Athens Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Culture == {{Main|Culture of Greece}} === Archaeological hub and museums === {{Further|List of museums in Greece}} [[File:Archäologisches Nationalmuseum Athen.jpg|thumb|The [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]] in central Athens]] [[File:The_Acropolis_Museum_as_seen_from_the_top_of_the_Acropolis_hill.jpg|thumb|The [[Acropolis Museum]]]] [[File:The_Stoa_of_Attalus_on_February_26,_2022.jpg|thumb|[[Museum of the Ancient Agora]] in the [[Stoa of Attalos]]]] The city is a world centre of [[archaeology|archaeological research]]. Alongside national academic institutions, such as the [[National and Kapodistrian University of Athens|Athens University]] and the [[Archaeological Society of Athens|Archaeological Society]], it is home to multiple archaeological museums, taking in the [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]], the [[Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art|Cycladic Museum]], the [[Epigraphy|Epigraphic]] Museum, the [[Byzantine & Christian Museum]], as well as museums at the ancient Agora, [[Acropolis Museum|Acropolis]], [[Kerameikos]], and the [[Kerameikos Archaeological Museum]]. The city is also the setting for the [[Democritus|Demokritos]] laboratory for [[Archaeological science|Archaeometry]], alongside regional and national archaeological authorities forming part of the [[Minister for Culture (Greece)|Greek Department of Culture]]. Athens hosts 17 [[List of Foreign Archaeological Institutes in Greece|Foreign Archaeological Institutes]] which promote and facilitate research by scholars from their home countries. As a result, Athens has more than a dozen archaeological libraries and three specialized archaeological laboratories, and is the venue of several hundred specialized lectures, conferences and seminars, as well as dozens of archaeological exhibitions each year. At any given time, hundreds of international scholars and researchers in all disciplines of archaeology are to be found in the city. Athens' most important museums include: * the [[National Archaeological Museum, Athens|National Archaeological Museum]], the largest archaeological museum in the country, and one of the most important internationally, as it contains a vast collection of antiquities. Its artefacts cover a period of more than 5,000 years, from late [[Neolithic]] Age to [[Roman Greece]]; * the [[Benaki Museum]] with its several branches for each of its collections including ancient, Byzantine, Ottoman-era, Chinese art and beyond; * the [[Byzantine & Christian Museum|Byzantine and Christian Museum]], one of the most important museums of [[Byzantine art]]; * the [[National Gallery (Athens)|National Art Gallery]], the nation's eponymous leading gallery, which reopened in 2021 after renovation; * the [[Athens National Museum of Contemporary Art|National Museum of Contemporary Art]], which opened in 2000 in a former brewery building; * the [[Numismatic Museum of Athens|Numismatic Museum]], housing a major collection of ancient and modern coins; * the [[Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art|Museum of Cycladic Art]], home to an extensive collection of [[Cycladic art]], including its famous figurines of white marble; * the [[Acropolis Museum|New Acropolis Museum]], opened in 2009, and replacing the old museum on the Acropolis. The new museum has proved considerably popular; almost one million people visited during the summer period June–October 2009 alone. A number of smaller and privately owned museums focused on Greek culture and arts are also to be found. * the [[Kerameikos Archaeological Museum]], a museum which displays artifacts from the burial site of Kerameikos. Much of the pottery and other artifacts relate to Athenian attitudes towards death and the afterlife, throughout many ages. * the [[Jewish Museum of Greece]], a museum which describes the history and culture of [[History of the Jews in Greece|the Greek Jewish community]]. === Architecture === {{see also|Modern architecture in Athens}} [[File:Attica 06-13 Athens 27 Zappeion.jpg|thumb|The [[Zappeion]] Hall]] [[File:Μητρόπολη Αθηνών 3321.jpg|thumb|The [[Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens|Cathedral of Athens]] (Athens Metropolis)]] Athens incorporates [[architectural style]]s ranging from [[Greek Revival architecture|Greco-Roman]] and [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] to Modern. They are often to be found in the same areas, as Athens is not marked by a uniformity of architectural style. A visitor will quickly notice the absence of tall buildings: Athens has very strict [[height restriction laws]] in order to ensure the Acropolis Hill is visible throughout the city. Despite the variety in styles, there is evidence of continuity in elements of the architectural environment throughout the city's history.