Tag: history of Athens

What is life like in Exarchia, the "independent kingdom" of Athens? An area wronged by the characterization "inaccessible", tries to maintain its strong identity, a trademark since it was "born". At the foot of Lycabettus Hill and Kolonaki, Exarchia is one of the oldest, once middle-class, and certainly most interesting areas of Athens. All the architectural movements that passed through the "body" of Athens will be seen gathered here. Athens: The region that has been placed on the list of the coolest cities on the planet Exarchia: The map of ...

Athens, brimming with remarkable attractions, is steeped in rich history, myths, and enigmatic tales. Among these, the Temple of Olympian Zeus stands out. This renowned landmark has been shrouded in mystery for years. Intriguingly, a single photograph sparked the enigma surrounding this popular site, which boasts its own illustrious past. The imposing buildings of Ernst Ziller in Athens Temple of Olympian Zeus: The great history of the monument of Athens To begin with, the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus housed one of the grandest temples of the ancient world, dedicated to ...

Ernst Ziller, a German architect from Zerkowitz, Saxony, left an indelible mark on Athens with his buildings. His works are not just confined to the Greek capital but also extend to Hermoupolis of Syros, Patras, the archaeological museum of Milos, and Thessaloniki. Ziller was a man deeply immersed in arts, culture, history, and elegance. His greatest achievement lies in his ability to blend all these elements with his architectural talent. The architecture dedication was evident in his work, especially in Greece, where he worked from the 19th to the 20th ...

You may find it hard to keep track of the number of times you’ve strolled through Abyssinia Square. This unique corner of Athens has maintained its distinctive character over the years. Some might describe it as a “retro downtown area,” with its bazaar that seems to transport you back in time. Antique items, each with their own story and secrets, await new owners to carry them forward in time. However, what remains unknown to many is the origin and significance of its name. The tales from Old Athens are indeed ...

The Acropolis has been a popular subject for photography for many years, and some of the most stunning shots are taken with drones nowadays. But we also admire the old photos that reveal not only the ancient monument but also the city of Athens as it was a hundred years ago. And of course, it is fascinating to see the oldest photo of the Acropolis, which dates back to 1842, over 180 years ago. The quality is not as good as what we are used to seeing from the Acropolis, ...

Athens, in many places, looks like an open museum with the various statues reminiscent of moments from the past. Many of them have their own story sometimes more straightforward and other times more strange. Like the story of a well-known statue of Athens that stayed in the workshop for 38 years. Which is it? It is called The woodcutter. The woodcutter and his story When you walk downwards the Herod Attikos street, a little before you reach Vasilissis Olgas avenue, you will see a marble statue in a clearing of ...

The history of Greece's old public buildings is often much richer and more complex than we imagine. All you have to do is read stories and facts and understand how different everything was even in their slightest details a few years ago. Even behind the construction of buildings such as hospitals were hiding great efforts, difficulties, and even fundraisers. This is the case with a Greek hospital in Attica which was built in the late 1800s with a nationwide fundraiser. It is the Children's Hospital of Agia Sophia. The hospital ...

Over the years the regions of Attica have experienced various historical events and have changed a lot. Not only in their appearance but also in their name. Many of today's names that have areas of Attica and neighborhoods of Athens are the result of various events and changes. Did you know, for example, which area of Attica was called old Magufana? And yet it is a beautiful suburb about half an hour from the center of Athens. It's Pefki. One of the most beautiful areas of Attica on its north ...

Attica has such a rich history that it surprises you every time you discover it. Facts, stories, myths, and legends follow its various regions. They are also followed by various names. Many of the regions of Attica are now named completely different than 30 years ago, for example. This is also the case with two areas of Attica which have strange names but few know who they really are. The reason for Hezolitharo and Mounicha. Do you know which areas we're headed to? Hezolitharo in the center of Athens The ...

