Athens Squares
Here is a list with a top-square list of Athens, within a Walking distance from Plaka, with their metro stations.
The question is which square to choose!
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Syntagma (metro)
The main square of Athens, even Omonoia was the main. It has metro that connects Athens with airport and actually everything. It was the square when Athenians with Makrygiannis protest against King Otto for contistution in 1843. After that, Athenians were there drinking coffee and enjoying the sun. Many hotels are around Syntagma, being maybe the most central part of Athens someone can stay. Following Ermou you go to Monastiraki, and from Filellinon and Kydathineon you get to Plaka. Syntagma was a major point for the start of civil war in 1944. The Monument of the Unknown soldier, the Parliament and the Presidential Guard is there.
Omonoia (metro)
Its initial name was Otto’s square. The first urban walk was designed from Monastiraki to Omonoia, where the Palace was planned to be built, so it was called also Palace Square in 1846 but Syntagma was chosen instead. After Otto left from Athens’ king place, the hostile political parties agreed to end the fights in Athens that were in 1862 (there were 120 people were dead and 300 wounded). Conflicts ended on 1863, and since then, square was named Omonoia.
Monastiraki (metro)
Maybe the nosiest square. Beside the temple of Pantanassa today, the area in named by it. Nowadays at its taverns you can taste some kebabs from Armenians that arrived to Athens a century ago and many other delicacies. By Monastiraki you get to Athens Flea market to explore your bargains instinct. By following Ermou street you go to Syntagma, by Adrianou you go to Thissio. Next to Monastiraki is Psyrri area. You can walk to the south pedestrian street and get to Gazi- Votanikos. There are some great rooftop bars you can enjoy amazing view.
Psyrri (Monastiraki metro)
In Psirri square Lord Byron was staying in his first Athens visit. Also Greek writer Papadiamantis was living here. It was an area of unrest, where the incident with Patsifico took place in 1847, when the mob burnt his house.
Karitsi (Syntagma metro)
Karitsi Square comes from a Byzantine family of Kariki, having an 11th century temple. In 1833, when king Otto arrived to Nafplio, Athenian noblemen gathered to decide who will be the person to greet him. The pase temple was ruined and the family decided to rebuilt it in 1846-1849, by Lysandros Kaftatzoglou. By the time Kariki was made to Karitsi. A historical cultural union of Athens is Parnassos, next to the square, founded in 1865.
Agia Irini (Monastiraki metro)
There is a temple, the most important of Athens and all official ceremonies were made there. Architect Lysandros Kaftatzoglou designed necessary changes after liberation in 1845. Construction works started in 1847, from material from other destroyed churches in Athens. The new temple was finished in 1850 and the internal decoration was done between 1879-1892.inside you can find a wallpainting of Paul teaching in Areopagus and Jesus teaching in Jerusalem. A new restoration was made 1995-1997. In 1835 the ceremony of Otto adulthood took place there, and in 1843 Theorode Kolokotronis was there, this is why Kolokotroni street is next to the church. There are also historical narrations for the day. Officials came down Ermou street and Kolokotronis horse was in black.
Avyssinias (Monastiraki metro)
Also known as Yusurum square, took its name from many Ethiopians living in Athens in 1860. Yusurum comes from Jew Helia Yusurum, who was the President of antiquities shoppers union at the end of 19th century.
Pagrati (Evagelismos metro – Agios Ioannis)
Pagrati has actually many squares, named after Hercules’ sanctuary, protector of Pagration sport, a martial arts competition of the Olympic Games. In Pagrati there is also Proskopon square.
Metaxourgio (metro)
Metaxourgeio is named after a 1835 Silk Factory in the area. The space today hosts the Municipal Gallery of Athens.
Mavili (Megaro Mousikis metro)
Mavili is located near the US Embassy of Athens, and offers numerous options of food and bars. It was named after the poet Lorentzos Mavilis, who fought in Balkans wars. He was elected a member of parliament in 1910 and died in 1912.
Dexameni square (Kolonaki)
There you can find cine Dexameni and enjoy a special open air cinema experience.
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