HERE - Olympia Summer Academy

TOUR OF ATHENS, stage 7
KOLONAKI - THE RIGILLIS AREA - METZ
50
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73. Tsakalof
Street, one of
the central roads
of Kolonaki,
with a multitude
of cafes
and commercial
shops,
is a busy street.
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74. A traditional
silver bracelet
(19th century),
from the Eastern
Thrace region
(Benaki
Museum).
1 ΚΟLOΝΑΚΙ
Kolonaki is situated at an exclusive
location, encompassed
by Syntagma Square,
Vassilisis Sofias Avenue and
the slopes of Lycabettus
Hill. It was named after
the old column (the
Greek for small column
is kolonaki), in
the centre of Kolonaki
Square. The area was
not developed before
the 1880’s. In Kolonaki
you will find parks and attractive
buildings, built predominantly
in the neoclassical and
modernist architectural style,
lending the area a distinguished
character. It is considered the
“aristocratic” neighbourhood of
Athens. You will find here the
most expensive commercial
shops, po pular cafes and modern
bars, and luxury restaurants.
If you seek diversion and
relaxation, go for a stroll at
Patriarchou Ioakim Str, Tsakalov
Str, Anagno sto poulou Str, Milioni
Str, Fokylidou Str, Karneadou Str,
Loukianou Str, Ploutarchou Str,
Haritos Str, Spefsipou Str and the
Lykabettos circular.
☞
THE SIGHTS:
1.1 ➣Kolonaki Square
(Philikis Etairias Square)
When you visit Athens you
should have a coffee at one of
the cafes at Kolonaki Square.
Modern Athenians and foreign
visitors enjoy a break at one of
the cafes, eating, drinking coffee
and chatting.
1.2 ➣Dexamenis Square
is a small square, which serves
as a local recreation ground.
The traditional café on the
square attracts Athenians and
visitors. It was the meeting
place of intellectuals in the
20th century.
Shopping in
Kolonaki.
In Kolonaki you will
find the most fashionable
boutiques, with high couture
items produced by Greek and
international designers, among
others, shoes, and leather goods,
toys, old furniture, jewellery, house
ware. At Voukourestiou Str and the
surrounding area - in the vicinity of
Syntagma Square - you will find
world-famous Greek jewellers,
bookshops specialising in foreign
language editions, and major galleries
exhibiting the works of Greek
painters and sculptors.
You will find here an old aqueduct
and an open-air cinema.
1.3 ➣Skoufa Str
is the central street of
Kolonaki, with interesting neoclassical
and art deco style
buildings. Along the street
(from the Kolonaki square towards
Neapoli), one would find
many shopping centres, contemporary
cafes, and small bars
with a distinct air, particularly
popular all day long.
1.4 ➣Ayios Dionyssios
(Skoufa Str)
a stately church, was built in
the early 1930’s at the site of an
earlier church. The façade is
built in a neo-renaissance style,
and the interior is decorated in
the Byzantine style. Ayios
Dionyssios
Areopagitis, one
of Athens’ early
Christians, is the
patron saint
of Athens.
1.5 ➣
Lycavittou
Square
is located near
Ayios Dionyssios
(at the crossroads
of Lycavittou Str
and Anagnostopoulou
Str). Domina -
ting the square
is the Dragoumis
Mansion (1925),
a private residence,
which formerly
accommodated
the Brazilian
Embassy.
1.6 ➣Voukourestiou Str
distinctive Athens road, it connects
the foot of Lycabettus hill
with Syntagma Square. In the
pedestrian zone (linking
Academias Str to Panepistimiou
Str), you will find a multitude
of attractive cafes and bars.
1.7 ➣Marasleio
An impressive neoclassical
building (at the crossroads of
Marasli Str and Spefsipou Str),
it is the work of architect
D. Kallias (1905) and houses
the education Institute “Mara-
sleios Academy of primary education”.
1.8 ➣Taxiarhes
(the church of the Petraki
Monastery in Kolonaki, ✒
page 26).
75. A view
of Kolonaki
from the foot
of Lycabettus
hill. A series
of steps lead
to the top.
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