriptionsof Pausanias(2nd centuryAD), testify tothe existenceof the statue.Archaeo logistshave derivedinformationabout the statuefrom copies.The most fa-mous copy is theVarvakeiosAthena.

THEΕRECHTHEION

was built from 420-406 BC atthe most holy siteof the Acropolis,where goddessAthena planted theolive tree, her sa-cred symbol. Thetree was later de-stroyed by Persianinvaders. Accordingto mythology, fol-lowing the expul-sion of thePersians, the treemiraculouslysprouted again.

Caryatids: The figures of themaidens support-ing the roof of the southernbalcony of the temple arecopies. Five of the six Maidensthat once adorned the templeare displayed in the AcropolisMuseum, while the sixth is dis-played in the British Museum.

THE new ΑCROPOLISΜUSEUM(� pages 45, 90-91)

14.VarvakeiosAthena, a copyof Pheidias’sgold and ivorystatue (National ArchaeologicalMuseum).

15. The southern balcony of the Erechtheionwith the famousCaryatids.

13. TheErechtheion

on the northernside of the rock

of the Acropolis.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

Take note of the following:

Please be patient when you ascendthe holy rock. You will berewarded by the spectacular viewat the top.

• You will pass through the

Propylaea before you arrive

at the Parthenon.

• The view from the temple

of the Athena Victory is

spectacular.

• The slight bulge of the

columns of the Parthenongives the impression that

they are bending

under the weight

of the roof.

• The secret of the

harmony of the

Parthenon is that

there is not a

straight line in the

design. Don’t be deceived by

the optical illusion of the

columns, which appear

to bulge.

• The Erechtheion is a unique

temple constructed

according to the style

of ancient Athens. It is

constructed on two levels.

It is asymmetrical and has

two balconies, which are

not thematically connected

to each other. The small

balcony on the south side is

better known, mainly due

to the six Caryatids that

support the roof. The

differences between the

sections of the temple may

be due to the fact that the

various parts are dedicated

to various gods. The eastern

section was dedicated to

Athena Poliada, and the

western section to Poseidon

Erechtheus.

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Page 9: Athens Brochure English

THE ΑREIOS PAGOS

The Areios Pagos, veneratedin antiquity, is the most an-

cient law court of the world. Itwas the seat of the first aristo-cratic assembly of ancientAthens. The assembly graduallylost political influence and inthe latter half of the 5th centu-ry, it retained solely its func-tion as a court, mostly hearingmurder cases. The Oresteia de-scribes the trial at this court of

Orestes for the murder of hismother Clytemnaestra, and herlover Aegisthus. Apostle Paulspoke to the Athenians at theAreios Pagos in 51 AD. A bronze plaque on the base of the hill commemorates hissermons.

PHILOPAPPOUHILL

Well worth a visit any timeof the year. A walk at

Philopappou Hill is a fascinat-ing experience: you will findhere a magnificent park, im-portant monuments such as thealleged “Prisons of Socrates,” the“Tombs of Kimon,” the ancientKoilis street, which was a mer-cantile boulevard with shopsand houses, the “IrooMousaiou,” the PhilopappusMonument and the spectacularview of the Parthenon and theAcropolis.

THE PNYX

The Pnyx is situated betweenthe Hill of the Muses (the lo-

cation of Philopappus’Monument) and the Hill of theNymphs, (the location of theSanctuary of the Nymphs and

the National Observatory, �page 47). The semicircularsquare was after 6th century BCthe location of the assembly of the people of Athens. Theygathered here to hear oratorsspeak from a rock platform inthe centre of the Pnyx, and par-ticipate in the democratic polity. The assembly is thoughtto have a capacity of 10,000.

THE ΑNCIENTΑGORA

The archaeological area ofthe ancient Agora is located

on the foothills of theAcropolis, near metro stop“Thission.” In antiquity, theAgora was not solely a com-mercial centre. It was also animportant political, cultural andreligious centre. In the area ofthe agora were located admin-istrative buildings, temples,public services and courts. TheAthenians gathered here everyday to buy and sell their goods,learn the current news, criticisethe government, exchange

19. Pnyx: the speaker’spodium, facingthe rock of the Acropolis.�

16. The hillof Areios Pagos

commandingan impressive

view of theAcropolis

monumentsand the present-

day city.

17. PhilopappusHill: the cobbled

footpathsof D. Pikionis.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

• Philopappus Monumentwas built by Athenians in the2nd century BC in honour ofthe benefactor, ruler of Syria,Gaius Julius Antiochus. GaiusJulius was also known asPhilopappus, which roughlytranslated means “one wholoves his grandfather.” Hisgrandfather was the last King ofKommagini Antiochus IV.

• Cobbled road. In the1950’s the Greek architect D.Pikionis developed the designof the area encompassing the

Prolylaea of the Acropolis andPhilopappou Hill. Take note ofthe hand made cobbled roadsleading to the monuments, the church of Ayios DemetriosLoumbardiaris (� page 25)and the refreshment room. The area has been designated a Scheduled and ProtectedMonument of the GlobalCultural Heritage.

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18. The funerary monument of Philopappus (with a height of 12 metres), decorated with sculpteddepictions of Philopappus and his family.

Page 10: Athens Brochure English

ideas, or engage in discussion.The area was settled in theNeolithic age. The monumentslocated therewere built invarious histori-cal periods:from the clas-sical age to the11th century

AD. The church of AyioiApostoloi was built in the 11thcentury AD (� page 24).

23. A model of theEponymonIroonmonument.

20. Panoramic viewof the archaeo-

logical site ofAncient Agora.Among others,

the Stoa of Attalus,

the Odeion of Agrippa

and the Templeof Ares (Mars)

(440 BC) can be seen.

21. Attaluscolonnade was

fully restoredfrom

1953-1956.It houses the

Ancient AgoraMuseum.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

Thission (Theseion) - Temple of Hephaistos.The Thission was dedicated to Hephaistos and Athena, and notTheseus. It is located in the western perimeter of the Agora. It isthe best-preserved temple of antiquity. It was built in 460-415 BC.In the temple stood the statues of Hephaistos and Athena, thoughtto have been sculpted by Alkamenes.

The monument of the Eponymous Heroes. Herestood the statues of the ten heroes of Attica (4th century BC). Theten clans of Attica were named after the heroes. Public announce-ments were displayed on the pedestal of these statues.

PoikileStoa. It is thought thatthe Poikile Stoa derivedits name from the vari-ety of the colours andthemes of its frescoes.The name “Poikile” (poikile means diverse) leads us to the suppo-sition that the frescoes here were painted in a variety of coloursand themes. Here Zinon taught Stoic philosophy, which wasnamed after the Poikile Stoa (460 BC).

The Stoa of Attalus. The Stoa of Attalus, a two-floorbuilding, was donated by the King of Pergamum Attalus II (159-138 BC) to the city of Athens. It is thought to have been a kind ofancient commercial centre with 21 shops on each floor. The col-lection of the Museum displays everyday objects, which were un-earthed in excavations in the ancient Agora. Visitors may get anidea of everyday life in ancient Athens.

The Basileios Stoa. The Basileios Stoa, constructedcirca 500 BC, is located on the foothills of the Theseion. It was theseat of the Archon Vasileus and the council of the Areios Pagos.

Odeion of Agrippa. Built by Agrippa in 15 B.C. It could seat 1,000 spectators and had a two-storeyed portico. It was destroyed in 267 A.D. by the Herulians and in 400 A.D. the Gymnasium was built in its place. On the north side four largestatues of Giants and Tritons, salvaged from the Odeion, wereplaced on pedestals. Three of these statues still exist.

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22. The Templeof Hephaestos(“Thission”), on the westernside of theAncient Agora(AgoraeiosKolonos Hill).

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THE ROMANΑGORA

The Roman Agora (in thePlaka area) was an architec-

tural complex, built between 19 and 11 B.C., consisting of a large rectangular court sur-rounded by colonnades (stoas).Behind the stoas were variousshops.

• Gate of AthenaArchegetis. Located at thewest side of the area. A monu-mental gateway with four Doriccolumns and a pediment ofPentelic marble, preserved inexcellent condition.

• Kyrristus’ Clock – Towerof the Winds. On the east-ern side of the Roman Agora

stands an octagonal monument.The Clock of AndronicusKyrristus , constructed in the 1stcentury BC, was a hydraulicclock. On each face of theclock can be seen bas-reliefs ofthe eight winds. The monu-ment has taken its name ‘Winds’from the depictions.

• Vespasianes (public lava-tories). Rectangular buildingwith anteroom and squareroom with benches with holesin them on all four sides and asewage canal underneath (1stcentury A.D.), named after

Roman emperorVespasianus.

• FetihieMosque. (� page 27)

HADRIAN’SLIBRARY

It is situated north of theRoman Agora (the entrance

is on 3 Areos St). It is a rectan-gular building measuring 122mx 82m with a Corinthian propy-lon on the west side. It wasbuilt by Roman emperorHadrian in 132 A.D. It formed a colonnade with specific areasused for the storage of papyrus-es and books, lecture halls etc.There was a courtyard in thecenter. In this courtyard anEarly Christian Church wasbuilt during the 5th centuryA.D., which was later destroyedand replaced by a7th century three-aisled and an 11thcentury single-aisledbasilica.

THEΚΕRA -MEIKOS

The ancientKerameikos was

located in the north-western outskirts of

Athens. It was partly enclosedby, and partly beyond, the wallsthat divide the area of the exca-vation. In the centre of the ar-chaeological site are the twobest known arches of ancientAthens, the Dipylon where thePanathenaic procession wouldstart and the Sacred Arch,where the sacred way wouldbegin and the ElefsinianMysteries procession would passthrough (� page 115). In thevicinity of the arches was themost ancient and the biggestcemetery of Attica. Moreover it was the place of burial of citi-zens who were honoured bythe city of Athens. Accordingto the geographer Pausanias,the location was named afterKeramos. How ever, the placewas most likely named after theneighbourhood of the ker-ameoi (potters). (The definitionof Kerameikos is something re-lated to ceramics of potters).The neighbourhood of the ker-ameoi was established on thebanks of the river Iridanos. Youcan see the riverbed in the ar-chaeological area. The ancientDemos of Kerameikos covered a large area. Only part of it has

26. Detail of the Kyrristus’Clock, with bas-reliefs of the winds and theirsymbols.�

25. The centralyard of the

Roman Agoraand in

the backgroundKyrristus’ Clock

(“The tower of the winds”).

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

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24. A drawingrepresenting

the Ancient andRoman Agora.

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been unearthed in excavations.It is thought that the area of theKerameikos was bounded by thenorth-western perimeter of theAgora on one side and the copsethat was named after the heroAkademos, on the other side.

• Tombs and ste-lae (columns).The Kerameikos ismainly known for itstombs and columns.The copy of the mar-ble bull in the enclo-sure of the tomb ofDionysus fromKollytos, and thecopy of the famouscolumns of Dexileos andHegeso (late 5th century BC). If you want to see the original

sculpture of the Dexileos tombstele, as well as other finds ofthe excavation, please visit theMuseum. The tomb stele ofHegeso is displayed in theNational Archaeo logicalMuseum (� page 87).

• TheKerameikosMuseum. Is locat-ed in the archaeo-logical site ofKerameikos. It dis-plays very signifi-cant finds of the ex-cavation of Kera -meikos, includingfuneral gifts foundin tombs andscrulptures adorn-ing tombs of the ar-

chaic and classical periods.

• The Public Memorial.A section of the ancient ceme-tery, including the tombs ofpublic figures and a multitudeof the graves of soldiers fallenin battle, was recently excavat-ed near the archaeological areaof Kerameikos (at 35, Salaminas Str).

THE AKADEMIAPLATONOS(PLATO’S ACADEMY)

The area was inhabited inthe prehistoric age (in the

6th century BC one of the threefamous Gymnasia of Athens wasfounded here). It is named afterthe hero Akademos, or Ekadi -mos. However, it is known afterthe famous philosophicalschool founded by Plato (neigh-bourhood Akademia Platonos) in387 BC. The school was a focalpoint of the prestigious Neopla -tonist philosophers. Today, thearchaeological site is developingwithin a park. It occupies a sur-face of approximately 37 acres,between Athinon Avenue andLenorman Avenue (access fromthe streets Mona stiriou, Faonosand Drakondos).

29. Dexileos’sfunerarymonument.Dexileos was killed in 394 B.C. in a battle near Corinth.

30. Plato’sAcademy.

28. Theprocession

of the greatPanathenea,

depictedon a part of thePathenon frieze(circa 440 BC).

27. The steleof Hegeso.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 1 ANTIQUITIES IN ATHENS

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The festival of thePanathenaea. Every year the ancient Atheni-ans celebrated the Mikra(small) Panathenaea, andevery four years they cele-brated the Megala (great)Panathenaea, which weregrander and included horse racing, athletic contests, com-petitions in music and other activities. On the last day ofthe festival, a procession began at Kerameikos, (the prepa-ration of the procession would take place in a large 5thcentury B.C. building with a peristyle central court namedPompeion next to the Dipylon). The procession passedthrough the Agora and ascended the Acropolis, where a veilnamed “Peplon” was offered to goddess Athena. Accordingto custom, during the festival, statues were covered withreal clothes. The robe of the gods was basically a woollentunic, woven by a priestess assisted by young virgins. It wasplaced on the mast of a large wooden boat as its sail andcarried to the Acropolis. The procession followed the boat.This procession is depicted on the frieze of the Acropolis.

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• The Sacred Residence of the Geometric periodconsists of seven rectangularspaces. It has the same featuresas the sacred residence ofEleusina. Remnants of sacri-fices found at the residenceseem to indicate that intensiveworship took place here.

• The Gymnasium. The Gymnasium is a large rec-tangular building (1st centuryBC – 1 century AD), with an in-ternal peristyle and rooms onthe northern side. In theGymna sium is a small area thatserved as an arena.

• The Peristyle building.A large rectangular building(4th century BC) with an interi-or peristyle. It is thought to bean arena or an annex of theGymnasium.

• The Early Greek ArchedResidence. It consists of ahall, a chamber and a storageroom. It is thought to be theprehistoric residence ofAkademos.

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of the bishops from theParthe non by the Franksand later the Turks.From 1839 to 1842 it was used as a library.The new Metropolisnearby was built from1842 and 1862 as thecathedral of Athens. It is a domed churchbuilt in the neo byzan-

tine and neo-classical style.

ΚΑPNIKAREA(Ermou Str)

The Kapnikarea is a cruci-form, domed Byzantine

church with a dome dedicatedto the Presentation of the VirginMary. The original building wasconstructed in the 11th centu-ry. Construction was completedin the 13th century. It has hadvarious names: Camou charea,Chrysocamouchariotissa, Panayiatis Vasilopoulas (Virgin of theKings daughter). In 1834, theyear of the construction ofErmou Str, the authorities con-sidered plans to relocate thechurch, or demolish it, since itwas located in the middle of

Ermou Str, and was a hindranceto traffic. However, thanks tothe intervention of Ludwig ofBavaria, father of King Otto, andNeofytos Metaxas, Bishop ofTalantio and Bishop of Athens,the church was preserved at thepresent location.

ΑYIOS NIKOLAOSRANGAVAS (Plaka)

is located near the Anafiotikaarea of Plaka. The church wasbuilt in the 11th century. It waspart of the Palace of the Ranga -vas family. Michael I, Emperorof Byzantium, was descendedfrom this family. The areaaround the church was formerlycalled Rangavas. 32. Ayios

Eleftherios.

23

BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN ATHENS

THE OLD METROPOLIS(CATHEDRAL)(Mitropoleos Square)

This charming church is lo-cated near the new

Cathedral. It was built in the

late 12th century. Itis dedicated to Gorgoe -

pikoos Panayia (the VirginMary) and Ayios Eleftherios.

Ancient and Byzantine bas-re-liefs were used for the con-struction of the church. In thefaçade is an ancient frieze, tak-en from a monument of the 4thcentury B.C. depicting officialattic festivals. The church wasthe official Episcopal Seat ofAthens following the expulsion

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 2

� T H E S I G H T S :

1

2

3

31. Kapnikarea.

22

Tour of Athens, Stage 2:

BΥΖΑΝΤΙΝEMONUMENTS IN ATHENS

The 11th and the 12th centuries are thought to be the Golden Age of Athens’ Byzantine art. Most of the better known and more important

Byzantine churches of Athens were built in these twocenturies as part of a Christian reconstruction followingthe campaigns of Emperor Basil II in the Balkans. Some

of the better-known monasteries were also foundedin the same period in the suburbs of Athens.

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Byzantine frescoes of the churchof Ayios Spyridonas, which hasbeen demolished, were trans-ported to Ayioi Apostoloi.

PANTANASSA(Monastiraki Square)

It is a three-aisled basilica builtin the 10th century. The

church belonged to the mona -ste ry of Koimesi tis Theotokoufrom which the district’s nameis derived (Monastiraki) In theolder days it was a dependencyof the Kaisariani Monastery (�page 105).

ΑYIOS DEMETRIOSLOUMBARDIARIS (Philopappou hill)

is a beautiful basilica of the 16thcentury, with remarkable fres-coes. According to prevailingtradition its name(Loumbardiaris or Bombardiaris)was derived from an incidentthat occurred in the 17th centu-ry when the Christians believedthat Saint Demetrios protectedthem from a great Turkish can-non (Loumbarda) located there.

ΑYIOI ΑSOMATOI (Thissio)

Acruciform church built in the 11th century, with

carved stone blocks, framed by bricks, while in places sub-sequent Islamic influence is obvious.

ΑYIOS IOANNISSTIN KOLONA (Euripidou Str)

Asmall chapel built in the12th century, it was named

after a Roman column, pre-served in the interior. AyiosIoannis o Vaptistis was thoughtto be a healer of all sicknessesof the head. Visitors may seeon the column offerings to theSaint offered by the faithful ex-pressing gratitude for his help.

ΑYIOITHEODOROI (Klafthmonos Square)

The church was reconstruct-ed in the late 11th century

on the foundation of a churchthat was built in the 9th centu-

34. AyiosDemetriosLoumbardiaris,on PhilopappouHill.

25

BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN ATHENS

ΑYIA EKATERINI (Plaka)

is located near the LysikratesMonument (� page 32), in thesquare bearing the same name.Shading the church is a palmtree. It was constructed from11th-12th century. In the cornerof the square are the ruins of a roman monument.

ΑYIOS IOANNISTHEOLOGOS (Plaka)

is a very beautiful cruciformchurch of the 11th-12th centu-ry. It is located at the cross-roads of Erotokritou Str andErechtheos Str. It has been reno-vated several times.

SOTIRAS TOU KOTAKI(Plaka)

is better known as Ayia Sotira.It is located at KythathinaeonStr, opposite the Museum ofGreek Folk art, in the Plakaarea. It was built in the 11th-12th century. It has been reno-vated several times.

ΜETOCHIPANAYIOU TAFOU(Anafiotika)

It is located at Erechtheos Str. It is a small monastery be-

longing to the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. The church of themonastery, Ayioi Anargyroi wasbuilt in the 17th century.

PANAYIA CHRYS -SOKASTRIOTISSA (Anafiotika)

One of several churches inAnafiotika. According to

popular belief, the miraculousicon of the church protects be-lievers in difficult circum-stances.

SOTIRALYKODIMOU -RUSSIAN CHURCH(Filellinon Str)

is the biggest medieval buildingof Athens. Built in 1031, it waspart of a Roman Catholicmonastery that closed in 1701.In the 1850’s the building wasrenovated by Tsar Alexander IIwho donated a bell-tower.Sotira Lykodimou is the RussianOrthodox Church of Athens.

ΑYIOI ΑPOSTOLOITOU SOLAKI (Ancient Agora)

is located in the compound ofthe Ancient Agora excavation. It is one of the oldest churchesof Athens (1000-1025 AD). Itwas constructed on the ruins ofa Roman nympheum of the 2ndcentury. In the 1950’s, followinga renovation, it was restored to its original form. Many post-

33. TheByzantine

church of AyioiApostoloi,

on the easternside

of the AncientAgora.

24

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 2

4

5

6

9

10

8

7

11

12

13

14

15

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MOSQUES

The Tzistarakis Mosque (orKato Sintrivaniou), located in

Monastiraki Square, was built in1759 by the Turkish voivodMoustafa Agas (or Tzistarakis).Seeking lime for the construc-tion of the Mosque, Tzistarakisremoved the 17th column of theTemple of Zeus (� page 5). TheMosque has a loggia with fourcolumns and two rows of fourwindows on each side. Since1981 it has housed the Museumof Traditional Ceramics. InAthens, there is only onemosque open to the public, theTzistarakis Mosque. Near theRoman Agora (� page 18) isthe remarkable Fetihie Mosque,built in 1458 in honour ofMohamed II the Conqueror, onthe occasion of his visit toAthens.

38. The gate of the Muslimseminary(medreses).

27

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 3

ry. It was built by N. Kalomaos,who was a Spatharocandidatos(a rank of the Byzantine Court).

ΤAXIARHES(the church of the Petraki Mo -nastery, at 14, Gennadiou Str)

built in the 12th century,it belongs to thePetraki Monastery(18th century). Inthe cross-domedchurch visitors maysee frescoes datingback to 1719.

ΑYIOIISIDOROI (Lycabettus Hill)

is a small church located in a large cave in Lycabettus Hill. It was formerly called AyiosSidereas church. It was burnedin 1930 and reconstructed in 1931.

ΑYIOS GEORGIOS (Lycabettus Hill)

is a whitewashed church at thetop of Lycabettus Hill. You canreach the church on foot, or byfunicular. It is thought that in

antiquity the temple ofAkraios Zeus was locat-

ed here. In the periodof Frankish rule, thesmall chapel ofProfitis Ilias wasbuilt here. LaterAyios Georgios theRider was built here.

The exact date of theconstruction of the

church is not known.The church bell was donat-

ed by Princess Olga who putthe ruined church under herprotection.26

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 2

� T H E S I G H T S :

Athens was conquered by the Ottomans in 1456and liberated in 1833. Remarkable buildings of the period have been preserved.

HAMAM(TURKISHBATHS)

The OldBaths

(Hamam AbitEfendi), in Plaka(at Kyrristou 8),built in the 17th century, were a popular meeting place in theOttoman era. The Old Bathshave been renovated and theyhouse the Museum of Cleanlinessand Body Embellishment as well asmany artistic and cultural events.

ΜUSLIMSEMINARY

The gate of the Muslim semi-nary, at the crossroads of

Aeolou Str and Pelopida Str, isthe remains of the building,which was destroyedin a fire in 1911.According to an in-scription above theentrance, the semi-nary was built in 1721and consisted of amain building, whichwas a school andmosque, buildingshousing the studentsand teachers (hodjia),kitchen and hygieneareas, and a centralcourt.

1

2

3

16

17

18

36. Ayios Georgios, on the top of Lycabettus Hill. In the backgroundis its distinctive bell tower.

35. Byzantinemosaic

of the Virgin.Constantinople,

10th century(Benaki

Museum).

Tour of Athens, Stage 3:

OTTOMAN MONUMENTSIN ATHENS

37. TheTzistarakisMosque, on thepicturesqueMonastirakiSquare.

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The modernistmovement

In the early 1930’s, buildings

with more than two or three

floors - the usual number of

floors of buildings at the time -

were constructed. These small

blocks of flats, which

sometimes had six floors,

introduced a Greek variety of

the international modernist

architectural style (Bauhaus,

Art Deco). The main

characteristic of buildings

constructed in this period, (as

well as the preceding period),

are the semicircular ledges,

and the facades. A multitude

of these buildings are thought

to be important monuments

exemplifying the global

history of the modernist style.

The post-war era(1950-2000)

In the post-war era, the popu -

lation of Athens and demand

for housing rapidly increased.

In the 1950’s and the early

1960’s, buildings with marble

facades, parapets, and imposing

entrances were in vogue. From

1960-1975 (the development

era) the mass construction of

dull modern buildings was in

vogue, altering the physio -

gnomy of the new neighbour -

hoods. Quality buildings were

also constructed in this era. In

the past few decades, following

a period of stagnation, Athens

has acquired important new

(predominantly public)

buildings, giving the city a new

splendour, and upgrading

depressed areas.

42. The buildingof theHeadquarters of the NationalBank of Greece,one of the mostimpressivebuildings in Athens(2002).�

29

Neoclassicismwas from 1834 to the 1920’sthe predominant architecturalstyle of the small city –which was situated in whatis today the historical centre.The style of neoclassicism,which was in vogue in West -ern Europe, was a product of the romantic fascinationwith antiquity. It wasintroduced by Germanarchitects who came toGreece in the early 1830’s toplan Athens. In the interwarera and especially after 1955,a number of Athens’neoclassical buildings weretorn down. However, inmany areas of the historicalcentre, the charming,neoclassical style has beenpreserved.

Eclecticism

In the late 19th century the

tradition of neoclassicism was

enriched by the romantic

aesthetic, usually following the

French style. Although

Athenian classicism remained

the predominant architectural

style, public and private

buildings were constructed in

this period in a breezy style,

influenced by the decorative

style in vogue in Western

Europe.

Art Nouveau

This radical movement was not

established as a major

architectural trend in Athens.

However, after 1920, Greek

bourgeois from Smyrna, Egypt,

and Constantinople constructed

residences following the art

nouveau style. The few,

impressive art nouveau build -

ings contrasted with the

uniform neoclassical and

eclectic architecture prevailing

in Athens.

39. Universityof Athens:

a superbexample

of neoclassicalarchitecture.

40. Distinctiveart nouveaumansions at

Vassilisis SofiasAvenue.

28

THE ARCHITECTURE of MODERN ATHENS

41. In the period from 1930-1960 a multitude of buildings reflectingarchitectural trends from modernism to more recent styles were built in Athens.

