Viktoria Square (originally Kyriakou Square) is a large square in the
Municipality of Athens
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality'' may also mean the go ...
, Greece between 3 September and Aristotelous streets. It was renamed Viktoria in honor of
the Queen of the United Kingdom on the occasion of the annexation of the
Ionian Islands
The Ionian Islands (Modern Greek: , ; Ancient Greek, Katharevousa: , ) are a archipelago, group of islands in the Ionian Sea, west of mainland Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese ("Seven Islands"; , ''Heptanēsa'' or , ''Heptanē ...
to Greece in 1864, as a gift to the enthronement of the Queen's nephew, Prince Christian William Ferdinand Adolf George of Denmark, later
George I of Greece
George I ( Greek: Γεώργιος Α΄, romanized: ''Geórgios I''; 24 December 1845 – 18 March 1913) was King of Greece from 30 March 1863 until his assassination on 18 March 1913.
Originally a Danish prince, George was born in Copenhage ...
. Underneath the square passes the
Athens Electric Railway at the homonymous stop. The square crosses the streets of Hayden, 3 September and Aristotelous; in its center is the sculptural complex
Theseus saves Hippodamia by
Johannes Pfuhl (1846–1914).
Around the square, the homonymous district has been developed. Since the 1940s the district has been one of Athens' best and most sought after, comparable to
Kolonaki
Kolonaki (, ), literally "Little Column", is an upscale neighborhood in central Athens, Greece. It is located on the southern slopes of Mount Lycabettus. Its name derives from the two metre column (located in Kolonaki Square) that defined the area ...
. On its streets there are important examples of
classical modernism, such as the Spathari block (Mavrommatia street), the Sarantopoulos block (27 Derigni street), as well as the buildings on Heiden 1 and 2. The luxurious apartments of these buildings were addressed to the bourgeoisie of Athens at the time, since they provided a variety of amenities and had high quality architectural elements.
Gradually, the area began to decline, largely due to its abandonment by its original inhabitants. The neighborhood today is generally regarded as degraded and facing problems of crime.
Since the worst days there has been an improvement in the neighborhood around the square, which is linked to the general upgrading of downtown Athens.
References
Gallery
File:Athens metro Victoria station.jpg, The entrance to Metro station
File:Victoria metro station in Athens 02.jpg, The Metro station
File:Victoria-2.jpg, A view of the square
File:Theseus saves Hippodameia, Athens - Pl. Victoria, 2005.JPG, The sculptural complex at the center of the square
{{Landmarks in Athens
Squares in Athens
Monuments and memorials to Queen Victoria