Ethniki Amyna Metro Station

What I can see

It is one of the metro stations of line 3, which architecturally does not differ significantly from many others. The dominant material is granite and its patterns refer to ancient Greece. This station, however, does not have side passenger platforms, but a central one, and stands out for its decoration. On the first level, attention is drawn to the work “Underground Park” (2000) by Kostas Tsoklis. It consists of steel sheets and hollow beams. The 12 metal trees with painted elements are reflected in mirrors, giving the impression of a forest. There are 3 projects at the embarkation-disembarkation platform. The brass “Column” (1976) by Clearchos Loukopoulos, “New Generation IX” (1988) by Kostas Koulentianos, an iron abstract composition, part of a series of works by the artist, with which he represented Greece at the 1980 Venice Biennale, and the bronze “Dying Warrior” (1971) by Dimitris Kalamaras, which depicts a wounded male figure falling on the ground.

What I can't see

It was the terminal station of metro line 3 for about 5 years. It was originally proposed to be called “Pentagono”, as the Ministry of National Defense, which is located next to the station, was unofficially called. In the end, the name “Ethniki Amyna” (National Defense in Greek) prevailed. The sculptures of the station have monumental characteristics and come from artists of the modernist movement. The “Dying Warrior” was originally placed in a square in Florina town (northern Greece), as a tribute to the Unknown Soldier. The then regional bishop asked the dictators to have it removed, because its aesthetics referred to USSR and former Yugoslavia socialist standards. The dictators granted the bishop’s request. The sculpture was transported to Athens, and today adorns the Athens metro. A copy was recently placed in Florina.

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