Location: Athens, Attica Region Map
Athens is the capital of Greece. Athens is the most populous and
largest city in the country. The municipality of Athens in the
center of the metropolitan area of the same name is relatively small
with an area of around 39 km². The metropolitan area includes the
area of the regional districts Athens-Centre (88.1 km²),
Athens-North (133.9 km²), Athens-South (70.2 km²), Athens-West (67.7
km²) and Piraeus (51st district). .3 km²) with a total of almost 3.1
million inhabitants (2011). According to Eurostat, the also
relatively compact agglomeration, the core of which is the
municipality of Athens, has around 3.8 million inhabitants, but
other estimates assume at least 5 million inhabitants due to the
lack of registration requirements.
As the cultural,
historical and economic center of the country, Athens is also the
most important metropolis in Greece. The airport is the most
important in the country and the port of Piraeus, eight kilometers
from the center of Athens, is the largest in Greece. Ship traffic to
the numerous Greek islands is also handled from here and from the
smaller Rafina. Athens has national but no international importance
in rail transport.
The city has been inhabited continuously
since the Neolithic Age and is therefore one of the oldest
settlements and cities in Europe. In 1985 Athens became the first
European Capital of Culture. The Acropolis was included in the
UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 and the Daphni Monastery in 1990.
In classical times, Athens was the site of the Attic polis. The
Attic democracy that emerged during this period (5th century BC) is
considered to be the founder of a political order based on the
principle of popular sovereignty.
Athens can be easily reached by all means of transport. Road and
rail connections lead to Athens.
By plane
Athens
International Airport, named Eleftherios Venizelos, is located
27km east of the city center. This well-equipped airport opened
in 2001 and significantly increased the convenience of travel to
Athens and Greece. The airport is served by the metro every half
hour. Driving to Monastiraki takes 44 minutes. The last train to
the airport leaves Monastiraki at approximately 23:30.
The airport bus X95 runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to and
from Syntagma Square. Costs: €6 for a single journey (as of
11/2017), duration depending on the time of day from around 50
minutes (Sunday morning 4:00 a.m.). Tickets are available at a
kiosk at the airport. To the right of Exit 4 as you exit. It's
easy to overlook the second kiosk, but it's usually emptier. For
the return trip, the kiosk is at Syntagma Square, when these are
closed or when you board at one of the many stops along the
route, with the driver. The normal bus day or week tickets are
not valid for the airport buses. The ticket must always be
validated on the bus, no matter when and where it was bought.
Electronic cancellation, not the punch.
Athens Airport is
a major hub serving the Aegean, the Balkans and the Eastern
Mediterranean. Delta and Olympic Airways offer non-stop flights
to and from North America, and many European airlines offer such
flights from Europe. One of the main airlines is Aegean
Airlines, which offers many connections within Greece and to
destinations across Europe.
By train
Traveling by
train from the German-speaking Bahn is particularly nice, but
very time-consuming. With multiple changes, it takes two to
three days to drive through the Balkans. International
long-distance trains first reach Thesaloniki, from where you can
continue to Athens.
By bus
In Athens there are two bus
terminals for interregional transport of the company KTEL,
Terminal A and Terminal B, from which the wider area is served.
Terminal A is at Kifissou 100 and Terminal B is at Liossion 260.
Terminal B (38° 0′ 37″ N 23° 43′ 21″ E), e.g. B. for a trip
to Delphi is not so easy to find. It's in the middle of a
residential area, about 20 minutes walk from Attiki metro
station, but you can also catch a bus e.g. B. Take 024, 701 and
more from the metro station right at the Liossion exit. It takes
about 30 minutes from Syntagma metro station by metro and bus to
Terminal B. Tell the bus driver where you want to get off.
Different descriptions, that the 024 runs from Syntagma Square
to Terminal B, have turned out to be incorrect (as of 05/2012).
You buy the ticket in the terminal at the counter.
Regional buses depart from a "terminal" (37° 59′ 32″ N 23° 43′
57″ E) near the Viktoria metro station. It's on the corner of a
park about 3 blocks north of the National Archaeological Museum.
Just get on these buses, eventually someone will come for the
ticket.
By boat
The port of Piraeus is about 10km from
the center of Athens and is connected to Athens by metro and
buses. At the Port of Piraeus you will find luggage storage, as
well as a bank, currency exchange office, bars, restaurants, a
taxi rank and much more. From Bari (Italy), Crete (Greece),
Istanbul and other port cities, there are scheduled connections
from various providers. Another port is in Rafina (80km away).
Piraeus is in the southwest and is predestined for the Italy
route, Rafina in the east, from where it goes towards the Aegean
Sea.
car / motorcycle / scooter
Driving in Athens should be
treated with great respect; the unusually high traffic density
and the seemingly chaotic driving behavior require the driver to
concentrate and react quickly, think ahead (where does the other
person want to go...) and above all the art of stubbornly
insisting on his right of way.
On a motorized two-wheeler it
is probably easier to get through rush hour traffic and weave
past columns on the left and right, but there is no crumple zone
in "direct contact" with another road user and even a small
touch can lead to injuries, especially if you are only in the
holiday rented a motorbike. You can rent scooters everywhere
(compare prices!); one should give preference to scooters with
large wheels, as they have greater driving stability, which can
be crucial in dusty Mediterranean countries.
But nobody
should be frightened: relatively few accidents happen and these
are often not minor due to the low average speed.
taxi
Since the taxi prices in the city are very low (guide value:
Syntagma-Glyfada, i.e. about 20 minutes drive, about 10 euros),
attempts by drivers to give a "cheap" flat rate are usually
meant differently. You should only drive on taximeters unless
you know your way around. Also, at taxi ranks, one should take a
taxi from the line/pulk, and not the one in front, even if it is
the first taxi within reach. Attempts by taxi drivers,
especially in the area of tourist attractions, to get more than
double the fare, occur. If overcharged, one should ask for an
invoice, take note of the driver's number and report the
incident to the Tourist Police 171.
Tipping is not a
must.
Tram/ Tραμ
Although the tram (tram) is
significantly slower than the metro, it has the distinct
advantage of going all the way to Voulas. More on that in the
'Going out' section. You have to use the tram, because you can
see a lot of Athens in a relaxed way. For example, it drives
through Neos Kosmos ("New World"), a former immigrant district.
You can easily change between tram and metro z. B. at the fix
station. The tram travels west from Athens and turns south at
Piraeus where the "Athens Recreation Area" (beaches, beach clubs
etc.) is located. The final stop is the town of Voulas. The
three lines have the routes Voulas ↔ Piraeus, Voulas ↔ Neos
Kosmos (Syntagma) and Piraeus ↔ Neos Kosmos (Syntagma). Due to
current structural problems, the section between Neos Kosmos and
Syntagma has been closed since November 2018[1], so that the
practical possibility to change trains between the metro and
tram at Syntagma Square is no longer available. These lines
create an approximate 7.5 minute cycle on all branches.
A
ticket for the streetcar (tram) costs €1.40 and €0.6 for
children (as of 08/2017). Further information on the homepage,
By bus
In the city, trolleybuses (trolleybuses) run very
quickly and normal buses (usually every 20 minutes) go almost
everywhere, but the bus stops very often. Ideal for the city
area. But you have to study the plans at the stations carefully,
which is often difficult because graffiti or stickers make them
unreadable. In Athens alone there are 450 bus lines in urban
operation. Of course, there are also intercity buses that serve
the Attica region. (KTEL)
If you want to get on a bus at
a bus stop, you have to give the driver a hand signal. Only the
bus numbers are listed at the bus stops, but no departure times.
If you are lucky there will be an electronic display. Due to the
high volume of traffic and the delay, these are only of limited
help.
A ticket just for the bus costs €1.20, when
combined with tram or metro (90 min) €1.40 (as of 2022). A
special rate of € 6.00 applies to the airport (as of 08/2018).
Metro/ Μετρο
The Athens Metro currently consists of three
lines:
Line 1 - M1 - green line, from Omonia Square via
Monastiraki and Thissio to Piraeus or from Omonia Square to
Kifissia, oldest route, only a few kilometers underground
Line 2- M2 - red line, it goes from Anthoupoli through the city
center and on to Elliniko.
Line 3 -M3 - blue line, from Nikea
to Athens airport continue to Nikaia. (Continuation to Piraus
under construction).
Some of line 1 has existed for more
than 100 years, the other lines were put into operation before
the 2004 Olympics, and other lines are in planning or under
construction. For tourists, the metro is probably the most
important means of transport: it is clear, fast and reliable,
and many stations are attractively designed. Announcements are
made in two languages (Greek, English). All touristically
interesting places and places such. B. the Acropolis are easy
and cheap to reach. Since a lot of valuable material was found
during the tunnel construction work in such a historic city as
Athens, it has been exhibited in the metro stations (e.g. the
Syntagma metro station is worth a visit). Some stations are
accompanied by quiet lounge music and z. T. completely lined
with white marble.
Tickets are available in the metro
stations at counters and also at machines (Greek, English), the
machines also take notes of 5, 10 and 20 €. However, for
security reasons, it is advisable to have coins handy. A single
ticket for the metro (90 min) costs €1.40, to the airport it
costs €9 (as of 2022). For the airport ticket, pay attention to
whether it's a one-way trip or a round trip (it's translated a
little strangely in German). The metro runs every 10 minutes
during the day and every 4 minutes during rush hours. The
tickets must be validated before the start of the journey. This
usually happens when you walk through the control station. At
smaller stations, on the other hand, you have to actively "clock
in" and "clock out."
day ticket
A day ticket for all
local transport (metro, tram, bus and trolley) costs €4.50 (as
of 08/2018), is not available everywhere, but is usually
available from the machines in the metro stations. It is not
valid on the route to and from the airport and some other routes
where it is not valid, it says on a sticker in English on the
machine. The ticket must be validated before the first use.
