Green oasis in the middle of Athens: Pedion tou Areos Park

Nothing is nicer than enjoying some relaxation in one of Athens’ green oases after a stroll past the city’s numerous archaeological sites. We were drawn to Pedion Areos Park, one of the largest public parks in Athens.

The Pedion tou Areos or just Pedion Areos is located about 1 km northeast of Omonoia Square and is enclosed by the streets Mavromateon, Evelpidon, Pringiponisson and Alexandras Avenue. With 27.7 hectares in size, it takes a while to walk the countless well-maintained paths.

A park is created

During the reign of King Otto, the first king of modern Greece, the site of the present Pedion Areos was the main meeting place for Athenians. In 1927, the site was given to the newly formed Athens Public Gardens and Trees Commission with the intention of transforming it into a park similar to the National Garden.

However, the commission first decided to beautify the Thiseion and the National Garden. It was not until six years later, in 1933, financed by the remaining funds, that work began on the transformation of the park. However, due to administrative problems and a significant lack of financial resources, the work had to be stopped rather quickly.

At that time, the newly created Special Fund for Durable Pavements in Athens decided to cover the costs. The then director of the Ministry of Communications was commissioned to draw up a new plan for the Pedion Areos, based on the English and French park styles popular at the time. Special care was to be taken to ensure that the view of the Acropolis from central points in the park was not obstructed. We were particularly impressed by the view in the opposite direction to the Lykavittos viewpoint.

In 1935, the planting and beautification works began, which lasted until 1940, the time when Greece entered the Second World War. Within these five years, the gardeners planted 46,000 trees and shrubs. The planners paid special attention to the planting of deciduous trees, in order to give shade to the park in summer and let sunlight through in winter.

Now in the park there are 1200 trees, 50000 flowers, 7500 topiary plants and 2500 roses. Previously, there were about 22,650 square meters of asphalt in Pedion Areos. This area has become smaller after the transformation, they planted about one hectare of grass and another hectare of flowers and removed the asphalt. Most of the changes were related to the park’s infrastructure, including the underground network for water supply, drainage, rainwater collection and electricity. At the same time, the lighting of the site was improved and modernized.

Walk through the Pedion Areos

We enter the premises of Pedion Areos through a large and wide “side entrance” on Alexandras Avenue.

At this entrance stands an imposing memorial to the English, Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in the Battle of Greece during World War II. The memorial is topped by a statue of the goddess Athena.

The large monument, built in 1952, is a replica of a monumental sculpture honoring the Greek goddess of wisdom. It is one of the tallest sculptures in Athens and consists of a tall triangular column (about 6 meters high) on a three-tiered pedestal on which stands the statue of the goddess Athena. In front of the column, on the upper level of the pedestal, is the sculpture of a lion.

Visit to a grotto and a tomb

From there we begin our walk under the shade of trees along the winding paths of the park. Until we reach the Grotto of Pan. This is an artificial grotto made of stone, built in 1962. In mythology, Pan is the Greek deity who was intertwined with nature in a reciprocal protective relationship. The son of Hermes and the nymph Penelope was depicted as a god with an animal underbelly (with goat feet).

I did not find the small grotto particularly beautiful. Rather small and inconspicuous, somewhat overgrown and forgotten rock stands there. Who nevertheless goes by there, should look at the rock a little closer. We recognized two “faces” in the stone. Who these probably represent?

Next, the path led us to a small church, the Holy Temple of Taxiarches, in the middle of the park. It dates back to the 17th century and it is worth taking a look inside the cool church building. Beautiful wall and ceiling paintings decorate the nave. The entrance was free of charge.

In front of the church is the tomb of Alexander Ypsilanti. He was an important figure in the history of Greece and Europe in the 19th century and is known as the leader of the Greek struggle for independence against the Ottoman Empire.

On this tomb Alexander Ypsilantis is depicted as a relief decoration. There is a coat of arms engraved, which shows the figure of the phoenix rising from the ashes, a sword, a flag and the shield of the Holy Society.

Equestrian statue in Pedion Areos

Besides the unexpected “treasures” in the Pedion Areos, it is wonderfully quiet and relaxing. A small watercourse runs through the site and a large central fountain bubbles happily away.

Our path eventually led us to the actual main entrance to the grounds. The large central walkway there was lined with permanent market stalls selling flowers. Park visitors stood everywhere and the odd plant found its way to a new home.

We finally reached the large imposing equestrian statue at the main entrance of the park. The horseman is King Constantine I. The king is depicted as a soldier holding a staff in his right hand and the reins of his horse in his left hand. The statue stands on a six-tiered pedestal. On the front there is a brass shield with the inscription: CONSTANTINE, KING OF GREECE. The brass equestrian statue was made in 1938 and is about 5.80 meters high.

We really enjoyed the tour of the park. A welcome change from sightseeing in the city and especially in the hotter midday hours a wonderful place to escape the heat a bit.

Visitor Information

Opening hours

daily: 6-21 Uhr

Admission price

The visit to the park is free of charge.

City map