Lycabettus Hill, an iconic landmark in Athens, is to undergo a major overhaul designed to make it safer and more attractive to visitors and local residents.
 

The hill's 407 acres belong to the Municipality of Athens, while the other 35 belong to the Public Properties Company S.A. (ETAD), which, until recently, didn't allow the Municipality to proceed with the enhancement works first announced in 2019. 

Through common sense and a mutual spirit of cooperation, the Municipality of Athens and the Public Properties Company S.A. (ETAD) were able to come to an agreement, setting into motion a series of works that will upgrade the hill and its facilities. The project's main goal is the reconstruction and reopening of the landmark Lycabettus Theater, which remains closed for almost 20 years. 

The CEO of the Public Properties Company, Mr. Stefanos D. Vlastos, recently signed an agreement with the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Kostas Bakogiannis, to hand over jurisdiction of the 35-acres area of the hill to the Municipality of Athens, so that the upgrade can be completed. 

Mr. Kostas Bakogiannis stated: "Our cooperation with ETAD untangled a "knot" that has kept us bound to bureaucracy and opens a new chapter for the historic Lecabettus Theater and the surrounding area. It turns out that we can find solutions when we all look for them together and set common goals. Lycabettus Hill is part of an ongoing drive for the overhaul of the Greek capital and its transformation into a modern and sustainable city that respects its residents and invests in free public spaces, improving the daily life of citizens and visitors."

It's summer in Greece and this week we take a deep dive into Athens' culture and rich history. Get ready to explore the city like never before through a unique series of podcasts and find out what to do in Athens & beyond!

Remember to stay connected with us through our weekly newsletter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Photo credit: @photo_grav

Omilo Greek Language and Culture inspires people from all over the world to learn Greek, while exploring Greece. They offer 1- and 2-week courses for adults that combine beautiful course locations, experienced teachers, and a balanced combination of Greek classes with cultural activities. All these make Omilo a place where people enjoy learning modern Greek and have fun.

Besides the courses, Omilo also creates online publications to help adults expand their language skills through Language Books and eBooks for different language levels.

 

Time to explore the surprisingly diverse fabric of Athens and why the Greek capital looks the way it does. “We’ll see how Athens went from being a two-horse provincial town with some old ruins, to the dream capital of a newly independent Greece.

And then how a very Greek system was used to tear that down and replace it with a concrete landscape of apartment blocks,” says Sofka Zinovieff in this second episode devoted to the Athens aesthetic. Hear how a Bavarian Monarch's grand designs on Athens from the 1830s created a neoclassical European city. And why Athenian housewives of the 1950s welcomed the demolition of their former dwellings.

Bestselling writer and former anthropologist, Sofka Zinovieff, embarks on a quest to uncover the true essence of her adopted home, in all its layers and mysteries. Discover how Athenians feel about their own architecture, how tragedy and trauma have flavored the city’s cuisine, why Athens has always been a “15-minute city”, and much, much more.

 

Walk along any of the major roads of Athens and you’ll find little anchors of antiquity or Byzantine culture. “Nearly every step you take in Athens is on top of something remarkable,” says Sofka Zinovieff in this debut episode that explores how Athens sits in its layered landscape; “like an urban octopus creeping and grasping its way up the surrounding hills”.

 

You’ll meet the city’s most public skeleton; climb a lesser-known mountain; celebrate the modern-day goddess of Athena; and go undercover in an ancient aqueduct that’s still active after almost 2,000 years.

Bestselling writer and former anthropologist, Sofka Zinovieff, embarks on a quest to uncover the true essence of her adopted home, in all its layers and mysteries. Discover how Athenians feel about their own architecture, how tragedy and trauma have flavored the city’s cuisine, why Athens has always been a “15-minute city”, and much, much more.

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Produced by Pod.gr, for This is Athens, tune in each fortnight and get ready to capture the seductive soul of Athens!

 

“All cities are complex but Athens has an especially tangled character—it’s both spectacularly ancient and undeniably modern.” Says author and former anthropologist Sofka Zinovieff.