5-day ticket
A 5-day ticket (5x24h) for all local
transport (metro, tram, bus and trolley) costs €8.2 (as of
2022), is not available everywhere, but is usually available
from the machines in the metro stations. It does not apply to
the airport, the X80 bus line and certain regional trains. The
exceptions where it does not apply are written on a sticker in
English on the machine. This ticket must also be validated
before it is used for the first time.
tourist ticket
A
72-hour ticket including a return trip to Eleftherios Venizelos
Airport costs €20 [as of 11/2021]. It does not apply to the X80
bus line and certain regional trains.
Ancient buildings
The most important buildings in the modern
city of Athens date back to ancient times. Thanks to a
far-sighted architect and urban planner, after the Greek seat of
government and the king's palace was moved to Athens in 1834,
large areas around the surviving historic buildings were kept
free, which has helped Athens to become a "green lung" and a
historic center that is well worth seeing today. Admission to
most attractions is free for EU students upon presentation of
student ID.
1
Acropolis
(Ακρόπολις). The Acropolis with the Parthenon is the most
important sight in Athens for most visitors, so it received a
separate article. If you don't want to or can't walk up, use bus
line 230, which leaves very close to the Syntagma Square tram
stop to the Acropolis (final stop).
2 Roman Agora
(Ρωμαϊκή Αγορά της Αθήνας). The Roman Agora was built under
Emperor Augustus and enlarged under Hadrian. The site is located
in Plaka. The most striking building is the octagonal tower of
the winds, which was equipped with sundials in Roman times.
Otherwise you can see numerous remains of columns. There are
numerous taverns in the vicinity.
3 Agora (Αρχαία Αγορά
της Αθήνας) . A visit is worthwhile for the view of the nearby
Acropolis, even if not too many buildings have survived. Once
upon a time, this square was the central square in Athens, where
markets were held, festivals, sporting events and gatherings
were held. This is where the citizens of Athens debated and, by
the way, this was also the birthplace of democracy. Across the
square ran the Panathenaic Way lined with statues,
administrative buildings such as the Buleuterion stood here, and
there were several porticos called stoa. The Attalos Stoa was
rebuilt around 1950 and today houses the Agora Museum. antique
vases and children's toys made of clay. Behind the actual agora
stands the Hephaestus temple on a hill, often also referred to
as Theseion. One of the best preserved Greek temples, it served
as a church in Christian times until King Otto I made Athens the
capital in 1834. The site with the museum is open daily from
8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in summer and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
in winter. Anyone who has purchased a combination ticket for the
Acropolis can use it here.
4 Kerameikos (Κεραμεικός). The
name refers to the pottery workshops that were located here.
There was also a cemetery here, where important Athenian
personalities were buried. Today the excavation site resembles a
parkland with two streets lined with monuments leading through
it, but the originals are in the museum. The complex includes a
museum, inscriptions also in German. It is open Tue – Sun from
8am to 3pm, entry with the Acropolis combo ticket. In the
vicinity you will find the "Benaki Museum" and the Ceramics
Museum.
5 Philopappos Monument (Μνημείο Φιλοπάππου). The
monument stands on the Muse Hill southwest of the Acropolis. It
was built in honor of a Roman senator who had rendered services
to the city. The view of the Acropolis is particularly worth
seeing.
6 Olympieion (Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός). The Temple
of Olympian Zeus. Completed under Hadrian, the building once had
over 100 columns 17m high, of which only a dozen remain. At the
edge of the complex are the remains of Hadrian's Gate, which
marked the transition from old Athens to the part of town laid
out under the Romans.
7 Hadrian's Library (Βιβλιοθήκη
Αδριανού). Well-preserved Corinthian columns at the entrance,
which can give a small impression of the building at that time.
Quite an extensive complex with isolated remains of the library.
8 Prison of Socrates (Φυλακές Σωκράτους). Cave said to have
been the prison of the philosopher Socrates. A little off the
beaten track, in the middle of a beautifully designed park with
the Philopappos monument, with a view of the Acropolis, far
inland, all the way to Piraeus and the sea.
The Parthenon (Παρθενών)
Panagía Spiliótissa (Our Lady of the Cave)
1 Zappeion (Ζάππειον Μέγαρο) . is a classical building inaugurated in
1888, which is planned and used as a multifunctional building.
2
Hellenic Parliament (Βουλή των Ελλήνων) Amendment:
3 Panathenaic
Stadium (Παναθηναϊκό Στάδιο), Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Λεωφόρος
Βασιλέως Κωνσταντίνου . Its predecessor already existed in antiquity.
Part of the competitions of the Panathenaic Games were held here in
honor of the goddess Athena. In Roman times the stadium was used as an
arena. The new building was erected on the original site for the 1896
Olympic Games, and competitions were also held here at the 2004
Olympics.
4 Athenian Trilogy (Οθώνειον Πανεπιστήμιον) . This term
includes the three structures:
5 University (Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό
Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών), 30 Panepistimiou Ave, 106 79 Athens
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6 Academy of Sciences (Ακαδημία Αθηνών),
Panepistimiou 28, 106 79, Athens.
7 National Library (εθνική
βιβλιοθίκη της ελλάδος), panepistimiou 32, athina 106 79, λεωφόρος
ανδρέα συγγρού 364. They arose in the middle of the 19th century and
form an extraordinary harmonious unit. The monuments in front of the
buildings contribute to this, the most striking being the columns with
the statues of Pallas Athena and Apollon.
8 Athens Olympic Swimming
Pool (Ολυμπιακό Κέντρο Υγρού Στίβου Αθηνών) . the outdoor facilities are
particularly worth seeing.
At www.thisisathens.org
Explore you will find a list of museums with further links
9
National Archeological Museum (Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο),
28is Oktovriou (Patission) 44. The National Archaeological Museum is the
largest archaeological museum in Greece with over 11,000 exhibits. The
classicist building was erected between 1866 and 1889 and has since been
adapted to the needs several times. The collections span a period from
6,800 B.C. to 400 AD, they are usually exhibited in showcases in the old
tradition and are divided into a) prehistoric collection (EG), b) bronze
and metal sculptures (EG), c) ancient Egyptian art (EG), d) vases and
other smaller objects (1st floor), e) frescoes and other ancient
paintings (1st floor). In the basement you will find a shop and toilets.
The museum is open. In the museum it is allowed to take photos without a
flash for private purposes. Nearest tube station: Victoria. Open: In
summer Mon 1.30pm-8pm, Tues-Sun 8am-8pm, in winter Mon 1.30pm-8pm,
Tues-Sun 8.30am-3pm. Price: 7 euros.
10 Acropolis Museum (Μουσείο
Ακρόπολης), Διονυσίου Αρεοπαγίτου 15. Tel.: +30 21 0900 09 00, fax: 21
(0)924 16 43, email: info.theacropolismuseum The interior of the museum
is clean, modern and elegant. Most of the exhibits consist of antique
marble sculptures. Features: free WiFi, wheelchair accessible, audio
guide, cloakroom, reading room, photography allowed, no touching, no
loud speaking. Open: Daily 8am-10pm (1 Nov-31 Oct); closed: 1 Jan,
Easter, 1 May, 25 Dec, 26 Dec. Price: 10€. Accepted forms of payment:
cash, credit card, debit card.
11
Byzantine Museum (Βυζαντινό και Χριστιανικό Μουσείο), 22
Vas. Sofia, 106 75 Athens. Tel: +30 213 213 9572. The museum was founded
in 1914 and is part of the National Museums. Over 30,000 exhibits from
the 3rd century til today. Metro station Evangelismos or Syntagma
Square. Open: May-Oct Mon 1:30pm-8pm, Tue-Sun 8am-8pm, Nov-Apr Tue-Sun
8:30am-3pm. Price: entry €4.
12
Museum of
Cycladic Art (Μουσείο Κυκλαδικής τέχνης), 4, Neopytou Douka Str.
(new building) or 1, Irodotou Str. (Stathatos Mansion). Tel: +30 210
7228 321-3, Email: museum@cycladic.gr. The museum in the new wing is
spread over 4 floors: 1 - Cycladic culture, 2.4 - Ancient Greek art, 3 -
Cypriot culture. Metro station Evangelismos or Syntagma Square. Open:
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm, Tue closed.
13 Benaki Museum (Μουσείο Μπενάκη), 1 Koumbari Str. & Vas. Sofia's
Ave. Tel.: 210 367 1000, email: benaki@benaki.gr. Private museum, from
prehistoric to contemporary art. The museum has several branch offices.
Open: Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., Thu 9 a.m. - midnight, Sun 9
a.m. - 3 p.m., Tue closed. Price: Admission €7, Thurs free.
14
Numismatic Museum (Νομισματικό Μουσείο Αθηνών), Eleftheriou Venizelou St
Athens. Tel: 210 3843 774. The museum is housed in the Iliou Melathron
house, it was once the home of Heinrich Schliemann. It has an elevator
(barrier-free). Nearest metro station: Syntagma Square. Open: Winter:
(except Mon) 8:30am-3pm, Summer Mon 1:30pm-8pm, Tue-Sun 8am-8pm. Price:
entry €3.
15 Frisiras Museum (Μουσείο Φρυσίρα), 3 Monis Asteriou,
Plaka, Monis Asteriou 3 & 7. Tel: +30 210 3234 678. The only museum for
contemporary painting, the private collection has over 3000 paintings,
mostly European painters. Syntagma Square metro station. Open: Wed-Sun
11am-5pm, closed Mon, Tue. Price: Entry €6.
16 Museum of Ancient
Greek Technology (Μουσείο Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Τεχνολογίας «Κώστας
Κοτσανάς») . A fantastic museum not to be missed. Excellent
demonstration of some fantastic inventions of the ancient Greeks. Most
models are functional and can be interacted with. It's a relatively
small museum, but if you take the time to read everything, it will take
several hours.
