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62What to seeWhat to see63Historic BuildingsArsakeion Megaron F3, Panepistimiou 47, MPanepistimio.Built by renowned 19th century architect LysandrosKaftantzoglou, this imposing building is among the finestexamples of modern Athenian architecture and hosts theCouncil of State High Court. Adjacent to the Arsakeion is thepleasant Books’ Arcade, an ideal book-lovers’ haunt andanyone avid for a shelter during a rainy day.Athens City Hall KotziaSquare, MOmonia.An impressive neoclassicalbuilding situated in a breathtakingcobblestone square,bristling with pleasant cafésand busy shopping centres(the picturesque CentralAthens open-air meat marketis right down the street).The square also functionsas an open-air antiquitiesMuseum and is surrounded by beautiful neoclassical buildingsfrom the turn of the century (such as the National Bankor ‘Karatza Megaron’). The City Hall also houses a valuableart collection.Athens Metropolitan Cathedral Mitropoleos Sq,MMonastiraki, Syntagma. Completed in 1862 after 20years of construction (the first stone was laid by King Ottoand Queen Amalia), this large three-aisled domed basilicawas consecrated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.Inside are the tombs of two Orthodox saints. In its pleasantcourtyard there are the statues of the last Byzantine Emperor(Saint Constantine XI ‘the Martyr’) and a former Archbishop ofAthens. It is currently undergoing restoration, so large partsare not visible under the scaffolding.Athens Stock Exchange Sofokleous 10, MOmonia.Built in 1934 to host the nomadic stock market of those days,it is an imposing neoclassical building that is well worth adetour from Kotzia Square. There is no activity in the buildingthese days as trading went electronic a few years ago and themanagement moved to a new building in 2007. Don’t missthe innovative glass display on the ground, which exhibits asection of the Ancient Athenian wall.Bank Of Greece F4,P a n e p i s t i m i o u 2 1 ,MPanepistimio, www.bankofgreece.gr. Th eheadquarters of the CentralBank of Greece. The buildingwas designed by architectsK. Papadakis and N. Zoumpoulidisand its foundationswere laid in 1933. The officialinauguration took place in 1938, under Governor EmmanouilTsouderos.House of Parliament (Vouli) G5, Syntagma Square,MSyntagma, tel. 210 3707000, fax 210 3692170,info@parliament.gr, www.parliament.gr. OverlookingSyntagma Square, it was originally the Royal Palace ofKing Otto and Queen Amalia, the first monarchs of Greece.Designed in the neoclassical style by Friedrich von Gartner,the palace was completed in 1843. It was used as the RoyalResidence until 1924 and, since 1934, has housed the GreekParliament. The Tomb ofthe Unknown Soldier, amonument in honour ofthe servicemen who fell inthe struggle for Greek Independence,is located inthe forecourt of the building.The Tomb is guardedby the Presidential Guard(‘Evzones’) in traditionaldress, whose intricatelyorchestrated changing ofthe guard at the turn of thehour attracts many visitors, who also take the opportunityto feed the ubiquitous flocks of pigeons. QOpen , Sat, Sun10:00 - 20:00. Free admission.Church of Aghioi Theodoroi F4, Aristeidou & EuripidouSt, MPanepistimio. Yet another structure built over theruins of a much earlier temple. This was common practiceduring Byzantine ages, in an attempt to wipe out idolatry. Andwhat less costly method than appropriating the very materialsthe ancient building was made of, for “holy purposes”! Accordingto the inscription found on the west wall, this churchdates back to 1065 AD. The last known restoration was in1840, following damages it incurred during the Greek War ofIndependence. This is a cross-in-square construction, with3 apses on the east side. As is the case with most churchesin Greece, the bell tower was added later. As for the imposingwall paintings, they date to the 19th century.Church of PanaghiaKapnikarea E5, Ermou& Kapnikareas St, MSyntagma,Monastiraki. Builtas usual on the ruins of anancient temple, which wasdedicated to goddess Athenaor Demeter, this minisculechurch is commonlyknown as Kapnikarea. Itis usually surrounded byhundreds of people, eitherwaiting for someone or having their portrait drawn and evenhaving a breather in between shopping. In a poll, it wouldprobably be voted the best loved church in Athens. As for itsbackground, it was erected around 1050AD, but the smallporch with the two columns was built closer to the end of the12th century. It is cross-in-square shaped, with three apseson the east side and a narthex on the west. A chapel, dedicatedto Aghia Varvara, was later added to the north side. Asfor the interior, which is open to the public, there are paintingssigned in 1955 by Greek artist Photis Kontoglou.National Librar y -Athens Academy -Athens University F4,Panepistimiou 28-32,MPanepistimio. Thesestriking