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Doumas |first=Christos |title=1998 Excavation and rescue operations: what to preserve and why |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1468-0033.00142|publisher=UNESCO |doi=10.1111/1468-0033.00142 |access-date=4 July 2022 |journal=Museum International|date=April 1998 |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=6–9 }}</ref> For the greatest part of the 19th century Neoclassicism dominated Athens, as well as some deviations from it such as [[Eclecticism]], especially in the early 20th century. Thus, the [[Old Royal Palace]] was the first important public building to be built, between 1836 and 1843. Later in the mid and late 19th century, [[Baron Theophil von Hansen|Theophil Freiherr von Hansen]] and [[Ernst Ziller]] took part in the construction of many neoclassical buildings such as the [[Academy of Athens (modern)|Athens Academy]] and the [[Zappeion]] Hall. Ziller also designed many private mansions in the centre of Athens which gradually became public, usually through donations, such as [[Heinrich Schliemann|Schliemann]]'s [[Iliou Melathron]]. Beginning in the 1920s, [[modern architecture]] including [[Bauhaus]] and [[Art Deco]] began to exert an influence on almost all Greek architects, and buildings both public and private were constructed in accordance with these styles. Localities with a great number of such buildings include [[Kolonaki]], and some areas of the centre of the city; neighbourhoods developed in this period include [[Kypseli, Athens|Kypseli]].<ref>[[Helen Fessas-Emmanouil|Fessas-Emmanouil, Helen]]. ''Ελληνική Αρχιτεκτονική Εταιρεία: Αρχιτέκτονες του 20ού αιώνα: Μέλη της Εταιρείας'', Ποταμός, Athens, 2009, p. XXV and p. XXI, {{ISBN|960-6691-38-1}}</ref> In the 1950s and 1960s during the extension and development of Athens, other modern movements such as the [[International Style (architecture)|International style]] played an important role. The centre of Athens was largely rebuilt, leading to the demolition of a number of neoclassical buildings. The architects of this era employed materials such as glass, marble and aluminium, and many blended modern and classical elements.<ref>[[Helen Fessas-Emmanouil|Fessas-Emmanouil, Helen]]. ''Ελληνική Αρχιτεκτονική Εταιρεία: Αρχιτέκτονες του 20ού αιώνα: Μέλη της Εταιρείας'', Ποταμός, Athens, 2009, p. XXXI, {{ISBN|960-6691-38-1}}</ref> After World War II, internationally known architects to have designed and built in the city included [[Walter Gropius]], with his design for the US Embassy, and, among others, [[Eero Saarinen]], in his postwar design for the east terminal of the [[Ellinikon International Airport|Ellinikon Airport]]. === Urban sculpture === [[File:The Old Parliament House - National Historical Museum - on March 1, 2019.jpg|thumb|The [[Old Parliament House, Athens|Old Parliament House]], now home to the National History Museum. View from [[Stadiou Street]].]] Across the city numerous statues or busts are to be found. Apart from the neoclassicals by [[Leonidas Drosis]] at the Academy of Athens (Plato, Socrates, Apollo and Athena), others in notable categories include the statue of [[Theseus]] by [[Georgios Fytalis]] at Thiseion; depictions of philhellenes such as [[Lord Byron]], [[George Canning]], and [[William Ewart Gladstone|William Gladstone]]; the equestrian statue of [[Theodoros Kolokotronis]] by [[Lazaros Sochos]] in front of the Old Parliament; statues of [[Ioannis Kapodistrias]], [[Rigas Feraios]] and [[Adamantios Korais]] at the University; of [[Evangelos Zappas]] and [[Konstantinos Zappas]] at the Zappeion; [[Ioannis Varvakis]] at the National Garden; the" Woodbreaker" by [[Dimitrios Filippotis]]; the equestrian statue of [[Alexandros Papagos]] in the Papagou district; and various busts of fighters of Greek independence at the [[Pedion tou Areos]]. A significant landmark is also the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Syntagma. === Entertainment and performing arts === [[File:Εθνικό Θέατρο Αθηνών 9854.jpg|alt=|thumb|The [[National Theatre of Greece]], near [[Omonoia Square]]]] Athens is home to 148 theatrical stages, more than any other city in the world, including the ancient [[Odeon of Herodes Atticus]], home to the [[Athens Festival]], which runs from May to October each year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home Page |url=http://www.urbanaudit.