17
Kerameikos Archaeological
Museum (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Κεραμεικού), 148 Ermou street .
18
Athens Railway Museum (Σιδηροδρομικό Μουσείο Αθηνών). Phone: +30 21 0512
62 95, +30 21 0529 75 48, Fax: +30 21 0524 13 23, +30 21 0529 74 52,
Email: press@osenet.gr. The Athens Railway Museum (or Greek Railway
Museum) was founded in 1979 and is the largest railway museum in Greece.
On display are: steam locomotives, passenger cars, manual fire pumps and
fire extinguishers, various rail vehicle models, and a variety of
equipment. Open: Tue-Fri: 09:00-13:00; every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the
month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Price: free.
19 Hellenic
Maritime Heritage Park (Ναυτικό Μουσείο Ελλάδος) . Park and museum with
a faithful replica of one of the famous ancient triremes and the armored
cruiser Averof. The ship served as the Greek flagship for most of the
first half of the century and is the only ship of this type still in
existence.
20 War Museum
(Athens) (Πολεμικό Μουσείο), Vasilissis Sofias Street 2, Βασιλίσσης
Σοφίας & Ριζάρη 2. Weapons of the Greek armies throughout the millennia.
1 Syntagma Square (Πλατεία Συντάγματος) . Translated, the name means
Constitution Square. It was created when the palace for King Otto I was
built between 1834 and 1838. This castle has been the seat of the Greek
Parliament since 1935. In front of the Parliament is the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier. It is guarded during the day by the Evzones, originally
the Royal Guards, now part of the Presidential Guard. These are soldiers
with a minimum height of 1.80 m, they are dressed in a uniform that is
based on the costumes customary in the Balkans. The uniforms vary
between summer, winter and gala uniform. The soldiers stand motionless
for minutes and are a popular photo opportunity for tourists. The
changing of the guard on the hour is worth seeing. Every Sunday (before
11:00 a.m., rather a few minutes earlier) there is a big changing of the
guard with a marching band and flag detail.
2 National Garden
(Εθνικός Κήπος). begins right next to Syntagma Square, bordered by
Zappeion, a neoclassical-style exhibition hall surrounded by a large
green area. Behind it is the New Castle, today the official residence of
the Greek Prime Minister.
3 Omonia Square (Πλατεία Ομονοίας). Unity
Square is an important traffic junction, where several main traffic
arteries converge on a large roundabout. Underground lines 1 and 2 of
the metro intersect here. Unfortunately, this square has a very bad
reputation for petty crime and drug abuse, and the streets to the
southwest are no better.
4 Monastiraki Square (Μοναστηράκι). It lies
at the foot of the Acropolis, is surrounded by countless small shops and
borders on the famous old town district of Plaka. From here, many
streets to the east and west invite you to stroll and eat. In the
immediate vicinity of the square are the Pantanassa Church, the ruins of
Hadrian's Library and the Tsidarakis Mosque, now a ceramics museum.
Lines 1 and 3 intersect at Monastiraki metro station.
5 Likavittos
(Λυκαβηττός). The Athenian city hill, also known as Licabettus, lies
north-east of the Acropolis and at 277m is the highest point in the old
town. The best way to get there is to walk north along Ploutarchou
Street and then the funicular (Funicular train, operating hours Mon-Sun
09:00-03:00, €5 one-way, €7.50 return ) that goes about 150m steeply
uphill. On the hill are the church of Agios Georgios, visible from afar,
and an open-air theatre. You get a good overview of the old town from
here. It is advisable to enjoy the view with a drink in the café. A
little further west of the cable car there is also a possibility to
climb the mountain on foot amidst cacti. There is a café halfway up.
1 Monastery of Kesariani (Μονή Καισαριανής) . Small monastery complex
on Mount Hymettos from the 12th century that is well worth seeing. with
a beautiful view of the city. Also nearby are the Taxiarches Hill
viewpoint, the Church of the Ascension and the Asteriou Monastery of the
Taxiarchs. It can be reached by taxi or with a little adventurous spirit
from the university via several secret paths and beautiful hiking trails
up the mountain. The great views, the gardens and the relaxed nature
make up for it.
2 Pentelis Monastery
3
Daphni Monastery
(Μονή Δαφνίου)
1 Koutouki Cave
(Σπήλαιο Κουτούκι). Worth seeing stalactite cave. Difficult to reach.
Possibly closed.
2 Davelis Cave (Σπήλαιο Νταβέλη) . The cave of the
famous bandit "Ntavelis". A place known for its urban legends. Small,
photogenic church at the cave entrance. Fantastic views of the area.
City tours of Athens and/or Piraeus
Some operators, such as Athens
Walking Tours, offer walking tours of the city, mostly in English.
Visit to Attica Park on the outskirts of the city in Spata near the
airport
In many places in the city, e.g. B. Hotel receptions, free
guides Athens Guide (English) are available, they are reissued monthly.
beaches
You can also go swimming in Athens, although you cannot
expect the same quality from the city beaches as on the islands. The
further away from Athens you go, the better the water quality gets. The
best beaches are on the east side of Atika and around Cape Sounion. But
they are quite far for a day trip. Almost all have beach bars, umbrellas
and sunbeds.
The easiest way is to get on the tram that runs
right on the beach between Piraeus and Glyfada. There are smaller and
bigger beaches, more expensive ones and some that are free. If a beach
pleases, hop off; otherwise go to the next one. Go further south than
Glyfada with buses departing from Glyfada. From Athens you can get to
Glyfada by Metro M2 and then by bus.
1 Votsalakia beach. Popular
pebbly beach in Piraeus area, mostly crowded but clean. It is surrounded
by many cafeterias and restaurants and is easily accessible by bus from
Piraeus center or Neo Faliro.
2 Alimos beach. The fine sandy beach is
located in the immediate vicinity of the city center and is very well
connected by public transport and accordingly crowded. The beach offers
showers and umbrellas and water sports such as jet skiing and
windsurfing. It is also ideal for children as there is a water slide and
a play area. Other attractions of Alimos are the marina and several
cafes.
3 Glyfada Beach (Γλυφάδα) . There are several small beaches in
Glyfada. The area is full of trendy cafes, cozy restaurants and lively
bars. The area is easily accessible by many local buses from the city
center and the tram.
4 Voula beach. One of the most popular sandy
beaches in the Athens suburbs.
5 Kavouri beach. Around the sandy
coast there are many beautiful coves with free access, others with sand
and others with small pebbles. Kavouri is an excellent choice for
swimming and sunbathing with nice beach facilities and many seafront
cafes. The beach is good for beach games like beach volleyball and other
activities. Mikro and Megalo Kavouri are the main beaches in the region
and both popular destinations during the summer season. Megalo Kavouri
has a large sandy bay with shallow water. There are a few fish taverns
on one side of the beach, while Mikro Kavouri is surrounded by greenery
and has a cafeteria with nice rental facilities. Kavouri is a top family
beach due to the clean water and open space of the beach. There is ample
parking on the coast. It's crowded on the weekends. Kavouri is easily
accessible by public bus or car.
6 Lomvarda beach. This small
beautiful beach is located about 30km from Athens near Vouliagmenis. A
part of the beach is organized with some umbrellas and sunbeds, while
the other part is free. The beach consists of soft sand and small
pebbles that reach the shore. The water is usually calm except when
there is a strong north wind. Vouliagmenis is one of the well-developed
coastal areas in Athens with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, hence the beach
is very crowded in summer. There is a wide range of restaurants and
taverns, as well as night bars for an evening stroll. It is easily
accessible by public bus or car.
7 Vouliagmeni beach (Βουλιαγμένη
Αττικής) . One of the best organized beaches with all kinds of beach
facilities. Tennis and volleyball courts, a children's play area, a
water slide, individual beach chairs and a restaurant are some of the
features that make the area very popular among Athenians. Still easily
accessible by local buses. In the wider region you will find many cafes
and restaurants by the sea.
8 Vouliagmeni Lake. 12m deep natural
lake, ideal for swimming in the cool water and having a drink in the
lovely cafe right on the lake shore. Admission €15.
9 Varkiza beach
(Βάρκιζα Αττικής) . Varkiza's sandy beach is quite far from the city
center. It is one of the less crowded beaches with all beach facilities
such as volleyball courts, snack bars and a children's play area. The
beach can be reached by bus directly from the city center. The city of
Varkiza is one of the most popular areas in the southern suburbs, which
is quite lively during the summer season. The area is very developed
with many cafes and nice restaurants on the seafront and is a popular
weekend destination for Athenians.
10 Lagonisi beach (Λαγονήσι
Αττικής). Langonisi is a popular resort where many Athenians like to go
swimming, especially on weekends.
For tourists, the trade triangle, Emporiko Trigono, is probably the
first choice, even if it has lost some of its importance in recent
years. It lies between the three endpoints of Omonia Square, Syntagma
Square and Monastiraki. Here you can find everything, from absolutely
chic and expensive branded items to the cheapest imports from the Far
East. The latter, unfortunately, with an increasing tendency.
Shop opening hours vary greatly. Some shops are open late (until 9:00
p.m.), which is very convenient, but you have to consider a lunch break,
which can go from 1:30 to 3:30. In the other extreme case, the shops are
open at lunchtime and close at 7 p.m. in the evening, and on Saturdays
as early as 2 p.m.
The big chains are more likely to be found on
the periphery, such as IKEA, Praktiker, etc. Likewise, the extremely
large shopping center in Spata (with outlet "Εκπτωτικό Χωριό Αθήνα").
poster
The old city of Athens, just north of the Acropolis.
Narrow alleys, odds and ends and tourist shops, apparently detached from
all shop closing laws. Cafes and restaurants line the streets.
