Kotzia Square ( el, Πλατεία Κοτζιά) is a square in central

Athens Athens ( ; el, Αθήνα, Athína ; grc, Ἀθῆναι, Athênai (pl.) ) is both the capital and largest city of Greece. With a population close to four million, it is also the seventh largest city in the European Union. Athens dominates ...

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders ...

. The square retains several characteristics of 19th-century local

neoclassical architecture Neoclassical architecture is an architectural style produced by the Neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century in Italy and France. It became one of the most prominent architectural styles in the Western world. The prevailing style ...

, such as the City Hall of the Municipality of Athens and the

National Bank of Greece The National Bank of Greece (NBG; el, Εθνική Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος) is a global banking and financial services company with its headquarters in Athens, Greece. 85% of the company's pretax preprovision profits are derived ...

Cultural Center. It is named after Konstantinos Kotzias, former Mayor of Athens.

Location

The square is surrounded by the following streets: Efpolidos Street to the north,

Athinas Street Athinas Street ( el, Οδός Αθηνάς) is a street in downtown Athens in Greece. It is named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The street runs from Ermou Street north to Omonoia Square through the Psiri neighborhood. Its total length ...

to the west, Kratinou to the south, and

Aiolou Street Aiolou Street (also Eolou Street; el, Οδός Αιóλου) is a street in downtown Athens, the Greek capital. It is named after Aeolus, the god of winds in Greek mythology. The street is one-way and originally ran entirely southbound but sin ...

from the east. The square itself is south of Omonia Square and north of Monastiraki square. Kotzia square lies in front of the City Hall of the Municipality of Athens,Kotzia Square/City Hall Plaza/National Resistance Square Page.
Greeceathensageaninfo.com. (designed by Panagis Kalkos) and is decorated with busts of famous Athenians such as

Pericles Pericles (; grc-gre, Περικλῆς; c. 495 – 429 BC) was a Greek politician and general during the Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Athenian politics, particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Pelo ...

and

Solon Solon ( grc-gre, Σόλων; BC) was an Athenian statesman, constitutional lawmaker and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in Archaic Athens.Aristotle ''Politics'' ...

History

Built in 1874, the square was formerly known as ''Loudovikou square''. During the 2004 Summer Olympics, it served as the start and finish venue of the Athens historic centre circuit for the men's and women's road race events, as well as for various artistic events.

Excavations

In the middle of Kotzia square classical antiquities have been uncovered that include a large part of an ancient road, tombs and a small building. The square is situated just outside the ancient Acharnian Gate of Classical Athens. It was called Acharnian because through it passed the road to the Acharnai. There are remains of the city wall as well as extended parts of the front

rampart Rampart may refer to: * Rampart (fortification), a defensive wall or bank around a castle, fort or settlement Rampart may also refer to: * "O'er the Ramparts We Watched" is a key line from "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the ...

and the moat.

References

External links

Old photos of Kotzia square.
Venues of the 2004 Summer Olympics Olympic cycling venues Squares in Athens {{Summer-Olympic-venue-stub