Athens in Your Pocket

Sightseeing
GARDENS & PARKS
DIOMIDOUS GARDENS
Extending over a vast area of 1,800 hectares in Athens’
western suburbs of Korydallos, Dafni and Agia Varvara,
it makes for a lovely and invigorating, if impractically
situated, scenic stroll. Within its expansive serene
grounds you can find an overwhelming abundance of
flora (more than 3000 trees and plants), some of which
are exceedingly rare, as well as a dedicated botanic
section with pharmaceutical plants.Q401 Iera Odos
Avenue. Open 08:00 - 14:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 15:00.
LYCABETTUS HILL
It can be reached on foot for the adventurous via a
beautiful pedestrian walkway surrounded by pine
trees, or by car, offering excellent views of the entire
city. There is an open-air theatre atop the Hill that
regularly hosts concerts during summer months. Also
on the Hill is the small gleaming-white picturesque
church of Saint George. A coffee-shop and restaurant
(see our restaurant pages) are also to be found here
offering the same breathtaking views of the capital.
NATIONAL GARDENS
Created and designed by Queen Amalia in the 19th
century, the National Gardens provide a pleasant green
haven in the heart of bustling downtown Athens. Its
meandering bench-laden paths, cool trees and popular
ponds make a favourite stroll for everyone. Feeding the
ever-hungry water fowl at the ponds is a must, while you
may also visit the Botanical Museum and, for the young
(or young at heart) there is the dedicated Children’s
Museum. A pleasant coffee-shop is also located in its
grounds.QG‐4, Amalias Street, MSyntagma.
ZAPPEION GARDEN
Situated right next to (and actually forming an
extension of ) the National Gardens, the Zappeion
Garden generously provides a serene get-away from the
hustle and bustle. There are wonderfully crafted statues
to be seen, while the café and restaurant are well worth
a visit. These Gardens harmoniously combine the grand
(imposing architecture of the Zappeion Hall) with the
pristine, in its cool shady vistas and green corner getaways.QF‐5,
Vas. Olgas Av., MSyntagma, Acropolis.
12th century. It is cross-in-square shaped, with three apses on
the east side and a narthex on the west. A chapel, dedicated
to Aghia Varvara, was later added to the north side. As for
the interior, which is open to the public, there are paintings
signed in 1955 by Greek artist Photis Kontoglou.QD‐3,
Ermou & Kapnikareas St, MSyntagma, Monastiraki.
HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT (VOULI)
Overlooking Syntagma Square, it was originally the Royal
Palace of King 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 Royal Residence until 1924 and, since 1934, has housed
the Greek Parliament. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
a monument in honour of the servicemen who fell in the
struggle for Greek Independence, is located in the forecourt of
the building. The Tomb is guarded by the Presidential Guard
(‘Evzones’) in traditional dress, whose intricately orchestrated
changing of the guard at the turn of the hour attracts many
visitors, who also take the opportunity to feed the ubiquitous
flocks of pigeons.QG‐3, Syntagma Square, MSyntagma,
tel. (+30) 210 3707000, fax (+30) 210 3692170, www.
parliament.gr. Open Sat, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. Free admission.
MEGARON (THE ATHENS CONCERT HALL)
In ancient Greece, the Megaron was the great hall that
formed the centrepiece of the great palace complexes. This
modern concert hall and mult-purpose cultural venue was
completed in 1991.QVasilisis Sofias & Kokkali, MMegaro
Mousikis, tel. (+30) 210 7282333, www.megaron.gr.
NATIONAL LIBRARY – ATHENS ACADEMY –
ATHENS UNIVERSITY
These striking neoclassical buildings were built by the
Hansen brothers of Copenhagen. The National Library
is reached via an impressive sculpted marble staircase,
while the Athens Academy is flanked by imposing statues
of Apollo and Athena on either side, while the impressive
frescoes at its entrance depict the myth of Prometheus.
QF‐1, Panepistimiou 28-32, MPanepistimio. Free
admission.
PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND MEGARON
MAXIMOU
The imposing Presidential Palace, which was formerly a
Royal Residence, now hosts the Republic’s Presidency and
is guarded by ‘evzones’ (Presidential Guards in traditional
costume). It was designed by renowned architect Ernst
Ziller in the 1870s. Nearby is the attractive neoclassical
Megaron Maximou, which functions as the Prime Minister’s
office. Admission by invitation only.QH‐4, Irodou Attikou
Street, MSyntagma.
TURKISH BATHS
One of the very few surviving remnants of the Ottoman
period in Greece and the sole surviving traditional
bathhouse in Athens. This interesting 17th century
bathhouse is open to visitors.QD‐4, Kyristou 8, Plaka,
MSyntagma. Open 10:00 - 14:30. Closed Mon.
ZAPPEION
Built in 1874-1878 by architect von Hansen, on the order
of Greek-Romanian national benefactors and cousins
Zappas, this lofty neoclassical structure originally housed
an exhibition hall. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, that
include a pleasant coffee-shop and restaurant, as well
as an array of interesting sculptures, it is now used for
international conferences, commercial events, as well as for
European heads of State meetings.QG‐5, Amalias & Vas
Olgas, MSyntagma.
MONUMENTS
& ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Athens is known the world over for its ancient monuments
- and no visit to the city would be complete without visiting
its most iconic landmark, the Acropolis.
Dating back to the 5th century BC, the Acropolis is made up
of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena
Nike and the Propylaea, and embodies the highest ideals of
Ancient Athens - harmony, beauty, proper measure, liberty,
knowledge, virtuous competition and democracy.
The Acropolis and its surrounding area - including the
Acropolis Slopes, the Ancient Agora, the Areopagus,
the Pnyx and the Hills of the Muses, the Roman Agora
and Library of Hadrian - are at the historical heart of
the city. Walking through them, it doesn’t take too much
imagination to picture Ancient Athens as it was back then.
The monuments are intrinsically linked with the birth
of Democracy and they symbolise a precious part of
the cultural heritage of Greece and western civilization
ever since. Those ideals have echoed down through the
centuries and can still be heard today.
The Middle Ages and Ottoman Period, however, were
trying times for Acropolis and the surrounding sites. They
suffered as a result of natural disasters like earthquakes,
but more so at the hands of man. Some monuments were
reused as palaces, churches, mosques and residential areas.
But perhaps the greatest damage occurred when an
explosion rocked the Acropolis during Morosini’s siege in
1687, and (as many Greeks will tell you) as a result of Lord
Elgin’s looting of the marbles (1801-1803). These events
irreversibly altered the face of the Acropolis more than
anything else in its long history.
Exploration and excavation of the sites began a few years
after the establishment of the Greek state in 1834, and
continued until about the middle of the 20th century.
Important restoration programmes are now underway on
several monuments.
In 1997, the sites around the Acropolis were included in
the project for the ‘Unification of the Archaeological
Sites of Athens’, one of the city’s most ambitious urban
Sightseeing
planning projects ever. This has seen the creation of
3-km long pedestrian walkway-archaeological park in
the centre of the densely inhabited modern city, with
whole areas (such as the East, West and North Slopes
of the Acropolis, the Western Hills and the Library of
Hadrian) restored and are now open to visitors. In all, the
pedestrianised site covers more than 1,000,000 sq.m. The
project won 3rd prize (Diploma) in the ‘Conservation of
Cultural Landscapes’ category of the annual European
Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards
in 2005.
The pedestrianised zone formed by Dionysiou Areopagitou
and Apostolou Pavlou streets hosts cultural events,
including an annual summer Book Fair and art exhibitions.
The Theatre of Herodus Atticus is also an important venue
for theatrical, musical and dance performances, giving
visitors the opportunity to experience a unique blend of
ancient and modern civilisation.
Greeks are rightly proud of their heritage and they are
keen to share it with the world, so special consideration
is providing visitors with information, with detailed signs,
publications, leaflets, guides and audiovisual material
in English and Greek. Educational programmes are
also available to introduce children to Athens’ unique
monuments and raise awareness of the importance of
respecting and protecting the cultural heritage they
represent.
34 Athens In Your Pocket athens.inyourpocket.com facebook.com/InYourPocket
April - June 2017 35