One of the most fashionable neighbourhoods of Athens, was developed in the 1870s. It was named after the Metz brewery that was located in the area, and for a long time it was a popular recreational area. Until the 1950s Ilissos River went through the area (at present day Ardittou Str). Today it is a quiet residential area, encompassed by Ardittou Hill and the 1st Cemetery (along the Loginou Str pedestrian zone). In the central road of the area, M. Mousourou Str, are cafes. Worth seeing are other distinctive roads of the neighbourhood (among others, Nik. Theotokis Str, Trivonianou Str, Dikaiarchou Str, Balanou Str). If you take Kleitomachou Str, Arhimidou Str and Embedokleous Str, you will reach Varnava square. You will find here cafes, traditional tavernas and luxury restaurants. You can
7 1st Cemetery
It is the oldest and biggest cemetery of Athens. Several important personalities of modern Greece have been laid to rest here (among others, politicians, scientists, artists, religious leaders etc). The foundation of the cemetery coincided with the foundation of the modern Greek state. The design recalls the major cemeteries of Western Europe in the early 1900s. It is basically an outdoor sculpture display, with a stately and serene garden, excellent monumental tombstones, built by some of the most important Greek sculptors of the past two centuries. THE SIGHTS: Koimomeni. The most famous sculpture of modern Greek art, made by Y. Halepas in 1878, for the grave of S. Afentakis. G. Averof Monument. The grandest monument of the cemetery, built by the sculptors G. Vitalis and D. Filippotis. The remains of the national benefactor are here. Heinrich Schliemann Monument. The tomb monument of the German archaeologist who discovered ancient Troy, made by Ern. Ziller (1892). It is shaped like a church. On the groundwork are sculpted depictions of the Trojan Cycle. Chr. Zografos Monument. Built in the renaissance style, it resembles the Mausoleum of Lorenzo de' Medici in Florence. Nude Angel. A remarkable tombstone sculpture by G. Vitsaris (1872), on the tomb of N. Koumelis.
Tour of Athens, stage 7
6 METZ
return to the Panathenaikon Stadium via Agras Str.
KOLONAKI, THE RIGILLIS AREA, METZ
construction, was made of white marble. The horseshoe shaped stadium faces the National Garden. In 330 BC a stadium made of wood was built at this location. Herodes Atticus constructed a marble edifice, which was the model for the edifice of the stadium that stands today. It was used as a space for athletic competitions, which took place during the Panathenaea festival. The stadium that stands today has a capacity of approx. 60,000 spectators. It was built in 1869-1870 and it was the venue of the first Olympic Games in modern history (1896). Surrounding the stadium is the wooded Ardittos Hill, where locals love to go for a walk (www.panathenaicstadium.gr).
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