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beauty and atmosphere of theneighbourhood are enchanting.In Plaka the air you breathe isdifferent; it is lighter, cleaner,and fragrant, like a gift ofthe gods. When you visitPlaka you shouldbring a map, be-cause you mightget lost in the labyrinthof narrow streets and al-leys. In Adrianou Street,the central street of theneighbourhood, as in otherstreets in the area, you will findshops selling traditional prod-ucts, souvenirs, Greek folk artand handicrafts, etc.

FILOMOUSOUETAIREIAS SQUARE

the central square of the neigh-bourhood, was named after theFilomousos Etairia (The Societyof the Friends of the Muses, inother words, the nine gods ofthe Arts), which was foundedin 1813. The purpose of theSociety was the promotion ofGreek studies and the preserva-tion of the archaeological treas-ures of Athens. At the square,located at the crossroads ofKydathinaion Str, Farmaki Str,Olympiou Dios Str and AngelouGeronda Str, are a multitude ofcafes, restaurants, clubs withlive music and souvenir shops.

THE CHILDREN’SMUSEUM

located at Kidathinaion Str is awonderful place for children.In the attic is a reconstructedroom with old furniture, a ra-dio, and theatre in the style of

old Athenian homes, named“granddad and grandmother’sroom,” where children may

dress with period dresses.The Museum housesamong others, an exhibi-

tion of paintings bychildren, old toys,a fairground and alibrary. If you havechildren, be sureto visit the

Children’s Museum.Its, also, worth seeing theneighbouring Museum of GreekChildren’s Art (9, Kodrou str.),which, among other things, ex-hibits in its premises paintingsand three dimentional artworksby children up to 14 years oldfrom all over Greece, which arerenewed on a regular basis.

LYSIKRATESMONUMENT

In ancient Athens, theatricalperformances held at the the-

44. Handmadewooden toyrepresenting a bridegroom on horseback.The design is derived froman embroideryof the 18thcentury. (BenakiMuseum).

45. LysikratesMonument.

31

HISTORIC CENTRE (1)

PLAKA

Plaka, also known as the“neighbourhood of the

gods,” is the oldest neighbour-hood of Athens. Walking on itspaved narrow streets you getthe feeling that you are travel-ling back in time. The origin ofthe name of the neighbourhoodis unknown, although theoriesabound. According to popularbelief, Plaka was named after a slab of stone that was foundnear the church of AyiosGeorgios Alexandrias, in thevicinity of the theatre ofDionysos. The beautiful neo-classical style colour of thehouses, the architecture, thewell-kept gardens, and the

43. Traditional

taverna in thePlaka. There are

a multitudeof tavernas

in the district.

30

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 4

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HISTORICCENTRE (1)

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and AlexandraKanellopoulos to theGreek state. It ishoused in the neoclas-sical mansion of theMihalea family. TheKanellopoulos collec-tion consists of archae-ological finds andworks of art from theprehistoric era tomodern times.

THE ROMANAGORA (� page 18)

ΒYZANTINECHURCHES (� page 22-24)

OTTOMANMONUMENTS (� page 27)

ΜΟΝΑSTIRAKI

Adistinctive “old” Athensarea, with narrow, irregu-

larly criss-crossing streets, andsmall buildings, characteristicof Ottoman and to some extentByzantine urban planning. Onthe outdoor stands of streetsellers, or the small shops onthe central roads (Adrianou Str,Pandrosou Str, Ifaistou Str,Thiseiou Str, Ayiou Filippou Str,Astigos Str and Ermou Str) youcan find anything, such asshoes, clothes, old and newfurniture, old books and maga-zines, souvenirs, jewellery, hats,bronze objects, new and usedrecords and CDs and tradition-al Greek instruments (bouzou ki,touberleki). Shopping or walk-ing in Monastiraki is an unfor-

gettable experience. You willbe stunned by the variety andquality of things you can buy in the market.

MONASTIRAKISQUARE

Historic Square, fully renovat-ed, paved with colourful stonesand paving blocks forming amulti-coloured mosaic. In thebackground, one can see theAcropolis Rock (� page 9) andthe Plaka (� page 30). In thismagnificent square, significantmonuments from many differ-ent historic eras coexist. Suchmonumental sites are theTzistarakis mosque (� page27), Hadrian’s library (� page19), the Byzantine church ofPantanassa (� page 25). Ofparticular interest also is the

48. The facadesof neoclassicalhouses in Monastiraki.

33

HISTORIC CENTRE (1)

atre of Dionysos were fundedby wealthy citizens, the donors.The city gave a prize to thedonor of the winning per-formance. When thewealthy Lysikrateswon the prize in 334BC, he constructed amonument to houseit. The monument ispreserved (ancientTripodon Str - pave-ment of the road ispreserved in a specialspace in a renovatedbuilding at number 28). Themonument has had a long andvaried history. In 1658, aCapuchin monastery wasfound ed here. In 1669, Capu -chins bought the monument.Lord Byron stayed at the mona -stery in his second visit toGreece. In the gardens the cul-tivation of the tomato, hithertounknown in Greece, was intro-duced.

AΝΑFIOTIKA

on the foothills of the Acropolis,has the charm of a beautiful is-

land village. It was builtin the mid 19th centu-ry by the renownedbuilders of the Aegeanisland of Anafi, whowere invited to con-struct the palace ofthe first king of theHellenes, Otto (�page 53). Feeling nos-talgic for their birth-

place in their long stayin Athens they recreated it inthe upper area of Plaka. Theybuilt small, whitewashed hous-es, reproducing the architecturalstyle of their village. We recom-mend that you visit Anafiotika,the neighbourhood of theAnafiotes, a unique, charmingarea.

• The Museum of theUniversity of Athens. The

building housingthe Museum ofAthens, located atTholou Str, was for-merly the resi-dence of the archi-tect Kleanthis(1832-1833).Subsequently ithoused the firstUniversity ofAthens (1837-1842).

• TheKanellopoulosMuseum wasfounded in 1976,following the dona-tion of the privatecollection of Pavlos

46. Woodenwindow

decoratedwith flowerpots

in the“neighbourhood

of the gods.”

47. A multitudeof the

labyrinthinealleys

of the Plakalead to

the Anafiotikaand the

peripheralfootpath

of the Acropolis.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 4

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page 22) dominates MitropoleosSquare. On the square are sever-al cafes. In the colourful Dimo -pra tiriou Square nearby you willfind tavernas with traditionalGreek food .

ERMOU STR

The street is named after thegod Hermes – the protector oftrade. Ermou Str was one of thefirst streets paved by Kleanthisand Schaubert. More than 60years, from the late 19th centu-ry to the 1960’s, it was a centreof women’s fashion. It is one ofthe best areas for shopping inthe capital. You will find a vari-ety of silver, among others,candle holders, bowls, vasesand jewellery, often hand-madegoods produced in Greece, inshops at Lekka Str, which con-nects Perikleous Str andKolokotroni Str, and the nearbyarcades. Also, in the pictur-esque Evangelistrias and Ayiou

Markou Streets, there are manyshops selling clothing and shoesat very reasonable prices.

In the section of Ermou Strclosest to Syntagma Square, (upto Athinas Str) you will find theKapnikarea church (� page 23).In the section of Ermou Strclosest to Pireaus Str (fromThiseio to Pireaus Str) you willfind the Archaeological site ofKeramikos (� page 19)

ATHINAS STR

A central commer-cial road connectingOmonia Square(� page 69) withMonastiraki Square(� page 33).Designed in per-spective of theAcropolis Rock, itwas one of the firstmain roads con-structed in modernAthens and has amultitude of impor-tant architectural ex-amples of 19th cen-tury and early 20thcentury styles. Noisyand busy most ofthe time, Athinas

50. ErmouStreet and in the backgroundthe GreekParliament.

51. TheMetropolis(AthensCathedral) at MitropoleosSquare. On the right is AyiosEleftherioschapel.

35

HISTORIC CENTRE (1)

renovated neoclassical metrostation - one of the oldest ofthe metro network (1895).Next to the platforms, in a spe-cially formed space of 300sq.m.one can see the encased withstones, bed and banks ofIridanos river, dating from antiq-uity. It is visible even from thesquare, through the archaeolog-ical excavation pit.

AVISSINIASSQUARE (Giousouroum)

is the central square ofMonastiraki. Here you will finda wide range of rare furniture,antiques and the copies of an-tiques, and a variety of useditems. Moreover, you will findold wardrobes, bookcases,frames, mirrors, antique officetables, tables, gramophonerecords and musical instru-ments. Come early if you wantto shop. Noon is the best timeto come if you want to take alook around. You can have aglass of Greek wine or ouzowith Greek snacks - called

mezedes - in one of the smallshops of the square, and ob-serve the bustle of the bazaar.

ADRIANOU STR

a distinctive Athens street, con-nects Hadrian’s library with the“Theseio” metro stop. In theneoclassical one-floor or two-floor buildings are shops withtraditional items, and antiqueshops. Street-sellers sell theirware here Sundays. You willfind here cafes and small fash-ionable restaurants with aunique view of the archaeologi-cal area of the Αncient Agora(� page 15).

THE OLDCOMMERCIALCENTRE

The area encompassed byMitropoleos Str, Athinas Str

and Stadiou Str is the heart ofthe historic centre of Athens,and the old commercial area. In the area, with the smaller orlarger labyrinthine streets, aremore than 2,500 shops selling a wide range of products.Pedestrian zones have been es-tablished. The historic commer-cial centre is a rather quiet area,with a multitude of cafes, smallbars and modern restaurants.

MITROPOLEOSSTR

It connects Syntagma Square(� page 52) with MonastirakiSquare (� page 33). The build-ings on the street are built inthe neoclassical style. TheMetropolis (Athens Cathedral, �

49. You canenjoy a cafeor a meal at

Adrianou Streetwith a view

of the AncientAgora and

the Acropolis.

34

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 4

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VarvakeiosMunicipal (Central) Market is a rectangular building(1886) with a large coveredcourt. There are a total of 73food stalls (meat market, fishmarket, vegetable market andgroceries) in the interiorand exterior sections.The market is coveredwith a glass and metalroof and has sym-metrical windows.You will find heresmall restaurants(eating-houses)with fresh food, at-tracting Atheniansespecially aftermidnight. There is a smallgrove on the square(Varvakeios Square) across thestreet.

EVRIPIDOU STR

a charming street with an ori-ental atmosphere, connectsKoumoundourou Square (�page 71) with KlafthmonosSquare (� page 38). You willfind here a multitude of shopsselling spices, sweets, nuts, cof-fee, and traditional orientalproducts.

AIOLOUSTR

A pedestrian zonehas been establishedin a large section ofthe Aiolou Str, whichconnects Panepisti -miou Str with the Ro man Market(Plaka). At the cross-roads of Aiolou Strand Sophocleous Str

is the newly constructedAdministration Building of theNational Bank of Greece (2002),one of the most importantmodern architectural sights ofAthens. The building was de-signed by Greek architects,with the collaboration of the fa-

mous architect M. Botta.On the ground floor youwill find a restored sec-

tion of the ancientAcharnai road. At 10 Sophocleous Stris the old mansionof the Athens StockExchange, with aclassical style façadewith four Doriancolumns. As you

head towards Plaka you will see two marvellous churches,which are well worth a visit:The Panagia Chrysospiliotissa(1863 - at the crossroads ofAiolou Str and Panagia Chryso -spiliotissa Str) and Ayia Eirini(1847 - Athinaidos Str) bothbuilt by the architect L. Kaftan -tzoglou. Ayia Eirini, which wasthe first Cathedral of Athens, islocated at a picturesque square,where one can find a flowermarket and many small cafes.

53. A detail of the centralentrance of the G. Stavroumansion (Kotzia Square).

54. The newbuilding of theNational Bankof Greece(Aiolou Street).

37

HISTORIC CENTRE (1)

Str is connected mainly to thefood trade. In the arcades of theold market most of the shopssell groceries. The fragrance offoods, fruits, herbs and nuts per-vades the air. The street has thecharm of the bazaars of the East.

Athens Town Hall(Athinas Str 63)

was constructed in 1874 in astrictly neoclassical style. Origin-ally a two-floor building, in1937 a floor was added and thebuilding was modified due tothe increased space require-ments of the Municipality. Inthe interior you will find thepaintings of known Greek paint -ers of the 19th century, andfrescoes of F. Kontoglou withrepresentations of mythologicaland historic themes (1937-1940). You will find a large oilpainting depicting the ApostlePaul teaching the AtheniansChristian religion (1877) in theMunicipal Council hall. In thereception room (1st floor), youwill find in special glass-show-cases, small terra cotta figures

representing all the mayors ofAthens. In the vicinity of themunicipality is an attractive,small square, Theatrou Square.

Kotzia Square(Ethnikis Antistassis Square)

formerly called Laou Square,and Loudovikou Square, facesthe Town Hall. The eclecticstyle Melas Mansion (Ern. Ziller1887), with an impressive fa -çade, and two small towers atthe sides, dominates the southside of the square. The centralhall is covered with a glassroof. In the perimeter are Doricand Ionian style colonnades.The building, formerly the resi-dence of V. Melas, houses theCultural Centre of the NationalBank of Greece. In the easternside of the square is a renais-sance style building, theG. Stavrou Mansion, housingservices of the National Bank ofGreece. A section of theAcharnic Gate of the Themisto -cleian walls was uncovered andis exhibited in the northeasternsection of the square.

52. The AthensTown Hall.

36

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 4

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modernism in Athens, with ele-ments of older architecturalstyles, it is the work of theknown Greek architect An. Me -taxas (1931).

KolokotroniSquarea small square, with theNational HistoricalMuseum and theimpressive statueof the hero ofthe Greek Revo -lution Th. Kolo -kotronis onhorseback (L. Sohos, 1904)at its centre.Opposite thesquare (Stadiou Str8) is the dilapidatedDouila Residence, one ofthe oldest buildings of themodern city, the work of Chr. Hansen.

National HistoricalMuseum This impressive neoclassicalconstruction was built duringthe period 1858-1871 accordingto the plans of Fr. Boulanger,which were later modified bythe Greek architect P. Kalkos.

Up until 1935 the build-ing constituted the

seat of the GreekParliament and forthis reason it iscalled OldParliament. Since1961 it housesthe collectionsof the National

Historical Museum(for the museumcollections, �

page 94).

57. The (old)Athens StockExchangemansion (1930).

58. The statue of Th. Kolokotronisbefore the building of the National Historical Museum.

39

HISTORIC CENTRE (1)

STADIOU STR

is a central street – one of thefirst paved roads of modernAthens. It was built on a riverbed. It was formerly calledFeidiou Str and Akakiou Str.There was a plan to extend thestreet to the PanathenaeanStadium – which was never putinto action – hence the nameStadiou.

National PrintersBuilding connects Sarantoza Str andArsaki Str. One of the first pub-lic mansions raised in the mod-ern city (1834), it is built in theneoclassical style. Before 1905,it housed the “National Printers.”

KlafthmonosSquare is a spacious square with inter-esting buildings (among others,The Museum of the City of Athens,

� page 98), the formerMinistry of Merchant Marine,the Ministry of Internal Affairs,the Byzantine church of AyioiTheodoroi � page 25) and amultitude of cafes. An impres-

sionist bronze statue represent-ing the “National Reconcilia -tion” (Doropoulos 1988) standsin the centre of the square.

“Attikon-Apollon”building is an eclectic style mansion. It houses two cinemas, amongthe oldest of Athens, which haverecently been renovated.

Karytsi Square is a small square, named afterthe church at its centre. The ele-gant church (built by L. Kaftan -tzoglou) was built at the site ofan older church where the Athe -nians in January 1833 selected adeputation to welcome the newking Otto in Nauplion. Oppositethe square is the neoclassicalstyle “Parnassos” building.

HellenicTelecommunicationsOrganisation (OTE)Mansionan exceptional example of

55. The“National

Reconciliation”monument

on KlafthmonosSquare.

56. The buildinghousing

the cinema halls“Attikon”

and Apollon”(1916-1920).

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 4

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Following the liberationof Greece (1833), veteranfreedom fighters and im-migrants from theprovinces settled in theneighbourhood. Theyopened cottage industriesand workshops, whichhave given the neigh-bourhood a distinctivecharacter. In the early1990s, following a seriesof construction works,the neighbourhood be-came a popular nightlifeand residential area. Thechurches in the area arealso quite interesting,such as Ayioi Anargyroi,Ayios Demetrios, AyiosGregorios (Armenian)), etal. Iroon square, the cen-tral square, is good placefor you to start your walk.

ΚΕRΑΜΕΙΚΟS

Near the archaeological area(� page 19) is the his-

toric neighbourhood ofKerameikos. Worth seeing areAyion Assomaton Str (with the“Museum of Islamic Art”, �

60. Two-storeyneoclassicalbuilding at Iroon Square(Psyri).

61. The Kerameikosneighbourhoodlies around thearchaeologicalsite.

41

HISTORIC CENTRE (2)

PSYRI

Acolourful neoclassicalAthens neighbourhood, en-

compassed by Athinas Str,Ermou Str and Evripidou Str. It isa busy neighbourhood, espe-cially in the night. You will findon its narrow alleys a multitudeof cafes, small bars, clubs,restaurants, ouzo-restaurants,

and taverns with liveGreek music, the-atres, galleries, artgalleries, and an-tique shops.

59. Distinctivedecorative motif

on an oldbuilding

of the historicalcentre of Athens.

40

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 5

Tour of Athens, Stage 5:

HISTORIC CENTRE (2)

1

2

page 95), Melidoni Str (you willfind here the Jewish synagogueBeth-Shalom and the “Museumof Modern Ceramics”) andSalaminas Str. In recent years,the area has become one ofAthens’s popular nightlife hubswith many small restaurants,bars and live-music nightclubs.

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Marble fountainThe marble fountain, located atMetaxourgeio Square, was builtin the 19th century. It wastransported here fromDimopratiriou Square.

Iasonos Str andYiatrakou StrStarting at Karaiskaki Square,take Achileos Str, turn atIasonos Str, and proceed toAgisilaou Str. You will find heresmall theatres in historic build-ings. Take a right turn atAkadimou-YiatrakouStr, and proceed toAchilleos Str. Takenote of thesmall, neoclassi-cal (one-storeyand two-storey)houses withbalconies,balusters, andornate frontdoors. At thecrossroads ofYiatrakou Str andGermanikou Str,you will find a smallcolourful square (AvdisSquare), with cafes, bars and a playground.

The PeloponneseRailway StationStarting at Karaiskaki Square,take a turn at Diliyianni Str, andyou will arrive at this colourfulbuilding, built in 1912-1913,with an architectural designcombining the neoclassical,central European and ArtNouveau styles. The railway sta-

tion (serving railway lines tothe Peloponnese) is a copy in areduced scale of theConstantinople railway station,reflecting the European archi-tectural trends of the 19th cen-tury. Opposite the PeloponneseRailway Station is the LarissisRailway Station (serving railwaylines to central and northernGreece), built in 1908, in theneoclassical style, and later re-constructed.

ΚΟLONOS

If you want to go for a walk, you can visit

Kolonos, a working-class neighbour-

hood of Athens,near the historiccentre.Although thearea has beenrebuilt, theneighbour-hood maintainsits distinct, his-toric character.

Starting atPeloponnese

Railway Station takeIoanninon Str, to Ippiou

Kolonou Hill and (take aturn at Evripou Str) proceed toSkouze Hill. Around these smallwooded hills, you will find anarea of detached houses withgardens and small, elegantblocks of flats, preserving theatmosphere of the old Athensneighbourhood (the nearestmetro stop is “Sepolia”).

63. The marblefountain at MetaxourgeioSquare.

43

HISTORIC CENTRE (2)

GΑZΙ

The former Gas works is atthe centre of the neigh-

bourhood, which was formerlycalled “Gazohori” (Gas village).Located in western Athens, it isthe third square of the city, inaccordance with the Kleanthis-Schaubert urban plan. It has toa large extent maintained thecolour of a historic Athensneighbourhood. You will findcafes, bars and luxury restau-rants, popular amongAthenians, in a multitude ofold, picturesque buildings. Inthe area, one can choose be-tween different theatres andtheatrical scenes.

ΜETAXOURGEIO

ΠThe traditional neighbour-hood in the centre of

Athens was planned by archi-tect, Chr. Hansen. The name isderived from a silk fabric manu-facture factory, which closed in1875. The building still standson Meg. Alexandrou Str, betweenMylerou Str and Giatrakou Strand is undergoing renovationin order to house the municipalArt Gallery and different cultur-al events. On the one side ofAchilleos Str (facing Piraeus Str)

is the old section, and on theother side (facing LenormanStr), is the new section. Thenew section, which has beenreconstructed, has not main-tained the historic character of the neighbourhood, while inthe old section a number ofbuildings constructed in thetraditional style have been pre-served. In the area, a multitudeof small restaurants-bars, andcafes are in operation servingtraditional oriental drinks,sweets, and food.

62. A view ofthe industrialpark at Gazi

(“Technopolis”),the venue

of culturaland other events.

42

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 5

� T H E S I G H T S :

THE GAS WORKS

was founded in 1857 and closed

in 1983. It produced lighting gas

for the city. Formerly in the area

were, among others, wood work-

shops, foundries, machine-works,

garages, restaurants, barbers

shops, medical centre. The Gas

works, a scheduled building, is

the only one of its kind in

Europe. The buildings have un-

adorned, neoclassical masonry,

a varnished, wooden roof with

skylights, covered with Byzantine

or French style tiles and sheet-

iron. It is an industrial zone,

housing a cultural centre of the

Athens Municipality

(“Technopolis.”)

5

4

3 �3.1

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The new AcropolisMuseumIt is one of the most importantcontemporary works of archi-tecture in Athens. Its construc-tion, designed by architects B. Tschumi and Mih. Fotiadiswas completed in 2007. Stand -ing only 300m away from theAcro polis, its total area covers21,000 sq.m, while it offers adisplay area of 14,000 sq.m. Itis made of steel, glass and con-crete; it uses natural light effi-ciently so that its 4,000 exhibitswould show off. The last level(The Parthenon room) has thedimensions and the directionof the Parthenon and it hasbeen rotated by 23 degrees inrelation to the rest of the build-ing so that the visitor wouldhave an immediate view of themonument. The surroundingarea, visible from the glassfloor of the ground level, func-tions as an open-air museum-

excavation. The main entranceis on Dionyssiou AreopagitouStreet (� page 6). In addition,the imposing Weiller buildingstands in the vicinity. Havingbeen built by German architect W. Von Weiller, it combinesByzantine style masonry andneoclassical decorative patterns.Initially it was used as a mili-tary hospital and later as policeunit headquarters, whereassince 1987 it houses the “Acro -polis Research Centre” (for muse-um exhibits,� pages 90-91).

65. Externalview of the AcropolisMuseum.

66. View of the AcropolisMuseum,eastern façade.

45

HISTORIC CENTRE (3)

MAKRIYIANNI

Aresidential area, enclosedby the Dionyssiou

Areopagitou Str to the foothillsof Philopappou Hill. The neo-classical houses, and the newerbuildings, (especially buildingsbuilt in the interwar era), arecharming. Makriyianni is oneof the most elegant neighbour-hoods of the city. Worth a visitare, among others, Mitsaion Str,Parthenonos Str, Webster Str,Cavalloti Str, Kallisperi Str, R.Gali Str, Mouson Str.

64. View of the

archaeologicalexcavation

at the entranceof the Acropolis

Museum.

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 6

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Tour of Athens, Stage 6:

HISTORIC CENTRE (3)the Philopappou Hill Area

44

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ΚΟUΚΑΚΙ

Neighbouring Makriyanni isKoukaki, a district with a

friendly, pleasant ambienceand interesting sites especiallythe area near Philopappou hill(Panaitoliou Str, Arakinthou Str).

ΑΝO PΕΤRALONA

Acharming, colourful neigh-bourhood, exuding the at-

mosphere of 1950’s Athens.Several examples of working-class urban architecture arepreserved, among others, one-storey and two storey houses.

Dora StratouTheatre is located west of the hill(ancient Amphitheatre).You can see performances ofGreek folk dances by the DoraStratou dance group. DoraStratou dedicated her life to theresearch and preservation ofGreek folk art. The group,

houses and public mansions.Have a drink at one of the out-door cafes at Thission Square(at Apostolou Pavlou Str), andenjoy a unique view of theAcropolis and the AncientAgora area.

Irakleidon Str is the central pedestrian zoneof the area, with attractive neo-classical buildings. Here, and atAkamantos Str, which is parallelto Irakleidon Str, you will find a multitude of cafes and bars,open all day. Moreover, in thenearby pedestrian zone atEptahalkou Str you will find tra-ditional tavernas withMediterranean cuisine.

D. Aiginitou Str connects Apostolou Pavlou Strwith the National Observatory.It has a unique view of theAcropolis, Lycabettus Hill, theAncient Agora and the newcity.

NationalObservatorythe oldest research institutionof Greece and the Balkans, wasfounded in 1842. The buildingof the Observatory at Nymphonhill (which took its name fromthe sanctuary with the samename that stood there in antiq-uity), opposite the Acropolisand the Ancient Agora, was de-signed by Th. Hansen. It is anattractive neoclassical building.The building is cruciform, fac-ing the four compass points.

68. The dome of the NationalObservatory, the highest pointof Nymphon Hill.

69. Ap. PavlouStreet in the vicinity of the Thissio.

47

HISTORIC CENTRE (3)

which has participated in amultitude of festivals world-wide, is known in Greece andabroad. The dancers wear tra-ditional Greek costumes of var-ious regions of the country, andperform songs and dances ofall periods of Greece’s history.

Mercouri Square is a colourful square, with smallcafes, and traditional tavernas,in the nearby streets.

Stone-built housesAn attractive, small neighbour-hood -in the area of ApolloniouStr and Troon Str- with stone-built houses, (of the post-warperiod), exuding the atmos-phere of a mountain village, isbeing redeveloped.

TΗISSIO

The area was named afterthe nearby ancient temple

(� page 17). A traditionalneighbourhood with a multi-tude of charming neoclassical

67. A sceneof a performance

of the “DoraStratou” theatre.The dance group

comprisesof 75 dancers,

musiciansand singers.

