Akadimia Platonos Explained

Akadimia Platonos
Native Name:Ακαδημία Πλάτωνος
Native Name Lang:el
Settlement Type:Neighborhood
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Athens
Coordinates:37.9933°N 23.7117°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Greece
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Attica
Subdivision Type2:City
Subdivision Name2:Athens
Postal Code Type:Postal code
Postal Code:104 41
Area Code:210
Website:www.cityofathens.gr

Akadimia Platonos (in Greek, Modern (1453-); pronounced as /akaðiˈmia ˈpla.to.nos/) literally meaning Plato's Academy, is a neighbourhood located 3km (02miles) west-northwest of the downtown part of the Greek capital of Athens.

History

The area is named after Plato's Academy, which he founded in the area in 387 BC and which continued to operate until it was destroyed by the Roman dictator Sulla in 86 BC.[1] Excavations of Ancient artefacts began in 1929 and continue to the present day, under the auspices of the third General Directorate of Antiquities.

The area saw housing developments in the early part of the 20th century when Athens began to grow. An industrial zone was also laid out during this time. The area was mostly urbanised during the period after World War II and the civil war.

Present day

The area is densely populated, with people mainly living in five to seven-story buildings. Major streets bordering this subdivision include Lenorman Avenue to the east, Palamidou Street to the south and Athinon Avenue (GR-8 and GR-8A and E90 westbound.)

The two main squares are Akademia Platonos and Metaxa. The population is approximately 15,000.

Residential streets

Several residential streets are named after places in the Peloponnese, famous people, and myths.

Aimonos Street
Alamanas Street
Alexandrias Street
Amplianis Street
Angelopoulou Street
Argous Street
Astrous Street
Dimosthenous Street
Epidavrou Street
Efrosynis Street
Efkleidis Street
Flioudos Street
Gordiou Street
Levidiou Street
Marathonomachon Street
Milou Street
Monastiraki Street
Nafpliou Street
Nevrokopiou Street
Platonos Street
Pylou Street
Serron Street
Tilefanous Street
Themiskyras Street
Tileou Street
Tripoleos Street
Vassilikon Street
Vourbiani Street

Amenities

Akadimia Platonos has schools, lyceums (middle schools), gymnasia (secondary schools), churches, banks, shops and squares (plateies). The nearest Athens Metro subway station is to the east (Metaxourgeio metro station).

Akadimia Platonos has also given its name to the title of a movie screened in Locarno Film Festival 2009 directed by Filippos Tsitos.

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/B/bo5550077.html Lindberg, David C. (2007). The Beginnings of Western Science