Dionysiou Areopagitou Street
Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, combined with Apostolou Pavlou Street, constitutes a one-mile long promenade, also known as the "Big Walk".
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Dionysiou Aeropagitou Street is one of the main pedestrian streets of the city with a length of approximately 900 metres. Combined with Apostolou Pavlou Street, it constitutes a one-mile long promenade, also known as the “Big Walk”. The pedestrianization of these two streets offers an opportunity for a pleasant 15 to 20 minute walk starting from Dionysiou Areopagitou at Hadrian’s Gate and ending at the entrance to Philopappos Hill, where it converges with Apostolou Pavlou Street. The road is literally lined with antiquities on both sides, dating from Classical Greece to Roman and Byzantine Times. There are also distinct examples of modern urban architecture. Although it’s a busy street with a gentle slope, it is suitable for cycling and running.
What I can't see
The street was named after the first bishop of Athens, who together with his wife was the first to be converted to Christianity when Apostle Paul visited Athens. The street had remained open to traffic and suffered frequent traffic jams, due largely to the tourist coaches that took up a considerable part of the road. It was turned into a pedestrian road as part of the consolidation of archaeological sites of the city of Athens, which resulted in one of the largest pedestrian street complexes in Europe. The project was completed shortly before the 2004 Olympic Games. The original design has not been fully implemented leaving parts of the original itinerary undeveloped. During the 2004 Olympic Games, the street hosted many cultural events attended by large crowds.
Bibliography
Dragonas P., (ed.), (2003), Πεζόδρομος Διονυσίου Αρεοπαγίτου- Αποστόλου Παύλου, στο Αρχιτεκτονικά Θέματα, [The Dionysiou Areopagitou- Apostolou Pavlou Pedestrian Route], in Architecture in Greece, v.37, p.p. 104- 109, NTUA
U.A.S.A., (d.u.), Πρόγραμμα Ενοποίησης Αρχαιολογικών Χώρων Αθήνας, [Unification of Archaeological Sites of Athens Programme], Unification of Archaeological Sites of Athens inc., http://www.astynet.gr/static.php?c=5,
Last visit 7/9/2013