As the city reopens to tourism again, this new 8-part podcast series from This Is Athens is designed to decode Greece's captivating capital, with the help of acclaimed author and Athens-based anthropologist Sofka Zinovieff. Athens Unpacked follows last year’s popular podcast debut, We’ll Always Have Athens, in which high-profile Athenophiles from Stephen Fry to Mary Katrantzou shared their tales of Athens. 

Listeners are invited to embark on a fascinating journey of discovering Athens, as Zinovieff delves deep beneath the surface of the city (literally at times!), in a quest to uncover the true essence of her adopted home of Athens, in all its guises, layers and mysteries. The more you understand a place, the more deeply you engage with it and that's exactly the aim of the podcasts; for people to fall in love with Athens and all those things that make it such an enchanting place! 

In each episode, Zinovieff enlists a rich pantheon of city experts and insiders - from celebrated singers and graffiti artists to high profile journalists and street food chefs - to dig beyond the Acropolis into themes that the guidebooks rarely cover. 

This is not just another podcast series. It's more of a documentary where you’ll visit a lesser-known aqueduct built by a Roman emperor, meet the capital’s most exposed skeleton, encounter the alternative culture behind Rembetika (Greece’s answer to the blues), climb a historic off-grid hill with a former archaeologist, experience a refugee neighborhood, browse a bustling farmer’s market with a local foodie, and explore the omnipresent legacy of the ancient philosophers and politicians. What a brilliant way to connect with the heart and soul of Athens! 

To embark on this audio odyssey of Athens, please visit: thisisathens.org or subscribe here on Spotify, Apple Music, Pocket Casts, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
 

1. Up Above & Down Below - FIND THE EPISODE HERE 

In this debut episode, you'll get acquainted with the geography of the Athenian basin and Zinovieff's theory of the 3 hills (Acropolis, Lycabettus & Tourkovounia), all while exploring the Syntagma Metro skeleton and Hadrian's aqueduct.

2. From Dreams To Demolition - FIND THE EPISODE HERE 

In this episode, follow Zinovieff as she explores the surprisingly diverse fabric of Athens and explains how the city went from being a European neoclassical capital in the 1830s to a concrete oasis brimming with apartment blocks in the 1950s.

Want to scratch beneath the surface of a city? Who better to ask than a former anthropologist?

 

Especially one who has spent two decades living in the said city; bringing up her two daughters around Greek traditions; and penning several best-selling novels set in Athens. London-born Sofka Zinovieff, the author of “The House on Paradise Street”, global bestseller “Putney”, and the memoir “Eurydice Street: A Place in Athens”, studied social anthropology at Cambridge and researched her Ph.D. in Greece. It was the beginning of a lifelong bond with the country. Especially Athens, where she still lives in Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera, with her Greek husband Vassilis.

Recently, she launched her new podcast series “Athens Unpacked” for This is Athens and she shares some snappy tips for digging beyond the Acropolis—to the heart and soul of this captivatingly complex city. 

You’ve called Athens home for 20 years. How has your relationship with the city changed and matured since you first moved here from England?
I’ve had several phases in my relationship with Greece. I first came as a research student in the late 80s, learned the language, and became involved with the place. During the last two decades, my relationship with Athens has been like a marriage – committed and based on love, but with squabbles and occasional rough patches.

What’s the most common misconception people have about Athens that you’d most like to correct?
People often visit during the hottest time of year, in a rush on the way to an island. Athens appears impenetrable and overheated. It’s a completely different city at other times of the year and can’t be rushed. I’d advise talking to locals and adopting their timetable (not going out during the middle part of the day in summer). I’d also suggest that it’s the perfect city to visit in autumn, winter or spring.

Athens is a hectic metropolis with the heart and soul of a village. Would you agree with this statement and if so, how does that village vibe manifest?
Yes, Athens has been settled by villagers ever since it became the capital of modern Greece in the 1830s. Even today, most people have roots elsewhere and return to their village or island. And that’s before we look at how neighborhoods can be quite villagey, designed around their plateia (main square) with a traditional coffee shop and church, etc.