46

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 6

2

3

4

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72. Located at Kolonaki

are some of the best-knownfashion companies.

49

HISTORIC CENTRE (3)

Ayia Marina Square is a colourful, quiet square,with Ayia Marina church (19thcentury) at its centre. In thenorth-western side, sculpted in-to the rock, lies the original cha -pel, with a posterior dome andfrescoes of the 13th century.

Thissio Park is the north-western section ofthe Ancient Agora archaeologi-cal site. It was planted withtrees in 1862 and ornamentalplants in 1931. Formerly it wasthe area where Athenians cele-brated Easter.

Poulopoulos Hat-factory (66, Iraklidon Str)

is a noteworthy industrialbuilding with interesting ma-sonry and a tiled roof. Thebuilding, an important land-

mark that housed a hat-factorymany years, is a scheduledbuilding. The space is used forvarious purposes (“MelinaMercouri” Cultural Centre).

70. Therenovatedplatforms

of the Thissionmetro station,

one of the oldeststations

of the network.

71. The popular

cafes of ThissioSquare offer

an unobstructedview of the

Ancient Agoraand of theAcropolis.

48

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 6 TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

Tour of Athens, Stage 7:

ΚΟLONAKITHE RIGILLIS AREA -

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You will find here an old aque-duct and an open-air cinema.

Skoufa Stris the central street ofKolonaki, with interesting neo-classical and art deco stylebuildings. Along the street(from the Kolonaki square to-wards Neapoli), one would findmany shopping centres, con-temporary cafes, and small barswith a distinct air, particularlypopular all day long.

Ayios Dionyssios (Skoufa Str)

a stately church, was built inthe early 1930’s at the site of anearlier church. The façade isbuilt in a neo-renaissance style,and the interior is decorated inthe Byzantine style. AyiosDionyssiosAreopagitis, oneof Athens’ earlyChristians, is thepatron saint of Athens.

LycavittouSquareis located nearAyios Dionyssios(at the crossroadsof Lycavittou Strand Anagnostopou -lou Str). Domina -ting the square is the DragoumisMansion (1925), a private resi-dence, which for-merly accommo-dated the BrazilianEmbassy.

Voukourestiou Strdistinctive Athens road, it con-nects the foot of Lycabettus hillwith Syntagma Square. In thepedestrian zone (linkingAcademias Str to PanepistimiouStr), you will find a multitudeof attractive cafes and bars.

MarasleioAn impressive neoclassicalbuilding (at the crossroads ofMarasli Str and Spefsipou Str),it is the work of architect D. Kallias (1905) and housesthe education Institute “Mara -sleios Academy of primary edu-cation”.

Taxiarhes(the church of the PetrakiMonastery in Kolonaki, �page 26).

75. A view of Kolonakifrom the foot of Lycabettushill. A series of steps lead to the top.�

51

KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ

ΚΟLOΝΑΚΙ

Kolonaki is situated at an ex-clusive location, encom-

passed by Syntagma Square,

Vassilisis Sofias Avenue andthe slopes of LycabettusHill. It was named afterthe old column (theGreek for small col-umn is kolonaki), inthe centre of KolonakiSquare. The area wasnot developed beforethe 1880’s. In Kolonakiyou will find parks and attrac-tive buildings, built predomi-nantly in the neoclassical andmodernist architectural style,lending the area a distinguishedcharacter. It is considered the“aristocratic” neighbourhood ofAthens. You will find here themost expensive commercialshops, po pular cafes and mod-ern bars, and luxury restau-rants. If you seek diversion andrelaxation, go for a stroll atPatriarchou Ioakim Str, TsakalovStr, Anagno sto poulou Str, Milioni

Str, Fokylidou Str, Karneadou Str,Loukianou Str, Ploutarchou Str,Haritos Str, Spefsipou Str and theLykabettos circular.

Kolonaki Square(Philikis Etairias Square)

When you visit Athens youshould have a coffee at one ofthe cafes at Kolonaki Square.Modern Athenians and foreignvisitors enjoy a break at one ofthe cafes, eating, drinking cof-fee and chatting.

Dexamenis Square is a small square, which servesas a local recreation ground.The traditional café on thesquare attracts Athenians andvisitors. It was the meetingplace of intellectuals in the

20th century.

74. A traditionalsilver bracelet

(19th century),from the Eastern

Thrace region(Benaki

Museum).

73. TsakalofStreet, one of

the central roadsof Kolonaki,

with a multitudeof cafes

and commercialshops,

is a busy street.

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

Shopping inKolonaki.

In Kolonaki you willfind the most fash-

ionable boutiques, with high cou-ture items produced by Greek andinternational designers, amongothers, shoes, and leather goods,toys, old furniture, jewellery, houseware. At Voukourestiou Str and thesurrounding area - in the vicinity ofSyntagma Square - you will findworld-famous Greek jewellers,bookshops specialising in foreignlanguage editions, and major gal-leries exhibiting the works of Greekpainters and sculptors.

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when you ask direc-tions if people referto Syntagma square.Plaka, the Acropo -lis, the Cathedral,the National Garden,Ermou Str, andKolonaki, are locat-ed in the vicinity of Syntagma Square.You will find fash-ionable cafes andsmall restaurantslocated here. The square is busyaround the clock. At the kiosks youwill find miscella-neous items, amongothers souvenirs,newspapers, andforeign magazines.

THE PARLIAMENT

Dominating Syntagma Square,the building was the residenceof the first king of Greece Otto.The building was constructedfrom 1836 to 1842. George A’,who succeeded Otto on thethrone, also resided in thepalace. During his reign, twosuccessive fires destroyed thebuilding, making it unsuitablefor use as a royal residence. In1924 the government decidedto situate Parliament in thebuilding. Reconstruction workwas completed in 1934. The in-terior was redesigned by archi-tect A. Kriezis. In Parliamentyou will find national treasures,such as the first GreekConstitution, and a multitude ofvaluable paintings. The libraryis worth a visit.

Monument of theUnknown SoldierBuilt from 1929-1932, in frontof Parliament, it is a sculpteddepiction of a slain soldier (thework of sculptor K. Dimitria -des), bearing an inscriptionwith excerpts of Pericle’sEpitaph. Commemorated onthe marble wall surroundingthe monument are the greatestbattles of the Greek army pos-terior to 1821. Greek and visit-ing officials lay a wreath at themonument on national holi-days. The monument is guard-ed around the clock by two se-lect troops, called Evzones, whowear the traditional uniform.The ceremony of the changingof the guard, which takes placeevery hour, is worth seeing, es-pecially on Sunday morning(11 a.m.), when it is accompa-nied by a military band and alarge regiment of Evzones.

77. The monumentalspace of the “Unknown Soldier.”

KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ

Gennadios LibraryImpressive building in the clas-sicistic style, which was inaugu-rated in 1926 to house thebook collection (a total of26,000 volumes) donated in1922 by the scholar I. Genna -dios to the American School ofClassi cal Studies at Athens. In1960 the building was expand-ed. It is surrounded by a largegarden with lush vegetation(for the library’s collectionsand books, � page 99).

SYNTAGMASQUARE

Syntagma Square is Athens’central square. The name of

the square is derived from anuprising on 3 September 1843,of the people and the guard ofAthens before the then RoyalPalace building, (what is nowthe Parliament), demandingthat King Otto grant a Consti -tution (Syntagma means Consti -tu tion). Syntagma Square andOmonias Square are the twocentral locations of the city.You should not be surprised

76. The GreekParliamentdominating

the east sideof Syntagma

Square.

52

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

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Vassilisis Sofias Avenue, IrodouAttikou Str, Vassilisis AmaliasAvenue, and two entrances con-necting the National Garden tothe Zappeion. You will also findhere a small pond, a small zoo,the Botanical Museum, a tradi-tional café, a children’s library, aplayground, various monumentsof antiquity, and the busts of im-portant personalities of modernGreece (among others, politi-cians and authors).

ΖAPPEIONMANSION

an attractive building designedby Th. Hansen, it was con-

structed from 1874-1888. Inthe past few years some of themost significant events in thehistory of the country have tak-en place in the “Conferencesand Exhibitions Mansion,” suchas European summits, the an-nouncement of election results,and significant political an-nouncements. Moreover, art ex-hibitions and occasionally con-certs are held here. In thevicinity of the mansion are thestatues of the Zappas brothers,who funded the construction of the building, and an attrac-tive park, where Athenians gofor a walk, especially onSundays. Near the ZappeionMansion is a luxury café and anopain-air cinema.

79. One of a multitude of refreshmentstands at the verdantNationalGarden.�

KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ

“Grande Bretagne”Hotela luxury hotel, built in 1842.The building, designed as a pri-vate residence, was the work ofTh. Hansen. Renovated in 1874,it accommodated a hotel. In1958 the hotel was reconstruct-ed to meet increasing demand,and several floors were addedto the structure. In 2003 thebuilding was completely reno-vated. The hotel is connectedto major events of Greek histo-ry. A multitude of notables andcelebrities visiting Athensstayed here. Worth a visit is theinterior, with a café and luxuryrestaurant, exuding a unique at-mosphere.

Ancient aqueductA section of the ancient ceme-tery and Peisitstratos aqueduct,unearthed in the northeasternsection of the square, is dis-played in an outdoor, coveredarea.

Philellinon Str is a prolongation of Stadiou Str.

You will find here attractiveneoclassical buildings and, atthe crossroads of PhilellinonStr, Xenofontos Str and SouriStr, the Sotira Lykodimou church (� page 24) and theAnglican church of Saint Paul(1843) ), the work of Ch.Hansen, with elements ofGothic style and cruciformshape.

Amalias Avenueis a broad avenue connectingHadrian’s Arch (� page 6)with Syntagma Square. An ele-gant street with stately neoclas-sical and modernist buildings,it is located in the vicinity ofthe National Garden. As you as-cend towards Syntagma Square,you will have a view ofParliament and, in the distance,Licabettus Hill.

NATIONALGARDEN

The National Garden, openfrom dawn to sunset, is an

oasis in the centre of the city. It has a total area of 160,000m2. Some five hundred differ-ent kinds of plants, bushes andtrees from various locationsaround the world are grownhere (in total, it has 7,000 treesand 40,000 bushes). At thesame time, it comprises an im-portant natural life reserve inAthens as many differentspecies of birds, hedge-hogs,turtles, ducks and evenbats are gathered here. TheNational Garden - which wasformerly the palace garden -was laid out from 1838-1860.There are six entrances: at

78. The hotel“Grande

Bretagne”dominating

the north-eastern side

of SyntagmaSquare.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

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(1927), the marble Wood-chop-per by D. Filippotis, 1872-1875) – gymnast V. Yiannoulisposed for the work – and theStatue of G. Karaiskakis, abronze monumental sculpture(4.40 metres high), by M. Tombros (1963-1966), de-picting a hero of the Greek rev-olution on horseback.

PANATHENAIKON(KALLIMARMARO)STADIUM

The Panathenaikon Stadium,a remarkable construction,

was made of white marble. Thepetal shaped stadium is locatedfacing the National Garden. In 330 BC a stadium made ofwood was built at this location.Herodes Atticus constructed amarble construction, which wasthe model for the constructionof the stadium that stands to-day. It was used as a space forathletic competitions, whichtook place during the

Panathenaean festival (� page20). The stadium that stands to-day has a capacity of approx.60,000 spectators. It was builtin 1869-1870 and it was thevenue of the first OlympicGames in modern history(1896). Surrounding the stadi-um is the wooded Ardittos Hill,where local residents go for awalk.

82. The“Xylothrafstis”(“woodchopper”),one of thedistinctive statues of Athens.

83. ThePresidentialMansion, at HerodouAttikou Street.

57

KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ

THE RIGILLISAREA

Aprestigious area with luxu-ry residential buildings, vil-

las and abundant vegetation. It is encompassed by VassilisisSofias Avenue, Rigillis Str,Vassileos Konstantinou Avenueand Irodou Attikou Str. The areais located in the vicinity of theold palace (now thePresidential Mansion).

PresidentialMansion (Irodou Attikou Str)

The former Royalpalace, three storeyed, bear-ing profound neoclassical andelite elements (1890-1897), de-signed by the architect Ern.Ziller. Formerly it was used asthe residence of the princes-heirs to the Hellenic RoyalCrown, later as a palace, and in1974 as the official residence of

the President of the HellenicRepublic. It is surrounded byan attractive 6 acre garden. Themansion is guarded byEvzones, wearing a distinctiveuniform.

Maximou Mansion(Irodou Attikou Str)

the official residence of the re-spective Greek prime minister,it was designed in 1924 by Ant.

Helmis. The mansionwas constructed fol-

lowing the deathof Helmis, byhis wife, andher new hus-

band D. Maxi -mos. It has a small

garden.

The statuesThe sculptures at the junctionof Irodou Attikou Str (facingKallimarmaro Stadium) areamong the most attractive inAthens: the Discus thrower, abronze statue by K. Dimitriades

81. The domeof the atriumat Zappeion

Mansion, withthe two-storey

stoa.

56

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

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80. ZappeionMansion.

Eight pairsof Corinthian

columnscan be seen

on its forefront.

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outdoor sculpture display, witha stately and serene garden, ex-cellent monumental tomb-

stones, built by some of themost important Greek sculptorsof the past two centuries.

86. The famous“Koimomeni” by Y. Halepas(1st Cemetery).

59

KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ

ΜΕΤZ

One of the most fashionableneighbourhood of Athens,

was developed in the 1870’s. Itwas named after the Metzbrewery that was located in thearea, and for a long time it wasa popular recreational area. Inthe 1950’s the riverbed of theIlissos (at ArdittouStr). passedthrough it.Today it is aquiet residen-tial area, en-compassed bythe Ardittouhill and the 1st Cemetery(along theLoginou Strpedestrian zone). In the centralroad of the area, M. MousourouStr, are cafes. Worth seeing areother distinctive roads of theneighbourhood (among others,Nik. Theotokis Str, TrivonianouStr, Dikaiarchou Str, Balanou Str).

If you take Kleitomachou Str,Arhimidou Str and EmbedokleousStr, you will reach Varnavasquare. You will find here cafes,traditional tavernas and luxuryrestaurants. You can return tothe Panathenaikon Stadium viaAgras Str.

1st CEMETERY

It is the oldestand biggest

cemetery ofAthens. Severalimportant per-sonalities of

modern Greecehave been laid torest here (amongothers, politi-cians, scientists ,

artists, religious leaders etc).The foundation of the cemeterycoincided with the foundationof the modern Greek state. Thedesign recalls the major ceme-teries of Western Europe in theearly 1900’s. It is basically an

85. Oneof the distinctive

“Hermes” statuesfacing the track

of the Pana-thenaikonStadium.

One facesthe grandstand

and the otherfaces the track.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7

Koimomeni: The most famous sculpture of modern Greekart, 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 theGerman archaeologist who discovered ancient Troy, madeby Ern. Ziller (1892). It is shaped like a church. On thegroundwork are sculpted depictions of the Trojan Cycle.

Chr. Zografos Monument: Built in the renaissance style, it re-calls the Mausoleum of Lawrence of Medici in Florence.

Nude Angel: A remarkable tombstone sculpture by G. Vitsaris (1872), on the tomb of N. Koumelis.

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84. The Panathenaikon

(Kallimarmaro)Stadium.

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Mount Penteli (� page 103),and took a large rock with thepurpose of placing it on the ex-isting rock. As she transportedthe rock, two black birds ap-proached her, bringing her badnews regarding something shehad to take care of immediate-ly. In her rage and haste, therock fell in the centre ofAthens. The rock, which is 278metres high, is located in thecentre of Athens. In ancienttimes the hill was covered bylush vegetation and on its topstood a temple dedicated to

Zeus. By the time Athens wasliberated from the Turkish oc-cupation, Lycabettus Hill hadno trees at all. Reforestationstarted in 1880 and was com-pleted in 1915.

The view of the city: Don’tmiss the view of the Acropolisand of the entire cityextending up to the sea. Youwill also en joy walking alongnarrow paths all the way tothe top of the hill.

88. The view of the city andthe Acropolisfrom the top of LycabettusHill is unique!

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FROM LYCABETTUS HILL TO STREFI HILL

LYCABETTUS(LYCAVITTOS)HILL

Αforest in the heartof the city, it is

considered byAthenians one of themost favourite placesfor hiking, resting andrelaxing in the differentcafes and restaurantsoperating there.According to mytholo-gy, goddess Athenawanted her temple inAcropolis to be closerto heaven. One stormynight she went to

87. Walking

on the footpathsof Lycabettus

Hillis a pleasure.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 8

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tude of important neoclassical,eclectic and modernist build-ings are preserved. Follow ingthe renovation works, theneighbourhood attracted a newgeneration of residents. Go fora walk in the pedestrian zoneof Themistocleous Str (fromThemistocleous Square toKallidromiou Str) and otherpedestrian zones of the area(among others, Valetsiou Str,Methonis Str, Eresou Str), a quietarea, and rest in a café, bar ortraditional taverna.

Exarhia Square is the central square of theneighbourhood. It is a busysquare, with a vivid night life.You will find here a multitude ofcafes and small, trendy bars andtwo open-air cinemas,offeringunique entertainment in thesummer. Also, in the neighbour-ing streets apart from the manyrestaurants and café-bars, onewould find unique shops sellingclothes, old records, books andhand-made jewellery.

90. A detail of the balcony of a neo-classical housein Exarhia.

91. ExarhiaSquare.

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FROM LYCABETTUS HILL TO STREFI HILL

Lycabettus TheatreAn open-air theatre built from1964-1965 by the architect T. Zenetos at the site of an oldmine following the recommen-dation of the Greek actress A. Synodinou, for performancesof ancient drama. It has a ca-pacity of 3,000. In summer cul-tural events are staged here, at-tracting music and theatre fans.

Ayios Georgios (� page 26)

Ayioi Isidoroi (� page 26)

GETTING THERE: If you want togo by car, there is only oneroad leading to the top of thehill. If you want to walk thereare a multitude of footpaths.You may also use the funicular,which operates daily from thecrossroads of Aristippou Str andPloutarchou Str (Kolonaki).

NΕΑPOLI

Neapoli is encompassed byLycabetus hill and

Mavromihali Str. It is, afterPlaka, the oldest neighbourhoodof Athens (Neapoli means NewTown). Neapoli and Exarhiawere developed in 1860. Thefirst residents were mostly stu-dents. The area is situated nearthe University and the Poly -

technic. Later it be-came a favouriteresidential neigh-bourhood of artists.At Asklipiou is theremarkable neo-classical church of Ayios NikolaosPefkakion (1895).Facing LycabettusHill, is an area on asteep incline, withpedestrian zone,lined with treesand steps leadingto the central roads(among others,

Solonos Str., Asklipiou Str,Ippokratous Str, Sina Str, MassaliasStr,and Delfon Str) where youwill find, among others, a multi-tude of cafes, small bookshops,antique shops.

EXARHIA

An old Athens neighbour-hood, with a special charm.

It is known as a residentialneighbourhood of students andartists, with a Bohemian charac-ter, contrasting with the “world-ly” Kolonaki Square. In the pastfew decades, a series of recon-struction works have consider-ably upgraded the area. A multi-

89. LycabettusTheatre.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 8

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STREFI HILL

Strefi hill is located in thevicinity of Exarheia Square,

and despite of its relativelysmall size (approximately 12.5acres) it forms a green oasis inthe densely built city. It wasplanted with trees in thedecade of the 1920’s, until thenit was used as a quarry.Nowadays one will find heresport facilities, ouzo bars, anopen-air theatre made of stone,and at the top you may enjoy a panoramic view of the city.To get there, you takeKallidromiou Str, a beautifulstreet, with neoclassical man-sions and small popular cafesand bars, (from Emm. BenakiStr to Deliyianni Str).

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SYNTAGMASQUARE (� page 52)

PANEPISTIMIOUAVENUE(EL. VENIZELOU)

One of the oldest roads ofAthens, it was originally

designed to be a Boulevard(formerly called Boulevard Str).Today it is one of the busiestroads, linking Syntagma Squarewith Omonia Square. On thisbroad avenue, a number of themost important, representativepublic buildings of Athens werebuilt, unique landmarks of thecity.

rennaissance style. It was theresidence of the German ar-chaeologist and philhelene Hein. Schliemann. It has a dou-ble stairway in the northernside, while in the façade andthe other two floors, are colon-nades with ionic columns. The interior is decorated with“Pompeian” frescoes and de-pictions of the landscapes andfinds of Troy. In 1927 it becamethe seat of the Supreme Court(the highest penal court of thecountry). It houses now the Nu-mis ma tic Museum (� page 92).

ArchaeologicalSociety MansionA five-storey building, it is anexceptional example of lateclassicism. The entrance is dec-orated with ionic columns.Located at the crossroads ofOmirou Str and PanepistimiouAvenue, it houses the Archaeo -logical Society of Athens.

Catholic Church of Ayios Dionyssios (1853-1865) (Panepistimiou Avenueand Omirou Str)

The three columned, cross-in-square style church was de-signed by the architects L. vonKlenze and L. Kaftantzoglou.The portico in the western sidehas five cylindrical arches (it islocated at the crossroads ofPanepistimiou Avenue andOmirou Str).

93. The catholicchurch of AyiosDionyssios(PanepistimiouStreet).

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FROM SYNTAGMA SQUARE TO OMONIA SQUARE

Army PensionFunds BuildingA stately building occupyingthe block encompassed byPanepistimiou Str, Voukoure -stiou Str, Amerikis Str andStadiou Str, it was built from1927-1938. The royal stableswere formerly located here.The façade was built in the ArtDeco style. In the centre is anarcade with shops. Recently re-constructed, the building isnow a shopping centre and anoffice building, while it incor-porates three theatres (the“Pallas”, the “Small Pallas” andthe “Aliki” Theatre), cafes andrestaurants.

Iliou Melathron(12, Panepistimiou Str)

is one of the most attractiveneoclassical buildings ofAthens. It was reconstructed in1879 by Ern. Ziller in the neo-

92. IliouMelathron

also knownas “Schliemann

Mansion.”

64

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 9

Tour of Athens, Stage 9:

FROMSYNTAGMA SQUARE

TO OMONIA SQUARE

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produced by K. Rahl. The Academy is thought to bea prime example of Greekarchitectural style.

University (1839-1864): The University ofAthens was designed by Ch. Hansen, the elder of theHansen brothers. Worth seeingare the fountain in the court,the circular stairway and themulticoloured frescoes withclassical themes (designed bythe Bavarian K. Rahl), decorat -ing the walls, located behindthe columns on the balcony.

National Library(1887-1902): A remarkablebuilding, planned byTh. Hansen.It is the largest library in thecountry, housing a unique

98. Over the central entrance of the AthensUniversity (see right) are the frescoes of the BavarianK. Rahl (see left).

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FROM SYNTAGMA SQUARE TO OMONIA SQUARE

Athens Eye-Clinic (Panepistimiou Avenue and Sina Str)

A stately building (1854) withelements of Byzantine and neo-classical architecture, it was de-signed by Ch. Hansen and mod-ified by L. Kaftantzoglou. Form -erly a one-storey building, inthe mid-1860’s a second floorwas added to the structure.

Bank of GreeceMansion (Panepistimiou Str 21)

A stately building occupying awhole block. The foundationswere laid in 1933 and thebuilding was opened in 1938.The transactions halls recall the

unadorned, stately atmosphereof the interwar period.

THE THREE TEMPLES OF LEARNING(“Athenian Trilogy”)

Three stately buildings con-structed by two Danish archi-tects, the Hansen brothers, wholived in Greece.

Athens Academy(1859-1887): On either side ofthe Academy, are two wingsdecorated with friezes and a pair of high columnssupporting the statues ofApollo and Athena, whereas atthe front side of the buildingthe visitors are welcomed bythe statues of Plato andSocrates. The Academy wasstudied by Th. Hansen, the younger of the Hansenbrothers. The statues weresculpted by L. Drosis and the painted decoration was

94. A detailof the central

entranceof the Athens

Eye-Clinic.

95. The statelybuilding

of the AthensAcademy.

96. The Statue of Apollo at the top of an Ionian stylecolumn, at the entrance of the Athens Academy.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 9

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97. Panoramicview of the neo-classical “Athen-ian Trilogy”. On the left, the National Library, the Uni-versity and theAthens Academycan be seen. Behind themstands the building of theCultural Centerof the AthensMunicipality and the PalamasBuilding.

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ArsakeionMansion (1846-1855)A stately two-storey mansion, itis a distinctive example ofGreek classicism with astrain of eclecticism.Formerly theArsakeion GirlsSchool, it is nowthe Council ofState, (highestCourt of State).Adjacent to themansion is theCourts Square.

ArsakeionArcade (Orfeos): The arcadein the Mansion, built in theneobaroque style, has aremark able glass roof with adome in the centre. You willfind here shops, cafes and the“Stoa tou Vivliou”, (BookArcade) with the bookshopsof 60 Greek publishinghouses. Cultural events areheld at the Stoa tou Vivliou.

“Rex” CinemaA mansion with three halls(cine ma-theatre), built from1935-1937, the design was in-fluenced by contemporaryAme rican skyscrapers. Twohalls are now used for perform-ances of the National Theatre.The third is an entertainmentcentre.

OMONIA SQUARE

Αcentral square, which isbusy around the clock,

throughout the year, by contrastwith Syntagma Square. OmoniaSquare has always been busyaround the clock. According to

custom, Athenians, after a nightout Saturday evening, buySunday papers at kiosks andstands on the square. Omonia is

the oldest central squareof modern Athens.

A visit to Omonia, to get a sense ofthe vibrancy of thesquare is a mustfor all visitors. At the square youwill find the usualfast-food shops.

Foreign newspapersare sold in kiosks.

At the square are statelybuildings, in particular the

hotels “Bangeion” and“Alexandros” (at the crossroadsof Athinas Str,) the “Neon” café,and a branch of the NationalBank (at Panepistimiou Str). At Omonia Square is a centralmetro station.

