Athens is the biggest city in Greece and its capital. Here are some interesting facts about Athens which you may not know.
- Athens is one of the oldest city in the world with over 3,400 years of recorded history.
- Although the capital of Greece since 1834 it was not the first. Nafplio, located in East Peloponnese, was the capital of the First Hellenic Repubic.
- There is an area in the center of Athens that you will feel like being on an island. It is called Anafiotika with its name coming from Anafi, a small island in the Aegean Sea.
- You might witness this as you walk around and in some Metro Stations, the city is full of ancient ruins underneath.
- Athens is the birthplace of democracy. Actually it comes from the Greek word “dimokratia”.
- Athens has approximately 270 days of sunshine.
- Lycabettous hill is the highest point (277 meters above sea level) in the city. You may walk up or use the cable car. The views are breathtaking.
- Athens has more than 90 open air cinemas. Some even offer views to the Acropolis which makes it difficult to enjoy a movie J. Cine Thisseion opened is 1935!
- Acropolis was close to be added as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
- The Zappeion in the National Gardens was built specifically for the revival of the first modern Olympic Games.
- Panathenaic Stadium also called Kalimarmaro is the only stadium in the world that as hosted three Olympic Games