Ermou
The pedestrian zone with brand shops. It begins at the bottom
of Syntagma Square and stretches west to Monastiraki. Parallel to this
runs the Mitropoleos, quasi 1b layer.
Kolonaki
From Syntagma
Square head east along Vassilissis Sofias Street, past the Parliament
building to the left/north. This is where a very chic area begins, in
which many embassy buildings and institutions have settled. North of
Sofia Street there are many boutiques, designer shops etc. It also gives
access to Lykavittos Hill, which offers a very nice view.
Marousi
Near the Olympic Stadium. The Mall Mall Athens. A mall as known from the
USA or Oberhausen. Very easy to get to by metro. Line 1 Neratziotissa
station, from the platforms there is a direct bridge to the Mall. Not
far from there is the Golden Mall with luxury brands.
kiosks
Formerly plastered with cigarette advertising - not since the 2004
Olympics - these light brown little booths characterize the cityscape.
There is at least one in each district that is open late into the night.
The range is extremely varied and inexpensive: 0.5 l of water usually
costs €0.50 (as of 2020).
The number of restaurants and fast food is unmanageable and you can find almost all well-known international cuisines.
Going out in Athens is fun! It's been warm for a long time, southern
Europeans enjoy partying and the club scene is diverse. Athens is one of
the liveliest cities (or even the liveliest). It's amazing how many
Athenians you see on the streets at any time of the day or night.
1 Psyri (Ψυρρή) . is the name of the quarter in which the new
nightlife takes place. It is best reached via the Monastiraki metro
station, alternatively you can walk west from beautiful Syntagma Square
through the pedestrianized Ermou Street. You will then automatically
reach the above-mentioned metro station. Of particular interest are the
area immediately south of Monastiraki, or the stretch between
Monastiraki and Thiseio further west, as well as Plateia Iroon north of
Monastiraki and the Aioloy Strait north-east of Monastiraki. A bit
outside there are also typical large discos, which are similar
throughout Europe. In Psirri you will find lounge bars, restaurants,
music taverns and much more.
2 Glyfada (Γλυφάδα) . The "young"
nightlife takes place above all in the countless clubs and bars in
Glyfada (tram stop Paralia Glyfadas, almost an hour's tram ride south
from Syntagma).
If the tip is not already included in the bill in
restaurants, a 10% tip is usual, otherwise it is simply rounded up. You
can either simply leave the money or pay it directly to the operator.
It is best to look for accommodation within the square of
Metaxourgeio - Omonia Square - Plaka - Monasteraki. Then you can walk to
most attractions and there are also plenty of subway stations to get to
destinations further afield.
In the low-price range, only the
youth hostel is actually available (Victor Hugo Straße).
1
Mirabello, Geraniou 49, Athens, 10431, Greece. Tel.: +30 21 05223657,
email: info@athens-mirabello.gr.
2 Polis Grand Hotel, 19 Patision and
10 Veranzerou St, Athens 104 32, Greece. Tel.: +30 210 5243 156-9,
Email: reservation@polisgrandhotel.gr. The house is near Omonia Square,
the main sights can be reached on foot. The staff is friendly and partly
speaks German. But it is better to eat in the Plaka.
3 Omiros Hotel,
15 Apollonos St , Athens 105 57, Greece. Tel.: +30 210 32 35 486-7,
email: omiroshotel@hol.gr. The hotel is located about 5 minutes from
Syntagma Square. The staff is friendly, free wifi in the room and
computers and printers in the lobby. Drinks at reasonable prices.
1 National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Οθώνειον
Πανεπιστήμιον
2 National Technical University of Athens (Εθνικό
Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο)
What seems very inhuman to outsiders, namely the high residential density and the Greek chaos, proves to be very advantageous for locals and those who want to become one. It's very easy as a neighborhood resident to socialize and meet people. This openness to fellow human beings has drawn many foreigners to Greece, despite the often difficult opportunity to earn money.
The Athenians' close ties to their district (actually it should be
called sub-district, because there are dozens) has so far prevented the
emergence of slums (see the number of inhabitants in the info box!). You
know each other, greet each other and exchange a few words. The
"quarters" remain small, but not anonymous. Indeed, many Athenians live
in their neighborhood for life and are thus an integral part of life
there.
You can safely stroll through the streets at night. There
are so many brothels on the Sygrou in the direction out of town (suburb
"Kallithea") that one likes to walk through the neighborhoods next to
the road so that the bouncers don't constantly chatter with them.
Although these "talkers" are not dangerous (after all, they see the
potential customer :)), they are annoying - and after a few clear words,
they are also calm.
Since life here goes late into the night
anyway, certain spots are never empty. So if you get lost at night, it's
a good idea to ask your way to Syntagma - or take one of the cheap taxis
- and move on from there.
The area between Omoniaplatz (which is
actually a big roundabout) and the train station doesn't have the best
reputation, but that also means that this corner isn't really pretty
(compared to many other spots in the city). But the classic train
station clichés such as drug dealing and pickpocketing, which also exist
in otherwise peaceful Athens, also contribute to the reputation.
The metro - not exactly a safe place in many cities - was also planned
with safety aspects in mind due to its relatively young age. You can say
it was a success. The camera surveillance (to be viewed critically) and
the bright, clear design do not leave any feeling of discomfort. In
addition, the metro is locked at night.
It's harder to get sick in Athens than stay healthy! The chlorinated tap water is of drinking water quality, even if the color does not always suggest it. There are enough doctors of all specialties. As you would expect from a European capital, hospitals are also plentiful. The pharmacies sometimes seem a bit run down - especially away from the center - but pharmacists don't earn nearly as much as in Germany. However, since there is a similar medicine delivery service, all medicines are actually available in a very short time. If a drug is not sold under the same brand name, there is definitely an alternative with a different name. The medicines are very inexpensive, so it is worth buying standard medicines such as aspirin or similar "in advance".
One cannot assume that to be able to communicate well in English with
taxi drivers. Especially if the trip should lead to the outskirts of
Athens, a map is recommended to make the destination clear. A street
name is then generally not sufficient, especially since there are
streets with the same name in the previously independent parts of the
city. There are often several Latin spellings for Greek words, e.g.. the
Αίολου street as Aiolou, but also as Eolou.
Public toilets are
extremely rare in Athens and in Greece as a whole, in an "emergency" you
go to a café and order a little something.
There is free WiFi in most
cafes and restaurants, and often in hotels too.
Greeks are usually
very accommodating when met with a few basic Greek words. A friendly
"Yassas" as a greeting often works wonders. If, for example, the waiter
starts to speak Greek afterwards, a short hint is enough and you can
continue speaking in English.
Since the financial crisis, every
purchase and every service has to be documented with a receipt. As a
result, you often get a receipt for the purchase of chewing gum at
kiosks. On the other hand, you should insist on a receipt, especially
for larger amounts, to make sure that the shopkeeper is not committing
tax evasion. If you're denied the receipt, the law says you don't have
to pay.
Cape Sounion (Σούνιο). The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion on the
Attica Peninsula. Outward journey from the regional bus station near the
Viktoria metro station from the "Terminal" (37° 59' 32″ N 23° 43' 57″
E). Another boarding option in the city center at Filellion 10 (37° 58′
26″ N 23° 44′ 2″ E), next to a kiosk, near Syntagma Square. The bus may
be full by then. Just get in, at some point someone will come for the
ticket. As always in Athens, give the bus driver a hand signal when you
want to get on. The KTEL buses are usually orange/white. Trip 2 times a
day return at 10:30 and 14:30. Return around 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. On
weekends there is an additional later trip back around 8:30 p.m. At Cape
Sounion is the temple (entrance 10 €), a museum shop and a restaurant.
Eleusis (Ελευσίνα, Elefsína) . is a place about 30km northwest of
Athens. It gained its importance through the Eleusinian Mysteries, one
of the important cults of ancient Greece. Today the city is a suburb of
Athens under the name of Elefsina. The archaeological site is worth
seeing. Eleusis was a center of pilgrimage. The devotees of the goddess
Demeter would meet here every October and follow a set ritual of
worshiping the mysteries surrounding the goddess. Among other things,
they follow the footsteps of the goddess to the "Plutonion", a cave
entrance that is somewhat hidden from the large temple that leads to the
underworld, where Demeter was desperately looking for Persephone. The
temple itself forms the center of the complex with the "Telesterion" and
the holy of holies, the "Anaktoron", where the pilgrims experienced the
climax of the mysteries.
Saronic Islands like Aegina or Hydra from
Piraeus by boat
Peloponnese - in the Peloponnese to Corinth, Mycenae
or Epidaurus
Delphi day trip by bus. Departure 07:30 a.m. at KTEL
Terminal B 38° 0′ 37″ N 23° 43′ 21″ E), costs 16.40 EUR, for one
direction (as of 11/2019). The ticket is available at the counter (1st
on the left) in the terminal. You can also buy the ticket for the return
journey in Athens. Travel time approx. 3 hours, after 2 hours the bus
makes a break at a hotel where there is a snack bar and you can go to
the toilet. Return from Delphi at 1.30pm or 4.30pm. (only 4.15pm in
winter) 1.30pm is easily doable when the museum and archaeological site
are not busy. On the way there you can also tell the bus driver that you
want to get off at the "Archaeological site" and then save yourself the
trip through Delphi (about 15 minutes). The place is little more than a
collection of restaurants and hotels. It is advantageous to go to the
excavation site first and then to the museum, in the excavation site it
takes more time. Museum and excavation site €12 (winter €6) (as of
05/2019). The Delphi bus station (a souvenir shop) is at the very end of
the town on the right when coming from Athens. The bus back to Athens
stops across the street next to a kiosk.
Ancient Athens
The founding of Athens is lost
in the mists of myth, as it is generally accepted that it
pre-existed in the Mycenaean Era. It is known that there were indeed
prehistoric findings in Attica, but since when exactly the name
"Athens" was first used for at least one of them is unknown.
