Top 20 Facts about the city of Athens

By Carole Raddato – The Acropolis of Athens wikimedia

Top 20 Facts about the city of Athens

Athens is the capital city of Greece and largest Greek city located in Central Greece.

The City was built in the 1800s when Greece became independent. The city is said  to have been had human occupation since the 11th century B.C.

 This city has been in existence for more than 30 centuries ago. It is home to more than 3 million people. 

The Lykavittos Hill in Athens is the highest point in the city. It stands at 910 feet (277.37 m) above the city and one can get a 360 view of the city. 

Athens has been setting the trend on emerging cultures since its civilization. Most of Western Europe’s culture has a hint of Greek heritage.

Great philosophers have lived and worked in Athens such Aristotle, Pythagoras.

Here are some facts about the city of Athens.

1. Origin of democracy

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

While most countries in the world embraced democracy a few centuries ago, Greece was steps ahead of them all.

Around 500 B.C, the Athenians as they are called, were able to choose their preferred leaders through voting.

The people had the power to vote according to the law. Only those eligible were allowed to take part in the voting process.

2. The Oldest city in Europe

Athens has history dating back to over 30 centuries ago. It has been there since the civilization of the Greek.

The city’s history is in two parts, the Ancient Greece 700-480 B.C where there was an advancement in art, technology, and poetry, while the classic Greece is known more for its philosophy, architecture and art. 

3. It was built near the sea because of trade

The city of Athens was built as a result of trade at the sea. The location was seen as a secure fortress on the Acropolis due to its nearness to the sea.

This gave Athens an undefeated advantage over Thebes and Sparta.

4. The home of modern Olympics

Photo by Sam Balye on Unsplash

The Greeks used to hold Olympic Games every fourth year in honor of their the god Zeus. This event attracted many spectators and participants.

This event took place between 776 B.C.E and 395 C.E. the sporting activities that took place were running, discus throwing, and long jump.

5. The name marathon originated from a long race held in Athens in 490 B.C.

Marathon is a Greek word meaning  a long race. The term was coined by a Greek soldier in Athens in 490 B.C when he ran for a long distance from Marathon to Athens to pass the message of their defeat to the Persians.

Philippides, the soldier, had initially run for 36 hours covering a distance of 180  miles (ca. 290 km). He had been asked by the Athenian generals to go to Sparta seeking their support.  

He then ran back to Athens with news from the Spartans that Athenians found unfavorable.

6. City of theaters and plays

The city of Athens has at least 148 theater stages more than Broadway. This can be attributed to the Greeks love for literature and their love for theater too, a tradition they take seriously.  

7. Top tourist destination in Europe

Yellow bus sourced from Wikimedia

Athens is the most visited tourist destination in Europe. The city being the cradle of democracy and a symbol of western civilization, has rich history and cultural heritage.

The city has a booming art scene, gastronomic delights and a thrilling nightlife. Its long coastlines, beautiful beaches  and the beautiful islands attract many tourists.

8. Athena the  city patron

Ancient Greece was ruled by Kings before the city got is name Athens. 

The then ruler, King Cecrops, saw the need of a patron god or goddess to make the already thriving city, thrive some more.

After a heated contest between two rivals Athena and Poisedon, Athena won the patron honor by gifting the people with an olive tree which was more sustainable than salty sea water.

The Parthenon monument was put up in her honor. 

9. Home to 18 UNESCO Heritage sites

There are currently 18 sites in Greece that have been named as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Acropolis in Athens is a representation of the Greeks classical spirit and civilization with its unique artistic architecture that has been standing for centuries.

10. Athena and Poisedon contest for City patronage

Athens is named after the Greek goddess Athena. The Parthenon which is considered her shrine is on top of a hill in the city.

Athena and Poisedon both competed for the patronage  of the city. They each had a gift to offer the city and the one that pleased the people more, meant being the patron.

Athena offered  an olive tree while Poisedon offered water. The people chose olive tree by Athena  to the salty water offered by Poisedon. So the city was named Athens after her. 

11. The Acropolis of Athens

Photo by Francesca Noemi Marconi on Unsplash

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient ‘small city’ on top of a rocky hill overlooking the city of Athens.  

 It contains the remains of some of the greatest architectural and historical significance such as the Parthenon.

The Acropolis had been used as an armory, a church, then a mosque and an army barracks.  

12. Home to two football clubs in Athens

Athens is home to two football clubs that are top of the league in the country;The AEK club and the Panathinaikos.

AEK (Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupoleos) was founded in 1924  by Greek refugees that fled from Istanbul.

 Panathinaikos is 112 years old having been founded in 1908, it has never been on relegation and is one of the most active football clubs in Greece.

13. Beautiful beaches in Athens

Athens has long beautiful sandy beaches close to the city center that are open to the public.

Athens has the longest coast line in Europe and it has won awards for its clean beaches and clean water.

14. Athens has experienced almost every form of government

The Athenians have gone through the full circle of governments through their 4000 years of habitation.

Known as the home of democracy, the Athenians have gone through communism, capitalism, monarchy, democracy, and socialism.

15. A botanical garden in Athens

Athens has one of the largest botanical gardens that is open to the public. The diomidous botanical garden was founded in 1952 and it’s landscaping was completed in 1975.

The garden spreads on 470 acres of land filled with species of trees and bushes from all over the world.

This open space is perfect for a picnic on the grass or on the tables at the garden. It is a favorite spot for families and solo leisure walkers.

16. Favorite site for Epic films

In one of the epic TV show Game of Thrones scenes, the Eyre castle in the sky, was shot in Meteora in the outskirts of Athens.

The fort built on a ginormous rock has monasteries and a hermit cave that tourists can explore. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

17. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens

By C messier – wikimedia

This cathedral in Athens was built in 1842, with marbles from 72 churches that were demolished used to build its walls. 

The cathedral plays a vital role amongst the Athenians as special events get held there; national ceremonies, weddings and funerals of celebrities and public figures. 

18. Athens Metro construction revealed more hidden treasure on Athens

As the city of Athens was preparing for the 2004 Olympics, one of the areas that needed adjustment was the transport system. 

While constructing the Athens metro, a whooping 50,000 artifacts were excavated, a great archeological find.

More than six metro stations revealed more treasure. 

19. Slippery sidewalks of Athens

The sidewalks in Athens were quite a slippery affair in the late 19th century due to the marble that made it hard o walk on in rainy seasons. 

Dora Bakoyannis, first female mayor of Athens, changed the aged slippery marbles in 2003. This was a much-needed facelift especially for the Olympics that happened in 2004.  

20. Theater in a train in Athens

When in Athens, one cannot miss learning of the Treno Sto Rouf Athens. It is a train station that has been transformed to a theater.

The old train at the stations has had its wagons transformed into theater scenes, bar and a restaurant. One can go for a music performance or art exhibition held there.

It is a real life movie scene with so much happening in one train at the same time.