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206144738/http://urbanaudit.org/ |archive-date=6 February 2009 |access-date=21 March 2009 |publisher=Urban Audit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Athens – Epidaurus Festival 2008 |url=http://www.greekfestival.gr/?lang=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222165312/http://www.greekfestival.gr/?lang=en |archive-date=22 February 2009 |access-date=21 March 2009 |publisher=Greekfestival.gr}}</ref> In addition to a large number of multiplexes, Athens plays host to open air garden cinemas. The city also supports music venues, including the [[Athens Concert Hall]] (''Megaro Moussikis''), which attracts world class artists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 October 1997 |title=Megaron Events Chart |url=http://www.megaron.gr/megaro/programeng/top.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201025145/http://www.megaron.gr/megaro/programeng/top.htm |archive-date=1 February 2009 |access-date=21 March 2009 |publisher=Megaron.gr}}</ref> The Athens [[Planetarium]],<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=el:Ίδρυμα Ευγενίδου. Εκπαιδευτικό Κοινωφελές Ίδρυμα |url=http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608171428/http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr/ |archive-date=8 June 2008 |access-date=21 March 2009 |publisher=Eugenfound.edu.gr |language=el}}</ref> located in [[Andrea Syngrou Avenue]], in [[Palaio Faliro]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzo |first=Demetrio |title=Athens Today |url=https://www.athens-today.com/it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128070911/https://www.athens-today.com/it/ |archive-date=28 November 2020 |access-date=29 May 2020 |website=athens-today.com}}</ref> is one of the largest and best equipped digital planetaria in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athens Eugenides Planetarium |url=http://www.barco.com/reference/2484 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707220221/http://www.barco.com/reference/2484 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |access-date=16 June 2011 |publisher=Barco}}</ref> The [[Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center]], inaugurated in 2016, will house the [[National Library of Greece]] and the [[Greek National Opera]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vision |url=http://www.snfcc.org/about/vision/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116230830/http://www.snfcc.org/about/vision/ |archive-date=16 November 2016 |access-date=16 November 2016 |publisher=SNFCC}}</ref> In 2018 Athens was designated as the [[World Book Capital]] by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2018 |title=Athens: Books everywhere |url=https://en.unesco.org/courier/2018-2/athens-books-everywhere |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423165332/https://en.unesco.org/courier/2018-2/athens-books-everywhere |archive-date=23 April 2022 |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=UNESCO |language=en}}</ref> Restaurants, tavernas and bars can be found in the entertainment hubs in [[Plaka]] and the [[Monastiraki|Trigono]] areas of the historic centre, the inner suburbs of [[Gazi, Athens|Gazi]] and [[Psyri|Psyrri]] are especially busy with nightclubs and bars, while [[Kolonaki]], [[Exarcheia|Exarchia]], [[Metaxourgeio]], [[Koukaki]] and [[Pangrati]] offer more of a cafe and restaurant scene. The coastal suburbs of [[Piraeus|Microlimano]], [[Alimos]] and [[Glyfada]] include many tavernas, beach bars and busy summer clubs. [[File:Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center - 52035330487.jpg|alt=|thumb|[[Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center|The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre]], home of the [[Greek National Opera]] and the new [[National Library of Greece|National Library]]]] The most successful songs during the period 1870–1930 were the Athenian serenades (Αθηναϊκές καντάδες), based on the [[Heptanese]]an [[Greek folk music#Ionian Islands|kantádhes]] (καντάδες '[[serenade]]s'; sing.: καντάδα) and the songs performed on stage (επιθεωρησιακά τραγούδια 'theatrical revue songs') in [[revues]], [[Musical theatre|musical comedies]], [[operettas]] and [[nocturnes]] that were dominating Athens' theatre scene. In 1922, following the war, genocide and later population exchange suffered by the Greek population of Asia Minor, many ethnic Greeks fled to Athens. They settled in poor neighbourhoods and brought with them [[Rebetiko]] music, making it also popular in Greece, and which later became the base for the [[Laïko]] music. Other forms of song popular today in Greece are elafrolaika, entechno, dimotika, and skyladika.