LIVING ATHENS

The city has taken the name from Athena, the goddess of the wisdom and the knowledge. The capital of Greece is famous in the world for its importance in the arts and in the culture. Here the democracy saw the light. Here the Parthenon, one of the architecture masterpiece, was created. Here Pericles pronounced his famous speech, the Epitaph, considered the monument of the word. In the conscience of the hole civil world Athens represents the symbol of the freedom, of the art and of the democracy.
The center of the city is dominated by two hills: the Acropolis, with monuments of the age of Pericles, and Lycabettus hill with the beautiful church of Saint George, from where there is a wonderful panoramic view.
Today Athens is a modern town, lively and unbridled, but also romantic and fascinating. There are suburban areas that have been revalued, like Bournazi Square famous for its night-life, or the quarter of Kifisa with its elegant street and stores.
The cheerful day-life of Athens is above all in the ancient quarters, like Plaka and Monastiraki, dominated by the Acropolis. Here the cafeterias and the restaurants have their tables disposed along the alleys and in the small squares. Here are most of the artisans shops, which expose the local art handicrafts like jewels and silver, there are also a large range of restaurants and café shops and the central market.
Athens is one Mediterranean metropolis that privileges the open air life, here people love to pass the free time tasting a café between friends, or having a nice traditional greek lunch in a tavern.

To know more:
www.cityofathens.gr/portal/site/AthensPortalEN
www.ente-turismoellenico.com/Cosa_Sapere/viaggio_virtuale/attika/attika_1.htm (Italian)

Reportage: 150 photos on CD-Rom