By the Banks of The River Ilissos
ΣΤΙΣ ΟΧΘΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΤΑΜΟΥ ΙΛΙΣΣΟΥ
"Athens from the Ilissos", by G. N. Wright, 1842.
The River Ilissos (Ιλισός or Ιλισσός or Ειλισσός) is one of the two rivers of Athens, first known from signs of 5 cent BC. It drains the western slopes of Mt. Hymettos, and originates from several converging seasonal creeks.
As urban Athens expanded in the 19th and, even worse, in early 20th centuries, the river became a source of pollution and was gradually converted into a rainwater runoff conduit, covered with streets that track its original, twisting route, along the lay of the land.
The River Ilissos bed flows under Mesogeion Avenue at the Old Gendarmerie Academy, runs under Michalakopoulou (the modern-day suburb of Ilissia) and Vassileos Constantinou Avenues, and passes in front of the Panathinaiko Olympic Stadium, where it was bridged in the 19th century. The river used to flow along the fortification walls of Athens. Its banks -in the busy intersection that today features the Hilton Hotel and the National Gallery- were grassy and shaded by plane trees, and were considered idyllic in antiquity. The temple of Pankrátēs, a local hero, was located there, giving its name to the modern suburb of Pankrati.
As urban Athens expanded in the 19th and, even worse, in early 20th centuries, the river became a source of pollution and was gradually converted into a rainwater runoff conduit, covered with streets that track its original, twisting route, along the lay of the land.
The River Ilissos bed flows under Mesogeion Avenue at the Old Gendarmerie Academy, runs under Michalakopoulou (the modern-day suburb of Ilissia) and Vassileos Constantinou Avenues, and passes in front of the Panathinaiko Olympic Stadium, where it was bridged in the 19th century. The river used to flow along the fortification walls of Athens. Its banks -in the busy intersection that today features the Hilton Hotel and the National Gallery- were grassy and shaded by plane trees, and were considered idyllic in antiquity. The temple of Pankrátēs, a local hero, was located there, giving its name to the modern suburb of Pankrati.
By Hera! What a fine place for rest! How large and tall this platanus tree is! And, this chestnut tree, how magnificent is its shade and majestic its branches! These places are all in bloom and balmy. A delicious spring ripples at the roots of this platanus and by dipping our feet we may feel the coolness if its waters. To judge by these figurines and statues one might say that this abode is consecrated to Nymphs and to the Acheloos river. How the air that we breathe here is sweet and agreeable! It is like the perfume of Summer, harmonious with the chorus of grasshoppers. But, what I like best, is this soft turf, thick enough to rest our heads comfortably, stretching ourselves on this gently inclined ground. My dear Phaedros, thou could have not lead me to a better place!
Plato, Phaedros
In the ancient times, Ilissos was considered to be a sacred river. It was believed that the Nine Muses used to live on its banks and there was a sanctuary named "the Altar of the Ilissiads". Ilisos was also a semi-god, the son of Poseidon and Demetra, and was worshiped in a sanctuary on the Ardittos Hill, next to the current Panathinaiko Olympic Stadium. This area was called Cynosarges in antiquity, and the spring of Kallirrhóē was located there. Among the many legends and stories that are supposed to have taken place by the banks of Ilissos, this is where King Kodros sacrificed himself to save Athens from the invading Dorians. Ilissos River then flows to the southeastern flank of the ruined Temple of Olympian Zeus, where it is still visible amidst reed beds, next to the church of Agia Foteini "of Ilissos". As is the case for the majority of the Christian churches in Greece, the church of Agia Foteini, established in 1872, is built on the ruins of an ancient temple, dedicated to Hecate.
New 2014 archaeological finds identify the ruins of yet one more 4th Century B.C. temple, dedicated to Zeus, "Μειλίχιον Δία", in the vicinity of that of the 5th C. B.C. ionic temple of Artemis (Diana) Agrotera, a bit higher up on the same slope of the hill, which is thought to have been called "Agrai". It was here that the illustrious goddess was celebrated every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. The Archon in charge would offer goats for sacrifice and the tithe of the sale of war prisoners, while the Athenian youth passed in procession. The importance of this hill was due to the Lesser Mysteries, celebrated every year in the month of Anthesterion (February-March) as a form of initiation of the Great Eleusinian Mysteries. The Hill of Agrai goes as far as the Stadion and is known under the name of Ardettos or Helicon.
Here the visitor may also discover the Shrine of the God Pan. This rocky outcrop with a small natural cave and two perpendicular faces was found to carry a relief of the god Pan. This deity of the wild nature was regularly worshiped in caves and rocky terrain. Pan is depicted striding to the right with the "pipes of Pan" in his right hand and a stick for hunting hare on the left. Others believe that this is the Shrine of the Nymphs and the river god Acheloos, with a spring of cold water, a plane tree and a willow, where, as Plato writes, Socrates and Phaedros sat during their philosophical chats. Ilissos then flows under Thesseos Avenue, in the suburb of Kallithea, its original course turning sharply northwest to join the Kifissos River, of which it was once a tributary. The Ilissos is now routed straight to sea, coming to surface and running into the Saronic Gulf in the middle of Faleron Bay.
Acropolis view from the rooftop of The Athenian Callirhoe Exclusive Hotel.
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In the vicinity of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the church of Agia Foteini and the course of Ilissos River, we recommend The Athenian Callirhoe Exclusive Hotel, a 4-star boutique hotel combining the ultimate in style and luxury and an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers.
It features free Wi-Fi, a Fitness Center, Babysitting/Child Services, Non-Smoking Rooms, Room Service, a Restaurant, and American Breakfast. The hotel is located next to the Syngrou-Fix Metro and tram stations, and offers easy accessibility on foot to Athens' major points of interest. |
 | Athens Riverside: A Journey in Mythical Athens Through this tour you will visit ancient sanctuaries dedicated to mystery gods, Christian churches that replaced the ancient temples, caves and Roman baths. You will learn of urban myths, you will see the remains of ancient Athenian neighborhoods and visit Pnyx Hill, Philoppapos Hill and Ilissos riverside |
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 | First Cemetery of Athens Walking Tour The official cemetery of Athens, the city’s First Cemetery, isn’t just a historic landmark: given its wealth of beautiful carvings and ornamental gravesites, On this 3-hour, small-group walking tour, |
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