Ermou Street
Ermou Street is the most commercial street of the city. It was named Ermou after Hermes (Mercury), the Greek god of commerce.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
By the interwar years, the prevailing architecture of the facades were classicist. During the interwar years, the first modern buildings appeared on the street.
1856 The proposal to increase the width of Ermou was approved.
1996 The pedestrianization of the western section was completed.
2004 In August 2004, during the Olympic Games, Ermou throbbed with life and was home to many artistic events throughout its length, being visited by people from all parts of the world.
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
Ermou Street is the most commercial street in the city centre and one of the most commercial areas in Athens. It has a length of approximately 1.5 km and is divided into three, almost equal sections (western, central, eastern). The western and the eastern sections are pedestrian zones, unlike the central one. The pedestrianization of the western section is part of the single-walk project and the integration of the archaeological sites of the wider centre of Athens. Walking down Ermou Street, we witness the multifaceted physiognomy of Athens. Starting from Syntagma Square –the largest in the city– we find shops (mainly cloth and shoe stores), two Byzantine and one Post-Byzantine church (Kapnikarea, Asomaton, Panagia Pantanassa), two more squares (Monastirakiou, Asomaton-Thisiou), small craft shops, the archaeological site of Keramikos and its museum (Museum of Keramikos), monuments (e.g. Jewish monument) and a small park (former Korean Market park) before we eventually reach Pireos Street and Gkazi (former industrial zone). On Sunday mornings there is a makeshift open-air bazaar here (Giousouroum> Jewish merchant name) in the central part, selling antiques and various vintage items. The eastern part is ideal for strolling and shopping but not for cycling and running, because it tends to be crowded. The western part however, is much quieter, ideal for walking, jogging and cycling and has views of Lycabettus Hill, Keramikos, Gkazi, Thissio, the Acropolis and the Parliament.
What I can't see
It was named Ermou after Hermes (Mercury), the Greek god of commerce. The architects/planners (Kleanthis- Schaubert) had from the outset designated it as a shopping street. In the mid-19th century, the opening and widening of the road led to the loss of several medieval churches, whose materials were used to build the cathedral of Athens. The eastern part of Ermou was the heart of the city. Its bakeries, cafes, hotels and haute couture shops were frequented by the upper class of Athens. During King Otto’s reign, the western part had a Bavarian club, a cafe called “Green Tree”.
Bibliography
http://www.astynet.gr/static.php?c=4,
Tελευταία επίσκεψη 23/12/2012
Kardamitsi- Adami M., (2002), Ένας δρόμος για το θεό του εμπορίου, [A street for the god of commerce], in Epta Imeres, Kathimerini, (Sept. 2002), p.p. 2-6.
Biris K. H. (1966), Αι Αθήναι από του 19ου εις τον 20ον αιώνα, [Athens from the 19th up to the 20th century], 5th edition 2005, Athens, Melissa