<ref name="Tales of Orpheus">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fT5TAQAAQBAJ |title=Athens – The Truth: Searching for Mános, Just Before the Bubble Burst |date=1 September 2013 |publisher=Tales of Orpheus |isbn=9780955209031 |access-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205131700/https://books.google.com/books?id=fT5TAQAAQBAJ |archive-date=5 February 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Greece's most notable, and internationally famous, composers of Greek song, mainly of the entechno form, are [[Manos Hadjidakis]] and [[Mikis Theodorakis]]. Both composers have achieved fame abroad for their composition of film scores.<ref name="Tales of Orpheus" /> The renowned American-born Greek soprano [[Maria Callas]] spent her teenage years in Athens, where she settled in 1937.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rémy |first=Pierre-Jean |url=http://archive.org/details/mariacallastribu00rm |title=Maria Callas, a tribute |date=1978 |publisher=New York : St. Martin's Press |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-312-51448-8 |pages=19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Petsalis-Diomidis |first=Nikolaos |url=http://archive.org/details/isbn_9781574670592 |title=The unknown Callas: the Greek years |date=2001 |publisher=Portland, Or. : [[Amadeus Press]] |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-57467-059-2 |pages=76, 88 |url-access=registration}}</ref> Her professional opera career started in 1940 in Athens, with the [[Greek National Opera]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Petsalis-Diomidis |first=Nikolaos |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781574670592 |title=The unknown Callas: the Greek years |date=2001 |publisher=[[Amadeus Press]] |isbn=978-1-57467-059-2 |series=Opera biography series |location=Portland, Or |pages=214 |url-access=registration}}</ref> In 2018, the city's municipal Olympia Theatre was renamed to "[[Olympia City Music Theatre "Maria Callas"|Olympia City Music Theatre 'Maria Callas']]"<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2023 |title=Olympia {{!}} ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑ ΔΗΜΟΥ ΑΘΗΝΑΙΩΝ |url=https://oly.gr/en/oly/ |access-date=31 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Βατόπουλος |first=Νίκος |date=30 November 2018 |title="Ολύμπια", η μεγάλη επιστροφή |url=https://www.kathimerini.gr/culture/music/997785/olympia-i-megali-epistrofi/ |access-date=31 October 2023 |website=Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ |language=greek}}</ref> and in 2023, the Municipality inaugurated the [[Maria Callas Museum]], housing it in a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical building]] on 44 Mitropoleos street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IEFIMERIDA.GR |first=NEWSROOM |date=25 October 2023 |title=Maria Callas museum, first in the world, opens in central Athens |url=https://www.iefimerida.gr/english/maria-callas-museum-first-world-opens-central-athens |access-date=29 October 2023 |website=iefimerida.gr |language=el}}</ref> === Sports === {{See also|List of sports clubs in Athens Municipality}} [[File:Panathinaikos_-_Sparta_Prague_DSC00055.JPG|thumb|[[Panathinaikos FC]] vs [[Sparta Prague]] in the [[Athens Olympic Stadium]], 2008]] [[File:The Panathenaic Stadium on April 22, 2021.jpg|thumb|The Panathenaic Stadium of Athens ([[Panathenaic Stadium|Kallimarmaron]]) dates back to the fourth century BC and has hosted the [[1896 Summer Olympics|first modern Olympic Games]] in 1896.]] [[File:GIPEDO AEK-1.jpg|thumb|[[Agia Sophia Stadium]]]] Athens has a long tradition in sports and sporting events, serving as home to the most important clubs in [[Sport in Greece|Greek sport]] and housing a large number of sports facilities. The city has also been host to sports events of international importance. Athens has hosted the [[Summer Olympic Games]] twice, in [[1896 Summer Olympics|1896]] and [[2004 Summer Olympics|2004]]. The 2004 Summer Olympics required the development of the [[Olympic Stadium (Athens)|Athens Olympic Stadium]], which has since gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world, and one of its most interesting modern monuments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athens 21st Century – Athens Olympic Stadium |url=http://www.athens-today.com/e-olimpica_stadio.