First Cemetery of Athens

What I can see

This cemetery is perhaps the largest, most important outdoor sculpture gallery in the country. Most of its magnificent works can be found near the main entrance. Among them are: a) “The sleeping maiden” (1878, by Giannoulis Chalepas), which pictures a female figure lying asleep on a chaise longue, a sculpture that was widely copied, b) “The palmette column” (by Iakovos Malakates) on the grave of Adamantios Korais, c) “The mourning spirit ” (1872, by Ioannis Vitsaris), d) the mausoleum of Heinrich Schliemann (1892, by Ernst Ziller) with representations of the Trojan war, e) the Karapanou family memorial (1895), reminiscent of Lysicrates’ monument, f) the Averof family memorial (Georgios Vitalis and Dimitrios Filippotis), g) “The mother of Occupation” (Kostas Valsamis). There are several more important tombs in terms of sculpture decoration as well as architecture. When entering the cemetery, one immediately notices the modern architectural style of its entrance. As one moves further into the site, one can see tombs of the neoclassical and eclectic orders. The sculptures are balanced between “form” and “content”, as they are governed by great powers of plasticity and expression.

Aphrodite Kouria writes characteristically:

 

“Tomb sculpture, an important chapter of modern Greek sculpture of the 19th century, flourished early, from the middle of the (19^th) century in the First Cemetery of Athens, which followed the western model of cemetery-outdoor sculpture and served the needs, expectations, claims of the late and later bourgeoisie, with sometimes wider extensions. Classicism and Romanticism, from the end of the 18th century, decorated the cemeteries-museums of Europe, with innumerable imposing monuments that stood as reference poles and models for Greek artists, while the tombs of the 5th and 4th century BC from the Kerameikos cemetery, were a top source of inspiration and an immediately accessible field to exercise their gaze and sensitivity. ”

 

The cemetery has one Catholic and two Orthodox churches as well as a Protestant and a Jewish section. 

What I can't see

This is where members of the Greek society elite are interred including heroes of the Greek War of Independence, politicians, intellectuals, artists, scientists and national benefactors. Walking through the cemetery is like taking a journey through the history of 19^th and 20^th century Greece. The site is also a place of unique natural beauty with rich vegetation that makes it a safe haven for birds.

Relevant video:

Info

• Address: Anapafseos St.

Bibliography