THE OMONIASQUARE AREA

Stadiou Str, Patision Str, Pane -pi stimiou Avenue, 3rd

Septemvriou Str, Piraeus Str,Athinas Str and Ayiou Konstanti -nou Str converge at Omonia

101. Two silverdomesdecorating the tower-likecorners of the ArsakeioMegaro facingStadiou Street.

102. A view ofOmonia Squarewith buildings of a variety of architecturalstyles.

69

FROM SYNTAGMA SQUARE TO OMONIA SQUARE

range of thousands of books in all languages. On the façadeis a stately six-column porticoin the Doric style, based onthe design of the Thiseion.The interior, designed by Ern.Ziller, is lighted by a skylighton the roof and encompassedby an Ionian style colonnade.

Cultural Centre of the Athens MunicipalityLocated in the vicinity of the“trilogy” (at Akadimias Str 50),it is a remarkable neoclassicalbuilding which was built in

1835 according to the design ofChr. Hansen. It was a hospital inthe course of decades. Culturalevents are held in the building.In front of the main entrance ofthe building is a small gardenwith the busts of historical fig-ures (among others, artists andpoliticians), while on the otherside, (at Solonos Str), is a tradi-

tional café. Exactly adjacent tothe café (at Akadimias Str) is thestately Palamas building (with apink interior, it is known as the“pink building”). Built in 1857-1859, it houses the TheatricalMuseum library. Diagonallyacross the street, (at the cross-roads of Ippocratous Str andAkadimias Str), is the StudentUnion of the University of Athens(1926-1931), designed by Al.Nikoloudis in the eclectic styleof the Beaux Arts.

Korai Square is a small, attractive square, de-veloped when a pedestrianstreet was created at Korai Str.North-east of the square is theRallis building (10, KoraiSquare) built in the early neo-classical style. Opposite theRallis building is the modernistbuilding of the GeneralAccounting Office (designed byE. Lazaridis). Northwest of thesquare is the remarkable for-mer hotel Grand Hotel (2, KoraiSquare, today used as a shop-ping centre). Opposite theGrand Hotel is the modernbuilding of the CommercialBank. At the square you will al-so find the recently renovated“Korai Arcade” with a multitudeof cafes, fast food restaurants,shops, and a cinema.

Ionian BankMansion (Pesmatzoglou Str)

A remarkable eclectic stylemansion with art deco decora-tion (1925). The central transac-tions hall has a notable colon-nade and balconies. The light-ing, a skylight with stained glasswindows, is spectacular.

99. Theconstruction

of the NationalLibrary

was funded byP. Vallianos.

In theforeground

the statueof the donor.

100.The Cultural

Centreof the AthensMunicipalityand its small

garden.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 9

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KoumoundourouSquare (Eleftherias)

An attractive, wooded square.Facing Pireos Str is thegrand neoclassical man-sion of the “MunicipalGallery” built in1874 (designed byG. Metaxas).Neighbouring thegallery is the smallchurch of AyioiAnargyroi (1893).Located on thesquare is a smallstone-built theatre,which is used for events.

Ayion Assomaton StrAs you descend Pireos Str takea left turn at Ayion AssomatonStr. You will find at number 45one of the best-known tradi-tional buildings of Athens (pic-turesque classicist style, 1880),

with copies of the famous twinCaryatids on the balcony. Thehouse, is among the most pho-tographed and painted themes

of Athens.

Gazi(� page 42)

BotanicalGarden of the AthensUniversity

Located at the cross-roads of Iera Odos,

which in Greek meansSacred Road (built along

the path of the ancient road ofthe Eleusinian Mysteries �page 115) and Sp. Patsi Str. It hasa total area of 7,000 m2. Some120 varieties of trees and plantsand mosses and grasses fromdifferent parts of the world.

104. Copies of the Caryatids,at the smallhouse at 45,AyionAssomaton Str.

105.The BotanicalGarden of the AthensUniversity.

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FROM SYNTAGMA SQUARE TO OMONIA SQUARE

Square. It is a busy area, withwith small roads around OmoniaSquare and Kaniggos Square andinteresting places (small shops,traditional cafes etc.).

THE NATIONALTHEATRE OF GREECE (Ayiou Konstantinou Str)

Built from 1891-1901, accord-ing to the design of Ern. Ziller,it was commissioned by theking George I and funded byGreeks residing abroad. A rep li-ca of the National Theatre ofVienna, it is built in the renais-sance style. The theatre openedin November 1901. It was for-merly called the Royal Theatre,but in 1930 it was renamedNational Theatre. The centralauditorium (Italian style) has a capacity of 1000 spectatores(stalls, dress circle, upper circle,and two boxes). Facing the the-atre (at Menandrou Str) is thethree-storey neoclassical EynardMansion, which accommodatesa Museum dedicated to actorsK. Paxinou and A. Minotis.

ΑYIOSKONSTANTINOS (Ayiou Konstantinou Str)

Facing the National Theatre, it isa monumental church (1871-1896/1905) built by L. Kaftan -tzoglou. The recently renovatedthree-columned, cross-in-squarechurch has a stately façade in acombination of neoclassical andrenaissance styles, a monumen-tal entrance in the form of anancient propylaea, and an attrac-tive interior decoration.

PIREOS STR (P. Tsaldari Str)

Constructed along the path ofthe ancient road linking Athensto Piraeus. The Long Walls wereconstructed along the side ofthe street. The first paved roadin Athens, Pireos Str links thecity with the port of Piraeus. In the 19th century an industrialzone was developed and a mul-titude of factories were con-structed along the road. In thepast few years a multitude offactories were renovated andused for another purpose (mu-seums, cultural centres, theHigher School of Fine Arts). The buildings at Pireos Str, avery busy street, are interestingexamples of urban industrial ar-chitecture. At number 138 ofPireos Str one will find a mod-ern building that houses the newBenaki Museum where periodicexhibits of the Museum are held(� page 94). At number 254,Tauros area stands the Civilisa -tion Centre “Hellenic Cosmos” established by the Foundation of the Hellenic world (�page 99).

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 9

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103. Panepistimiou

Avenue by night,at the junction

with OmoniaSquare.

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development,it becameclearly an ur-ban location,now one of the

busiest streets of Athens.Among a multitude of newbuildings, neoclassical, ArtNouveau and modernist build-ings are preserved. As you headfrom the crossroads of PatisionStr and Alexandras Avenue, to-wards Patisia, on your left isVictorias Square (at 3rdSeptemvriou Str), on your rightis the stately Higher School ofEconomic and Scientific Studies,(1935), on your left the “Hara”block of flats, an pioneeringwork built in the 1920’s atPatission Str 337 and on yourright the Kypriadis neighbour-hood (in the vicinity of

Papadiamantis Square), former-ly a garden city (with villas,two-storey blocks of flats,densely vegetated) devel-oped in the 1920’s - thesuburban style has beenpreserved notwithstandingsubsequent development.

PolytechnicSchool (NationalMetsovio Polytechnic)

Designed by the ar-chitect L. Kaftan -tzoglou, thePolytechnic was builtfrom 1861-1876. It is anarchetype of the urban tra-dition of Athens. It compris-es of a central building and T-shaped wings facing PatisionStr. It has two floors and theentrance is elevated. Two mon-

umental staircases lead to theIonian style four-column propy-laea of the ground floor, a copy

of the northern hall of theErechteion (� page 13).

“Acropol Palace”Hotel (1925-1926)

A five-story buildingdesigned by the archi-tect I. Mayiasis, the

Acropol Palace is a dis-tinctive example ofAthens Art Nouveau ar-chitecture.

Tositsa StrA wide pedestrian zone,flanked by the NationalMetsovio Polytechnicand the garden of the

National ArchaeologicalMuseum, with a row of trees inthe middle, Tositsa Str is aplace to relax and stroll.

107. Bell-shapedidol withmovable legsfrom Thebes,Boeotia (early7th centuryB.C.), a modelof the mascot ofthe Athens 2004Olympic Games(In the photo an exact copy of the idol. Youmay purchaseone at the shopsof theArchaeologicalResources Fund– T.A.P.).

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FROM OMONIA SQUARE TO KYPSELI

PATISION STR (28th OCTOVRIOU STR)

Acentral road linking Patisia to the centre, before the

early 20th century Patision Strwas a rural area with small hous-es and gardens! Following rapid

106. TheNational

Archaeo logicalMuseum and its

garden. In theback ground, part

of the Exarhiadistrict.

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 10

Tour of Athens, Stage 10:

FROM OMONIA SQUARETO KYPSELI

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geois character of the area, lo-cated at the crossroads of Ale -xandras Avenue, and Patision Str.

PEDION TOU AREOS

The largest park in Athens(230,000 m2), was laid out

in 1934. Named after the romancampus martius, the park usedto be a training ground for mili-tary units. Athenians like to gofor a walk here all year round,or seek entertainment at cafes,outdoor theatres, and other venues.

Taxiarhon ChurchPost-Byzantine church of the16th or 17th century. In the courtthere is a monument with the

Ayia Zoni (1927) and AyiosGeorgios (at the square of thesame name, 1931.)

Fokionos Negri StrA wide, stately, densely vege-tated pedestrian zone linkingKypselis Square to Droso poulouStr, Fokionos Negri Str is thecentre of the neighbourhood.Originally called the “greenboulevard”, FokionosNegri Str was built in 1937,at the site of a stream.In the 1960’s it ac-quired a reputationfor nightlife, attracting politi-cians and artists. A busy streetthroughout the day, it is a pop-ular recreational area, withdozens of cafes, restaurants andsmall bars. On the pedestrianpassage between Sporadon andZakynthou Str (42, FokionosNegri Str) stands the preservedbuilding of the old MunicipalMarket (1935), used now by theresidents of the area as a cultur-al event centre and an organicfoods market.

Courts (former ArmyCadet School)

A complex of neo-classical buildings,the courts are locatedsouth of Kypseli(Evelpidon Str). Thebuilding was builtfrom 1900-1904, (de-signed by Ern. Ziller),for the Army CadetSchool. In the early1980’s the AthensCourts were accom-modated here.

remains and the statue of princeAlexander Ypsilantis (1792-1828),who was closely connect ed tothe GreekRevolution of 1821.

Ayios HaralambosThe church was built in 1928,in cruciform shape, at the siteof an old church. In the churchare icons of the importantGreek painter F. Kontologou.

Mavromateon StrAn elegant road linking theArchaeological Museum withKodringtonos Str. FacingPedion tou Areos is a row ofstately, luxury blocks of flats,most of them built in 1925-1960, when the street wasthought to be one of the mostprestigious locations of the city.

KΥPSELI

Adistinctive bourgeoisneighbourhood of Athens,

Kypseli has preserved its aristo-cratic character, although in thepast few decades it has beenrebuilt and is now densely pop-ulated. In the 1990’s a multi-tude of immigrants settled inKypseli, transforming it into acharming multicultural neigh-bourhood. Among the modernblocks of flats several examplesof stately neoclassical buildingsand blocks of flats of the inter-war period are preserved,which are worth seeing. Theyare located on distinctive roadsof the neighbourhood (amongothers, (Drosopoulou Str,Eptanisou Str, Ithakis Str, TinouStr, Tenedou Str, Spetson Str,Lefkadas Str). You will also findin Kypseli the notable churches

110. The statueof AthenaPromahos.

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FROM OMONIA SQUARE TO KYPSELI

The NationalArchaeological MuseumA stately building constructed inthe late 19th century, the Natio -nal Archaeological Museum wasdesigned by L. Lange and Ern.Ziller. The Ionian style propy-laea are adorned with clay stat-ues, the copies of ancientworks, while on either side isan oblong arcade. Athenians liketo stroll in the attractive gardenin front of the museum, espe-cially in summer (for museumexhibits � page 86).

Egyptou SquareAn elegant square with neoclas-sical and modernist buildings,examples of the formerly bour-

108. The propylaea

of the whollyrenovatedNational

ArchaeologicalMuseum.

109. The statue

of kingConstantine

on horseback.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 10

The statue of King Constantine: A bronze statue of kingConstantine (1868-1922) placed on a monumental marble pedestal,erected in 1938. It is located at the central entrance of the park,

facing Egyptou Square.

Statue of Athena (Promahos): A monumentdedicated to the British, Australian and New Zealandsoldiers killed in the Second World War, it was sculpted in1952 by sculptor V. Falireas. The marble lioness at the basewas sculpted by Ath. Limnaios.

Iroon Avenue: A wide, stately road in the park withthe busts of the freedom fighters of the Greek Revolution.You will find it at the Mavromateon Str entrance.

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3111. The Kypselineighbourhoodhas been largelyredeveloped.However, a multitude examples of thevaried architect -ure distinctive ofthe neighbour -hood in the pastare preserved.

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VASSILISIS SOFIASAVENUE

The most impressive road ofAthens, linking Syntagma

Square to Ampelokipi.Formerly called KifissiasAvenue, it linked Athens to thetraditional suburb of Kifissia. Ithas in part lost the originalcharacter of a classic boulevard.However, it is one the mostcharming roads of the city,with some of the most attrac-tive buildings, museums andparks.

THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRSBUILDING(5, Vassilisis Sofias Avenue)

The work of Ern. Ziller (1872-1873), it belonged to theSyngros family before beingbequeathed to the Greek statein 1921. The neoclassical man-sion housing the main servicesof the ministry, has been desig-nated a work of art. In 1985 itwas linked to a later building,at Zalokosta Str.

THE FRENCHEMBASSY (Psyhas Mansion)

A stately three-storey buildingat the crossroads of AkadimiasStr). It was built in 1894 by An.Metaxas for the Psyhas family.It has notable modernist deco-rative elements connected tothe neoclassical style.

THE ΙTALIANEMBASSY

The residence of princeNicholas, before the expulsionof the royal family in 1917, itlater accommodated a luxuryhotel (“Le Petit Palais”). Later itwas bought by the Italian gov-ernment to accommodate theembassy.

THE NATIONALGARDEN (� page 54)

THE BENAKIMUSEUM(1, Koumpari Str)

The most impressive neoclassi-cal building of Athens, it wasbuilt in stages from 1910 to 1931

112. A detail of thecentral buildingof the GreekMinistry ofForeign Affairs.

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TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 11

Tour of Athens, Stage 11:

HISTORICAL WALK

If you don’t have much time, in the historical walk(approximately 3.5 kilometres) you can visit and seethe most important monuments and sights of Athens.

It is a walk through history, from classical antiquity,through all the historical periods, architectural styles,and successive phases of the development of the city

to the 21st century (classical period,roman period, Byzantium, Turkish occupation,

neoclassicism, and 20th century).In fact it is a walk in history, which only Athens can offer.

HISTORICAL WALK

1

2

3

4

5

� T H E S I G H T S :

(from Syntagma Square toAmpelokipi):

76

THE ΑCROPOLIS (� page 9)

THE ODEION OFHERODES ΑTTICUS (� page 8)

PLΑΚΑ (� page 30)

ΒYZANTINE MONUMENTSIN ΑTHENS (� page 22)

OTTOMANMONUMENTSIN ΑTHENS(� page 27)

SYNTAGMA SQUARE (� page 52)

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THE WAR MUSEUM

A modern building (designedby Th. Valentis), inaugurated in1975, for the purposes of gath-ering, preserving and exhibit-ing military relics and other na-tional tokens demonstrating thehistory and struggles of theGreek nation, (for the exhibits,

� page 96).

THE RESIDENCE OF THE BRITISHAMBASSADOR

Located at the crossroads ofVassilisis Avenue and LoukianouStr, the building was construct-ed from 1930-1932(designed by An.Metaxas). Formerlythe residence of thethen Prime MinisterEleftheriosVenizelos, it wasgranted to theBritish state follow-ing his death. It ac-commodated theBritish embassy inAthens before 1960.Following the con-struction in a neigh-bouring location ofthe new building of

the embassy, it became the res-idence of the ambassador.

ΑYIOS NIKOLAOS andΑYIOS GEORGIOS

Small churches in cruciformfour-column style, AyiosNikolaos and Ayios Georgiosare representative examples ofthe architectural trends of thelate 19th century. AyiosNikolaos (1876 neighbouringthe British embassy) is built ina distinctive neo-Byzantinestyle, while Ayios Georgioscombines the Byzantine, classi-cist and roman styles.

115. A view ofVassilisis SofiasAvenue with theWar Museumand a section of Rizari park.

116. Rizari park.

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HISTORICAL WALK

(designed by An. Metaxas). For -mer ly the residence of Ant. Be -nakis, since 1931 it houses theMuseum exhibits (� page 94).

THE SAROGLEIOMANSION (Officers Club)

A stately building constructedin the Beaux Arts style, it is lo-cated at Rigillis Square (P. Mella).It was designed by architect Al. Nikoloudis.

THE STATHATOSMANSION

A remarkable neoclassical man-sion (at the crossroads of Iro -dotou Str and Vassilisis SofiasAvenue), Stathatos Mansion wasdesigned by Ern. Ziller in 1885.It accommodates the new wingof the Goulandris Museum ofCycladic and Ancient Greek Art(� page 92). It is linked to themuseum by a glass-coveredpassage.

THE ΒYZANTINE ANDCHRISTIAN MUSEUM

The main building of theMuseum is “Villa Ilisia” ), a neo-renaissance style building, con-structed at the bank of the thenuncovered Ilissos river. It wasthe residence of S. de Marbois-Lebrun, known as the “Duchessof Plaisance.” The building wasdesigned by St. Kleanthis, (oraccording to some sources Chr.Hansen). Following the deathof the duchess (1854), the man-sion was acquired by the Greekstate. It hauses the museumsince 1930. Two new wingswere built in 1952 and 1994(for the exhibits,� page 95).

113. The BenakiMuseum

mansion.

114.The Stathatos

Mansion.

78

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 11

6

7

89

10

11

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ELEFTHERIAS PARK

A park with a statue ofEleftherios Venizelos (sculptedby the sculptor G. Pappas). Inthe rear section are three stonebuilt buildings, accommodatingthe Athens Municipality ArtsCentre and the "EleftheriosVenizelos Museum." Facing thepark is a row of three un-adorned neoclassical buildingsof the hospitals "Aeginitio,""Aretaeio," and "Alexandra."

THE ATHENSCONCERT HALL

A monumental work (designedby M. Vourekas), the AthensConcert Hall was built in stagesfrom 1973-1991. It is thoughtto be one of the best concerthalls in the world. It has,among others, concert andopera halls, a musical library, a conference centre, and hallsfor multiple uses. In the winterconcerts, opera, theatre anddance performances, and otherevents, are held here.

THE ΑMERICANEMBASSY

The most important example ofmodern architecture in Athens(1959-1961), designed by thefamous architect W. Gropius.

MAVILI SQUARE

Among the most “vibrant”squares of Athens, with a multi-tude of cafes, bars and restau-rants in the area, Mavili Squareattracts visitors throughout theday. It is a prestigious residen-tial area, near Lycabetus Hill andthe central Vassilisis Sofias Ave -nue and Alexandras Avenue. Re -

119. The Towerof Athens, at the crossroadsof VassilisisSofias Avenueand MesogeionAvenue.�

81

HISTORICAL WALK

THE“EVANGELISMOS”HOSPITAL (old building)

A neoclassical building (de-signed by G. Metaxas) Evange -lismos hospital was inauguratedin 1880 by then Queen Olga.Later an English-style gardenwas laid out in the yard.

MEGALI TOUGENOUS SCHOLISQUARE

A small square at the cross-roads of Vassilisis Sofias Avenueand Vassileos Konstantinou Ave -nue. In the centre is the im-pressionist sculpture of K. Varo -tsos “Dromeas” (1988), sculptedexclusively out of sheets of

glass. Facing the square is the“Hilton” (1958-1963) hotel,with elements of the interna-tional modernist style (at theneighbouring streets, VentiriStr, Mexi Str etc. are cafes, barsand small restaurants). On theopposite side of the square (atthe crossroads of VassilisisSofias Avenue and GennadiouStr) are two remarkable ArtDeco blocks of flats of the in-terwar period. Adjacent to the“Hilton” hotel is the building ofthe National Gallery - MuseumAlexandros Soutzos (� page96), built in 1966-1975 in thebrutalist architectural style ofLe Corbusier. Facing the Natio -nal Gallery is the Rizari park,one of Athens’ oldest gardens.

117. The “Dromeas”

at Megali touGenous Scholi

Square(Vassilisis Sofias

Avenue).

118. The “Hilton”

hotel.

80

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 11

13

14

15

16

17

12

cently it has lost some of its for-mer charm as a result of thetraffic on the surrounding streets.

THE ΙPPOKRATEIOHOSPITAL

A scheduled public building,constructed in the 1880’s in theneoclassical style. It has accom-modated a hospital since 1912.Adjacent to the hospital is thechapel of Ayios Andreas (17thcentury).

TOWER OF ATHENS

The first glass skyscraper ofAthens (1971-1973) – one of a few skyscrapers constructedin the greater urban area of thecapital. A complex of respec-tively two 25- and 12- storeybuildings, the tower of Athensaccommodates mainly compa-ny offices. In front of the Towerof Athens is a small villa with a garden, a relic of the 1920’swhen the area (Ampelokipi)was rural.

18

19

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air cinemas and the FlowerShow, which takes place everyMay in Kifissia Grove. Some ofthe best restaurants, confec-tioneries and cafes of Athensare in Kifissia. Alsos Syngrou,(1,000,000 m2) adjacent toKifissia and Maroussi, a wood-ed area, is an ideal place to gofor a walk and relax.

121. An impressivemansion of Kifissia.

83

SUBURBS

THE NORTHERNSUBURBS (Psihiko, Filothei, Maroussi,Kifissia)

The suburbs of Psihiko,and Filothei were devel-

oped in the late 1920’s on themodel of British garden cities.They are quiet residential areas,with attractive villas, abundantvegetation and broad streets.

In Maroussi are the facilitiesof the Olympic Athletic Centre ofAthens (Ο.Α.Κ.Α.), the centralgroup of facilities for the 2004Olympic Games. Kifissia is per-

haps the most elegant suburb ofnorthern Athens. The luxuryvillas of Kifisia of the 19th cen-tury were raised by the oldestAthenian families. With attrac-tive villas and vibrant shoppingstreets, Kifissia is an attractivearea. Worth seeing is theGoulandris Natural HistoryMuseum (� page 100), the sig-nificant ArchaeologicalCollection (� page 135),which comprises Roman monu-ments, grave stelae, terracottaand marble findings, statuesand busts from the area, open

82

SUBURBS

�The main road linking Athensto the suburbs is KifissiasAvenue. You can reachMaroussi and Kifissia on line 1of the metro.

SUBURBS

During your stay in Athens you may want to visit the suburbs. In the suburbs you may gofor a walk on vegetated roads, and relax

at a confectionery, café or bar.

122. The Athens Olympic Stadium (see right, during the Opening Ceremonyof the Athens 2004 Olympic Games),location of a multitude of athleticinstallations and recreation areas, linkedto other areas of the capital by bus lines,the suburban railway and the metro(“Irini” station, see left). The roof wasdesigned by the well-known architect S. Calatrava.

120. Old eclecticbuilding

in Kifissia.The building

housesa modern

shopping centre.

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In Trocadero (P. Faliron) youmay visit the Maritime Museum,on one of the most famouswarships of recent Greek histo-ry, the battleship Averof, as wellas an exemplary playground,open-air cinema and cyclingtracks. In Ayios Kosmas is alarge seaside park. A metropol-itan park with an area of 1,000acres will be constructed in thearea of the old airport(Helleniko). Vouliagmeni isan attractive suburb with abun-dant vegetation, elegant villas,attractive beaches, the uniqueVouliagmeni Lake, and some of the best hotels in Attica.Athenians visit the coast andhave lunch at a restaurant or a drink at a bar by the seaside.

125. Vouliagmenilake hastherapeuticwater. The geologicalattraction is the populardestination of the residentsof Attica.

85

SUBURBS

THE SOUTHERNSUBURBS (Faliro, Glyfada, Voula,Vouliagmeni)

The southern suburbs are lo-cated on the coast of the

Saronic Gulf, from Piraeusto cape Vouliagmeni. Accessfrom Athens is easy (the south-ern suburbs are just 20-30 min-utes from the centre). Thesouthern suburbs are an idealplace to go for a walk by theseaside, and swim.The best and mostpopular beaches ofAttica, with cleanwater (� page132) are locatedhere. The areaseach have a shop-ping centre with su-perb shops. In thesouthern suburbsyou can walk on themarinas, have lunchor dinner by theseaside, enjoy yourfavourite watersports, or play golf,in a court with in-ternational stan-dards (18 holes, par72 course), locatedin Glyfada.

The Glyfada GolfClub (tel. 210 8946820, website:www.athensgolf.net)is open daily from08:00 am to sunset.Situated along thecoast are hotels witha view of the sea.

In the coastal area of the bay of Faliron,

(from Neo Faliro to PaleoFaliro) a huge recreational andcultural park is being planned,which will comprise the exist-ing sport facilities built for theOlympic games, smaller venuesfor recreational and culturalpurposes, an impressive aquari-um putting on display the sub-marine species of the seas ofGreece and the Mediterranean,a birds garden, nautical facili-ties, all of which will be con-nected by an esplanade.

123. Thedistinctive

circular buildingin the “Floisvos”area of P. Faliro.

124. Viewof Glyfada

from the sea.

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SUBURBS

�In order to reach these sub-

urbs you may use the tram

which leaves from Syntagma

Square and runs along two

lines: line Γ1 towards Neo

Faliro (terminal at the Peace

and Friendship Stadium) and

line Γ2 towards Voula (termi-

nal at “Asclepeio Voulas”).

Moreover line Γ3 follows

the itinary Voula - Neo

Faliro, offering you the

opportunity to enjoy a

unique trip along the coastal

area. Also, you can reach the

southern suburbs by using

bus lines Β3 (Akadimias-

Glyfada, via Vouliagmenis

Avenue), Ε22 (Akadimias-

Saronida, express line), et al.

