Omonia Square
It is a central square that stays "open" 24 hours a day, all year long. Contrary to Syntagma Square, Omonia stays awake since the first moment of its existence. Every Saturday night, it is common for the Athenians to buy their Sunday newspapers from the kiosks and the stands of the square before they return home. Omonia is the oldest central square of modern Athens. Visitors can not say that they have visited Athens if they have not been at least once on Omonia to see its lifestyle and its crowd and… hear its noises. In Omonia you can find all popular fast food chains and buy foreign newspapers from its kiosks. Some neoclassic buildings surrounding Omonia Square, such as “Bagkeion” and “Alexandros” Hotels (towards Athena Str.), “Neon” coffee house and National Bank's branch (in Panepistimiou Avenue) are very remarkable. In Omonia is one of the central metro stations in Athens.
Around Omonia Square
Streets such as Stadiou, Patision, Panepistimiou, 3rd Septemvriou, Piraeus, Athenas and Aghios Konstantinos begin from or end up in Omonia The aforementioned streets together with the smaller streets and the neighboring Kaniggos Square form a very busy zone with many interesting spots (small shops, traditional coffee houses etc.).
Sightseeing:
National Theater of Greece (Aghios Konstantinos Str.). It was built in the period of 1891-1901 on the initiative of King Georgios the 1st, was designed by E. Ziller and financed by Greeks living abroad. It is of cinquecento style and has copied the architectural style of the National Theater of Vienna. The theater opened in November 1901 initially as Royal Theater and in 1930 it changed to National Theater. Its central hall (of Italian style) can seat 1000 spectators (pit, two balconies and two boxes). On the opposite side (in Menandros Str.) stands the three storey neoclassic Einar Mansion housing the museum of actors K. Paxinou and A. Minoti.
Aghios Konstantinos (Aghios Konstantinos Str.). It is located opposite of the National Theater. The monumental three aisled basilica (1871-1896/1905) designed by L. Kaftatzoglou and recently renovated is located here. It has an impressive facade with many neoclassic and cinquecento elements, a monumental entrance designed as an ancient propylaea (entrance) and remarkable interior decorations.
Piraeus Street (P. Tsaldari). It was designed on the ruins of an ancient street which connected Athens with Piraeus and alongside this ancient street stood Makra Teichi (Long Walls). It was the first street in the city suitable for cars and connects Athens with Piraeus city and port. Despite its initial designs, in the 19th century after the construction of many factories in the area the street became an industrial zone. The last few years, all these industrial buildings have been restored and used for other purposes (museums, cultural venues, School of Fine Arts). Nowadays, even though it is still a very busy street, all these buildings create a unique atmosphere of urban industrial architecture.
Koumoundourou Square (Eleftherias): It is a beautiful spacious square with rich vegetation. In the side of the square facing Piraeus Str. dominates the impressive neoclassic mansion of “Public Gallery” built in 1874 (designed by G. Metaksa). Next to it is Aghioi Anargiroi church (1893), while in the square there is also a small stone theater that hosts cultural and other events.
Aghion Asomaton Street: From Piraeus Str. as you turn left please note the house 45. It is one of the most popular traditional buildings in Athens (of folk classic style-1880) famous for the twin Caryatids standing on the balcony. It is one of the most photographed and painted sights of Athens.
Gkazi
Athens University Botanic Garden: It is located at the corner of Iera Odos (which was constructed on the ruins of the ancient street of Elefsinia Mistiria) and Sp. Patsi. It extends over 7000 sq m. and has around 120 species of wood-like plants (trees and bushes) and mossies from different parts of the world.