According to Plato in Timaeus, Egyptian priests of Isis revealed to
Solon who visited them that according to their records, there was a
prosperous city called "Athens" before 9600 BC. Of course the
accuracy of the report is questionable, as is the calculation of the
year, but in the absence of more accurate data and reports, it
retains some indicative value.
The first inhabitants of the
area are considered to be the Pelasgians. The first king of the
city, according to mythology, was Kekropas, from whom the text
section between the Acropolis, Acharnes and Eleusis was named
"Kekropia".
The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur reveals the
existence of a subordinate relationship of Athens to Minoan Crete,
after the death of Minos' son, Androgeos. Theseus's father was
Aegeas, king of Athens until his death, when the throne passed to
his son Theseus. The throne was challenged by the Pallantides sons
of Pallantos, brother of Aegeas, but slaughtered by Theseus, who
remained king and regained the favor of his citizens.
During
the Trojan War, Athens sided with Mycenae, mobilizing against Troy
led by Menestheus and a significant military and naval force of 50
ships (estimated at 1,650-2,750 men) as mentioned in the list of
ships mentioned in the Iliad. These events classify Athens, which
then occupied Attica, without Megarida (which belonged to Salamis),
and Oropos (which belonged to Boeotia), as a very important Greek
city. However, they operated as early as 3000 BC. the Lavrio mines
supplying the city with lead and silver (later the Iron Age and
iron). The production of ceramics, oil, honey and wine, as well as
marble from Penteli, in combination with the commercial activity,
mark an economically prosperous city. Its degree of independence,
however, due to the hegemony of Mycenae, was rather small, until the
decline of this civilization
Athens, however, escaped
destruction or enslavement by the Descent of the Dorians. According
to legend, the Dorians asked the oracle of Delphi if they could
conquer Athens. The oracle replied that they would conquer it only
if they did not kill its king, Kodros. Kodros, when he learned about
this oracle, dressed like a villager and left the city. There, after
meeting soldiers from the opposing camp, he killed one, and the
other soldier reacted, not knowing his true identity, killing him.
When the Athenians demanded the body of their king, the Dorians were
frightened and withdrew from the area of Athens, holding only
Megara.
In 632 BC, the Olympian of Kylon, wanted to become
tyrant of Athens. He captured the Acropolis but Alkmeonidis
Megaklis, reacted and besieged the Acropolis, forcing him and his
brother to take refuge in Megara while his followers begged at the
altars. According to this custom, a person who begs for alms is
considered a protector of the gods, so no one has the right to harm
them. Megacles' followers, however, killed them in violation of this
custom, with the result that the Alcmeonides were exiled from
Athens. They returned with the general amnesty of Solon.
The
first legislator of the city was the Dragon, who enacted in 621 BC,
the Draconian Laws, written on marble slabs. Traditionally, the laws
were so strict that the term "Draconian measures" meant relentless
and harsh measures, even today. The law of the Dragon was succeeded
by the laws of Solon. Most important of all were the "Seisachtheia",
the abolition of the enslavement of free citizens for debts and the
land reclamation.
From 561 BC. until 527 BC, Athens was
ruled, at intervals, by Peisistratos. He did many works for Athens
and honored his special homeland, Vravrona. It would not be an
exaggeration to say that Peisistratos laid the foundations for the
future greatness of Classical Athens. After his death, power passed
into the hands of Hippias and Hipparchus. The second was
assassinated in 514 BC, and the first was overthrown, with the help
of Sparta, in 510 BC.
In 508 BC, Cleisthenes, as a reformer of Athens
from the genus Alcmeonides, applied equality and equality,
abolishing the old tribes and founding artificial ones, with names
derived from the local hero of each region. He divided the Attic
land into urban, Mediterranean and coastal, dividing the population
of each tribe equally into municipalities from all three zones,
while at the same time legislating in favor of the punishment of
ostracism. Thus, Democracy was born.
Athens sent aid to 20
ships (4,000 men) during the Ionian Revolution (499 - 493). This was
the occasion for the Persian Campaigns against mainland Greece.
Athens successfully repulsed, together with Plataea, the second
campaign of Datis and Artafernis, during which it was the main
Persian objective. The city deployed 10,000 hoplites in the battle
of Marathon led by Miltiades. During Xerxes' campaign, the city
deployed 8,000 hoplites in the battle of Plataea led by Aristides
and 200 triremes in the naval battle of Salamis led by Themistocles.
In 478/477 BC, the Delian alliance was founded, based on the
sacred island of Delos, which later became the "Athenian hegemony".
A few years later, Miltiades' son Kimon managed to exile
Themistocles and become the leader of Athens. Thanks to his military
genius, he managed to expand the alliance but he himself was exiled
by Pericles in 461 BC.
The politician Pericles took the
leadership of Athens and removed from the, oligarchic deviations,
Arios Pagos the supervision for the administration and the employees
and assigned it to the Parliament of the Five Hundred. Pericles's
policy consolidated the Athenian hegemony, which practically began a
little earlier with Kimon, who continued the war with the Persian
Empire after the withdrawal of the Spartans from him. The Parthenon
was built on his own initiative and, rightly, his era was named
"Golden Age of Pericles", although it lasted only 32 years. He is,
however, largely responsible for the Peloponnesian War.
Indeed, in 431 BC. The Spartans invaded Attica and destroyed the
countryside, starting this painful war.
In 430 BC, the plague
of Athens broke out, destroying 1/3 (or 2/3) of the population of
Athens and, among them, Pericles, resulting in the city falling
victim to demagogues, whose policy proves to be catastrophic, not
only for Athens, but for the whole of Greece. During its maximum
military power, Athens deployed (excluding foreign mercenaries)
14,000 hoplites, 2,000 archers, 1,000 cavalry, 400 cavalry and 470
triremes. Based on these data and similar calculations, a total
population of 400,000 souls (including women, a reasonable number of
minors, migrants, foreigners and slaves) during the Classical era is
estimated. Athens, after 27 years, finally lost the war.
In
395 BC, the Corinthian War broke out which lasted until 387 BC.
Konon, with the help of the Persians, formed a new navy and rebuilt
the Long Walls and the walls of Piraeus that were demolished in 404
BC.
In 377 BC, the Second Athenian Alliance was founded but
dissolved in 355 BC. In the meantime, a new rising force emerged,
Macedonia, which, after the Battle of Chaeronia, managed to impose
its hegemony over all of Greece (except Sparta).
Hellenistic
Era (323 BC - 146 BC)
In 323 BC, after the death of Alexander the
Great, Athens and the other Greek cities revolted but were defeated
by Antipater. The government of Athens became tyrannical and a
Macedonian guard was established. Although the city had lost its
political independence and military strength, it continued to be a
large and important city and an important cultural center. Many
rulers of the Hellenistic Kingdoms studied in Athens and made
donations to her and were honored by the Athenians.
Roman Age
(146 BC - 395 AD)
In 146 BC, Athens was conquered by the Romans, who
respected the city and did not disturb it. In 87 BC, in the First
Mithridatic War, the Athenians called on Mithridates to liberate
their city, but when Sulla found out, he went to Athens and besieged
it. When his army entered Athens, he ordered that it be destroyed,
ignoring the Athenians' pleas, and many of her works of art were
transferred to Rome. Athens, however, began to recover quite quickly
due to the admiration of the Romans for its history and culture.
Many Romans (Hadrian, Cicero, Antoninus, Augustus, Philopappos,
etc.) visited the city, studied there, benefited it with great works
(many survive today) and were initiated into the Mysteries. In fact,
in honor of Hadrian, a tribe was named after him, the Hadrian tribe.
Athens regained its former glory and became the cultural center of
the empire, famous for its universities. From the 3rd century, the
empire was attacked by barbaric peoples. In 267, the Heracles
destroyed Athens and its area was considerably reduced. The Valerian
Wall failed to save her. It retained, however, its need as the
cultural center of the empire. In 330, New Rome became the new
capital of the state. Constantine the Great moved several monuments
of Athens to New Rome, but did not cause disaster in the city and
respected it. In 395, the empire was divided into Western and
Eastern and Athens became part of the latter.
Byzantine Era
(395 - 1204)
In 395, Alaric attacked Athens and besieged it but
did not harm it. According to Zosimos, Alarichos saw Achilles and
the Goddess Athena on the city walls, so he panicked and left.
According to another version, the Athenians raised a large sum of
money and gave it to Alaric. He accepted it and asked them to enter
the city to admire her. He thus escaped destruction. At the same
time, however, with the penetration of Christianity, Athens was
considered the "Capital of Paganism" and was marginalized. In
Athens, a large Christian community had not been created as in
Alexandria or Thessaloniki. The city was completely connected to the
ancient religion, so Christianity could not have strong roots in the
city. In 529, Justinian closed the philosophical schools of Athens
and transformed from a city into an insignificant and forgotten
village with 2,000-3,000 inhabitants, far from the state centers of
the empire. In fact, its ancient name disappeared and was called by
its few inhabitants, simply "Castle". The Parthenon was consecrated
and became a church, like all the other monuments of Athens. Many
times, the village was deserted as its few inhabitants abandoned it
due to raids. Irene the Athenian, was empress of Byzantium, from 780
to 802, and came from Athens. Basil II visited Athens in 1018. In
1182 Michael Choniatis became metropolitan of Athens. An
archaeologist and lover of Classical culture, he was disappointed
with Athens and likened it to "Scythian wilderness".
Athens
during the Latin occupation
In 1204, Athens was conquered by the
Franks. The Athenians accepted them as liberators. After 675 years
of decline, Athens is entering a new phase. Its fame and strategic
position contributed to Athens becoming the capital of the Frankish
Duchy of Athens, with the Acropolis being transformed into a palace.
