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SIGHTSEEING IN ATHENS

SITES OF INTEREST

The Parliament

The building is a representative sample of the early period of Neoclassicism in Greece, and it is a work of strict geometry in its mass. Doric-style column rows stand in front of the facade and the back eastern side. It was built between 1836 and 1840 and originally it served as a palace of Otho, the first King of Greece after the end of the Turkish occupation. In 1910 it was remodelled to house the Hellenic Parliament in 1930. Today, it serves still as the seat of the Hellenic Parliament and houses offices, the National Assembly Room, the office of the president of the Assembly, the Archives and other services. In front of the building, there is the Tomb of Unknown Soldier guarded by two special guards called Evzones dressed in traditional uniforms. The Parliament Building is located at Syntagma Square.

Syntagma Square

The Greek Parliament, the change of the Guards (Evzones) on the side of the Square guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the New Metro Station with its small exhibition of ancient findings.

National Garden

Next to Syntagma Square and the Parliament building leading to the congress center of Zappeion, used to be the private garden of the royal family residence, offers nice walk along the trees, flowers, little ponds, and a zoo in the center of Athens.

The Panathinaion Stadium

Marble stadium was built in the 4thc BC with a capacity of 70.000 spectators for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaea Festivities. The stadium was restored by the end of the 19th century for the first Olympic Games that were reborn again in 1896.

The Academy of Athens

The Academy of Athens forms part of the so-called "Neoclassical Trilogy" of the City of Athens: Academy - University - Library. It consists of aesthetically distinct parts that form a harmonic ensemble of built mass. It was built in two phases, in 1859-1863 and 1868-1885. The entrance has elements originating from the eastern side of Erechtheion, on Acropolis. The predominant material on the facets is marble. Overall, the building is a characteristic example of mature Neoclassicism.
Address: 28 Eleftherios Venizelos Ave. - Tel.: +30 210 3600207

Plaka

The old town of Athens at the foot of the Acropolis, famous for its narrow streets, traditional houses, taverns, antiques, crafts and souvenirs shops open until late at night. Some points of interest in the area are the Lyssikratous Monument, the Anafiotika neighborhood with its small white perched houses, the Agios Nikolaos Rangavas Church, the Metamorphosis Church, the Kanelloupoulos Museum, the Horlogion or clock of Anchonikos Kyrresthes.

Monastiraki

Down Plaka, famous for its old houses, taverns, bars, shops and its Sunday morning flea market, the Adrian’s Library and the Staroparzaro Mosque.

Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in Athens, 277 meters above the city, offering a spectacular panoramic view over the city and the surrounding areas. Its name comes from a popular belief that the hill was inhabited by wolves. A small church dedicated to Saint George is situated on the top of the hill. There is also a theatre used for concerts and spectacles. There are cafeterias and restaurants on the top and on the side of the hill. The top of the hill can be reached either by foot or by cable car from Kolonaki.

Philopappou Hill

The hill stands opposite Acropolis and it is also known as the Hill of the Muses. It used to be the Pnyx where the Ancient Greeks used to debate politics. Points of interest on the hill are the Philopappos Monument, the Tomb of Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos, the Agios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris Church.

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