neoclassical buildingswere built by the Hansenbrothers of Copenhagen.The National Library isreached via an impressivesculpted marble staircase,while the Athens Academyis flanked by imposing statues of Apollo and Athena on eitherside, while the impressive frescoes at its entrance depict themyth of Prometheus.National Polytechnic University F1, Patision (28thOctober) 46, MOmonia. This building, although in anunfortunate state of disrepair due to persistent studentsit-ins, is worth visiting because of its connection with thehistoric student uprisings against the military dictatorship,which were violently put down on 17 November, 1973. Thereis a monument in honour of the Polytechnic students killed inthe Greek Resistance during World War Two, situated in theforecourt of the University, on which students and politicianslay wreaths on the anniversary of the uprising, in order tocommemorate the event.National Theatre D2, Ag. Konstantinou 22, MOmonia.Housed in an impressive neoclassical building, with a grandcolonnaded façade and beautiful interior, it is the foremostestablishment of the National Theatre of Greece.Observatory C6, Hill ofthe Nymphs, MThissio.This historic Observatory,the first of its kindin Greece and the Balkans,was designed byrenowned architect TheophileHansen and wasinaugurated in 1842. It hasa unique cross-shapedstructure, that points tothe four points of the horizon,while its resplendent golden dome can be seen gleamingin the Athens sky from quite a distance.Old House of ParliamentF4, Stadiou 13,MSyntagma. It was thefirst residence of KingOtto, while he awaitedcompletion of the RoyalPalace (now House of Parliament)and subsequentlyhoused the Greek Parliamentbetween 1843-1854and 1875 - 1932. In frontof the building there stands an imposing equestrian bronzestatue of General Theodoros Kolokotronis, among the leadersof the Greek War of Independence. Today, this statelyneoclassical building houses the National Historical Museum(see museums).Presidential Palaceand Megaron MaximouH6, Irodou AttikouStreet, MSyntagma.The imposing PresidentialPalace, which was formerlya Royal Residence,now hosts the Republic’sPresidency and is guardedby ‘evzones’ (PresidentialGuards in traditional costume).It was designed byrenowned architect Ernst Ziller in the 1870s. Nearby is theattractive neoclassical Megaron Maximou, which functions asthe Prime Minister’s office. Admission by invitation only.Turkish Baths E6, Kyristou 8, Plaka, MSyntagma.This is among one of the very few surviving remnants of theOttoman period in Greece and the sole surviving traditionalbathhouse in Athens. This interesting 17th century bathhouseis open to visitors. QOpen 10:00 - 14:30. Closed Mon.Tzisdarakis MosqueE 5 , M o n a s t i r a k iSquare, MMonastiraki.Overlooking MonastirakiSquare, thiswas a historic Ottomanmosque constructedduring the governorshipof the ‘voivode’ Tzisdarakisin Athens, in 1759.It now houses the Museumof Greek CeramicArt, while its Minaret has been removed.Zappeion G6, Amalias &Vas Olgas, MSyntagma.Built in 1874-1878 by architectvon Hansen, on theorder of Greek-Romaniannational benefactors andcousins Zappas, this loftyneoclassical structure originallyhoused an exhibitionhall. Surrounded by beautifulgardens, that include apleasant coffee-shop and restaurant, as well as an arrayof interesting sculptures, it is now used for internationalconferences, commercial events, as well as for Europeanheads of State meetings.CemeteriesCommonwealth warcemetery PoseidonosAv, Alimos. 2,028 Commonwealthservicemenof the Second World Warare buried or commemoratedin this cemetery.596 of the burials areunidentified and thereare also 74 men of thearmy of undivided India who died during the campaignsin Greece and Crete during the Second World War. In thenorth-east corner of the cemetery, a plot contains thegraves of servicemen and civilians who after serving in theCrimean War, died in Greece.A Memorial within PhaleronWar Cemetery commemorates nearly 3,000 members ofthe land forces of the Commonwealth who lost their livesduring the campaigns in Greece and Crete in 1941 and1944-1945, in the Dodecanese Islands in 1943-1945 andin Yugoslavia in 1943-1945, and who have no known grave.Tram stop: PikrodafniFirst cemetry of AthensG8, Anapafseos and Trivonianou,Mets, MAcropolis.Most famous Greeksare buried here. It is a museumin its own right withever y kind of monumentand ornamental patterns,marble sculptures, columns,sarcophagi and neoclassicaltemples, conveying the memorial art that flourishedduring the 19th century along the rebirth of the new Greekstate. (It was founded around 1837, when Athens was alsoestablished as the capital city of the modern Greek state(1834). It spreads on the slope of the Ardittos hill, close tothe Panathinaiko Stadium.Athens In Your Pocketathens.inyourpocket.com athens.inyourpocket.com February - March 2010