During this period (1204-1456) Athens was occupied in order:
Boniface the Momferratic, the Frankish House de la Ross, the Catalan
Society and finally the Italian house of the Atsagioli Family of
Florence. Boniface handed over Athens to Otto, who took the name
"Dominus Athenarum" or "Sire D 'Athenes". This period (1204 - 1311)
is characterized by relative prosperity and calm. In 1311, the Duchy
came under the control of the Catalans. The capital was moved to
Thebes. The Catalan policy (1311 - 1388) was catastrophic and
oppressive for the Orthodox citizens, who accepted Nerio Azagioli
with relief. Athens became the capital of the Duchy again. After a
course of 252 years, the Duchy was dissolved on June 4, 1456 with
the occupation of Athens by the Turks.
Ottoman era (1456 -
1830)
In 1456 the city was conquered by the Turks and came under
the Ottoman Empire. Muhammad the Conqueror visited the city and was
fascinated by it, especially by the Acropolis. The Parthenon became
a mosque and gave many privileges to the Athenians. Athens was the
fourth largest city in the Balkans with 20,000 inhabitants and
Christians and Muslims lived harmoniously. In the 17th century,
during the operations of the Fifth Venetian-Turkish War, it was
besieged by the Venetians and suffered heavy damage, including the
blowing up of the Parthenon by General Francesco Morosini.
In the 18th century, Athens experienced a series
of upheavals, mainly due to the mismanagement of the Turks and the
rivalries between them for the appropriation of tax collection
rights or the ownership of land. In 1771-1772 the city was raided by
the Lempesides, rebels of Salamis who had raised the Russian flag
under Mitros-Mara. The period 1775-1795 is characterized by the
tyrannical administration of Hatzis Ali Hasekis. He was originally a
servant in the sultan's palace in Constantinople, where after having
an affair with Esme Sultana, the sister of Sultan Selim III, he
managed to be appointed voivode of Athens, ie responsible for
collecting the tithe tax. In his day Athens was walled off with a
rudimentary wall to protect itself from the invasions of the
Turkalvans. Around 1789, epidemics of smallpox and plague broke out
in the city, as well as food shortages. Many residents died while
others were dispersed. In 1795 Haseki was beheaded after a series of
protests against him by Turks and Greeks to the sultan.
At
the beginning of the 17th century and especially from the 19th
century, Athens, due to its archeological interest, had gathered the
interest of various foreign artists, archaeologists, etc. and a
large community of Europeans had formed in the city and the first
consulates were established. Among them was the mission of Lord
Elgin who made the famous removal of the sculptures from the
Acropolis. Other celebrities who passed through Athens were
Chateaubriand, Lord Byron, the British ambassador to the city, Lord
Strangford, François Pouqueville, the Princess of Wales Caroline and
others. In 1812 the "Philathina Academy" was founded in Athens and
then the "Philomous Society".
The revolution of 1821 and the
liberation of Athens
Beginning of the Revolution
Due to the
action of the Philomous Society, the Friendly Society did not have
much penetration in the city, with the exception of some priests. At
that time, the Athenians were divided into the "Gagarians" and the
"Xotarides". The first were the bourgeois and the lords included in
the archontology, while the second were the farmers who lived in the
villages and estates around Athens, many of whom were
Arvanitophones. The Turks were a minority in Athens and had
gradually come under the control of the Greek lords or "Gagaras".
Strong families were that of Logothetis Chomatianos and Prokopios
Benizelos. Ypsilantis' revolt in Romania left the bourgeois
Athenians almost indifferent. However, at that time the chief of
Hassia, the "xotaris" Hatzi-Meletis Vassiliou, formed a corps of
armed Hasiotes and Menidiates with the permission of the zambit
(policeman) of Athens, ostensibly to protect the city from raids. It
is believed that Vassilios was initiated into the Friendly Society,
because Athanasios Diakos did a similar act shortly before the
Revolution in Livadia, but also because he agreed to be placed under
the orders of the Friendly Municipality of Antonios from Livadia.
On the night of March 25, 1821, a messenger came from Hydra and warned the Athenians to prepare for an uprising. But because no preparation had been made, the whole of March passed almost without any action. Spyridon Trikoupis states that the Athenians did not revolt because they did not have leaders. The Turks of Athens had been informed of the events in the Peloponnese but had the impression that these were actions of Ali Pasha, who called him "Karali". They trusted the defense of the city wall to the armed corps of Hatzis-Meletis Vassilios. The latter was reinforced with other chiefs such as Mitros Skevas from Menidi, the "Arvanitovlachos" Hatzi-Anagnostis Kiourkakiotis, Ioannis Davaris from the Mediterranean. The Turks called the metropolitan of Athens Dionysios, nephew of the patriarch Gregory V, who had taken refuge in Boeotia where with the metropolitans of Talanti Neophytos and Salonias Isaiah he proclaimed the Revolution in the monastery of Agia Paraskevi outside Livadia and Livadia. In early April, incidents broke out in Athens, and many Athenians sought refuge in foreign consulates to protect themselves from the Turks, with the exception of the Austrian consul who was helping the Turks. On the night of the 9th to the 10th of April, the night of the Resurrection, many lords were taken hostage and imprisoned on the Acropolis, while the Turkish mob demanded a general massacre of the Christians. Due to the hostage-taking, the city remained quiet, while in the countryside, attacks and kidnappings against the Turks began. The first major war episode took place on April 18 in Kalamos where Hatzi-Meletis Vassiliou repulsed a body of 300 Turks coming from Chalkida to help the Turks of Athens. Thus the Revolution was openly proclaimed and in Livadia the Municipality of Livadi, Antoniou, was appointed military leader of Athens. In the ecclesiastical ceremony, Athens Dionysios and Talantiou Neophytos surrounded Antonios with military equipment as the knights needed in the Middle Ages. Antoniou, wearing helmets and epaulets of the British military corps of the Ionian Islands, went down to Hasia where with his imposing appearance he gave the armed leaders the feeling that there was indeed Russia's support in the uprising. On April 24, the Turks of Athens, after learning of the hanging of the patriarch and the massacres of the Greeks in Constantinople, feared retaliation. They asked the Imam to bless their own flag of the holy war and took to the streets, demanding the slaughter of Christians. Then the Athenians called for help the military corps of Hassia, from which, however, only about 500 people moved and they were also lightly armed, many with agricultural tools and improvised spears. On April 26, the Turks fortified themselves on the Acropolis while the Greeks entered the city shouting "Christ is Risen" and "Freedom or death". Hatzi-Meletis raised the flag of freedom in Athens on April 28th. The next day, Bishop Dionysios arrived in the city and after an ecclesiastical ceremony in the small square of Agios Panteleimon under the Acropolis (the so-called Auction House), a political administration and "deputies" settled in the city. At that time, the armed forces of bourgeois Athenians increased, while others came from Salamis, Aegina, Kea, etc.
The besieged Turks, knowing that they could not
last long without help, decided and attempted a night out. On the
night of May 15, 1821, 15 Turks, led by Mehmetakos Turalis, managed
to cross the Greek lines and reach Chalkida, where they reported
their difficult situation. For their part, more and more Greeks
gathered - mainly from the neighboring islands - to help the
Athenians in the siege. On June 8, the Turks killed 8 of the 12
Athenian nobles they held hostage on the Acropolis and threw their
heads off the walls of the Acropolis. According to tradition, the
head of the monk Filaretos Triantaphyllis was stuck in a rock and
the next day there was a battle between Athenians and Turks for its
meditation, while the events ignited the hatred of the Athenians.
Around the middle of June, the Municipality of Antoniou, which
had the general headquarters, was killed and due to a disagreement
between gangsters and trawlers, Dimitris Ypsilantis appointed
Liberios Liveropoulos from Russia, who had no military experience,
as the leader of Athens. Liveropoulos arrived in Athens dressed in
the tight black uniform of Ierolochitos. The Turks, seeing several
of the besiegers wearing "straits" (European uniforms), were
convinced that the rebels had the support of European forces and
despaired.
In mid-July 1821, a Turkish army led by Omer
Vryonis and Omer Bey of Karystos descended to the Eastern Mainland.
The Athenians, fearing, solved the siege of the Acropolis and left
the city. Those who managed to escape, left for Aegina, Salamis,
even in the Greek camp of the Isthmus. Thus, the Turks broke the
first siege of Athens. Omer Vryonis showed that he wanted to stay in
Athens and in fact he married the daughter of a Turkish priest. But
around mid-October 1821 he was forced to leave Athens to help
Khurshid Pasha in Epirus. But Omer Bey was also forced to return to
Evia. So Athens stayed again, only with the guard of the Acropolis.
All this time the Greeks continued to harass the Turkish troops, and
as soon as they learned that Vryonis had left, they began to gather
in the city again, to besiege the Acropolis again. It was quickly
realized that Liveropoulos could not have the leadership of Athens.
Among various claimants, the leadership was finally assigned to
Ilias Mavromichalis, son of Petrobei. On November 3, 1821, the
Greeks recaptured the city and besieged the Acropolis again, while
the families who had left returned from the islands. The besiegers
initially deprived the Turks of the water they took from a well near
the Herodian theater, the so-called "Skerpetze". On the 13th of
November, the feast of John Chrysostom, the chief Panagis Ktenas
after the sanctification of the weapons called on his men to fight
bravely, shouting to them "Dirty dogs, we will take her out with a
clean face" (using the insult with which the Turks called the
Greeks). They attacked the Turkalvans guarding the well and pushed
them to the rocks of the Acropolis. The siege was later reinforced
with a cannon fired from the Arios ice while a sewer specialist
managed to blow up part of the Acropolis walls. Finally, the Turks
surrendered the Acropolis on June 9, 1822. Dionysius sent people to
give water to the thirsty Turks, but many of them died drinking an
insatiable amount. The Turks safely left the Acropolis, in the
presence of the Austrian ambassadors, on June 10, 1822 after handing
over the keys to the fortress to Panagiotis Ktenas. Ktenas was
unfortunately killed when the cannon he fired to celebrate the
capture of the Acropolis exploded. Thus the Athenians were liberated
for the first time.
