From Kerameikos to Faliro

1. From Kerameikos to Faliro

2. There is a bike lane in Athens that becomes very popular, especially on the weekend. From there we began our amusing journey to Athens of 19th-century, Athens of Bell Epoque, Athens of industrialization and the urban changes of the 20th-century. First attraction is Gazi, an old gas plant that illuminated the city at the time of its industrialization, and along with the steam train showed the road to development in the neophyte capital. A little further down we find Moschato, an area named after the most ancient Greek grape varieties since there was the vineyard and orchard of Athens before industrial development. There was a stop on the train coming from Piraeus for a short rest of the passengers and boarding of the land workers. We follow a part of the underground route of the Ilissos River before the Jizifies district known by the Jizifas, a very beneficial fruit that came from the East whose trees have now almost disappeared. For many years the Hippodrome was in the area responsible for the financial problems of many Athenians. We have arrived at Faliro.

3. The Cultural Center of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which houses the new National Library and National Opera, is today in place of the former Hippodrome. It has striking architecture, many innovations in its operation, surroundings of gardens and an artificial lake and receives thousands of visitors. It is a reference point in the modern coastal zone of the city. From the big esplanade you reach the marinas and the seaside road. We enter the Athenian Riviera by meeting some of the historic ships that are in port and constitute the Naval Museum. It is worth visiting the impeccably maintained AVEROF a ship symbol of the modern history of the Hellenic Navy. The replica of the ancient Athenian trireme is usually anchored there. The trireme was a fast and very manoeuvrable ship that allowed the Athenians to reign supreme and determine the victorious outcome of the naval battles given by the Athenians at the era of the city.’sdomination.There is a summer rowing program in the bay where with a ticket you can become an Argonaut for a few hours. This is where the Athenian Riviera begins, featuring marinas, plage, sandy beaches, and dozens of shops offering coffee, food or drink from morning until late in the night.