Kolonaki

Kolonaki (Greek Κολωνάκι, literally, small pillar ') is a district in the center of the Greek capital Athens. Kolonaki is a wealthy, elegant district, meeting place of the Athenian " in-crowd " of intellectuals and artists.

Location

Kolonaki is east of Syntagma Square, located at the southwestern foot of Lycabettus hill, southeast of the district Exarchia.

Center of the neighborhood is the Kolonaki Square (Greek Πλατεία Κολωνακίου, officially: Filikis - Eterias - space ) on which the unassuming ancient column stands, after which the district is named. The square is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, popular meeting place, rich and beautiful ' and promenade Athens. In the neighboring streets Tsakalof, Skoufa Voukourestiou and concentrate numerous fashion and jewelry stores, high-end boutiques, galleries, cafes and bars. Some labels of the international haute couture operate stores here.

At the upper end of the quarter the platia forms Dexamenis (Greek Πλατεία Δεξαμενής, water storage - space ') another center. The square is named after an ancient cistern that belonged to a scale of Emperor Hadrian in the second century aqueduct and was taken in the 19th century again. Here is an open-air cinema and the luxurious St. George Lycabettus Hotel. Nearby connects the Lycabettus Funicular Kolonaki with the peak of Lycabettus.

Character

Kolonaki was once considered the embassy district of Athens. On Vasilissis - Sofia Boulevard, which limits the district to the south, are located next to the Foreign Ministry in classical buildings, the Egyptian, the French and the Italian Embassy, not far from the British and American, and only 50 meters away in a side street, Loukianou, the German Embassy. Also, the Benaki Museum in a neoclassical mansion and the Museum of Cycladic Art ( Goulandris Museum) are located here, a number of other museums, including the Byzantine Museum, the War Museum and the Costume Museum in the Dimokritos Street.

In the 1920s and 1930s originated in Kolonaki many modern apartment buildings, introduced the functionalism in Athens. With high ceilings, large balconies, elevator, concierge lodge etc. they were much more comfortable and luxurious than the later apartment buildings in other districts.

Kolonaki was once regarded as a residential district of writers, artists and students. After it had increasingly come into fashion, it is now the most expensive residential area in the center of Athens; it competes with the outlying suburbs elegant Kifissia to the north and the south of Attica Glyfada. Numerous celebrities have an apartment in the neighborhood. With numerous bars, taverns and ouzeries with outdoor seating in the evening there is a lively atmosphere.