Would you classify Athens as a city that’s easy to get to know; that reveals itself readily to visitors?
Athens is a mysterious city and sometimes challenging. But many of its charms are readily apparent: the intertwining of the ancient and the modern; the neighborhoods for strolling; and the fabulous places for eating out are all there and waiting.

If someone has only 48 hours or a weekend here, how can they best tap into the authentic pulse of Athens?
Stroll around the neighborhoods. Eat and drink where Athenians do. Pause to notice the details rather than ticking off a list of ‘the sights’. And, to get a sense of perspective, go up a hill—I don’t mean the Acropolis—there are plenty of others, such as Lycabettus, Philopappou, or even a more off-radar one like Tourkovounia (the Turkish Mountains).

To read this article in full, please visit: thisisathens.org

Photo by: Thomas Gravanis 

 

Syntagma Square is the central square of Athens and the second largest in Greece, after Spianada Square in Corfu, and is included in the list of the 100 largest squares in the world. It has always been the promenade square of the city and it was the gathering point for the cream of Athenian society for many years. 

Its history begins in the early 1830s when Athens' population was about 7,000, and the area where the square stands was called Perivolakia. When the palace of King Otto was set to be built there, it was named Palace Square. 

The specific location was chosen because the site was the highest point in central Athens, offering splendid views of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, and the Saronic Gulf. Construction work started in 1836 and was completed in 1843. That year though, the name of Palace Square changed once again. On September 3, 1843, the square was renamed Constitution Square, as Otto was forced to cede to the Greek people gathered in front of the palace demanding a constitution.

Syntagma Square began to assume its modern form after 1846 from the Bavarian Michael Hoch, who worked with the architect Leo von Klenze. The square was divided into two parts. The upper square (the eastern part), which until the end of the 19th century was still called “Palace Square”, today is known as “Parliament Square” or “the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.” The lower square (western part), is known as Bacchus Square or the Garden of the Muses. The two sections were on two different levels and were joined by a marble staircase.

When the area of ​​the Monument of the Unknown Soldier was created, the upper part was cut off from the rest of the square. The Monument was built in 1929-1930 by the architect Emmanuel Lazaridis. Its central point is a representation of a fallen Ancient Greek soldier, created by sculptor Fokion Rok. On both sides, to the left and right of the monument, there are bronze plaques with the names of battles the Greeks fought from 1821 until today. The Monument is guarded on a 24-hour basis by the soldiers of the Presidential Guard, the well-known Evzones, with the changing of the guard taking place every hour; one of the living attractions of Athens.

The square is inextricably linked to the historical events taking place in Greece over the centuries. It has been a place of demonstrations and social upheavals starting from September 3, 1843, until today.

An event that was a black mark on the history of Syntagma Square in Athens was the killing of several demonstrators on December 3, 1944. Less than two months after the country’s liberation from the Nazis, police shot at Greek People’s Liberation Army (EAM) demonstrators, thus starting almost two months of fighting in Athens, the so-called Dekemvriana, the precursor of the Greek Civil War (1946-1949). 

Syntagma Square has always played an important role in the daily life of Athenians. It was a meeting place, a favorite spot for a Sunday walk, as well as a place to gather together for musical presentations. It has also been the bonafide place for big party election rallies. 

In the 19th century, impressive mansions, luxury hotels, and cafes used to surround the square, giving it a true cosmopolitan flavor. In the 20th century, however, the face of Syntagma Square changed drastically and the mansions were replaced by concrete-and-glass modern office buildings housing state agencies and businesses. Other than the Greek Parliament, the Pallis Mansion is the only old building that survived the modernization of the capital.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

Photo Credit: Dario Sušanj

Home to some of the world's most iconic landmarks and countless beautiful islands, Greece has always appealed to travelers as an ideal holiday destination. Renowned for its natural landscapes, rich history, and delicious cuisine, it's not surprising that tourism continues to be one of the most important sectors contributing to the Greek economy today.

