Stavros Niarchos Park

What I can see

This park is one of the largest in the city and covers an area of ​​approximately 170,000 m². It is not a simply green space, but includes a theatrical stage, venues for concerts and movie screenings, fountains, a circular labyrinth, sports facilities, and hosts frequent exhibitions. The top of the park is located at an altitude of 32 metres, under the 1,000 m² roof of the building housing the Opera and the National Library. The pathways traversing the park are surrounded by pines and olives; these, combined with lower native vegetation, create a rare Mediterranean landscape, thus honouring Greece’s horticultural tradition. Different plants blossom in each season, resulting in a variety of colours throughout the year. The paths serve as a continuation of the streets of Kallithea neighbourhood, and the ultimate goal of the project is to expand and intrude the park further into the urban space. Finally, the park’s water canal is a symbolic rendition of the Ilissos River and an extension of the sea. The entire park is ideal for many activities such as artistic happenings, walks, sailing, and jogging.

What I can't see

The park covers 85% of the area of ​​SNFCC and grows in a mild slope, creating a green roof for the buildings below. It has been designed by internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano, in collaboration with the Deborah Nevins Associates team, renowned for their landscape architecture projects. In the relatively near future, the Moschato Beach Park, which is under construction and covers an area of ​​approximately 600,000 m2, will be merged with Stavros Niarchos Park. The resulting park system, which will include Esplanada and Flisvos Park, will give a real breath to the city and will be one of the largest urban green spaces in Europe. The name of the park comes from the benefactor of the project, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

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