Eleftherias Park

Eleftherias Park (Freedom Park), is located next to the Athens Concert Hall. It overlooks the busy central avenue of Vasilissis Sofias, in an architecturally diverse area of Athens where there are embassies, hospitals, beautiful neoclassical and other imposing modern buildings. The main features of the park are the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos, the work of the sculptor G. Pappas, and the grassy hills that form a natural "border" between the fast pace of the boulevard and the quiet beauty offered by the setting of the park and the surrounding area, with views of Lycabettus and Ymmitos. It is a green oasis in the heart of Athens, well maintained and ideal for recreation and relaxation - a meeting place and destination for rest, summer afternoon walks and cultural events. At the back of Eleftherias Park, among the greenery and colorful flowers, are four stone buildings with a rich history, listed as historical monuments: they were used for military purposes during the Balkan wars and later as prisons during the dictatorship. The park was named "Eleftherias (Freedom) Park" because many pro-democracy activists were tortured and suffered there during the years of dictatorship. Today it is a place of remembrance and culture. In addition to the memorial area, it houses the Athens Municipality Art Centre, which hosts individual and group art exhibitions (painting, sculpture, engraving, photography, video art, etc.). Residents and visitors to Attica can also enjoy the musical and theatrical performances that take place every year in the building's charming courtyard. Next to the Arts Centre is the two-storey neoclassical building that houses the Eleftherios Venizelos Museum, founded in 1984. The museum's collection includes documents from the time of the important Greek political leader, photographs, his letters, personal items, furniture, archival material and evidence of historical events. Behind the Eleftherios Venizelos Museum is the Memorial and the Museum of the Anti-Dictatorial and Democratic Resistance, run by the Association of Imprisoned and Exiled Resistance Fighters, which displays various photographic documents, evidence and personal belongings of those who fought for democracy. The building - the detention, interrogation and torture rooms - remains as it was at the time, a reminder of the impact of that period. Visitors can combine their walk in the park with a visit to the cafe-restaurant in the area, from breakfast and coffee in the morning to light lunches and cocktails in the evening.