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216232456/http://www.athens-today.com/e-olimpica_stadio.htm |archive-date=16 February 2009 |access-date=26 December 2008 |publisher=Athens-today.com}}</ref> The biggest stadium in the country, it hosted two finals of the [[UEFA Champions League]], in [[1994 UEFA Champions League Final|1994]] and [[2007 UEFA Champions League Final|2007]]. Athens' other major stadiums are the [[Karaiskakis Stadium]] located in [[Piraeus]], a sports and entertainment complex, host of the [[1971 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|1971 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final]], and [[Agia Sophia Stadium]] located in [[Nea Filadelfeia]]. Athens has hosted the [[EuroLeague]] final three times, the first in 1985 and second in [[FIBA European Championship 1992–93|1993]], both at the [[Peace and Friendship Stadium]], most known as SEF, a large indoor arena,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Athens 21st Century – The Olympic Coastal Complex |url=http://www.athens-today.com/e-olimpica_faliro.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214023850/http://www.athens-today.com/e-olimpica_faliro.htm |archive-date=14 February 2009 |access-date=26 December 2008 |publisher=Athens-today.com}}</ref> and the third time in [[2006–07 Euroleague|2007]] at the [[Olympic Indoor Hall]]. Events in other sports such as [[Track and field athletics|athletics]], volleyball, [[water polo]] etc., have been hosted in the capital's venues. Athens is home to three European multi-sport clubs: [[Panathinaikos A.O.|Panathinaikos]], originated in Athens city centre, [[Olympiacos CFP|Olympiacos]], originated in the suburb of [[Piraeus]] and [[Athletic Union of Constantinople|AEK Athens]], originated in the suburb of [[Nea Filadelfeia]]. In [[association football|football]], [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]] made it to the [[1971 European Cup Final]], [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]] have dominated domestic competitions, while [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] is the other member of the [[P.O.K.|big three]]. These clubs also have basketball teams; [[Panathinaikos B.C.|Panathinaikos]] and [[Olympiacos B.C.|Olympiacos]] are among the top powers in European basketball, having won the [[Euroleague Basketball|Euroleague]] six times and three respectively, whilst [[AEK Athens B.C.|AEK Athens]] was the first Greek team to win a European trophy in any team sport. Other notable clubs within Athens are [[Athinaikos]], [[Panionios]], [[Atromitos F.C.|Atromitos]], [[Apollon Smyrni F.C.|Apollon]], [[Panellinios G.S.|Panellinios]], [[Egaleo F.C.]], [[Ethnikos Piraeus]], [[Maroussi B.C.|Maroussi BC]] and [[Peristeri B.C.]] Athenian clubs have also had domestic and international success in other sports. The Athens area encompasses a variety of [[terrain]], notably hills and mountains rising around the city, and the capital is the only major city in Europe to be bisected by a [[mountain range]]. Four mountain ranges extend into city boundaries and thousands of kilometres of trails criss-cross the city and neighbouring areas, providing exercise and wilderness access on [[hiking|foot]] and [[Mountain biking|bike]]. Beyond Athens and across the prefecture of Attica, outdoor activities include [[skiing]], [[rock climbing]], [[hang gliding]] and windsurfing. Numerous outdoor clubs serve these sports, including the Athens Chapter of the [[Sierra Club]], which leads over 4,000 outings annually in the area. Athens was awarded the 2004 Summer Olympics on 5 September 1997 in [[Lausanne]], Switzerland, after having lost a previous bid to host the [[1996 Summer Olympics]], to [[Atlanta]], United States.<ref name=oly/> It was to be the second time Athens would host the games, following the inaugural event of 1896. After an unsuccessful bid in 1990, the 1997 bid was radically improved, including an appeal to Greece's Olympic history. In the last round of voting, Athens defeated Rome with 66 votes to 41.<ref name=oly/> Prior to this round, the cities of [[Buenos Aires]], Stockholm and [[Cape Town]] had been eliminated from competition, having received fewer votes.<ref name=oly/> Although the heavy cost was criticized, estimated at $1.5 billion, Athens was transformed into a more functional city that enjoys modern technology both in transportation and in modern [[urban planning|urban development]].<ref name="olyy">{{Cite news |date=30 August 2004 |title=Athens bids farewell to the Games |work=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/08/29/closing.ceremony/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115082941/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/SPORT/08/29/closing.ceremony/ |archive-date=15 January 2008}}</ref> The games welcomed over 10,000 athletes from all 202 countries.<ref name=olyy/> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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