The continuation of the Revolution
After the occupation of the Acropolis, the surrendered Turks
continued to live in Athens, while the women and children remained
under the protection of the consulates of France and Austria. When
it became known in Athens that Dramalis was coming down with a
strong army to crush the revolution, the Turks became discouraged
and began to provoke and threaten the Christians. The reason for the
clashes was when Chians who had survived the massacre of Chios and
Kefalonians attacked Turks on June 27 and 28, 1822.
In the meantime, the Athenians, before the danger
of Dramalis, had not taken care of the defense, while many fled
again to Salamis. Puckeville accuses French sailors in Piraeus of
preventing the Greeks from leaving for Salamis while supporting the
Turks. At the invitation of the commissioners, several young people
rushed to supply and fortify the Acropolis. While in the Peloponnese
battles were fought against Dramalis, in Athens a dispute broke out
between the chiefs over the domination of the Acropolis. Eventually
one faction called Androutsos to occupy the Acropolis. He entered on
August 21, 1822, followed by his deputy, Ioannis Gouras, and 150
hoplites. Odysseus fortified the Acropolis and asked the Athenians
to sign a bond with him for the value of the supplies he had paid.
He temporarily left the Acropolis, leaving Gouras as guardian and de
facto master of Athens. The families of Androutsos and Goura, as
well as other people from Roumeli, had settled on the Acropolis in
order to have a personal interest in the defense of the city. A
rivalry broke out between the wives of the two leaders for the first
place, which was the reason for the enmity between the two men. Many
registrars were also involved in the dispute, including the
philhellene Stanhope, who came to Athens in the fall with the
returning Odysseus.
The Athenians took part in the struggle
against the occupied enemy. In Tithorea (Velitsa) 350 hoplites
fought under Odysseus and the chiefs N. Saris, Mitros Lekkas, N.
Argyris, Meleti Vassiliou and I. Davari. At first they stopped the
enemy but eventually dispersed. N. Saris was arrested and escaped
while on his way to Larissa, to be killed later in Athens, a victim
of the rivalry between Androutsos and Goura. In the summer of 1823
Athens was surrounded from everywhere by Ottoman troops and the
fleet. Yusuf Berkoftsalis was coming down from the north with the
commander of Edirne, Selim Salih Pasha, while Karystinos Omer Bey
was campaigning from Chalkida. The families took refuge again in
Salamina while at the same time the place was plagued by an
epidemic. Gouras had supplied and fortified the Acropolis. The
enemies reached Ampelokipi but then withdrew, taking women and
children captive. Berkoftsalis became seriously ill and many died of
the plague. In the autumn, Odysseus returned from Evia. Stanhope
also brought with him a printing press with which various
publications were printed, including the "Efimeris ton Athinon", the
first Athenian newspaper under Georgios Psylas. The Philomous
Society of Athens was also re-established, excavations were carried
out and some schools began to operate, with financial assistance
from the monasteries of Attica. Life in Athens was beginning to
recover. Teaching through the peer-to-peer method and the learning
of foreign languages was introduced in schools.
In the
summer of 1824 a new campaign was launched led by Ibrahim or Dervis
Pasha. He ordered Omer Vryonis to attack from Western Greece and
Omer Karystinos bey from the East, while he would attack the
Peloponnese from Fokida and Aegialia. Omer Karystinos with 4,000
men, including 2,000 janissaries sent from Constantinople,
disembarked from Chalkida to Marathon and began looting the
countryside. Gouras decided to defend with only 300 men against
Sourmelis or 600 against Trikoupis. The historicity of the area and
the civil rivalries that had preceded made Goura encourage his few
men, recalling the ancient battle of Marathon. The few Athenians
fortified in makeshift drums effectively resisted from the 3rd to
the 6th of July, forcing the enemies to disperse and invade Attica
from other routes. On the last day, the whole body of Goura was
endangered and he was saved thanks to the auxiliary operation under
D. Evmorfopoulos. The enemies withdrew and the Greeks sent thirty
heads and two flags as trophies to Athens. Among the Ottomans killed
were the leader of the Janissaries, Ibrahim, and Abedin Bey, a
nephew of Omer Karystinos and leader of the Delis.
The victorious Athenians, preoccupied with
plundering the dead, did not pursue the retreating Ottomans who
gathered at Kapandriti in order to invade through Kaza and Fili.
In October 1824, a census was taken in revolted Athens,
according to which the city had 9,040 inhabitants and 1,605 houses,
divided into 35 parishes.
Athens, capital of the independent
Greek state
Athens was a small semi-deserted and half-ruined city
(from the successive sieges during the Independence Struggle), when
it became the capital of the new Kingdom of Greece in 1834.
After the liberation, on the initiative of King Otto, Athens was
designated a new capital. In 1834, it was rebuilt to the standards
of major European capitals and its extension to the north of the old
city was planned by architects Stamatis Cleanthes, Edward Saubert
and Royal Councilor Leo von Clenche, and imposing buildings were
erected as (now the parliament), the Old Parliament, the Academy,
the Zappeion, etc. As the capital of the new Greek state and the
center of political developments, Athens has been a place of
landmark events in modern Greek history. This is where the
Revolution of September 3, 1843 took place, which reshaped the state
physiognomy of the state. In the following decades, Athens was
rebuilt according to the standards of a modern city. The next phase
of great expansion was in 1923 after the Asia Minor Catastrophe,
when many neighborhoods were created, mainly anarchically, by
refugees from Asia Minor, such as Nea Smyrni, Nea Ionia, Attica,
Byron, etc.
The city became the scene of numerous movements
and coups for more than 50 years, from the military movement in
Goudi, the numerous movements of the Greek interwar period to the
coup of April 21, 1967. The first act of the Greek Civil War was
played here, in December, as well as Parliamentary democracy was
restored after the fall of the junta in 1974.
After World War
II
During World War II the city in particular suffered greatly,
mainly from famine and suffered great damage. After the war, the
city began to grow again, especially in the 1960s, as a result of
internal migration from small towns and villages to Athens. The
housing problem that was created, was solved by the consideration
with the uncontrolled and uncontrolled construction of many
apartment buildings in the center and in the suburbs. Unfortunately,
many neoclassical buildings were demolished to make way for
apartment buildings and buildings of modern architecture. The
problems created by the consideration are still perceived, such as
the anarchic construction, the minimal green spaces. The population
of the refugee settlements created after the Asia Minor Catastrophe
moved to apartment buildings in the surrounding areas and soon,
neighborhoods such as Dourgouti (New World) changed their
appearance, while others, such as Asyrmatos (over which the
Philopappos ring road passed) and Polygono or Perdikari (which was
turned into a Moustoxydi bridge) were deleted from the map.
Greece's entry into the European Union in 1981 brought new
investments to the city, but with problems of traffic and air
pollution. The use of catalytic converters has greatly improved the
quality of the atmosphere, but without definitively solving the
problem that in the 21st century mainly concerns pollutants, such as
ozone and suspended subatomic particles. The construction of the
sewage treatment center on the islet of Psyttalia, where the
wastewater of Athens is treated, improved the quality of the seas
and beaches of Attica in the short term, before a problem arose with
the disposal of sewage sludge.
The center of the ancient city
is located around the hill of the Acropolis, in Thissio and Plaka.
These areas today, in addition to their tourist character, are the
most expensive zones of the center (along with Syntagma and Kolonaki
below the hill of Lycabettus). The historic center of Athens is
located in this zone, along with Monastiraki, which is a popular
tourist and commercial destination for visitors. Characteristic is
the train in Plaka for the tour of tourists, as well as the tourist
bus line that goes around the center.
The center of the modern city is Syntagma Square,
where the old royal palaces are housed, which now house the
Parliament, as well as other 19th century public buildings. During
the 3 decades that followed the Second World War, many new high-rise
buildings were built, which characterize the current image of the
city.
Athens is the host city of the first Olympic Games of
the modern era (1896) and the Mid-Olympic Games of 1906. In recent
years it has also organized the 2004 Olympic Games that last from 13
to 29 August 2004.
The old building of the National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens on Panepistimiou Avenue is one of
the most elegant buildings in Athens along with the building of the
National Library and the Academy of Athens. These three buildings,
the so-called "Athens Trilogy", were built in the late 19th century.
Several of the educational activities of the universities have been
transferred today to the University Campus of Zografou. Another
great academic school in Athens is the National Technical University
of Athens, one of the most important technical institutions in
Europe. The Athens University of Economics and Business is located
in the same area as the Polytechnic, while the Agricultural
University of Athens is located in the area of Votanikos. Other
schools are located on the outskirts of the city, such as the
Gymnastics Academy of Athens (TEFAA) in Daphne, the School of
Pedagogy and Technology Education in Maroussi and others.
Athens is located in the largest plain of Attica with the Ilisos and Kifisos rivers and is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, Hymettos (1026 m), Pentelikon (1107 m), Parnitha (1413 m) and Aegaleo (468 m) , the fourth side opens to the sea, the Saronic Gulf.
The urban climate of Athens is a very special one in
Greece and also in Europe and was considered one of the best in the
world before the development of the city into a “water head” that
overgrown almost the entire Attic basin and is still dry and largely
mild today. The name Attica derives from Akte (Greek for "coast" or
"promontory"), it is a peninsula.
Quite a few therefore moved to
Athens or spent a long time there, for example Sophie de Marbois-Lebrun,
who had a villa built on the northern edge of the city and spent the
rest of her life there. In 1906, Rainer Maria Rilke wrote to Ernst
Hardt, who was living in Athens, to “go to Athens for two or three
months” in order to spend the winter there. Walther Judeich wrote in his
1931 Topography of Athens
"The climate of Athens seems on the
whole to have changed as little as the picture of the landscape since
antiquity."