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preserved statue from Elefsinawas sculpted from around 440-430 BC. It depicts Dimitra giv-ing hay to the Triptolemos, theyoung king of Elefsina. To herright, her daughter Persephonegives her blessing. Notice thatthe Triptolemos and Dimitrahave different sizes. In that pe-riod artists made gods tallerwhen they were depicted withmortals on a dedicatory col-umn - a sign of respect of thegods.

• The Poseidon (or Zeus)of Artemission (Room 15).Is it perhaps a statue of Posei -don or of Zeus? Archaeo logistshave not come up with an an-swer. The bronze statue, a mas-terpiece of the sculpture of theclassical period, is 2.09 metreshigh. It is one of the few pre-served original bronze statues.

• Myrrine’s oil-flask(Room 16). It is the main exhib-it in the hall, which bears

Myrrine’s name. It is sculptedon white marble and was dis-covered in 1873. It is decoratedwith a sculpture representingHermes driving with one hand ayoung woman, Myrrini. Accord -ing to the epigram located onher head, the god's purpose wasto bring the woman to Pluto(god of Hades). Three men, rel-atives of Myrrine observe thespectacle. (430-420 BC).

• The stele of Hegeso(Room 18). Don’t fail to see thefamous column (stele) ofHegeso (5th century BC). It wasdiscovered in Kerameikos (�page 19-21). There is copy ofthe column in Kerameikos. Thesculpture depicts Hegeso seat-ed, taking a jewel from a box. A slave is holding the box. It isthought that the colours usedfor the background of thesculpture and the jewel are blueand gold respectively. On theupper section of the column iscarved the name “Hegesou tou

127. The roomhousing the“Jockeyboy ofArtemission” in the NationalArchaeologicalMuseum. �

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MUSEUMS

THE NATIONALARCHAEOLOGICALMUSEUM

The completely renovatedNational ArchaeologicalMuseum ranks among the lead-ing archaeological museums inthe world. You will be im-pressed by the treasures of themuseum and will want to comeback for another visit. However,if you come just once, be sureto have enough time. The mu-seum contains approximately11,000 masterpieces datingfrom the 7th millennium B.C tothe 5th century B.C which areclassified in 7 collections:

Prehistoric (Neolithic, Cycladicand Mycenaean antiquities,rooms 3-6 and 48 on the 1stfloor), Sculptures (rooms 7-35),Bronze (rooms 36-39), EgyptianAntiquities (rooms 40-41, ofworld-wide importance),Stathatou (room 42 with 970works of art mainly minia-tures), Vases and Miniatures(rooms 49-63 1st floor) and

Cypriot (room 64 1st floor). Inaddition to the permanent ex-hibits, the Museum also holdstemporary exhibitions and edu-cational programs. We list someof the exhibits of the museum:

• The golden mask ofAgamemnon (Room 4).Although it has been proven thatit is not the mask of Agamem -non, it is a noteworthy exhibit,well worth seeing. Schliemann’stheory was mistaken – today itis thought to be the mask of adead king, who died three cen-turies before Agamemnon (16thcentury BC). In the gallery ofMycenaean Antiquities, other

than the mask, you cansee jewels, golden

works of art,swords etc, found in

the royal graves ofMycenae.

• The Harper of Keros(Room 6). It dates back to theearly Bronze era (2700-2300B.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 lyrein his right hand, with a raisedhead and slightly open thighs.

• The Kouros of Sounion(Room 8). It was a votive offer-ing of a sailor to Poseidon, dat-ing from 600 B.C. It bears aheight of 3m in frontal position,with his left foot forward.

• Dimitra and Persephone(Room 14). This attractive, well-

126. NationalArchaeological

Museum:a Black Figure

cup witha depictionof runners

(circa 540 B.C.).

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MUSEUMS

MUSEUMS

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• The statuette of Zeus(Bronze rooms). The statuette ofthe Zeus casting lightning fromDodoni. Notice the stance ofthe god as he prepares to castlightning. It is the same asPoseidon of Artemision.

• Statuette of PharaohSavaka (Room 41). Datingsince 700 B.C, the Pharaoh isrepresented kneeling downwith extended arms. His nameis engraved on his belt broochand he is wearing the crown ofthe Nubian Pharaoh.

129. NationalArchaeologicalMuseum: the marblefunerary columnof a runningsoldier (Athens,circa 500 B.C.).

130. NationalArchaeologicalMuseum: viewof the room 4with theMycenaeancollection.

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MUSEUMS

Proxenou.” Notice the artful de-piction of her melancholy ex-pression and the folds of herdress.

• The Horse rider ofArtemision (Room 21). Thebronze statue of the 2nd centu-ry BC and a statue of Poseidonwere discovered in the vicinityof Cape Artemission. Thehorseman and his horse mayhave been smelted separately.Notice the excellent depictionof the extended muscles of thehorse and the expression ofagony on the horseman’s face.

• The Adolescent ofMarathon (Room 28). Thestatue of a youth was namedafter the bay of Marathon,where it was discovered in1926. The inscription on thepedestal states that he is a box-er. Excepting for the left hand,which is thought to be the pro-duce of a posterior repair, the

statue is thought to be a mas-terpiece. It is thought to be thework of Praxiteles, or his stu-dent (330BC).

• The Adolescent ofAntikythira (Room 28).Archaeologists have varyingopinions regarding the signifi-cance of the statue. The mainsubject holds a spherical objectin his hand. Some archaeolo-gists claim that the statue de-picts the god Pan holding anapple, while others claim that itis the statue of Perseus holdingthe head of Andromeda (340BC). It was found in a ship-wreck in the vicinity of Anti -kythira in 1900.

• The head of Hygeia(Sculpture rooms). Discoveredin the temple of Alea Athena inTegea the head of Hygeia wasapparently part of a statue(350-340 BC), attributed tosculptor Scopas. You will recog-nise the head of Hygeia (thegoddess of health), which hasbeen reproduced in photo-graphs.

• Marble votive bas-relief(Sculpture rooms). Dimitra,Persephone and Asklepios.Persephone stands to the left,holding two torches on herright hand. In front of her sitsDimitra and to her right standsAsklepios. To the right are six

supplicants who, according tothe inscription, dedicatedthe sculpture to Asklepiosand the two Elefsinian god-desses. Their names arecarved on the pedestal en-compassed by crownsmade of olive branches.

128. NationalArchaeological

Museum:“The Ephebe

of Antikythera.”�

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MUSEUMS

• The exhibition of Thera(Room 48). The main exhibits ofthe exhibition are the frescoes,which are a valuable source ofinformation on life in theAegean in the Bronze Age. Theywere discovered at Akrotiri(Cape) in Thera (Santorini).They are the earliest examples oflarge-scale painting in Europe.

The fresco of spring: Depicts arocky landscape with vivid redlilies and swallows, some flyingin pairs some on their own.

The fresco of the fisherman: Oneof the best preserved frescoes,it depicts a nude fishermanholding two strings of fish.

The fresco of two children box-ing: Two children boxing. Thechild standing to the left wearsboxing gloves and earrings. No -tice their almond-shaped eyes.

• Epigraphical Museum.A section of the ArchaeologicalMuseum, with a separate en-trance. (Tositsa 1) Displaying14,000 inscriptions fromGreece and Asia Minor, it is a leading epigraph museum.

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Some of the most significantexhibits are listed below:

• The Moschoforos. The ex-ceptional statue of a beard-ed youth (6th centuryB.C) is carrying a calfon his shoulders, a sacri-fice to goddess Athena.

• Alexander theGreat. The Head ofAlexander the Greatwhich was found nearErechtheion. It is spec-ulated that the statuewas made by sculptorLeocharis, after the vis-it of the Macedonianking to the city, follow-ing the battle ofChaeroneia (339 B.C).

• The daughter ofAntenor. The marblestatue which dates back to525 B.C is famous for itsmonumental grandeur(2m high), its expres-siveness and austerefacial expression.

• The Archaic Kores. Thestatues of the maidens whowere dedicated to goddessAthena for a long periodof time. No two maidenswere alike, their varyinghair styles and the drap-ery of their robes give thevisitor the chance to ad-mire the development ofthe sculpture in ancientGreece.

• Sculptures decorat-ing the Parthenon(444-432 B.C).Creation of the sculptorPheidias, the sculpturesare unique masterpieces

of works of art in the history of all times. Among others, onewould find sections of thefrieze depicting the

Panathenaean proces-sion, the Olympian

gods and certainmetopes depicting scenes

of the Centauromachy (battleof centaurs), theGiantomachy (war of gi-ants), the Amazonomachy(battle of Amazons) andthe Trojan War.

• The Caryatids. Thestatues of the beautifulpriestesses were used forsupporting the roof ofthe southern balcony ofthe Erechtheion (420B.C). Apparently theywere named after thewomen of Caryes (an an-cient city of Arcadia in thePeloponnese), who are

thought to have beenthe models of certain

statues. During theTurkish Domination theCaryatids were also referredto as Petrified Princesses or theMaidens of the Castle.

133. Thebackside of oneof the Caryatids,situatedon the 1st levelof the AcropolisMuseum.

134. AcropolisMuseum: viewof the ParthenonGallery.

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MUSEUMS

It houses priceless finds fromthe Acropolis monuments thatrepresent its history and func-tion as the most important reli-gious centre of ancient Athens.On the main level , the visitorscan see extended remnants ofthe ancient city, revealed withthe excavations that are dis-played under the specially-

made glass floor, as well as sig-nificant finds deriving from theslopes of Acropolis. On the firstlevel there are finds from theAcropolis during the Mycenaeanand Geometric era, exhibitionof archaic items, architecturalstructures and sculptures fromPropylaea, from the temple ofAthena Nike and Erechtheion,as well as works dating fromthe late ancient period to theearly Christian years. On thesecond level you can find therestaurant, the Museum’s shopand book store, balconies withthe view of the exhibits on themain and first level as well as a digital media area. Finally onthe third level (the Parthenonroom) are displayed the frieze,the metopes and the temple’spediments. The museum alsooffers an area for occasional exhibitions and cultural events,an amphitheatre, an internethall and an information centre.

131. AcropolisMuseum:

The archaicgallery.

132. The portrait

of Alexanderthe Great. It was

found nearErechtheion

(1886).Attributed

to the sculptorLeochares

or Lyssipos(c. 336 B.C.).

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MUSEUMS

THE new ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

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ΜUSEUM OF DIACHRONICART

It is located in an old silk millwhich was converted into themulticentre for cultural events“Athinaïs” in the Votanikos area(near Gazi). The objects exhib-ited present the evolution of

137. View of the Museumof DiachronicArt (“Athinais”).

138. Part of thearchaeologicalfinds which are displayed atthe “Acropoli”metro station.

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MUSEUMS

THE GOULANDRISMUSEUM OF CYCLADIC AND ANCIENTGREEK ART

The well-organised museumwas founded with the purposeof housing the “Goulandris”private collection of CycladicArt. It is one of the leading mu-seums in Athens.

Exhibits. On the 1st floor youwill find various relics ofCycladic civilisation, while onthe 2nd floor are miniaturesand other objects of the sameperiod. On the 3rd floor there isa collection of antiquities of theCypriot civilisation as well asother temporary exhibits, whereas the 4th floor houses the an-cient Greek art collection ofK.Politis and the permanent ex-hibition “Scenes of everyday

life in ancient times”,where the visitor has theopportunity to ‘visit” thepublic and private life inancient Athens by meansof special films andthree-dimensional virtualreality representations,associated with the 142objects belonging to thepermanent collections ofthe museum. In 1992 anew wing was added tothe Museum, at theStathatos Mansion (�page 78). In the NewWing you can see theAcademy of Athens collec-tion of ancient Greek art.On the basement of thebuilding at N. Douka Stryou can buy replicas ofmuseum exhibits.

THE NUMISMATICMUSEUMIt is one of the five most impor-tant numismatic museums in theworld. It displays more than600,000 coins, “treasures”(closed coin collections), stan-dard weights, metals and

precious stones, from the an-cient Greek period, the Romanperiod, Byzantium, the westernmiddle Ages, and modernity.

136. The Numismatic

Museum:Athenian four-drachma coin

(440-430 B.C.).

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MUSEUMS

��

135. The entranceof Stathatos

Mansionat Vassilisis

Sofias Avenue.

Cypriot art over a periodof 9,000 years (from theNeolithic Era until theend of the Middle Ages),depicting the unique cha -racter of Cypriot civilisa-tion. A significant num-ber of the exhibits comesfrom the archaeologicalcollection of the scientif-ic foundation founded bythe Pierides family.

THE ΑRCHAEO -LOGICALCOLLECTIONS IN THE METRO

The biggest excavationever in Greece was dug at

the time of the construction ofthe metropolitan railway ofAthens (1993-2000). Some ofthe approximately 50,000 findsthat were uncovered in theseexcavations are exhibited inspecially designed spaces in themetro stops “Panepistimio”,“Syntagma,” Akropoli,” “Evange -lismos” and “Monastiraki.”

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The Museum of Islamic Art. It ishoused in a neoclassical build-ing complex dating from thebeginning of the 20th century,consisting of two residentialbuildings and locatedin theKerameikosarea (� page41). It is oneof the lead-ingIslamicArt collec-tions in theworld. It displays more than8,000 exhibits from Europe, theMiddle East, North Africa,Persia and India, representativeof the development of Islamicart from the early Islamic ageto the 19th century.

Exhibitions. Sometimes theBenaki Museum holds impor-tant exhibitions in the centralbuilding or in its other build-ings.

THE ΒYZANTINEAND CHRISTIANMUSEUM

This Museum can rightfully takepride in possessing one of theleading collections ofByzantine icons in the world.Its exhibits, that represent 1700years of Byzantine art and ar-chitecture (3rd to 20th cen-turies), include 25,000 ecclesi-astical objects from Greece, theBalkans, Cyprus, Constatino pleand Russia, classified in 11 col-lections: Sculptures, Mosaics,Frescoes, Replicas and theLoverdos’ Collection (includesmanuscripts, woodcarvingcrafts, vestments, portable

icons etc). At the same time,the surrounding area of 17.5acres, serves as a park with anopen-air amphitheatre, giftshop, restaurant-café and recre-

ational facilities.Presently, there areplans in considera-tion so that theabove men-tioned parkwould connectto the adjacent

archaeological site of“Aristotle’s’ Lyceum” (that is

the school where the philoso-pher taught since its establish-ment in 335 B.C until 323 B.C).The Museum also organises sig-nificant temporary exhibitionsas well as educational pro-grams.

140. The BenakiMuseum: detail of theembroidery of a cushion(19th century).

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MUSEUMS

THE NATIONALHISTORICALMUSEUM

Located at Kolokotroni Square(� page 39). The exhibits,displayed in 16 galleries, coverthe period dating back to thelast years prior to the fall ofConstatinopolis (15th century)to the beginning of World WarII; where as the largest part of the exhibition pertains to thecharacters and historic eventsof the Greek revolution of 1821.

THE BENAKIΜUSEUM

One of the leading museums inAthens, the Benaki Museum iswell worth a visit. It was found-ed by patrician Ant. Benakis(1873-1954) and inaugurated in

1931. It displays more than45,000 exhibits of the collec-tion of Ant. Benakis and otherdonors, organised in six collec-tions.

Greece at the Benaki Museum.This section comprises of vari-ous categories with over 33,000works, representative of Greekculture from antiquity to thecreation of the modern Greekstate and 1922 (the Asia MinorDisaster).

Hadjikyriakou-Ghika Gallery.Granted by the famous Greekpainter, the Hadjikyriakou-Ghika Gallery is an annex ofthe museum. Housed in thebuilding where the artist lived40 years (at Kriezotou Str 3),the gallery displays a represen-tative example of his work.

Toys and Childhood.Included are 15,000 old toysand children’s objects fromGreece and the area of GreaterHellenism, from antiquity to1970 – and Europe, America,Africa, and the countries of the East.

Coptic Art.A large collection of fabrics,metalwork and woodwork,representing the production of Egypt in the 5th and 6th centuries.

Chinese Art.Displays more than 1,300 ex-hibits (most of them were do-nated by G. Eumorfo poulos),representative of the Chinesecivilisation from the 3rdMillennium BC to the 19th century (among others, vases,funeral statuettes, porcelain,miniatures and semi preciousstones).

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141. Byzantine and Christian Museum:icon of the 14th century, depicting the archangel Michael.

139. NationalHistoricalMuseum:

the portraitof Lord Byron.

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G. Iakovidis (1900), “The Concertof Angels,” by Domenico Theo -tocopoulos and “EquestrianGreek Warrior,” by Eug. Dela -croix (1856), “Port of Kala ma -ta” by K. Parthenis (1911) etc.

Exhibitions. The NationalGallery mounts periodic exhibi-tions featuring important Greekand foreign artists, often heldin parallel with other events.

National Glyptotheque of Greece. The museum ishoused in two renovated build-ings (former royal stables) witha beautiful surrounding area oc-cupying 6500 m2 in AlsosStratou (district of Goudi). Onehundred and fifty Greek sculp-tures dating to the 19th and20th century are exhibited inthe museum’s indoor and out-door areas. Periodic plastic artsexhibitions featuring Greek andforeign artists are also held.

NATIONAL MUSEUMOF CONTEMPORARYART

Accommodated in an old beer

factory (“Fix”), the Museumopened in 2000. It displays the works of Greek and foreignartists, and holds importanttemporary exhibitions. Thecomplete renovation of thebuilding and the installation of its permanent collectionswill be completed in 2011.

Note: Until the renovation ofthe museum’s main building iscompleted, its temporary exhi-bitions will be held in variousother exhibition halls. For thisreason it would be wise to con-tact the museum for specific in-formation before visiting.

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THE WAR MUSEUM

On display are weapons fromthe Stone Age and the ClassicalPeriod to the World War II.Amongst them there is a siegemachine with a bridge and aram dating back to theHellenistic years, moreover,maps, flags, military uniformsand the models of warshipsand aircraft that are displayed,representing the entire spec-trum of Greek history. In thefront yard you will also find

characteristic types of ar-tillery guns, as well as vari-ous models of war air-crafts, some of which youcan enter.

THE NATIONALGALLERY-MUSEUMALEXANDROSSOUTZOS

It is the leading Gallery in Greece. The core of the collection comprises of 117 paintings, listed in

1878. Later the Gallery was en-riched by private collectionsgranted by Al. Soutsos, Eur.Koutlidis, and other Greekpainters and collectors. A num-ber of important works of art,such as the “Crucifixion” byLorenzo Veneziano and a collec-tion of engravings of the 16thand 20th centuries were ac-quired by the Gallery.

Well worth seeing are: “The Kiss”by N. Lytras (drawn before 1878),“The Engagement,” by N. Gyzis(1877), “Children’s Concert” by

143. TheNational Gallery

is oneof the vibrant

culturalattractionsof Athens.

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144. TheNationalGallery: Iakovos Rizos“On the terrace(Athenianevening)”(1897).

145. The buildings of the NationalGlyptotheque of Greece.

142. The WarMuseum:a firearm

of the firstdecades of the

20th century.

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played on the exhibited instru-ments. At the shop you will findCDs, selected books and copiesof the musical instruments.

THE JEWISHMUSEUM OF GREECE

Founded in 1977, its collectioncomprises of 8,000 authenticpieces, photographs, docmentsand archives that refer to thehistory of 2,300 years of Jewishlife in Greece. Moreover thispermanent exhibition depictsthemes such as the Synagogue,worship utensils, the Synagoguecalendar, traditional costumes,the Holocaust, the cycle of life,the history and tradition ofGreek Jews.

THE GENNADIOSLIBRARYCOLLECTION

The collection includes valu-able manuscripts and books,documents, periodicals, mapsof the most important periodsof Greek literature. Moreover,you will find here a Byzantinelibrary, a reading room and anexhibition room. Well worthseeing is the collection of thepersonal objects of Lord Byron(golden clock, laurel wreath,seals, etc).

THE FOUNDATIONOF THE HELLENICWORLD

It was established in 1993,with the intention to informthe public and preserve Greekhistory and culture by means

of modern technology. In or-der to fulfil this objective theCenter of Civilisation named“Hellenic Cosmos” was estab-lished. “Hellenic Cosmos”,presents among other thingsGreek history on the Internetfrom the Stone Age until today,digitally reproducing ancientmonuments and spaces, pro-jecting historical and culturaldocumentaries, organising ex-hibitions and educational pro-grammes and staging culturaltours by means of the VirtualReality systems: “Tholos,” “Ark”and “Magic Screen.”

THE VORRESΜUSEUM

Six thousand exhibits, repre-senting 40 centuries of Greekhistory, are displayed in theMuseum. The area of theMuseum is 4,500 square me-tres. It is divided in two sec-tions. In the first section you willfind a collection of modernGreek art comprising of paint-ings and sculptures of the late20th century. The second sectionis housed in a complex of twotraditional village houses and abuilding, which was formerly 148. The Vorres

Museum.

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THE FRISSIRAS MUSEUM

The only Museum of Contemp -o rary European Painting inGreece, the Frissiras Museum ishoused in two neoclassicalbuildings in Plaka. The collec-tions include paintings, draw-ings, sculpture, and engravingsof major European and Greekartists (among others, Hockney,Auerbach, Blake, Rustin, PatAndrea, Dado, Rego, Arroyo,Adami, Diamantopoulou,Moralis, Theofylaktopoulou,Botsoglou, Byzantiou).

THE ΜUSEUM OF GREEKPOPULAR ART

The remarkable collections ofthis museum are dated from1650. The museum displays wo- ven items, embroidery, uni-forms, silver and puppet theatre.Moreover, the works of Theofi -los Hadjimihalis, woodcuts andsculpted stones are displayed.

ΜUSEUM OF THECITY OF ATHENS(VOUROS-EUTAXIASFOUNDATION)

The museum is accommodatedin a neoclassical building con-structed in 1833 (VourouMansion, at KlathmonosSquare), which was used asKing Otto’s temporary palacefrom 1836-1842. You will findhere paintings and engravingsconnected to the history of theGreek capital, mainly from theearly 18th century to the 20thcentury. Moreover, furniture be-longing to the first King ofGreece, Otto is displayed.

THE ΜUSEUM OF GREEK FOLKΜUSICALINSTRUMENTS

Accommodated in an unadornedmansion built in 1842, at AeridesSquare, the museum displays1,200 folk musical instrumentsof the F. Anogeian nakis collec-tion. Every showcase has audio.You can hear excerpts of songs

147. Internalview of the

Jewish Museumof Greece.

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146. The super-modern,

impressive“Tholos” of the

Civilisationcentre “Hellenic

Cosmos”a hemisphericvirtual realitytheater wherethe spectator

is taken ona stereoscopic

tour of AncientGreece.

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used as a winepress. You willfind here household objects,such as carpets, furniture, mill-stones, and ceramic art worksfrom various areas of Greece.Moreover, in the section are ex-hibited oil paintings and en-gravings connected to historicalevents, and certain archaeologi-cal finds.

PLANETARIUM

The digital “planetarium” estab-lished by the EugenidesFoundation has a dome of 25min diameter and 950 sq.m sur-face area. It is one of thebiggest and better equippeddigital planetariums in theworld. The ultra modern pro-jection room has a capacity of280 persons, with specially de-signed reclining; interactiveparticipation seats, thus takingthe visitor to a unique virtualreality journey to the universe.It also has 1,800 sq.m. of avail-able exhibition space, moderncongress center and a scientificlibrary.

149. TheGoulandris

Natural HistoryMuseum:an aerial

photographof the “Gaia”

centre.

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For information regardingmuseums

� pages134-136.

DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

Greater Attica, an area of natural beauty, has beensince antiquity one of the most importantcultural centre of Greece. With important

historical and archaeological sites, unique Byzantinemonuments, mountains, fertile plains and clean beaches

– all easily accessible from Athens – Attica is anattractive destination for day trips, offering an escape

from the busy streets of Athens.

THE GOULANDRISNATURAL HISTORYΜUSEUM (“GAIA” CENTRE)

In this important Museum youcan learn about the interde-pendence of living organisms.The museum displays rich col-lections of insects, mammals,serpents, birds, and shells, androcks and fossils from Greece.Moreover, it organises seminarsand lectures and holds tempo-rary exhibitions connected toenvironmental issues relating toGreece and the world.

“Gaia” Centre. Recently, theMuseum opened the Centre ofEnvironmental Research andEducation “Gaia.” Visitors areoffered a glimpse of the work-ings of nature. Educational pro-grammes are also held at thebuilding. The area of the build-ing is 12,500 square metres.

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named after the Nymphs andGod Pan which were wor-shiped in that area. 2,000lanterns were found in the caveand it consists of two halls dec-orated with stalagmites and sta-lactites while one can still seecarved on the rocks since an-tiquity, the sockets for the vo-tive offerings.

The “Mont Parnes” Casino.The casino is open daily exceptWednesdays. Visitors shouldwear evening dress and carry a valid passport. Visitors under23 years of age are not allowedinto the casino.

MOUNT PΕΝΤΕLI

Penteli is a densely vegetatedmountain with springs and at-tractive locations. From the top,you have a spectacular view ofthe city as well as the EuboeanBay. Penteli is a well knownsource of marble, as thePentelic Marble was the main

material used for the construc-tion of all attic architecturaland sculptural marvels of theclassical period. The uniquewhite colour of Pentelic marblewas well known in antiquity.Pentelic marble was an impor-tant export product of ancientAthens. Later it was used in theconstruction of thePanathenaean (Kallimarmaro)Stadium, which was the loca-tion of the 1st modernOlympics (1896), revived bythe French baron Pierre deCoubertin. The locationsDaveli’s Cave and “Dytikostoixos” (Western Wall) are ide-al for climbing. For informationcontact the Greek Federationfor Hiking-Climbing tel. 2103645904)

� T H E S I G H T S :

The Penteli Monastery. Thewealthiest and biggestmonastery in Greece, PenteliMonastery was founded in 1578by Archbishop Timotheos. It isdedicated to the Dormition ofthe Virgin. A number of build-ings were added to the originalstructure. Sections of the origi-nal building were later recon-structed. Recently a multitudeof new buildings were addedfor the monks staying at themonastery. Visitors may see theoriginal hospital, fountain andsome of the cells.