In 2020, the Greek tourism industry was devastated by the pandemic, but this year the country has been topping the lists of ‘safe destinations for travelers’. As the world begins to slowly begin traveling again, the below destinations are still among the most popular among Greece's visitors.

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Are you living in Greece right now? What destinations would you recommend for visitors to explore in Greece?

Send us your suggestions and we'll share all of your great ideas.

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Considered the historical capital of Europe, Athens brims with historical monuments, from the Ancient Agora to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The most visited site, however, is the Acropolis, a rocky mound rising in the heart of modern Athens, crowned by the Parthenon, the most famous ancient Greek temple. A symbol of Athens, Greece, and the Western Civilization, in general, Acropolis justifiably is Greece's most famous tourist attraction. 

2. Santorini
Greece’s number one island destination for tourists, Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades, mostly famous for its cliff-top towns of Fira and Oia hanging above a sea-filled caldera. Traditional whitewashed cubic houses, black volcanic sand beaches, picturesque villages, and magical sunsets, it's no wonder Santorini is the most romantic of all the Greek islands. 

3. Nafplio
Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece, is considered by many the most beautiful city in the whole country. Indeed, its uniquely distinctive character and romantic aura are sure to take your breath away. Neo-classical mansions, hidden churches, the Palamidi Fortress, a true architectural masterpiece offering mesmerizing views of the Argolic Gulf, and the water castle of Bourtzi, Kolokotronis' first prison, are only some of the town's major attractions. 

4. Meteora
Located in Thessaly, Meteora is an awe-inspiring sight that has been attracting visitors from all over the world. A vast terrain of rocky formations, Meteora is known for its dozens of Eastern Orthodox monasteries situated on top of massive boulders. In addition to visiting the Monasteries, one can engage in a variety of outdoor activities, including rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking. 

Also known as the "Greek Ibiza", Mykonos is undoubtedly the most glamorous island in Greece, the epitome of cosmopolitanism. With its plethora of beach bars and super clubs, Michelin-starred restaurants, and high-end boutiques, "the Island of the Winds" is the ultimate Greek destination for international celebrities, party animals, and sun worshippers. 

6. Delphi
A UNESCO world heritage site, Delphi used to be considered as the center of the world by Ancient Greeks. Located at the foot of Mount Parnassus, the sanctuary of Delphi, dedicated to Apollo, was for many centuries home to Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The site consists of the ruins of many temples, a theater, and a stadium, built between the 8th century BC and the 2nd century AD. 

The Municipality of Athens and UNICEF have joined forces to transform Athens into a city where every child would love to live!

A Memorandum of Cooperation between the Municipality of Athens and UNICEF has been signed which states that the Greek capital is officially participating in the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI); this is a UNICEF-led initiative that supports municipal governments in realizing the rights of children at the local level.

Athens is participating for the first time in this global program, which aims to put children's needs at the forefront, adjusting its services, facilities, programs, and public spaces to serve this purpose. With the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as their guiding principles, the Municipality of Athens and the newly-established UNICEF office in Greece will work together to ensure the well-being of children and young people living in Greece's capital. 

Through joint awareness initiatives and meticulously planned actions, this program aims to: 

• Reduce child poverty through targeted interventions. 
• Promote access and enhance educational opportunities. 
• Prevent violence against children, including children who are victims of domestic or community violence.
• Promote education through continuous skills development. 
• Promote youth employment.
• Promote the participation of children and young people in decision-making processes.
• Encourage healthy eating habits.
• Promote gender equality. 
• Enhance environmental awareness.

The Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) was launched in 1996. It includes a network of 47 countries that brings together government and other stakeholders such as civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, media, and, importantly, children themselves who wish to make their cities and communities more child-friendly.

The candidacy of the Municipality of Athens marks the beginning of the program in the country with five more municipalities being added to it in the coming months.

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