Josef von Ow wrote in 1854 that locals and foreigners
alike leave the city for a few days in midsummer and
"spend the
hottest time in the mountains or on the islands"
Due to the
location of Athens, surrounded by mountains to the west, north and east,
and the prevailing winds in Greece, the climate in Athens is even drier
and warmer than in other regions of the country. Summer temperatures can
reach over 40°C in the shade during hot spells that last three to four
days and can occur from June to September. Due to the dense population
and the lack of inner-city green spaces, it hardly cools down at night.
Temperatures of 25°C at midnight are the norm in summer, 30°C not
uncommon. Only towards morning does the thermometer drop below 25 °C for
a short time. In winter, on the other hand, there are frequent cold air
rushes from the north, which can then lead to snow cover at regular
intervals, especially in the northern districts. By Central European
standards, the days of November in particular are still surprisingly
warm. While it is already "winter temperatures" in other southern
European cities, in Athens it is often still 20 to 25 °C during the day
until mid-November. On the other hand, spring starts later, and March
and April are still surprisingly cool. The mean temperatures in the cold
season (December to February) are between 9.6 °C and 11.4 °C.
Occasionally there are also frosty days with low temperatures down to -5
°C. In the warm season (May to September), the average temperature
ranges between 20.5 °C and 29 °C. In Athens over 2800 hours of sunshine
and no fewer than 348 sunny days are counted per year. On some days,
sand and dust from the Sahara blows all the way to Athens, covering the
streets.
Overall, the annual amount of precipitation in Athens
remains at a very low level of 402 mm per year. Most precipitation falls
from late October to early February. The summer months from June to
September are particularly low in precipitation.
The
industrialization and urbanization of the Attica peninsula, on which
Athens is located, as well as increasing private transport since the
1950s, have led to increasing air pollution, especially from smoke and
sulfur dioxide. In the high-pressure weather conditions typical of the
region with a high risk of inversion (summer smog), smog (Greek το
νέφος, to nefos, "the cloud") was formed more and more frequently.
Although measures to reduce air pollution were taken as early as the
1970s, it increased due to increasing mass motorization as a result of
the economic boom in the 1970s and 1980s. The situation came to a head
in 1987 when numerous people died from smog and the press reported
increasing damage to the ancient monuments. The authorities reacted with
sometimes drastic measures. In order to reduce the volume of traffic,
since 1981 cars with odd and even numbers have been banned from entering
the city center on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with narrow
exceptions, for example for doctors, journalists and tourists.
Far-reaching measures by the authorities and the expansion of local
public transport have been successful since the 1990s and have reduced
air pollution. However, on very hot days, especially before the holiday
season, air pollution is still an issue. The Greek Ministry of the
Environment publishes the current air measurement values for Athens on
its website every day.
Ancient Athens of the 18th century roughly encompasses
the quarters south and north of the Acropolis, the extension to the east
and north-east (Syntagma to Omonia) has been the center of the city
since the 19th century.
Although the inhabitants of the Attica
Peninsula identify themselves as Athenians, the city of Athens is
administratively limited to an area of less than one million
inhabitants.
According to legend, the goddess Athena and the sea
god Poseidon vied for the favor of the inhabitants of the then nameless
city. Both should give the inhabitants a gift - whoever gave the city
the best gift should be chosen as the namesake. The competition, which
has been handed down many times, can be found, among other things, in
Herodotus, in the library of Apollodorus, in Pausanias and Plutarch.
Poseidon gave the city a well or spring that he opened with his trident,
but only salt water gushed out. In Ovid he gave the city a horse.
Athena's gift was an olive tree. He donated food, olive oil and wood.
Athena won and the city was named after her.
According to another
tradition, Athens was founded by King Cecrops, which is why Kekropia
(Κεκροπία) is an ancient name of Athens.
The name Athens was once
always in the plural (Athēnai), but since the 1960s at the latest the
singular form has prevailed in Greek (Athína), officially the plural
form is still to be found today. In most languages, Athens is still
rendered in the plural.
Mycenaean Athens (1,600 - 1,100 BC) may have reached
the size of Tiryns. This limits the population to 10 to 15 thousand.
the Geometric era in 1,000 BC. the population of Athens was up to
4,000 people. In 700 BC. the population had grown to 10,000. In 500
BC. the state of Athens probably had 200,000 people. And in the
classical period in 431 BC. showed a population with different
estimates ranging from 150,000 to 350,000 and up to 610,000
according to Thucydides. When Demetrius Falireus conducted a
population census in 317 BC. the population was 21,000 free
citizens, 10,000 allied settlers and 400,000 slaves, a total of
431,000 in greater Athens.
The municipality of Athens has an
official population of 664,046, while together with the four
Regional Units (Central, North, South and West Sector of Athens) it
has a total population of 2,640,701 (2011 census). Together with the
Peripheral Unit of Piraeus, they constitute the Urban Complex of
Athens with a population of 3,074,160.
The ancient city of
Athens had its center on the rocky hill of the Acropolis. The port
of Piraeus was a separate city, but today it has been absorbed by
the Athens Urban Complex. The rapid expansion of the city, which
continues even today, began in the 1950s and 1960s, due to the
evolution of Greece from a rural to an industrial country. The
extension today is particularly to the East and Northeast (a trend
that is very much related to the new Eleftherios Venizelos
International Airport and the Attiki Odos, the highway that crosses
Attica). With this process, Athens has integrated many former
suburbs and villages in Attica and continues to do so. The table
below shows the history of the population of Athens in recent years.
Details
The center of the Greek capital is located in the
Municipality of Athens, which is the largest in population in
Greece. Piraeus also forms an important center in its own city,
within the Urban Complex of Athens, and is the second most populous
municipality in it, with Peristeri and Kallithea following.
The Urban Complex of Athens currently consists of 40 municipalities,
35 of which are the municipalities of Greater Athens, integrated
into 4 regional units (North Athens, West Athens, Central Athens,
South Athens) and 5 more, which are the municipalities of Major
Piraeus, belonging to the Regional Unit of Piraeus. The densely
populated Urban Complex of the Greek capital is spread over 412
sq.m. throughout the Attica Basin and has a total population of
3,090,508 (in 2011).
The Metropolitan Area of Athens covers
2,928,717 sq.m. in the region of Attica and includes a total of 58
municipalities, which are organized in 7 regional units (the above
together with Eastern Attica and Western Attica with a population of
3,753,783. Athens and Piraeus are the two Metropolitan Centers of
the Metropolitan Area of Athens There are also some
Inter-Municipal Centers, which serve specific areas, for example
Maroussi, Kifissia and Glyfada operate as Inter-Municipal Centers
for the North, Far North and South suburbs of Athens respectively,
while Peristeri serves the Western suburbs.
19th Century Architecture in Athens
The layout of today's center
was created in the 19th century based on the city plan by Eduard
Schaubert and Stamatios Kleanthis. A closed cityscape can only be found
in the much older Plaka district. Almost all important public buildings
such as the theatre, the Supreme Court, the Parliament, the Zappeion
exhibition hall, the cathedral, the town hall, etc. are classicist
buildings. Prominent examples are the "Athens Trilogy" with the National
and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1841, design: Hans Christian
Hansen), the National Library and the Academy of Sciences (1891, both by
Theophil Hansen). The Catholic Bishop's Church (design: Leo von Klenze)
and the old eye clinic are in the immediate vicinity. Worth mentioning
is the parliament building (former palace) on Syntagma Square by
Friedrich von Gärtner. Numerous expatriate Greeks settled in Athens in
the 19th century, resulting in numerous villas that were often designed
by Ernst Ziller, who became George I's court architect and realized over
600 buildings throughout Greece.
20th Century Architecture in
Athens
The architecture of the 19th century in Athens was largely
influenced by classicism and the restoration of the Greek state; this
continued into the early years of the 20th century. Early Greek
modernism was all the more radical. Driven by the housing shortage after
the Greeks were expelled from Turkey in 1921, renewed building activity
began. The Athens Charter, the manifesto of modern architecture, was
signed in 1933.
To this day, districts such as Kypseli and
Exarchia are dominated by apartment buildings from the 1920s to 1940s.
During the late 1940s and early 1960s, luxurious apartment buildings
equipped with all the sophistication of the time were built in the finer
parts of Athens. They had a concierge, servants' entrance, and large
marble-clad entrance halls. The Athenians left the old neoclassical city
villas to move into a coveted, modern apartment. Since these apartments
were intended for the upper class, most of them are no smaller than 160
square meters. Such "splendid apartment buildings" can be found on
Victoria Square, along Patission Avenue, on the street of the third of
September and on the magnificent promenade and once the most expensive
street in Athens, Mavrommataion Street.
Large public buildings
emerged again from the 1960s, such as the East Terminal at the former
Hellenikón Airport in Athens by Eero Saarinen (1960-1963), the US
Embassy on Vassilis-Sophias-Avenue by Walter Gropius (1961) or the
Athens Hilton (1963). During the time of the junta, many second-class
apartment buildings were built for speculative reasons, which
characterize the image of some suburbs.
Important transport and
infrastructure structures have been built since the 1980s, including
Santiago Calatrava's Athens Olympic Sports Complex and Bernard Tschumi's
New Acropolis Museum (2001-2007, opened in 2009). Also worth mentioning
are the numerous subway stations and related structures such as the
footbridge at the Katechaki station by Santiago Calatrava.
In
general, the construction of landmarks or conspicuous solitary buildings
is not permitted in order not to endanger the outstanding position of
the Acropolis in the cityscape of Athens. Few exceptions were granted
during the Junta period, but only relatively far from the center.
Exceptions include the Athens Tower or the President Hotel in the
Ambelokipi district.