The most beautiful outdoor sculptures across Attica
It’s not only the National Archeological Museum of Athens, the Acropolis Museum, the Archeological Museum of Kythera or the Kapralos Museum of Aegina that host sculptures of sublime beauty. The streets, squares, parks and other points of interest in Attica, the Athens Greater Region, are embellished with remarkable art pieces manifesting the evolution of sculpture in Greece. Start from the city center looking for hidden gems or even find yourself on the islands for more artistic creations.
At the quadrangle of the Academy of Athens, the statues of goddess Athena and god Apollo are affixed on 10m pillars of ionic order, crafted by Leonidas Drosis. Close enough, the 2.40m-high statues of Socrates and Plato are standing there since 1885, sculpted out of Penteli marble by the Italian sculptor Piccarelli.
The equestrian statue of Theodoros Kolokotronis, the pre-eminent leader of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire which broke out in 1821, adorns the square in front of the National Historical Museum (Old Parliament House). Created by Lazaros Sochos, the statue depicts the hero in a dynamic stance, outstretching his right hand to point to a specific direction.
Zappeion features quite a lot of sculptures in its outdoor spaces, but two of them really stand out; the Eros Archer by Georgios Vroutos and the Woodcutter by Dimitris Filippotis. In the first, the god of love sits naked, trying to break his bow, whilst the second uniquely combines elegance and power, elevating a simple wood breaking into a true masterpiece.
The First Cemetery of Athens is the most notable open-air sculpture exhibition in Greece, hosting among others the fabled “Sleeping Maiden” of Giannoulis Chalepas. Shining out for its expressiveness, the work adorns the grave of Sofia Afentaki, daughter of Konstantinos Afentakis, a wealthy merchant at the time. One of the many urban legends about the girl’s death has it that she was in love with an Italian tenor, yet her father did not approve of their affair. Overwhelmed with sorrow, Sofia decided to put an end to her life and poisoned herself.
Walking along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, you come across the Runner, a full-body sculpture created by Costas Varotsos looming over the Great School of the Nation square. An example of modern art, this sculptural intervention is made of glass and praises speed and power. Initially placed at Omonoia Square, the Runner finally took its current position in 1994.
Heading east to the area of Marathon, visitors can admire the statue of Miltiades at the legendary tumulus of the Marathon fighters; with a gesture signifying that there is nothing more for invaders to conquer, the great Athenian general, in charge of the great victory in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, is portrayed militant and upright.
An island-hopping trip is the perfect occasion for admiring the galore of sculptures spread along the Attican islands. For instance, standing in the heart of the port of Spetses, the statue of Bouboulina, the iconic heroine of 1821, was created by sculptor Natalia Mela. Shading her eyes with the palm of her left hand, the female figure scans the sea horizon.
On the island of Hydra, atop the left bastion of the port, the imposing statue of Andreas Miaoulis, the admiral who played a leading role in the revolution of 1821, holds a ship’s wheel in one hand and his looking glass in the other. Trivia: his actual bones are kept in the pedestal below the statue. Made by the famous American artist Jeff Koons, the Apollo Wind Spinner, a 9.1m-wide reflective wind spinner made of bronze and copper and depicting god Apollo, welcomes visitors as they step foot on the island’s port.
Your artistic tour in the Saronic Gulf could not but include the island of Aegina and the “Mother” sculpture of Christos Kapralos. Made of copper, this masterpiece stands in the square just outside the museum dedicated to Christos Kapralos, an internationally praised sculptor. Here, visitors are “greeted” by “Aegina Gate”, crafted by renowned Costas Varotsos. Combining glass and metal, this large-scale (5m-high!) installation changes its coloring, adapting to sunlight throughout the day. Take a look at the sculpture “Untitled” by Yannis Moralis on the coastal Kazantzakis Avenue. This truly inspiring artist uniquely portrayed two ships, one leaving and one reaching the island of Aegina. All these artworks form part of the enchanting “artists’ route”, a must-do 3km-long seaside walk!
The Mermaid statue in Poros, created by the eminent local sculptor Georgios Xenoulis is a true landmark of the island, while in Salamina, placed on the top of the Tomb of the Salamina Fighters, a bronze sculpture dedicated to the naval battle of Salamis was crafted by sculptor Achilleas Vassiliou. Overlooking the sea where the famous battle took place in 480 BC, this statue stands bold and fiercely reminds of this historic milestone.
The list with sculptures gracing the outdoor spaces in Attica is way too long. However, the above tips are a good starting point for walking around the greater Athens region and taking a closer look to the true masterpieces towering above you. Just give it a try!