One of the main features of Omonia square of the past is the muses that were placed there. It was June 1930 when Eleftherios Venizelos inaugurated the underground railway station in Omonia Square. Up till then, the square was full of flowers, palm trees and wooden benches. The new square was circular, made according to the European standards and had marble railings at the entrances to the underground railway. The use of the underground railway in Omonia square also created the need for underground ventilation of the station. This is ...

We all have a very specific perception of the Acropolisand the Parthenon as to how they look for a long time However over the centuries it has undergone various changes that many of us do not know. For example, did you know that once in the Acropolis, there was a giant Tower 26 meters high, next to the Parthenon? A Tower Unknown but with history In rare photographic material that exists, we can see that among the ancient buildings there is a tall square tower, which was located opposite the ...

Many times we have walked around Athens and seen various places with a long and special history. One of these places is a point that you may have seen but not noticed much. It is the unknown point where the ancients cried. It is the altar of the Twelve Gods. It is a significant monument of the Agora in the historical center that many Athenians do not know about. This place was the basis for measuring all the distances in Attica. The reason why it is not known may be ...

Athens has many hidden stories and secrets from its ancient past. One of them is related to the Acropolis and its monuments, which have witnessed thousands of years of history. There is something that most people are unaware of, even if they have seen it from a distance. On the south side of the Sacred Rock, there is a small church, also known as Panagia Spiliotissa. But to understand its origin, we have to go back to the beginning. There, on the south side of the acropolis rock, there is ...

Athens has changed a lot over the centuries and with it many of its famous monuments. Others were damaged and others were the subject of interventions over the years. Some of them are now missing parts that once served a purpose. This is also true for the well-known Olympian Zeus. A photo that led to a domino of revelations. The image we have today of the Columns is a very specific one. And yet a 160-year-old photograph created a mystery that took a lot of research to solve. It was ...

For many years Thission district has been the favorite walk of the Athenians especially during the summer season. Who has not started his walk in front of the station of Thission, climbing the beautiful pedestrian street of Apostle Paul to Dionysios Areopagiis street? But as beloved as this district may be, so are unknown many elements of its history for most of us. How much do we really know about the neighborhood we call Thiseion (in Greek ti means "altar")? Thission and the misunderstanding about its name Many people think ...

Exploring Attica we find that it has more hidden treasures than we think. Either closer or further away from Athens. They also own a castle, for many totally unknown, which is only an hour from the center of the capital. The reason for the castle of the Free <eleftheron>. The history of the Castle in Attica You might hear it called Gyftokastro. It is located between The erithres and Vilia, on the slopes of Kitherona. It is an ancient castle which is impressively well preserved for its age. This, in ...

Athens has changed its face over the years and some neighborhoods are now unrecognizable. Where today we see apartment buildings and high-rise buildings, in the old days there were huge plots and even pastures. Likewise, this was the case with a part of Athens that today one of the largest hospitals of Greeece's capital stands. We are talking about the NIMTShospital (Hospital of the Army Share Fund). The pastures in Athens that became districts. The image of sheep within the neighborhoods of the city was common. The streets were not ...

Having so many centuries of history it makes sense that Athens has undergone a lot of changes. Some of its neighborhoods still remind us of the old days. The houses, the town-squares and even some shops. But there are other neighborhoods that no longer exist . This is the case with a neighborhood that used to exist under the Acropolis as well. It used to be the Vrysaki neighborhood. The history of the neighborhood that was demolished Walking opposite Dioscurus lower, the ones at Adrianou street, there is a small ...

Without a doubt, Plaka stands as one of the most scenic and charming districts in Athens. A leisurely stroll through Plaka provides a soothing experience, transporting you to a time when Athens was steeped in antiquity. Plaka and its name Plaka, once confined to the area now known as the Lysikratos monument or ‘Diogenes Lantern’ as it’s referred to by the younger generation, is steeped in history and intrigue. The origin of its name has been a topic of much debate among historians and researchers in Attica, with various theories ...