Palace of the Duchess ofPlaisance. Impressive 19th cen-tury mansion which looks likea gothic castle and was built forS. de Marbois-Lebrun, knownas the “Duchess of Plaisance”.The building which now hous-

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PARNITHA / PENTELI

MOUNTPΑRNITHA

Parnitha was first inhabited dur-ing the Mycenaean period; it al-ways constituted a key-point inAttica’s defence, as it was themost fortified mountain in an-cient Greece.

Being the highest mountain inAttica (1.400 m) and one of themost beautiful mountains ofGreece, it is located 30 kilome-tres northwest of Athens. MountParnitha’s National Park has anarea of more than 300 squarekilometres. It is a home to 30species of mammals (deer,hares, foxes, etc) and 120 birdspecies (many of which are en-demic); while more than 800kinds of herbs and plants occur,(including 17 % of the flora of

Greece). Walk on one of hun-dreds of footpaths, take amountain bike ride on a desig-nated trail in the area of AyiosMerkourios, explore dozens ofsmall caves and visit a lot ofbeautiful churches and monas-teries (Ayia Triada, Moni Kleiston,Moni Ayiou Kyprianou etc). Atthe location Bafi (alt. 1,160 m.tel. 210 2469050) andFlambouri (alt. 1,158 m. tel. 210 2464666), two mountainresorts operate offering a ca-pacity of 50 people each. Themountain attracts climbing fans(locations “Arma”,”KatebasmaGouras”, “Flambouri”,“Korakofolia” and “MegaloArmeni”). Moreover, one canvisit the luxury hotel “MontParnes” and challenge his luckin the casino.

� T H ES I G H T S :

Frourio Filis. Thisfortress is located onthe west slope of themountain. It wasbuilt during the 4thcentury B.C in astrategic positionwith an unobstructedview, replacing anolder one nearby. SEof the fortress alongthe road leading toAthens, there are stillvisible chariot wheeltracks.

Spileo Panos. (Caveof God Pan) is locat-ed near Frourio Filis,it is accessible via astream, by climbing a rough slope. It was

150. Climbing

the craggy rocksof Parnitha.

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� GETTING THERE:

If you use your own car,follow the National Roadtowards Lamia and take a leftturn at the Parnitha exit. The road leading to the topfollows a picturesque route,with many turns. If you do notwant to take your car to thetop, park at the foot of themountain and take thefunicular (tel. 210 2421234).Bus number 714 from VathiSquare (Athens) reaches thetop of the mountain in abouttwo hours.

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plex, which has been pre-served, includes a four-sidefort-style court, two wings withbuildings and a main church,built in cruciform style, withinteresting frescoes of the 16thcentury. A domed cistern witha fountain from the period ofTurkish occupation is pre-served. The monastery hasbeen designated a historicalmonument (open 08:00-15:00).

The Kaisariani Monastery. Builtin the 11nd century AD, themonastery is located in an idyl-lic location on the slopes ofMount Hymettos, nearbyKaisariani suburb. According toGreek mythology, the godHephaistos often came here.The riverbed of the river Ilisos,the sacred river of Aphrodite, islocated on a hill above themonastery. The monastery wasbuilt on the ruins of a romanand late ancient Greek temple.Four columns of the ancienttemple now support the domeof the church. In the late 12thcentury and early 13th centurythe monastery prospered andbecame an influential culturaland spiritual centre. The churchof the monastery, dedicated tothe presentation of the VirginMary, is built in the Helleniccruciform style, and decoratedwith frescoes of the 16th centu-ry. On the western wall of theyard you will find a spring. Thewater gushes from the mouthof a marble goat. Formerly itwas thought that the watercured infertility. It is thoughtthat they have “magic” qualities.There is a spring at the stoup, asanctuary on the northwest wallof the yard. Kaisariani

Monastery is an excellent start-ing point for a hiking trip.

Ayios Ioannis Kareas Monastery.The monastery, founded in1550, is located a few hundredmetres from the Kareas area.The main church, a two-storeywing of cells and a small one-floor building on the northernside is all that remains of theold complex. After the 1970’smajor reconstruction work wasdone on the old monastery anda new two-floor wing of cellswas built. It is a women’smonastery (opening hours08:00-12:00 and 16:00-20:00).

Panos Cave (Nymfolyptou).Located in the southeasternarea of the mountain (3 kilo-metres north of the suburb ofVari). It was dedicated to Pan.The deity was worshiped therefrom 600 BC to 150 AC. Worthseeing are the unique sculp-tures and epigrams preservedon engravings in the rocks. The

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HYMETTOS

es the Byzantine and ChristianMuseum was also built for her(� page 95). From time totime, artistic events take placein the courtyard of the palace.However, you may find thebuilding closed, due to repairsthat are currently under way(tel. 210 8042575).

MOUNTHYMETTOS

Mount Hymettos is locatedsouth of the Athens basin. It islinked to the history of Athens.Sanctuaries have been builthere since antiquity (amongothers, the sanctuaries of Zeusand Pan). Moreover, in thewestern side were marblemines. Marble was used for theconstruction of monuments inthe Hellenistic and roman peri-ods. Hymettos has abundantvegetation and a large varietyof fauna and flora. In the pastfew decades, the state has in-troduced special measures toprotect the important ecologyof Mount Hymettos. Hymettos

is the most popular destinationin the vicinity of Athens, com-bining natural beauty with amultitude of archaeologicalfinds and important Byzantinemonasteries.

� T H E S I G H T S :

The Ayios Ioannis KynigosMonastery. Located at thenorthern peak of Hymettos,with a view of Athens and theMesogeia Plain, the monasterywas possibly built in the 12thcentury. Only the centralchurch (built of plinth), whichhas been modified, and themain entrance (13th century),remains of the old monastery.The monastery accommodatesa women’s commune. Access tothe monastery from AgiaParaskevi (open 8:00-12:00 pmand 16:00-19:00).

The Ayios Ioannis TheologosMonastery. The monastery is lo-cated in the vicinity of theperimeter of the Papagou sub-urb. You can get there viaAnastaseos Str. The monasterywas built on the site of an an-cient building (you will findhere, among others, ancientcolumn capitals, pedestals).The main cruciform church, isdated to the late Byzantine pe-riod (13th- 15th century). Themonastery accommodates awomen’s commune. It is closedat mid-day (12:00-16:00).

The Asteriou Monastery.Located north of Ayios IoannisTheologos, on a wooded slope,Asteriou Monastery is thoughtto have been founded in the5th century. The building com-

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� GETTING THERE:

Take trolley Νο 19 fromAthens (Vassileos IrakleiouStr, in the vicinity of theArchaeological Museum) toHalandri Square, and changeto local bus line 451 and getoff at bus stop “Monastiri”.Also, using metro line 1, getoff at “Maroussi”station andfrom there take local bus line446 (Amaroussio Station –Penteli Hospital).

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151. KaisarianiMonastery.

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Goths. However, according toanother myth, the place wasnamed after the nymphDaphne, who escaped to thelocation from the god Apolloand was metamorphosed into alaurel bush.

� T H E S I G H T S :

The mosaics. Daphni is famousfor its unique and beautiful mo-saics, created in the 11th centu-ry AD. You will see them onthe walls, the dome, the armsof the cross, the roof and thealtar. Seventy-six of the subjectsof the mosaics refer to the lifeof Christ and the Virgin Mary.Moreover, you can see mosaicsdepicting saints and prophets.

Christ Pantokrator. The centralfigure on the dome is the Pan -to krator, encompassed by a cir-cle symbolising the sky, whilethe golden font symbolisesParadise. Pantokrator’s face isaustere. He looks at the peopleon earth and judges their ac-tions. He is surrounded by the

prophets of the Old Testament.

The Assumption of the Virgin.The mosaic is half destroyed. Itis located on the western wallof the Church. Notice the angeldescending from the sky to re-ceive the soul of the Virgin. Heis thoughtful. His hands are gra-ciously covered by fabric.

Diomedes Botanical Garden .It’s located near the monastery.It’s the biggest of its kind in theEastern Mediterranean, with atotal area of 465 acres. Morethan 3,000 species of trees andflowers, originating fromGreece and abroad, are plantedin 50 acres, while the rest of itpreserves to a great extent itsforestal character (free entrance from 401 IeraOdos, tel. 210 5811557).

153. Detail of the uniquemosaics of the DaphniMonastery.

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most important is an epigramby the sculptor Archedimos.Archaeologists researching themultiple finds (among others,clay oil lamps, stone offerings)deduced that the cave was usedas a place of worship also inthe Christian period.

The Botanical Garden. Some 5 kilometres from the centre of Athens, you can enjoy a walkin an area with 3 million pinetrees, cypress trees, fir trees,poplar trees, plane trees, andoak trees. Moreover, in theBotanical Garden are thousandsof birds and wild flora. It is theideal scene for a long walk anda picnic. You will find picnic ta-bles and benches, after about20 minutes of walking fromKaisariani Monastery.

THE DAPHNIΜONASTERY

Well worth your visit is theDaphni Monastery (11 kilome-tres from Athens, near theHaidari suburb, the Athens -Corinth Highway), which islinked to ancient mythology,the classical period, and

Byzantine history. TheMonastery is thought to be themost important Byzantinemonument in the Athens area,while the mosaics are thoughtto be masterpieces of the gold-en age of Byzantine art.

Built on hallowedground. In the 2nd centuryAD, the geographer Pausaniasreferred to the Temple ofDaphnaios or DaphneiosApollo, located in a sacred lau-rel thicket, by the Iera Odos(Iera Odos in Greek meansSacred Road), leading fromAthens to Eleusina. The Gothsdestroyed the temple in 395AD. Later, the Byzantine em-perors banned idolatry. TheChristians acquired the locationand built a church, using thematerials of the old temple.They selected this location be-cause it was on the road toEleusina, where the idolatersheld the Eleusinian Mysteries(� page 115). In 1100 AD a new octagonal church wasbuilt. The monastery was modi-fied several times before the19th century. In the GreekRevolution it was refuge of Greek freedom fighters.

The myths. According tomythology, the location wasnamed after the ancient templeand the laurel thicket.According to another myth,Daphni was named after QueenDaphne, whose boat was ship-wrecked near the port ofEleusina. Queen Daphne wassaved, and as an expression ofgratitude to the god Apollo, shebuilt the temple. The templewas later destroyed by the

152. The slopesof Hymettos.

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� GETTING THERE:

Bus number 812 to Haidarideparts fromKoumoundourou Square.

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� T H E S I G H T S :

The Central port. The an-cient name of the central portwas Kantharos. At present it isthe centre of the city. You willfind here ships to all the islandsof the Aegean (excepting forthe Sporades) and Crete. Walkaround and look at the passen-ger and freight ships, and thearrivals and departures of mer-chandise and people from theentire world. On VasiliadesCoast the new modern buildingof the Ministry of CommercialShipping, is erected. In the

Freatyda area parts of the an-cient Walls of Piraeus (thecoastal section) are preserved.

The Zea marina. In this ma-rina, some of the most impres-sive yachts and cruise ships an-chor. At the seafront are restau-rants, tavernas, bars and shops,catering to the needs of passen-gers. You will find FlyingDolphins (hovercrafts) servinglines to the Argosaronikos Gulf.Adjacent to the ArchaeologicalMuseum is the Ancient Theatreof Zea (4th - 3rd century BC).

154. The Zeaharbour (or Pasalimani)is one of thecentral locationsof the city of Piraeus.

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PIRAEUS

PIRAEUS (PIREAS)

Most people have heard at leastonce the song “The youth of Piraeus,” composed by M. Hadjidakis, with MelinaMercouri singing in the film“Never on Sunday.” However,many people don’t know theplace, which the film and themovie made famous – the cityand port of Piraeus.

The history of Piraeus. Piraeus is encompassed almoston all sides by sea. The pace oflife of Piraeus is linked to thesea. In antiquity it was an is-land. Travellers were ferriedacross to the mainland(in ancient Greek theword for ferried isdiepairounto). That per-haps explains the originof its name.

The architectHippodamus designedthe urban planning ofPiraeus in the mid 5thcentury BC. Hippodamusplans were used as theguidelines for the recon-struction of the city in1834. Themistocles wasthe first person to realisethe importance of therole the city could playfor Athens. He madePiraeus Athens’s leadingport, relegating the Bayof Faliron, which theAthenians used beforethe 5th century BC.Seeking to develop a for-tified port for the city ofAthens, from 493 to 479BC he built the wall ofPiraeus. Later Pericles

completed the fortification,building the Long Walls, whichprotected both sides of theroad from Piraeus to Athens. In the Middle Ages, Piraeus wasnamed Porto Leone, after a gi-ant stone lion, guarding the en-trance of the harbour. Today itis the main port of Athens, thebiggest port in Greece, one of the leading ports in theMediterranean, an importantcentre of the merchant marine,industry and transportation.The centres of Piraeus are itsthree ports: the central port,the Zea marina, andMikrolimano.

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of 2.35 m) , the bronze, ancienttragedy mask of the 4th centu-ry BC (Rooms 3-4), the sanctu-ary of Cybele (room 5), thecollection of tomb sculptures(room 6) and the monument of Kallithea bearing a height of 7m (rooms 7-8).

The Nautical Museum. The Nautical Museum is locatedat Akti Moutsopoulou. Its exhi -bits cover about 3,000 years of Greek nautical history.

156. The renovatedPireas metrostation.

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Mikrolimano. The port wasprotected by the goddessMounihia Artemis. At present itis a popular location, attractingpeople from all over Attica. It isa beautiful little harbour withfishing boats, small boats andluxury yachts. If you like fish andseafood, have lunch or dinner atone of its famous tavernas.

Kastella. An elegant andpopular neighbourhood ofPiraeus, built on a hill alsoknown as Profitis Ilias. Walk tothe top of the hill, and admirethe alleys with picturesquehouses. The view of the mainport, Zea and Mikrolimano isunique. In the area is the open-air theatre “Veakeio,” whichhosts important cultural eventsin summer.

The Municipal Theatre. Itdominates one of the centralsquares (Korai Square). It wasbuilt in the 1890’s in the neo-classical style by architect I. La -za rimos and has a horseshoeshaped, Italian style hall (pit,

galleries and balconies) of totalcapacity of 1,300 spectators.The outside area is one of themost frequented places, a meet-ing place of residents of Piraeus.

The I.S.A.P. station (metrostation “Pireas”). The statelyeclectic building with thearched dome (1929), replicatesthe relevant European stationsof the period. Recently the inte-rior was completely renovated.On one of the walls are dis-played the works of the studentsof the School of Fine Arts.

The Archaeological Museum.It features mostly sculpturesfound in Piraeus at the coast ofAttica. The exhibits, presentedin 10 halls, relate to the history,and the rise and fall of the an-cient city. Notice the bronze tri-dent-shaped piston of a trireme,the metrological bas-relief(room 1), the four rare bronzestatues discovered in Piraeus in 1959 (the Ancient KourosApollo, two statues of Artemis,Athena of Piraeus with a height

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� GETTING THERE:

You can take the metro andget off at the station “Pireas.”There are bus lines fromAthens to Akti Xaveriou inPiraeus. One line has itsterminus at Syntagma Square(number 040) and anotherline has its terminus at AthinasStr in the Omonia Square area(number 049).

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155. Piraeus:Municipal

Theatre.

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� T H E S I G H T S :

The Temple of Poseidon. At thissite the ancient Greeks wor-shipped the god of the sea,Poseidon. Preserved are 15Doric style columns (originallythere were 34). The temple wasbuilt during the Golden Age ofPericles on the ruins of a pre-ceding temple. We do not knowwho the architect is. However, itis thought that it is the architectwho designed the Theseion.

Its dimensions were 31.12 x13.47m.; it had a frieze with asculpted decoration above thearchitrave of the vestibule.Following an examination of thefinds unearthed in the area ar-chaeologists have deduced thatPoseidon was worshipped herebefore the 5th century BC.

The temple of goddess Athena.Worth your visit is the templeof Athena Sounia, located at adistance of 400 metres fromthe temple of Poseidon. Youwill find here the substructuresof two temples: a large templebuilt at around 470 BC or dur-ing the Peloponnesian War(431-404), and a small temple.Archaeologists have divergingopinions regarding the smalltemple: some believe it is theruin of an old temple dedicatedto Athena, and built in the peri-od 600-550 BC, other believethe temple was dedicated toArtemis.

LΑVRΙΟ

Located approximately 9 kilo-metres northeast of Sounio isLavrio, a small picturesque townwith a multitude of neoclassicalhouses and mansions, whichwas famous in antiquity for itsmines. The mines of Lavrioclosed in the 1970’s. At theperimeter of the city is theTechnological Cultural Park ofLavrio, including industrial unitsof the period 1875-1940. Wortha visit is the MineralogicalMuseum (Andr. KordelasAvenue). At the seafront are

a multitude of traditional cafesand fish taverns, with delicioussnacks. Some 4 kilometresnorth of Lavrio is the archaeo-logical site of Thorikos, οne ofthe oldest settlements of Attica.Excavations have revealed themost ancient theatre within theHellenic territory, parts of thesettlement, metal work facilities,a 4th century B.C tower, ceme-teries and a sanctuary of god-dess Demeter. In the area en-compassed by Lavrio andSounio is the Sounio NationalPark, with natural archaeologicaland cultural attractions.

158. Blue skyand blue sea are joined atCape Sounion.

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SOUNIO

SΟUΝΙΟ

The sanctuary of Sounio (thefamous temple of Poseidon ishere) is the most importantsanctuary of Attica. Situated at aunique site (cape Sounio) thesanctuary is one of the majorsights of Greece. It is onehour’s drive from the centre ofAthens (68 km). The route toSounio follows the coastline ofthe Saronic Gulf passing throughthe tourist resorts of Varkiza,Ayia Marina, Lagonissi, Saronida,Anavissos, et al. Look out of thewindow of your car or bus andyou will enjoy the sparklingblue sea. If you travel by car,you can stop and go for a swimin a organised beach or one ofthe beautiful little bays locatedat many places on your way.You will also find here a multi-tude of cafes, tavernas servingfresh fish and ouzo restaurants.

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DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

� GETTING THERE:

Two bus lines link Sounio toAthens: one route via, thecoastal road of Varkiza andLegrena, and another via theinland of Attica, namely AgiaParaskevi, Koropi and Lavrio.The terminus of both bus linesis located at Mavromataion Strin the vicinity of Pedion touAreos in Athens (tel. 210 8230179). Moreover, tra -vel agents organise day tripsto the temple of Poseidon.

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157. The ruinsof the templeof Poseidon.

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she requested that a temple bebuilt in her honour. She re-mained in the temple, devastat-ed by the loss of her daughter.The following year, not a seedgrew on the world. Zeus wasworried. He sent Hermes to ap-peal to Pluto. A compromisewas reached: Persephonewould remain in the kingdomof Pluto 1/3 of the year, and theremaining time she could staywith her mother. Overjoyed,Demeter allowed the plantsand flowers to grow, and theearth became fruitful.

� T H E S I G H T S :

The Archaeological site. Duringyour visit, bear in mind that thegreater part of the area was ava-ton – a place inaccessible to theuninitiated - many centuries.Worth seeing are the remainsof the Telestirion (ceremonialchamber), also known as theIero ton Mystirion, located inthe centre of the area, the IeriAvli (Sacred Courtyard), theGreat and Small Propylaea, andPloutoneio.

The Archaeological Museum.Displayed at the Museum ofEleusina are the finds of thedigs of the sanctuary and thewestern cemetery. Worth see-ing is the Early-Attic Amphoraof Eleusina (650 BC). The neckof the amphora is decorated by a depiction of the blindingof the Cyclops Polyphimos byUlysses. On the main body ofthe amphora, Perseus beheadsMedousa. Also worth seeing isthe Kori from the pediment of the Ieri Oikia - Sacred House(490-480 BC). It is the statue ofa running maiden, her headturned to the left.

West Cemetery. Located nearthe archaeological site, it wasthe most significant necropolisof the ancient city. A conglom-eration of prehistoric graves,presumably belonging to thepersonage of the tragedy Heptaepi Thébas (Seven againstThebes).

Roman Bridge. Located on theeast entrance of the city (nearthe highway Athens-Korinthos).Dating to the 2nd century A.D

115

ELEUSINA

ΕLEUSINA(ELEUSIS)

Located 23 kilometres west ofAthens, it was founded in the2nd millennium BC; the sanctu-ary became pan-Hellenic in the8th century BC. Today, the cityhas mainly industrial characterwith obvious however indica-tions of its older attributes,such as the aristocratic housesof the early 20th century(mainly on Pangalou Str andNicolaidou Str), as well as theneighbourhoods with one-storey houses and the old in-dustrial buildings. The districtaround the harbour, where ru-ins of the ancient breakwaterhave been retrieved, is also ofinterest. However, uninitiatedvisitors will not appreciate itsglorious past, the history andthe mythology regarding the lo-cal gods, the deities and theworship thereof.

Demeter and Persephone.The citizens of Eleusina wor-shipped Demeter, the goddessof nature, spring and agricul-ture. The myth of Demeter andher daughter Persephone is,like most myths, allegorical. Itrefers to the rebirth of plantlife, following its “death” inwinter, and the eternal longingfor immortality. According to ahymn of the 7th century BC,one day the earth opened up intwo, Pluto, the god of the un-derworld appeared, and seizedthe young Persephone. He tookher to his kingdom and madeher his wife. Her motherlooked for her in despair. Shelooked for her nine days andnights, without success. She ar-rived despairing at the door -step of the palace of Keleos,king of Eleusina. She becamethe nurse of his son, not reveal-ing that she is a goddess. Whenher real identity was revealed,

159. Viewof the sanctuary

of Eleusina.

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DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

The Mysteries ofEleusina. The Eleusinianmysteries were named mys-teries because the most im-portant part of the event,involved intense mysticism.We don’t know much aboutthe worship of Demeter bythousands of people over15 centuries. The GreatEleusinian Mysteries hadtheir starting point inEleusina. The remarkableprocession moved on toAthens through the SacredWay and headed by thepriestess and the sacredsymbols of the worship ofDemeter. The Mysterieswere concluded with cere-monies in honour of thedead. After the ceremony,Athenians returned toAthens. The Eleusinian mys-teries were abolished in the4th century BC by theByzantine emperorTheodosios.

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rare animals of Greece (brownbear, wolves, wild cats, Lynxpardinus, lutra-lutra, etc); the“African Savanna” (giraffes, ze-bras, antelopes, jaguars, snowleopards, white lions, etc); thesection with the monkeys andapes and the “Forest of Monkeys”where visitors share the samespace with monkeys; the felinesection (tigers, servals, etc); thesection with the hippopotamus-es, alligators, etc. The zoo isopen to the public daily from9:00 a.m. until sunset.

ΜΑRATHON

Well worth your visit isMarathon, with an archaeologi-cal area and museum. Marathonis one of the most beautiful lo-cations in Attica. The way toMarathon is beautiful. On yourway you will pass by fields,vineyards, olive groves, wildvegetation, as well as man-madeLake Marathon with its impres-sive dam with marble coating,built in 1929. All over this areayou will find a multitude ofbeautiful beaches where youcan swim and sunbathe. Themost famous beach is Schinias(an exceptionally beautiful lo-

cation which has been declareda National Park), which has apine forest bordering on thesandy shore. You can combinea visit to Marathon with a visitthe archaeological area ofRamnounda. (12 kilometresfrom Marathon).

The battle of Marathon. The main source of informationregarding the battle of Mara -thon is the ancient historianHerodotus. According toHerodotus, the Persian fleetdisembarked 100,000 troops inMarathon in 490 BC. Facingthis immense army were just11,000 Greek troops (10,000were from Athens and 1,000from Plataiai). The Greeks,thanks to the military genius ofMiltiades, won the battle.Following the victory, Feidippi -dis, an Athenian soldier, wassent to bring the good news tothe city. He ran all the wayfrom the field of battle to theMarket of Athens. He said oneword: Nenikikamen (we won),collapsed and passed away. Inmemory of the event, the mod-ern Marathon covers the dis-tance Feidippidis ran, and issymbolised in the opening cer-emony of the Olympic Games.

� T H E S I G H T S :

The Monument (Tomb) ofMarathon. Adjacent to the an-cient battle field, at a distanceof one kilometre fromMarathon’s beach, you will finda unique monument (Tomb),9m. tall and 50m. in diameter,of the 192 Athenian soldierswho were killed in this famousbattle. Nearby (at Mesospori -

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ATTICA ZOOLOGICAL PARK / MARATHON

it is made of stone 50 m. longand it was part of the SacredWay. Also, in central parts ofthe city, sections of the RomanAqueduct (125 A.D) are pre-served.

MEGARA

The Archaeological Museum.21 km. west of Eleusina is thetown of Megara. A significanttown in antiquity, it is thebirthplace of Euclides,Theognes and Eupalinos. Itsdecline started with the end ofthe Peloponnesian War. Its in-teresting archaeological muse-um houses terracotta and mar-ble findings from the greaterarea, covering the chronologi-cal period from the 6th centuryB.C. till the Roman era. Amongthe most important exhibits arethe terracotta bust of Demeter(5th century B.C.), a terracottafemale bust (5th cent. B.C.), aspout with the shape of a lion’shead (around350 B.C.), a fe-male statue wearing a peplos -veil (325-300 B.C.), et al.

ΑΤΤΙCAZOOLOGICALPΑRK (SPΑΤΑ)

One of the largest zoos in theBalkans spreading across128000 m2 in the area ofYialou (Spata). A visit there is aunique experience especiallyfor children. It consists of: the“Ornithological Park” boastingthe third largest collection ofbirds worldwide (1500 birdsfrom 300 different species),farm animals and large cages-miniatures of three continents; the“World of Reptiles” withpythons, boas, crocodiles, etc;the “Greek Fauna” featuring

116

DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

� GETTING THERE:

If you travel by car, take theAthens-Corinth NationalRoad. The bus to Eleusina(number A16 and B16) hasits terminus at Koumoun -dourou Square in Athens.

