Pedion tou Areos (Champ de Mars)
Pedion tou Areos is a park built in honour of the heroes of the Greek Revolution, whose busts can be seen along the park's main paths.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
From the first half of the 19th century it served as a military exercises field and only on Sundays and holidays stayed open for the recreation of the Athenians.
1863 Since then, and until today, it is used as place for political and trade union gatherings.
1916 During the period of the National Schism, at the site of the current sculpture of Athena, Eleftherios Venizelos was cursed by the pro-royalists (12/12/1916). Protesters threw stones as part of this “curse”, 100,000 of which were stacked at the site.
1920 It was selected as the official site to pay tribute to the heroes of the Greek Revolution.
1925 A gallows is added for the punishment of the public money abusers. During the same period it hosted also refugee camps.
1934 It was decided by law to be regenerated and transferred into the hands of the municipality.
2008 Last renovation.
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
Pedion tou Aeros (Champ de Mars) is one of the largest parks in Athens and occupies, together with the courts of the former Evelpidon Military Academy, an area of about 44.7 acres. The park was built in honour of the heroes of the revolution, whose busts can be seen along the park’s main paths. Among its highlights are Iroon Street, the Ierou Lochou Square, the roses and botanical garden, the statue of Athena, its aria trees and the central pedestrian square. The recent redevelopment study, which has only partly being applied, incorporated bioclimatic principles in order to maintain the style of the park, to plant thousands of new plants, to create different types of walkways, to emphasize the entrances, give access to people with disabilities, upgrade its buildings, equipment and facilities and to maintain the sculptures. The north-western side of the park hosts the “Panellinios” sports club. Today, the park is decaying day by day.
What I can't see
It is named Pedion Areos (Champ of Mars, who was the ancient god of war) because the area hosted military exercises. Before 1860, Pedion tou Aeros had a polygonal rotunda, a place of rest for Athenians. At its centre, the royals would also sit so that citizens could see them. The shape of the rotunda has given its name to Polygono, the area located northeast of the park. In the 19th century, Athenians of all social classes would take their walk on Pedion tou Areos. The decision to build a park here was made within the context of a broader movement for the enhancement of the public aesthetics of Athens.
Info
- Address: Alexandras Av. and Mavromateon St.
Bibliography
http://www.attiko-prasino.gr/default.aspx?tabid=105&language,
Last visit 9/1/13
Yohalas T., Kafetzaki Τ., (2013), Αθήνα, Ιχνηλατώντας την πόλη με οδηγό την ιστορία και τη λογοτεχνία [Athens, Tracing the city guided by history and literature], ESTIA Bookstore
Melampianaki E. (2006), Οι πλατείες της Αθήνας 1834-1945, διαδικασία διαμόρφωσης, λειτουργία- πολεοδομική σημασία, [The squares of Athens 1834-1945, formation process- functionality- urban design importance], NTUA, Ph.D.
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
Platanioti Α., Paraskevopoulou S., Efthymiou Μ., (2011), Ανάπλαση Πεδίου του Άρεως, [Pedion tou Areos restoration], Architectural Study
