One cannot question the beauty of Athens. It may have changed a lot and and passed through various stages, over the centuries Athens, however retains its charm and its little secrets.
There are definitely a lot of things you don’t know about Athens. We present to you ten from them…
- Part of Alexandras Avenue is subject to the provincial road network. Not only is this central road of Athens that is under such a condition. There is an old decree, concerning roads that start from the center and are directed to the region (e.g. Pentelis Avenue, Thivon Avenue, Tatoiou Avenue, etc.).
- Six thousand tons of garbage is received every day by the landfill of Ano Liosia. Most of them, according to official data, come from Municipalities, such as Philothei and Psychiko districts.
- The Mets used to be called “Pandremenadika” (where ‘weddings’ take place). There were some small wooden blocks there, that were built and were centers of erotic encounters mainly of illegal couples.
- The narrowest road that exists in the center of Athens is Xouthos Street in Omonia.
- The only cinemas in Athens that are not mentioned by street and number are the “Thexameni” in the homonymous square and the “Aigli” in Zappeion, while the only streets without numbering are Riga Feraiou and Grigoriou E’ (the 5th) at the University.
- The name “yusurum” came from the name of a Jewish merchant of Monastiraki,who had a shop in the area (NoahYusurum).
- Cars came to Athens in 1896 for the first time, while the first traffic policemen made their appearance in 1919 due to increased traffic.
- The first places in Athens that featured a purely cinematic show were the Athenian squares. In 1904, in fact, the first systematic screenings began in the cafeterias of Syntagma Square and Zappeion. These two places, moreover, brought together most of the capital’s people.
- The smallest street in the city is Kevitos Street in Psyrri district. It’s the first alley on the left, as you walk to Agias Theklas from Ermou street, and its length is 22 meters.
- The area around the Olympic Stadium was called “Patsavouradika” (swab’s place) because workers from the coal mines of the area threw there the dirty swabs with which they were wiped after work.
Athens: The region that has been placed on the list of the coolest cities on the planet
Frequently Asked Questions
Athens has many hidden secrets and lesser-known facts. For example, part of Alexandras Avenue is subject to provincial road network regulations, the Mets district was historically called 'Pandromenadika', and Xouthos Street in Omonia is the narrowest road in central Athens. Additionally, cars first arrived in Athens in 1896, and the first traffic policemen appeared in 1919.
Xouthos Street in Omonia is the narrowest road in the center of Athens. However, the smallest street in the entire city is Kevitos Street in the Psyrri district, which is only 22 meters long.
The first purely cinematic shows in Athens were held in the city's main squares. In 1904, systematic film screenings began in the cafeterias of Syntagma Square and Zappeion, which were the most popular gathering places for the capital's residents at that time.
The area around the Olympic Stadium was historically called 'Patsavouradika', which means 'swab's place'. This name originated because workers from the coal mines in the area would dispose of their dirty swabs there after work.
The name 'yusurum' in the Monastiraki area came from a Jewish merchant named Noah Yusurum who had a shop in that district. The area became known by this merchant's name and it remains part of Athens' historical nomenclature.