To reach Megara, you can usethe intercity bus service whichhas its terminus at theThission metro station (tel.210 32444448), or you canuse the Suburban Railway (formore information, � page133). � GETTING THERE:

By bus (No 319 from the“Doukissis Plakentias” metrostation). By car via the AttikiOdos Motorway, exit 18 withdirection to Spata (from theairport) and exit 16P withdirection to Rafina (fromEleusina).

160. The AtticaZoological Park

is home to 27reptile species,

304 bird speciesand 50 mammal

species.�

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9

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ΑMPHIAREION

Amphiaraos is one of the leastwell-known deities of ancientmythology. Nevertheless, hewas popular, and twelve tem-ples and sanctuaries are knownto have been dedicated to him.His popularity was due to hismagical and healing qualities.According to myth, he was notborn, but emerged from aspring, located near his temple,in the vicinity of Oropos. Heparticipated in the expeditionof the Argonauts, and later inthe siege of Thebes by theArgeans. In the latter Zeus in-tervened, saving Amphiaraos’slife. The most important templededicated to Amphiaraos isAmphiareion, located in a gorgeon the border of Attica andBoeotia. An ancient theatrewith a capacity of 3,000 domi-nates the area. Notice the fivewhite marble seats around thescene, with sculpted decoration

and epigraphs. The temple islocated in the vicinity of aspring, mentioned in the mythof Amphiaraos. It was built inthe Doric style in the 4th cen-tury BC. Most of the ruins inthe area were dated to 6th cen-tury BC.

162. Theatre at Amphiareionarchaeologicalsite.

119

AMPHIAREION

tissa), the replica of thetropaion (trophy) erected bythe Athenians following the vic-torious battle is found (frag-ments of the original are dis-played at the ArchaeologicalMuseum of Marathon).

The Archaeological Museum of Marathon. The museum issmall. It houses exhibits fromnearby towns, as well as otherperiods and locations. Import -ant finds of the Neolithic Age,such as the finds discovered atCave of the Pan in Oinoi, and acollection of columns, thoughtto have been built in the 2ndcentury BC, bas-relief portraitsand inscriptions coming fromthe Epavlis (mansion) of HerodesAticcus (2nd century A.D) foungclose by, are also on display.Also exhibited are finds fromthe Early Helladic (3000-2300B.C) cemetery found at the siteof “Tsepi”, the Egyptian sanctu-ary of Isis (2nd century AD)and the Roman valaneion (cir-cular bath, 2nd-4th CenturyAD) found at the site of

“Brexiza”. Next to themuseum, in a lodgedarea there is a Mid-Hellenic cemetery(2000-1300BC) and inproximity there is the“Tymbos ton Plataeeon”(tomb of Plataeeon)which includes 11graves of warriorsfrom Plataees who fellin the battlefield.

RΑΜΝΟUS(Kato Souli)

The name of the areais derived from the

word 'ramnos,' the name of avariety of bushes which coverthe area. In antiquity, Ramnouswas known for its port and fort.In the archaeological area arethe ruins of two temples. TheGreat temple was dedicated toNemesis, the goddess of DivineJustice (it was the most impor-tant sanctuary of the goddess inancient Greece). The smalltemple was dedicated toThemis, the goddess of Justice.Both temples were built in the5th century BC. The remains ofa fort, theatre, funerary monu-ments, among others, are pre-served. This archaeological sitecommands a unique view ofEuboea and the Euboean Gulf(Gulf of Evoikos).

118

DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

� GETTING THERE:

You can take the bus toParalia Marathona, fromMavromataion Str (AigyptouSquare) near Paidio touAreos. Tel. 210 8210872.

10

�9.1

161. The MarathonArchaeological

Museum:clay vase of the

Neolithic periodfrom the Cave

of Pan (Oinoi).

� GETTING THERE:

Amphiareion is located 48kilometres from Athens. If youhave a car, take the Athens-Lamia National road, and turnright on the road to Oropos.Two bus lines link Athens toOropos, both with a stop inthe vicinity of theAphmiareion archaeologicalarea. Walk another 3kilometres from the bus stopto the archaeological site.Two alternative bus lines linkAthens to Ayioi Apostoloi

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Koutouki Cave ranks among themost interesting and rich cavesin Greece. Located on the east-ern slope of Mount Hymettos,at an altitude of 540 metres, 4kilometres from Paiania in theMesogeia area, it has a totalarea of 3,800 square metres.

NORTHWESTATTICA

Resort area where manyAthenians have summer houses.It is an area of natural beautywith large stretches of pine -woods and interesting moun-tains (Kitheronas, Pastra, Pateras,Geraneia) which are popular forhiking and mountain activities.With numerous beautifulbeaches (� page 132), tradi-tional villages (Alepohori, Vilia,Kriekouki or Erythres, etc.) andmany hotels in all categories.

� T H E S I G H T S :

Eleutheres. Ancient city ofBiotia, conquered by theAthenians during the 6th centu-ry B.C. The archaeological site(near the village Vilia) includesfoundations of a 4th century

121

VRAVRONA / NORTHWEST ATTICA

VRAVRONA

Vravrona, with an interestingarchaeological site, is wellworth a visit. On your way toVravrona, you will travelthrough one of the most beauti-ful areas of Attica, with greenfields, vineyards, olive trees,gentle mountainsides, and thecoast of the blue Euboean Gulf.In summer, if you don’t like theheat, you can take a dip in thesea. Be sure to follow the sign-posts leading to Markopouloand Porto Rafti, then take a turnleft at the sign for Vravrona. Afew kilometres inland is the ar-chaeological site and the muse-um on your left.

Artemis Vravronia.Vravrona was dedicated toArtemis, the goddess protectorof hunters, animals and the safebirth of humans. Enraged bythe murder of two small femalebears, Artemis caused an epi-demic in Athens. She requestedthat an oracle tell the Atheniansthat all girls aged 5 to 10 livingin Attica were obliged to wor-ship her. The Athenians obeyedthe command of the goddess

and brought their little girls tothe temple, where they spendtheir childhood years servingher and participating in the fes-tivals organised there. The girlswho went to the temple, werecalled arktoi (bears). The festi-vals in honour of the goddesswere called Vravronia. Musicalperformances, athletic competi-tions and poetry readings wereheld, among other things, atthe festivals.

� T H E S I G H T S :

Archaeological site. You will no-tice the co-existence of the ru-ins of the ancient Greek templeof Artemis and a Christianchurch of the 15th century AD,dedicated to Saint George.Unfortunately only the sanctu-ary of the ancient temple ispreserved. Archaeologists havenot determined the shape ofthe original temple. Walk overa bridge, built in the classicalperiod, which leads, to thetemple, and visit the partiallyrenovated colonnade.

The Museum. Small and inter-esting, the museum houses ex-hibit from the Vravron area andAnavyssos, Perati and other ar-eas of Attica. These exhibitscover the period from theBronze Age until the Romantimes. The most importantfinds are the sculptures fromthe sanctuary of Artemis.

PAIANIA CAVE(Koutouki)

With a large variety of rocksand the multiformity of the sta-lactites and stalagmites,

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DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

(get off at Oropos, at adistance of 3.3 kilometresfrom the archaeological site),and Oropos. You can get offthe bus at the Markopoulocemetery, at a distance of 3kilometres from the location.You will find the terminus ofthe buses at Mavromataion Strin Athens (Aigyptou Square)tel 210 8230179.

� GETTING THERE:

Vravrona is located 38kilometres from Athens. If youhave a car, take MesogeionAvenue, and following thesuburb of Ayia Paraskevi, takea turn right on the road to Markopoulo-Porto Rafti. A bus line links the area to Athens. It departs everyhour from Mavromataeon Str(Pedio tou Areos, tel. 210 8230179).

11

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163. Vravrona:at ArktonCollonaderesided younggirls dedicatedto the goddessArtemis.�

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Athens neversleeps. Some

people say that Athensis more vibrant atnight. Ancient and mod-ern Athens offers moreopportunity for nightlifethan any other city. Youhave a lot of options: an-cient Greek drama in a the-atre dated to the periodthe play was written,world famous orchestrasplaying music rangingfrom Beethoven and jazz inone of the most modernconcert halls of Europe,unique musical stages and clubsoffering variety and creativity.

The capital of Athens offersnightlife fans special nights out.Whatever you choose to do,you will discover that Athensnightlife offers variety andunique choice, making it possi-ble to enjoy throughout thenight. The only problem is thatthe following day you have tosee the sights… You can start

your evening out at one of theselect restaurants or one of thedistinctive Greek tavernas lo-cated in every neighbourhoodof the city. The atmosphere inGreek restaurants is relaxedand friendly and the food is ex-cellent. You may go to a taver-na with live bouzouki music,

or one of hundreds ofpopular, modernbars, clubs, disco-bars and barswith live music,featuring all vari-eties of music.

You can find bars inall central areas, and all

the suburbs, (among others,Kifisia, Faliro, Glyfada,Vouliagmeni, Voula, Varkiza).

A night out at place with livebouzouki music is an unforget-table experience. During yourvisit, you should go to abouzouki joint, listen to au-thentic Greek music, sing anddance with the patrons in thejoint.

165. The bouzouki,an integral partof Greekpopular music.

166. A classicalmusic concert at the Odeion of HerodesAtticus, belowthe floodlitAcropolis.

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NIGHT LIFE

B.C temple, ruins of residencesdating from until earlyChristian years and ruins of twoearly Christian Basilicas.Situated on a rocky hill thefortress Gyftokastro (wallperimeter 860 m.), dominatesthe area. This fortress was inte-grated in the defense mecha-nism of Attica by the Atheniansduring the 4th century B.C.

Aegosthenes Fortress. Locatednear Porto Yermenό, it datesfrom the 4th - 3th century B.C.and is considered the best-pre-served ancient castle. Close tothe fortress are the foundationsof a five-naved basilica (5thcent. A.D.) with a mosaic floor,while on the castle’s acropolisone can see remnants of thecells of a medieval cloister, aswell as a chapel from the sameperiod that is still being used.�

164. Hydra,one of the most

beautiful islandsof the Saronic

Gulf.

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DAY TRIPS IN ATTICA

ΝIGHT LIFE

� GETTING THERE:

If you travel by car, take theAthens-Corinth NationalRoad and after Eleusina get offand follow the road to Mandra(approx. distances fromAthens: Vilia 54 km,Alepohori 60 km, Erythres 61 km). You can also use theintercity bus service. Buses toErythres, Porto Yermenό andMegara leave from the“Thission” metro station (tel. 210 3244448).

THE SARONICISLANDS

Boats, ferries and flying dol-phins depart daily from the portof Piraeus for the splendid is-lands of the Saronic (Saroni kos)Gulf, Salamina, Aegina, Angistri,Hydra, Poros and Spetses.Moreover, tourist offices organ-ise daily cruises to the islands.

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169. At“Giousouroum,one of the mostcharmingneighbourhoodsof Athensyou can finda multitudeof old objects.

125You will be surprised at thebargains you will find in

Athens. Golden and silver jew-ellery are popular, given the in-ternational renown of Greekdesigners. A multitude of jew-ellers shops most of them lo-cated in the Syntagma Squareand Kolonaki areas, have awide selection of reproduc-

tions of ancient Greek jewelsand traditional and modern de-signs. Most of them are handmade by local craftsmen.Moreover, at a multitude ofGreek shops you can find silverand turquoise filigrans, most ofthem made in the city ofIoannina, in Epirus, with attrac-tive traditional motifs.

Worth a vitis is the IliasLalaounis Jewellery Museum.The Museum houses more than3,000 designs of jewels. Some45 collections representing thehistory of Greek jewellery in-spired by the art and architec-ture of eleven civilisations, na-ture, technology and biology.

You may be interested in thefamous furs of Kastoria, theproduct of an craft that wasperfected over the centuries. In the Syntagma Square area isa multitude of fur shops offer-ing a wide range of coats, jack-

124

SHOPPING IN ATHENS

SHOPPING IN ATHENS ets and fur hats, with classicand modern designs.

You may also find bargain sou-venirs, hand made goods andbronze vases. Athens has beenfamous for its copper utensils,clay and ceramic goods sincethe Archaic Age. The idealplace to find unique items ofGreek ceramic art and potteryis the suburb of Maroussi,where most designers and ce-ramicists have shops offeringhand made goods.

You may also find bargain qual-ity woven wool and cottonjumpers with unique designsand leather goods and shoesmade by Greek designers. Youwill find these items at ErmouStr and Kolonaki Square.

You will also find an abundanceof antiques in various shops inKolonaki, Syntagma andMonastiraki. You may find vari-ous kinds of antiques, such asfurniture, hand painted wood-en trunks, attractive miniatures,and small decorative items.

The National Council ofSocial Welfare.

Here you will find valu-

able hand made heavy

carpets and rugs made on

wooden looms, and a

wide range of embroi-

dery, embroidered tapes-

tries, hand made cushions

and bags, decorative wall

embroideries and unique-

ly charming, authentic de-

signs of Greek popular art.

14, Filellinon StrΤel. 210 3250240-1, 197

The Hellenic Organisation ofSmall Medium SizedEnterprises and Handicrafts(EOMMEX).

You will find here attrac-

tive, quality, and hand

made carpets. EOMMEX

has established workshops

in the country teaching

the art of traditional car-

pet making. You will be

impressed by the superb

designs, the lively colours

and quality of the materi-

als used for EOMMEX car-

pets. In the shop at

Mitropoleos Str you will

find a large variety of de-

signs and sizes. You are

sure to find a good bar-

gain.

9, Mitropoleos StrΤel. 210 3252110

SHOPPING IN ATHENS

167. ErmouStreet is a very

busy street mostof the year.

It is the locationof a multitude of well-known

shops.

168. Modernshopping centre

like this arefound in most

areas of Athensand its suburbs.

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GREEK CUISINEAND WINE

seafood. The Aegean Sea andIonian Sea, are clean seas, abun-dant in fish. Fresh fish fried oncharcoal is a speciality.

The Greek attitude. Greeks reli-giously preserved the custom ofgathering around the table toenjoy a meal or various appetis-ers, (mezedes), with ouzo.Having a meal with friends athome or at a restaurant or taver-na is a deeply rooted socialhabit. The Greek word sympo-sium, recalling the ancient ori-gins of Greece, translated wordfor word means “drinking withcompany.” The atmosphere intypical Greek restaurants andtavernas is casual, relaxed andinformal. Food is prepared ac-cording to fundamental rules.Good amateur cooks enjoygreat respect in their social cir-cle, while a good housewife inGreece means a good cook. A good cook sometimes dedi-cates days to the preparation ofa meal for his friends..

The general atmosphere. Try a glass of ouzo or wine with

fried octopus or any otherGreek dish, sitting in the shadeof a tree in a small taverna bythe seafront, on an Aegean is-land. Try to repeat the experi-ence in your home country,preparing the same dish, andhelping yourself to the samedrink. You may try it anywhere,but you will soon realise thatthe flavour is not the same.Don’t try again. Your palate hasnot changed, nor is there some-thing lacking in your cookingskills. The Greek food-relishingexperience, in particular thecombination of the food andthe place where it is served, areunique, and cannot be exportedor imitated. It is simply some-thing you can find, taste and en-joy only in Greece.

GREEK WINEGreece, the country ofDionysos, the god of wine, is the home of the first Vins deQualite Produit Region(VQPRD) wines in history. Thewines in question were from

127

The basic ingredients. Greek cui-sine has four secrets. Good freshingredients, the proper use ofaromatic herbs and spices, thefamous Greek olive oil and sim-plicity. Greek olive oil deservesa special mention. It accompa-nies nearly all Greek dishes. It isusually used in large measures.Greece has high quality, healthyolive oil. The artificial cultivationof vegetables is not widespreadin Greece because of the mild-

ness of the climate. Mostvegetables are cultivat-

ed in a natural way,preserving theiraroma and taste.You will be de-lighted by thetaste of Greek

tomatoes, cab-bage, carrots,

onions, parsley, andgarlic, not to mention fresh

Greek fruit, such as, among oth-ers, grapes, apricots, peaches,cherries, melons, and water-mel-ons. The aromatic herbs, whichmost Greeks pick in the moun-tains or the country, have aunique flavour, aroma and thera-peutic qualities. You will be de-lighted by the intoxicating aro-ma of oregano, thyme, mint, androsemary, in a large variety ofdishes. Don’t forget to try Greekcheeses, in particular, feta. Meathas unique flavour becausesheep and goats graze on openfields, and grazing meadows areverdant. Mediterranean seafoodtastes much better than ocean

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GREEK CUISINE AND WINE GREEK CUISINE AND WINE

Greek cuisine has a uniqueflavour. During your stay in

Greece you will be pleasantlysurprised by culinary specialities.“Mousaka,” “souvlaki,” “Greeksalad,” is all most people knowof Greek cuisine. However, youwill discover that Greek cuisinecomprises of a large variety ofdishes fully meeting the culinaryappetites of meat-eaters andvegetarians.

This is not surprising consider-ing that Greece is thecountry where sympo-siums originatedand the homelandof the Epiku reianphilosophers.Archestratos wrotethe first cookbooksin history in 330 BCreminding readers thatcuisine is a mark of civili-sation. Greece has a gastronomictradition of 4,000 years.However, like most nationalcuisines, Greek cuisine was in-fluenced by neighbouring coun-tries, from the East and the West.

TRADITIONALGREEK CUISINE

Greek cuisine is unique becauseit combines the following fea-tures: unique ingredients, Greekdietary habits, the custom ofmaking a meal a social event,and the pleasant atmosphere ofGreece.

170. Theenjoyment of agood meal withfriends isadistinctiveGreek custom.

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the islands of Hios and Thasos,famous in antiquity. For a vari-ety of historical and social rea-sons, and due to natural disas-ters, the art of wine-making de-clined from the mid-19th cen-tury to the early 1960’s. Thenthe traditional customs of wine-making revived. Today you canfind a multitude of excellentGreek wines from every regionof the country. When you tasteGreek wine, bear in mind thatit is the produce of excel-lent harvest, made fromvarieties of grape un-known to Westernlovers of wine.

Greek wines are classi-fied in the following fourcategories:

1) Controlled Appellation ofOrigin

2) Superior QualityAppellation ofOrigin

3) Local wine

4) Table wine

Controlled appellation of origin.Listed in the category are onlysweet wines, such as theMavrodaphne of Cephaloniaand Patra, the Moshato ofPatras, Limnos, Cephalonia andRodos, and the Sweet wine ofSamos.

Listed in the category of superi-or quality appellation of origin aresome of the best wines ofGreece. Some 20 locations havebeen designated appellation oforigin. In Northern Greece arethe appellations Zitsa,Amyntaio, Goumenisa andNaousa. In Halkidiki is the ap-pellation Playies Melitona. In

Thessaly are the appellationsAgialos and Rapsani. In theAthens area is the appellation ofKantza. In the Peloponnese arethe appellations of Patras,Mantineia, and Nemea. In theIonian islands is the appellationsRombola Cephalinias. In the is-lands of Paros, Limnos, Rhodes,and Santorini are the appella-tions (Paros, Limnos, Rhodesand Santorini). In Crete are theappellations of origin, Arkanes,Peza, Siteia and Daphnes.

Finally the last twocategories, i.e. the localand table wines, offerwine lovers pleasant,exhilarating flavours.

The Vineyard of Attica.Attica is a traditional high

quality wine producing region.The total area of Attica’s vine-yards is 16,346 acres. The differ-ent varieties of grapes cultivated

are: Savvatiano, Athiri, Bilana,white Moshato, Roditis,

Asurtiko, Robola, AlexadreiasMoshato, Amvourgou Moshato,Fileri, Malagouzia (Greek whitewines), Mandilaria, Agiorgitiko(Greek red wines), Chardonnay,Sauvignon blanc, Ugni blanc,Semillon (Foreign white wines)and Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,Carignan, Syrah, Tempranillo(foreign red wines). Also thearea of Eastern Attica (Mesogeia)is well known for its Retsina, a popular wine which accompa-nies superbly the dishes of theMediterranean cuisine.

For more information please ad-dress the Assosiation of Attica’svineyard wine producers. Tel. 210 6038019website: www.enoaa.gr

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Greece is located in south-easternEurope. Greece has a population of11,262.000 people. Greece, aPresidential, ParliamentaryDemocracy, acceded to theEuropean Union in 1981.

Athens is located in the Attica pre-fecture, in particular in the Atticabasin, which is encompassed byMount Aegaleo, Mount Parnitha,Mount Penteli and MountHymettos. Athens, the suburbs andthe neighbouring town of Piraeusconstitute an urban entity (greaterurban complex of the capital) witha population of about 4 million res-idents.

CURRENCY: The national currencyof Greece since January 1, 2001, isthe euro. You can exchange cur-rency at the airport, at private cur-rency exchanges, and banks.

DIALLING CODE: The internation-al dialling code of Greece is +30.

TIME ZONE: Athens time is sevenhours ahead of Eastern StandardTime, two hours ahead ofGreenwich Mean Time, and onehour ahead of Central EuropeanTime.

CLIMATE: Athens has a mild cli-mate, with sunshine more than 260days a year.

The average monthly temperatureis:

Month Temperature in CJanuary 10.3February 10.6March 12.3April 15.9May 20.7June 25.2July 28.0August 27.8September 24.2October 19.5November 15.4December 12.0

We recommend that you visitAthens any season. The tourist sea-son is from April to October, peak-ing in August.

New Year’s Day: 1 January.

Epiphany: 6 January. Consecrationof the waters in the Piraeus area.The Cross is cast in the sea andyoung men dive in to retrieve it.

Shrove Monday: 41 days beforeEaster. The commencement ofLenten fasting. On Shrove MondayGreeks fly kites, fast, and celebratethe Shrove Monday feast. Atheniansgather mainly at Philopappou Hilland other high grounds.

Independence Day and theAnnunciation: 25 March. Military Parade.

Easter: Good Friday to Easter BankHoliday. On Good Friday in the af-ternoon churches decorate an epi-taph. The procession of theEpitaph is joined by people hold-ing candles and singing psalms onthe streets of every town and vil-lage in the country.

Resurrection: Celebrated with fire-works and flares at midnight, onthe eve of Easter.

Easter Day: According to custom, onEaster Day, Greeks eat spited lamb.The festivities include music anddancing.

May Day: 1 May. A multitude offlower shows in Athens.

The Dormition of the Virgin:On 15 August.

28 October: National holiday.Military parade.

Christmas: 25-26 December.

OTHER TRADITIONAL HOLIDAYS:Carnival: Carnival festivities of 3weeks duration, ending on Shrove

INFORMATIONGREEK CUISINE AND WINE

INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION SEASONS

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

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tel. 210 3536899

E.L.P.A.: 395, Mesogeion Avenuetel. 210 6068800

E.L.P.A. Road Assistance: tel. 10400

HEALTH CARE:Emergency Number: tel. 166

Emergency hospitals, pharmacies, doctors: tel. 1434 (in Greek)

Medical information in Greek andEnglish: tel. 210 8983146

Medical emergency help line:tel. 210 7460000

SOS Doctors: tel. 1016

National Blood donation centre:tel. 210 2410000

Poisoning centre:tel. 210 7793777

AIDS help line:tel. 210 7222222 (Mon - Fri 09:00-21:00)

Social and Psychological emergencyhelp line:tel. 197 (24-h service)

FIRE BRIGADE: tel. 199

GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION (E.O.T.)Central Office: 7, Tsoha Str115 21 Athens, tel. 210 8707000,210 8708088, 1572email: [email protected]: www.visitgreece.gr

“Eleftherios Venizelos” airport information centre:tel. 210 3530445-447fax: 210 3532334email: [email protected]

Greek National Tourism OrganisationOffices Abroad: For Greek NationalTourism Organisation Offices en-quire at the Organisation’s centraloffice or visit the web pagewww.visitgreece.gr

TOURIST POLICE:A department of the Greek Police(EL.AS), manned by speciallytrained men and women, providinginformation and assistance totourists. The Tourist Police are au-thorised to settle minor disputesbetween tourists and tourist busi-

nesses. Tourist Police speak foreignlanguages. Officers wear the in-signia “Tourist Police” on the shoul-der. For tourist information dial 171any time and day, at any location inthe country.

Athens Tourist Police Station:43-45, Veikou Str, Koukakitel. 210 9200724-26-27-29-30-32

Piraeus Tourist Police Station:Xaveriou Strtel. 210 4290664-5

In Athens and the greater Athensarea (including the suburbs,Piraeus, and Attica), are more than700 lodgings of all categories, witha total capacity of about 63,000beds. Most of the lodgings havebeen renovated and modernisedrecently and have high quality,modern facilities.

The Hotel Chamber of Greece:24, Stadiou Str, 105 64 Athenstel. 210 3310022-6, 210 3237193fax: 210 3225449email: [email protected]: www.grhotels.gr

The Hellenic Hoteliers Association(P.O.X.):24, Stadiou Str, 105 64 Athenstel. 210 3312535-6, fax: 210 3230636email: [email protected]: www.pox.gr

The Hellenic Union of CampsiteOwners:9, Mavromihali Str, 106 73 Athenstel. 210 3621560fax: 210 3621918email: [email protected]: www.greececamping.org

The Greek Youth Hostel Organisation:75, Damareos Strtel. 210 7519530, 210 7510616email: [email protected]

ORGANISED TOURS-EXCURSIONS:For organised tours of Athens, theAttica area, the islands of theSaronic Gulf, and other areas of

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Monday. In Athens the mainCarnival festivities are held inPlaka.Wine Feast: Organised by a multi-tude of municipalities.Nautical Week: Celebrated inPhaliron.Pentecost: Celebrated 50 days afterEaster.

For information regardingEmbassies and Consulates, enquireat the Greek National TourismOrganisation or:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Public Information Center 3,Akadimias Str (ground floor)tel. 210 3682048, fax 210 3682474email: [email protected]: www.mfa.gropening hours 8 π.μ.-6 μ.μ.

