

Tour in the Historic Center of Athens 2

A scenic neoclassic Athenian neighborhood, located between Athenas, Ermou and Euripides streets. It is a very busy area especially during night. In its narrow lanes there are many coffee houses, small bars, clubs, restaurants, taverns with live Greek music, theaters, galleries, art venues and antique shops.
After the liberation (1833), many veterans and emigrants came here from the provinces, and created small workshops, industries that in some extent exist until today. In the beginning of the 90’s series of interventions in the area made it as one of the most popular entertainment and residential districts. Very remarkable are also the area churches, such as Aghioi Anargiroi, Aghios Dimitrios, Aghios Grigorios (Armenian Church) etc. The central spot (from where you can start your tour) is Iroon Square.

Kerameikos area surrounds the homonym archeological site . Typical area streets are Aghion Asomaton (where the Islamic Art Museum is, Melidoni Str. (where Beth-Shalom Hebrew synagogue and “Modern Ceramics Museum” are) and Salamina Str. The last few years this area has been elevated as a vivid night life spot, with many small restaurants, bars and places with live music.

This area surrounds the old Gkazi (gas) Factory and its former name was Gkazochory (Gas Village). It is located in the west side of Athens and possesses the place of the third square according to Kleanthis-Schaubert design. It still preserves some of the traditional Athenian neighborhood’s style. Its old neoclassic buildings house coffee houses, bars and luxurious restaurants, which became very popular with the Athenians the last few years.

The Gas Factory (Gkazi).
It was built in 1857 and worked as factory until 1983, supplying gas to the city. There were also many wood factories, foundries, machine factories, garages, restaurants, barber shops, surgeries, etc in the area, creating an autonomous industrial “town”. The factory has been announced as preserved, as it is one of its kind in Europe. The buildings have a simple neoclassic stone architecture, coated facets and wooden roofs with attic windows and are covered with Byzantine or French tiles and iron plates. Nowadays, it is an industrial park and is also used as cultural center by Athens Municipality (“Technopolis”).

It is a traditional district of Athens' city center, constructed by the architect Chr. Hansen. it took its name from the silk textiles factory (Metaxi), which operated in the area until 1875 (the factory is still preserved in Gr. Alexander Str., between Mileros and Giatrakos Streets). Achileos Str. divides the area into two parts, the old one (towards Piraeus Str.) and the new one (towards Lenorman Str.). The new part has lost its initial style due to reconstructions, while the old one still keeps samples of its old architecture. Many small coffee houses and restaurants are located in Metaxourgeio area, offering traditional Eastern beverages, pastries and food.

Marmarini Krini (Marble Faucet).
It is in Metaxourgeio Square and dates back to the 19th century. It was transferred there from Dimoprateiou Square.
Iasonos and Giatrakou Streets. From Karaiskaki Square go down Achileos Str., enter Iasonos Str. until Agisilaos Str. where the small theaters housing in traditional buildings of the area are located. Then turn right to Akadimiou-Giatrakou Str. and continue towards Achileos Str. Pay attention to the small neoclassic houses (one or two storey) with their baluster balconies and the fine front doors. In the intersection of Giatrakou and Germanikou Streets there is a small, scenic square (Avdi Square) with many coffee houses, bars and a playground.
Peloponnese Train Station. Walking down Diligianni Str. from Karaiskaki Square you reach this particularly atmospheric building, built in 1912-1913 with a mixture of neoclassic, central European and Art Nouveau architectural elements. This station (which serves trains traveling up to Peloponnese) is a "miniature" of Constantinople Station and has 19th century European architecture elements. On its opposite side (connected with an airlift) is Larissis Railway Station (its trains travel to central and north Greece), built in 1908 initially of neoclassic style, which underwent many alterations.

If you like walking around, you can visit Kolonos area, a folk Athenian neighborhood outside its historic center. Even though it is not of any particular architecture style, it has unique image and still preserves its old atmosphere. From Peloponnese train station follow Ioanninon Str., which leads to Ippios Kolonos Hill and then (turning to Evripou Str.) to Skouze Hill. Around these small lush green hills, there is a zone of private houses with gardens as well as beautiful blocks of flats which pass the feeling of old Athenian neighborhoods to our days (nearby metro station is “Sepolia”).