You will come across a multitude ofGreek abbreviations during yourvisit in Athens.ΕΟΤ: Greek National TourismOrganisationELPA: Automobile and TouringClub of GreeceELTA: Hellenic Post OfficeKTEL: Inter-urban domestic busesOASA: Athens Urban TransportOrganisationOSE: Hellenic RailwaysOrganisationOTE: Hellenic TelecommunicationsOrganisation

The standard electric current inGreece is 220V (50Hz) alternatingcurrent.

In many parts of central Athens(Syntagma square, Kotzia square,the area of Thisssio etc.) there isfree wireless internet connectionavailable (information:www.athenswifi.gr), as well as inother public areas (museums, li-

braries etc.). Also in most neigh-bourhoods and outskirts , inPeiraias and other parts of Atticaoperate a lot of internet cafés.

The signposts of post offices andpost office boxes are usually brightyellow. Athens post offices are openfrom Monday to Friday from 07:30to 14:00. Three post offices listedbelow have longer opening hours.

2, Mitropoleos Str, Syntagma Sq.tel. 210 3319501, 210 3226253Open: weekdays from 07:30-20:00Saturdays from 07:30-14:00Sundays from 09:00-13:30

100, Aiolou Str (near OmoniaSq.) tel. 210 3216024, 210 3247690Open: weekdays from 07:30-20:00Saturdays from 07:30-14:00

60, Mitropoleos Square.tel. 210 3218143 Open: weekdays from 07:30-20:00Closed on Saturdays - Sundays.Hellenic Post Office (EL.TA): infor-mation tel. 800 11 82000 website: www.elta-net.grDomestic-International Telegrams:tel. 136Post Office Phone Service (“Door toDoor”): tel. 800 11 83000 (toll free)210 6073000 (only from mobilephones)Parcels: tel. 210 5249359

POLICE:General Police Headquarters of Attica:173, Alexandras Avenuetel. 210 6476000Emergency number: tel. 100Drugs Squad:tel. 109, 210 6476215, 210 6447534Athens Traffic Police:tel. 210 5284000Piraeus Police Headquarters:37, Iroon Polytechneiou Str tel. 210 4174471Piraeus Traffic Police:tel. 210 4139263-4Airport police:

INFORMATION

EMBASSIES - CONSULATES

ABBREVIATIONS

THE POST OFFICE

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

TOURIST INFORMATION

HOTELS

ELECTRIC CURRENT

INTERNET

TOURIST ORGANISATIONS

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tel. 210 8960012-4fax: 210 8960415

Zeas Piraeus marina:tel. 210 4559000, fax: 210 4559031

Lavrion Olympic marina:tel. 22920 63700

For further information regardingmarinas contact the Greek NationalTourism Organisation or

Tourist Development Enterprises(E.T.A.): 7, Voulis Str, 105 62Athenstel. 210 3339516, fax: 210 3339507email: [email protected], website:www.tourism-development.gr

URBAN BUS AND TROLLEYLINES: For information on bus andtrolley lines call tel. 185 (in Greek);You can visit the 20 most signifi-cant monuments of Athens by usingbus line 400, which every 30 min-utes makes a tour of the historicalcentre of the city, starting from theArchaeological Museum. The totalduration of the tour is 80-90 min-utes, while taped information con-cerning the various monuments isbeing provided (websitewww.oasa.gr).

ATHENS METRO: The Urban planning of the nation’scapital, provides one of the mostsumptuous, cleanest subway sys-tems in Europe which is continu-ously expanding. At every stop youcan find a table with all the linesand routes of the metro trains.Website: www.ametro.gr

ATHENS TRAM: Connects the centre of Athens(Syndagma square) to the city’ssouthern outskirts (towards Voulaand New Faliro - Stadium of Peaceand Friendship), meanwhile, its ex-pansion is being planned in orderto extend all the way to the centreand the harbour of Piraeus.Website: www.tramsa.gr

SUBURBAN RAILWAY: Connects Athens to “EleftheriosVenizelos” Airport and the city

of Kiato (105 km west of Athens, in Pelopon nese), with intermediatestops. At the stations you will findtimetables with detailed informa-tion.Website: www.proastiakos.gr

ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIR-PORT “Eleftherios Venizelos”:190 19 Spata, Greecetel. 210 3530000fax: 210 3530001website: www.aia.gr.The Suburban Railway and themetro links the airport to Athens.Moreover, bus lines linking the airport to the greater Athens urbancomplex: number X95 (to Syntagma, Athens),X96 (to Piraeus), X92 (to Kifissia),X93 (to the inter-city bus terminal),X94 (to metro stop “Ethniki Amyna”)and X97 (to metro stop “Dafni”).

Olympic Air:Information - reservationstel. 210 3550500, 801 8010101website: www.olympicair.com

Aegean Airlines:Information - reservationstel. 801 11 20000 (from a landline)210 6261000 (from mobile phonesonly) website: www.aegeanair.com

HELLENIC RAILWAYS ORGANI-SATION (O.S.E.): 1-3, Karolou Str, information ondomestic and international trainschedules: tel. 1110website: www.ose.gr

SEA TRANSPORT:Information on schedules: tel. 14944 (for Greek) tel. 14541 (for English)

Central Pireaus Harbour Police: tel. 210 4226000

Rafina Harbour Police: tel. 22940 22300

Lavrion Harbour Police: tel. 22920 25249

INTERCITY BUS STATIONS: Buses for all regions and Attica de-part from three bus stations.(Information tel. 14944website: www.ktel.org)1st Station: 100, Kifissou Str

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Greece (among others, Delphi,Mykines, Epidavros, Meteora,Northern Greece) contact theGreek National TourismOrganisation or:The Hellenic Tourist and Travel AgentsAssociation:11, Iosif Rogon Str, 117 42 Athenstel. 210 9223522 fax: 210 9233307email: [email protected]: www.hatta.gr

CAR RENTAL: In the Athens areaare many reliable car rental compa-nies, most of them located atSyngrou Avenue. For informationregarding car rentals contact:Hellenic Car Rental Association:31, Viltanioti, Str. Kato Kifissia, 145 64 Athenstel. 210 6264281 fax: 210 6264289email: [email protected]: www.steea.gr

YACHT BROKERS:For yacht rentals contact the follow-ing organisations:Hellenic Yacht Brokers andConsultants Association: Office A1 in Zea Marina, 185 36, Piraeustel. 210 4533134fax: 210 4599563email: [email protected]: www.hyba.grHellenic Association of Leisure CraftOwners: Ktirio Dioikisis MarinaZeas Marina, 185 36 Piraeus tel. 210 4526335fax: 210 4280465website: www.hpyoa.gr

In the southern suburbs of Athens,along the Saronic Gulf (from the P.Phaliron area to Vouliagmeni), andother areas of Attica, are dozens oforganised and other beaches, withclean waters and easy access.Several Attica beaches have beenawarded “Blue Flags of Europe,”granted every year to beaches andmarines meeting strict criteria re-garding clean waters and beaches,good organisation and security andthe protection of the coastal envi-

ronment. For the programme visitthe website: www.blueflag.org

ORGANISED BEACHES (with en-try ticket): Grand Beach Lagonissi,Asteria Seaside, AsterasVouliagmenis Plage, VouliagmenisLake, Attica Vouliagmenis Beach,Voula Beach A , Varkiza Beach,Aghiou Kosma Beach, Voula BeachB , Alimos.

OTHER BEACHES:Southern Attica: Batis and Edem(Paleo Faliro), Vouliagmeni –Deftero Limanaki; Anavyssos –Eden and Thymari; Sounio (KAPE,Legraina, Temple of Poseidon,Sounio-Poseidonia Coast),Patroclos Island.

Eastern Attica: Kerateas beach(Kakia Thalassa), Porto Rafti(Avlaki-Aghia Marina, Erotospilia),Vravrona-Artemis ( Hamolia, AghiouNikolaou Artemidos Beach); Rafina(Marikes Plage, Kokkino Limanaki);Nea Makri (Zoumberi, Mati, ParaliaNeas Makris); Marathon (Schinias –Karavi, Dikastika, Ramnountas,Sesi).

Northern Attica: Oropos (AyioiApostoloi, Paralia Kalamou,Oropos-Nea Palatia, PigadakiaHalkoutsiou).

Western Attica: Porto Yermeno,Psatha, Alepoxoti, Kineta, Strava,Shinos.

In Attica are 6 marinas, with a totalcapacity of about 3,000 boats.

Alimos marina:tel. 210 9.80000, fax: 210 9853151website: www.alimos-marina.gr

Floisvos marina:tel. 210 9871000-2fax: 210 9871060website: www.flisvosmarina.com

Glyfada marina: Headquarters: tel. 210 8912362, fax: 210 89472841st marina: tel. 210 89473532nd marina: tel. 210 89493743rd marina: tel. 210 89413894th marina: tel. 210 8947920

Vouliagmenis marina:

INFORMATION

BEACHES

MARINAS

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

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(metro station “Katehaki” )

The National Museum ofContemporary Art: Kallirois &Frantzi Str, FIX building- Offices: 14, Amv. Frantzi Strtel. 210 9242111-2website: www.emst.gr (metro station “Syggrou-Fix”)

The Athens Municipal Gallery:51, Piraeus Str, KoumoundourouSquaretel. 210 3231841, 210 3240472

The Frissiras Museum: 3, Monis Asteriou Str, Plakatel. 210 3234678website: www.frissirasmuseum.com

The Greek Folk Art Museum: 17, Kythathinaeon Str, Plakatel. 210 3229031, 210 3213018

The Greek Folk MusicalInstruments Museum:1-3, Diogenous Str, Plakatel. 210 3250198, 210 3254119-129website: www.instruments-muse-um.gr

The Kyriazopoulou CeramicsCollection:Tzistarakis Mosque, Monastirakitel. 210 3242066 (metro station “Monastiraki”)

The Hellenic Children’sMuseum: 14, Kythatinaeon Strtel. 210 3312995-6website: www.hcm.gr

Museum of Greek Children’s Art:9, Kodrou Str (extension of VoulisStr.), Plakatel. 210 3312621, 210 3312750fax: 210 3313734, website:www.childrensartmuseum.gr

The Historical Museum of the University of Athens:5, Tholou Str, Plakatel. 210 3240861

The Kanellopoulos Museum:12, Theorias Str & Panos Str, Plakatel. 210 3212313

The Theatrical Museum:50, Akadimias Strtel. 210 3629430 (metro station “Panepistimio”)

The Eleftherios VenizelosMuseum: Eleftherias Parktel. 210 7224238 (metro station

“Megaro Moussikis”)

The Eleftherias Park Art Centre:10, Evzonon Strtel. 210 7232603-4

The Newer Ceramics ResearchCentre:4-5, Melidoni Str, Kerameikostel. 210 3318491-6 website: www.potterymuseum.gr(metro station “Thission”)

The Ilias Lalaounis JewelleryMuseum:12, Kalisperi Str, Acropolistel. 210 9221044, website: www.lalaounis-jewelrymusem.gr(metro station “Akropolis”)

The Maria Callas Museum(“Technopolis”):100, Piraeus Str, Gazitel. 210 3460981(metro station “Kerameikos”)

The Jewish Museum of Greece:29, Nikis Str, tel. 210 3225582website: www.jewishmuseum.gr

The Foundation of the HellenicWorld:18, Poulopoulou Str, Thissiotel. 212 2543800, www.fhw.gr

- Civilisation centre “Ellinikos Kosmos”:254, Piraeos Str, Tavros, Athenstel. 212 2540000website: www.hellenic-cosmos.gr

“Planetarium” EugenidesFoundation: 387, Syngrou Avenue,Paleo Faliro (entrance fromPendelis Str)tel. 210 9469600, 210 9469642,website: www.eugenfound.edu.gr

The Archaeological Collection of Kifissia: 30, Georganta Str. &Kassaveti Str, Kifissiatel. 210 8012116

The Goulandris Natural HistoryMuseum: 13, Levidou Str, Kifissiatel. 210 8015870website: www.gnhm.gr

- “Gaia” Centre: 100, Othonos Str(Kifissia)

The Vorre Museum:1, Parodos diadohou KonstantinouStr, 190 02 Paianiatel. 210 6642520, 210 6644771

The Piraeus ArchaeologicalMuseum: 31, Harilaou Trikoupi Str

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tel. 210 51249102nd Station: 260, Liosion Strtel. 210 8317153Athens prefecture KTEL: tel. 210 8230179 (Sounio, Oropos,Porto Rafti, Markopoulo)tel. 210 8210872 (Marathon)

ΤΑXΙ:All taxis have a taxi counter, record-ing charges. Drivers are obliged toset the counter at every fare. From05:00 – 24:00 hours tariff 1 is usedand from 24:00 – 05:00 tariff 2.Taxis are supplied with a validprice list, recording the fare andsurplus charges not recorded by thetaximeter.

In Athens, Piraeus, the suburbs, andenvirons, are a multitude of impor-tant museums and archaeologicalsites. The list below includes a se-lection of museums. For informa-tion regarding museums, you canalso visit the sitehttp://odysseus.culture.gr

The National ArchaeologicalMuseum:144, Patision Strtel. 210 8217717, 210 8217724 (metro station “Victoria”)

The new Acropolis Museum:15, Dionyssiou Areopagitou Strtel. 210 9000901, website:www.theacropolismuseum.gr(metro station “Acropolis”)

The Athens Ancient AgoraMuseum:Stoa tou Attalou, Ancient Agoratel. 210 3210185 (metro station “Monastiraki” or“Thission”)

The Kerameikos Museum:148, Ermou Strtel. 210 3463552 (metro station “Thission”)

The Epigraphical Museum:1, Tositsa Strtel. 210 8217637 (metro station “Victoria”)

The Athens NumismaticMuseum: 12, Panepistimiou Str(“Ilion Melathron”)

tel. 210 3643774, 210 3612540website: www.nma.gr (metro station “Syntagma”)

The Goulandris Museum ofCycladic and Ancient Greek Art:4, Neofytou Douka Strtel. 210 7228321-3website: www.cycladic-m.gr

Museum of Timeless Art:Cultural Multicentre “Athinaïs”, 34-36, Kastorias Str, Votanikostel. 210 3480000website: www.athinais.com.gr

The National Historical Museum:13, Stadiou Strtel. 210 3237617 website: www.nhm.gr (metro station “Syntagma”)

The Benaki Museum (centralbuilding): 1, Koumbari Str & Vas. Sofias Avenuetel. 210 3671000website: www.benaki.gr- Piraeus Street building:138, Pireaus Str. (Gazi)tel. 210 3453111- The Museum of Islamic Art:22, Ayion Assomaton & 12, Dipylou Str. (Kerameikos)tel. 210 3251311-12

The Byzantine and ChristianMuseum: 22, Vas. Sofias Avenuetel. 210 7211027, 210 7232178website: www.byzantinemuseum.gr(metro station “Evangelismos”)

The War Museum: 2, Rizari Strtel. 210 7252974-6 (metro station “Evangelismos”)

The Museum of the City ofAthens (Vouros - EutaxiasFoundation): 5-7, PaparrigopoulouStr (Klafthmonos Square)tel. 210 3231397, website:www.athenscitymuseum.gr (metro station “Panepistimio”)

The National Gallery - MuseumAlexandros Soutzos:50, Vas. Konstantinou Avenuetel. 210 7235857website: www.nationalgallery.gr(metro station “Evangelismos”) - National Glyptotheque of Greece:Parko Stratou, Goudi, entrancefrom Katehaki Ave.tel. 210 7709855

INFORMATION

MUSEUMS

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music concerts are held in its twoauditoria, (“Olympia” and“Acropol” theatre). (website: www.nationalopera.gr)

The “Olympia” Theatre:59, Akadimias Str, 106 79 Athens,information - reservations 210 3612461, 210 3643725fax: 210 3643577

The “Acropol” Theatre:9-11, Ippokratous Str, 106 79Athens; information - reservations210 3643700, 210 3608666fax: 210 3608268

HELLENIC GIRLS LYCEUM:Founded in 1910 by the first Greekfeminist K. Paren, the HellenicGirls Lyceum seeks to preserveGreek folk custom, research andstudy different varieties of Greeknational dress, record Greek folkmusic, and study and performGreek folk dances. The Lyceum’smuseum (on 14 Dimokritou Str –Kolonaki, tel 210 36.39.704) ex-hibits a valuable collection of gen-uine Greek dresses from every partof the country. Members of theLyceum’s folk dance groups wearvaluable dresses during perform-ances in Greece and abroad.Website: www.lykeionellinidon.gr

DORA STRATOU THEATRE:(� page 46) tel. 210 3244395, 210 9214650, fax: 210 3246921

ATHENS MUNICIPALITY CUL-TURAL ORGANISATION: Stages cultural and sporting events.Information: tel. 210 3621601, 210 3630706, fax: 210 3614358website: www.cityofathens.gr

OPEN AIR CINEMAS:Rank among Greece’s attractions.Athenians in summer evenings liketo see a movie in a garden withtrees and flowers, beneath a starlitsky. In Greece films are notdubbed. Foreign films have Greeksubtitles.

The Culture Ministry - Sub-Ministry ofSport: 7, Kifissias Avenue, 115 23Athens, tel. 210 6496000

website: www.sportsnet.grThe Sports Federations:website:www.sportsnet.gr/3/g31.htmlThe Hellenic Olympic Committee(E.O.E.): 52, Dim Vikela Str (372,Kifissias Avenue), 152 33 Halandri,Athens, tel. 210 6878888fax: 210 6878940website: www.hoc.gr The Athens Classic Marathon: organ-ized from 1983, is being held everyNovember on the authentic course,from Marathon to thePanathenaikon Stadium (Athens)and also includes power walkingand two more road races (10kmand 5km). Information: SEGAS(Hellenic Amateur AthleticsFederation), 137, Syngrou Ave., 171 21 Nea Smirni, Athenstel. 210 9331113, 210 9315886fax: 210 9331152, website:www.athensclassicmarathon.gr

ATHENS MUNICIPALITY:www.cityofathens.gr

Official tourist portal of theMunicipality of Athens: www.breathtakingathens.com

MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: Information on archaeological sitesand historical monuments:www.culture.gr

MODERN ARCHITECTURE IN ATHENS-ATTICA: www.cul-ture2000.tee.gr

ATHENS ARCHAEOLOGICALSITES UNIFICATION COMPANY(Ε.Α.X.Α.):www.astynet.gr

ATHENS CONVENTION BUREAU(ACB): www.athensconventionbureau.gr

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY:www.ana-mpa.gr

SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLDSUMMER GAMES - ATHENS2011: www.athens2011.org

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tel. 210 4521598

The Greek Nautical Museum:Coast of Themistocleous Str,Piraeustel. 210 4286959, 210 4516264

The Archaeological site of Olympieion:tel. 210 9226330

The Archaeological site of thenorth and south slopes of theAcropolis: (Dionyssos Theatre,The Arcade of Eumenous etc.) entrance from DionyssiouAreopagitou Strtel. 210 3224625

The Archaeological site of Acropolis: tel. 210 3210219

The Archaeological site of theAncient Agora: tel. 210 3210185

The Archaeological site of theRoman Agora: tel. 210 3245220

The Library of Hadrian:tel. 210 3249350

The Archaeological site of Kerameikos: tel. 210 3463552

The Archaeological site of Sounio: tel. 22920 39363

The Archaeological site of Eleusina (Museum):tel. 210 5546019, 210 5543470

The Megara ArchaeologicalMuseum: 22, Dimarchou MenidiatiStr, tel. 22960 22426

The Marathon ArchaeologicalMuseum: 114, Plataion Str,Marathon, tel. 22940 55155- The Tomb of Marathon:tel. 22940 55462

The Archaeological site of Ramnous: tel. 22940 63477

The Archaeological site ofAmphiareion: tel. 22950 62144

The Archaeological site of Vravrona: tel. 22990 27020

Attica Zoological Park (Spata):Thesi Yialou, P.O. Box 38, 190 04Spata, tel. 210 6634724website: www.atticapark.com

For cultural events in Athens see

foreign language newspapers onsale at central kiosks (among oth-ers, Syntagma Square, OmoniaSquare), or website:www.culture.gr

ATHENS FESTIVAL: The AthensFestival, established in 1955, is heldin summer (June - September) atthe open air Roman HerodesAtticus Odeion. It is one ofEurope’s major festivals. Some ofthe best Greek and foreign groupsand artists perform classical andmodern music, opera, dance andtheatre. The Festival in summerholds important cultural events atthe Lycabettus theatre, and othervenues of the city.Hellenic Festival S.A.: MakriyianniStr and 23, Hadjichristou Str, 117 42 Athens; information and reservations 210 9282900fax: 210 9292933email: [email protected]: www.greekfestival.gr

Central ticket office:39, Panepistimiou Str (in the arcade)tel. 210 3221459, opening hours: 08:30-16:00 (Monday to Friday),09:00-14:30 (Saturdays)

The Odeion of Herodes Atticus ticketoffice: tel. 210 3232771, openinghours: 09:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00

Lycabettus theatre ticket office:tel. 210 7227233, 210 7227209

THE ATHENS CONCERT HALL:Vas. Sofias Str & Kokkali Str, 115 21Athens; information - reservationstel. 210 7282333email: [email protected]: www.megaron.gr

Central ticket office: opening hours:Monday-Friday 10:00-18:00,Saturday 10:00-14:00, On days ofperformances: Monday-Friday10:00-20:30, Saturday 10:00-14:00& 18:00-20:30, Sunday 18:00-20:30

Ticket office in the city centre:8, Omirou Str, (near SyntagmaSquare), opening hours Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00

THE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE:The oldest opera theatre in Greece.Opera and ballet performances and

INFORMATION

SPORT

CULTURAL EVENTS

WEBSITES

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USEFUL INFORMATION

1. Greek National Tourism Organisation C8- Head office E42. Athens Festival,

39, Panepistimiou str. (In the arcade) D43. Hellenic Chamber of Hotels E44. Aliens Bureau B85. Areios Pagos

(Supreme Civil and Criminal Court of Greece) B76. Court of Justice A67. The Stock Exchange House D38. Athens Traffic Police B29. Tourist Police C810. Automobile & Touring Club (E.L.P.A.) C8

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

11. The Acropolis F312. Ancient Agora E213. Kyristes’ Clock (Tower of winds) E314. Areios Pagos E215. Dionysos Theatre F316. Philopappou Monument F217. Hadrian’s Arch F418. Hadrian’s Library E319. Kerameikos D120. Lysikrates Monument F321. Pnyx (Pnika) F122. Roman Forum E323. Socrates Prison Cell F224. Temple of the Olympian Zeus F425. Theseion (Temple of Hephaistos) E2

MUSEUMS

26. The new Acropolis Museum F327. Acropolis Research Centre F328. Museum of the City of Athens D429. Benaki Museum E530. Byzantine & Christian Museum E631. Centre of Folk Art & Tradition E3,432. Eleftherios Venizelos Museum D733. Epigraphical Museum B434. Frissiras Museum -

Contemporary European Painting E435. Greek Popular Art Museum E436. Greek Traditional Musical Instruments

Museum E337. Jewish Museum E438. Kanelopoulos Museum E339. Keramikos Museum D140. Lalaounis Ilias Jewellery Museum F341. Museum of the History

of the Greek Costume D542. National Archaeological Museum B443. National Gallery -

Alexandros Soutzos Museum E644. National Historical Museum D445. Goulandris Museum

of Cycladic & Ancient Greek Art E546. Old Mosque - Folk Ceramics Collection E347. Philatelic Museum F548. Stoa of Attalus Museum E249. Theatre Museum D450. War Museum E6

PUBLIC BUILDINGS - SIGHTSEEING

51. Academy of Arts D452. Panathenaikon Stadium (Kallimarmaro) F553. Iliou Melathron (Schliemann Mansion)

Numismatic Museum D454. Lycabettus Hill C655. National Garden E456. National Library D457. Gennadios Library D658. Observatory E159. Parliament Building E460. Presidential Residence E561. Technical University - School of Fine Arts B462. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier E463. University D464. Zappeion Exhibition & Congress Hall F4

ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES - THEATRES

65. Athens Concert Hall D766. Dora Stratou Theatre G167. Odeion of Herodes Atticus F2,368. Lycabettus Theatre C669. National Theatre C370. Opera House C471. “Gazi” Cultural Park D172. The “Melina Merkouri” Cultural Centre E1

BYZANTINE CHURCHES

73. Ayia Ekaterini F374. Ayia Triada (Russian Orthodox) E475. Ayii Apostoli E276. Ayii Assomati D277. Ayii Theodori D378. Ayios Eleftherios E379. Ayios Ioannis Theologos E380. Kapnikarea E381. Metamorfossis E3

CHURCHES OF VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS

82. Athens Cathedral (Metropolis)Greek Orthodox E3

83. Christus Kirche (German Evangelical) C584. 1st Greek Evangelical Church F485. St. Denis (Roman Catholic Cathedral) D486. St. Gregory (Armenian) D287. St. Paul’s Anglican Church E388. Synagogue D2

TRANSPORTATION (information)

89. O.S.E. (Information - Reservations) C290. O.S.E. (Information - Reservations) D491. O.S.E. (Station for Northern Greece) A292. O.S.E. (Station for the Peloponnese) B2

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METRO - TRAM - SUBURBAN RAILWAY OF ATHENS

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CREDITS

MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISMPUBLICATION: GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION

APRIL 20109 t h EDI T ION ( SUPPLEMENTED )

Overall supervision: SOFIA LAZARIDOUDirector of the Market Research and Marketing Department

Coordinator: LOUIZA STAVROPOULOU-BRIOLADirector 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 CLASSICALANTIQUITIES, 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,

E. HOLAN.

We thank the General Director of the Ministry of Culturefor the provision of photographic material.

Design: A DEPARTMENT OF PRE-HISTORIC AND CLASSICALANTIQUITIES, 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

GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATIONwww.visi tgreece.gr