The area I live in:Kallithea

General Facts The name "Kallithea" comes from the Greek words "κάλλος" and "θέα" which mean "beautiful view", because of the view it had of the Saronic Gulf.

Kallithea's symbol shows Theseus, one of the greatest Greek mythological heroes trying to lift the rock under which his father had left his sword and sandals for him to find when he grew up. The biggest and most famous street in Kallithea, Thiseos Boulevard or El. Venizelou as known today, was named after him. It is believed that the connection between Theseus and Kallithea is that when he came from Crete he reached the shore today known as Tzitzifies and the celebrations for his return took place in Kallithea.

General FactsKallithea was founded in 1884 by members of high society as a place near the city where they could build their summer houses., but it officially became a municipality in 1934.

One of the most important heroes of the Greek-Italian war in 1940, colonel Konstantinos Davakes, resided at Kallithea. His statue decorates the central square of Kallithea, which has been named after him.

Many other famous Greeks lived there and as a result, in Kallithea there are many squares and streets named after them, such as: Laskaridou, Xarokopou, Kremou etc.

History In 1884, a new suburb named ‘Kallithea" was established by the Euthymios Kehagias’ Building Company S.A. The first house-plans were designed by the famous German architect Ernst Ziller. At the beginning of the 20th century Kallithea included many neoclassic mansions that were mainly used as summer-houses.

The area where it was placed has always been advantageous. Within a short distance from Athens, though not within Athens itself and near the sea, Kallithea boasted until the beginning of the 20th century as a quite "picturesque landscape". Also, the land was particularly fertile due to the River Ilissos flowing through its northern section.

Kallithea’s inclusion in the architectural plan of Athens in combination with an increase in its population associated the new suburb with the revival of the Olympic Games. The shooting games of the 1st Olympiad took place at the Kallithea Skopefterion.

Finally, the arrival of many refugees from Asia Minor and Pontos changed drastically Kallithea’s character. Slowly, the town was transformed into an important industrial and trading centre.

Throughout the 20th century, Kallithea has been a major centre of intellectual and artistic activity. Over the years many important writers, poets, painters, sculptors etc that have significantly enriched Greek cultural life, have lived there.

Education In the municipality of Kallithea there are: 11 day nurseries, 25 kindergartens, 27 public elementary schools, 14 public junior high schools and 8 public high schools.

There are three significant educational institutions operating in Kallithea:

Harokopeion School of Home Εconomics and Professions for Women (1915), which was a donation of the Greek benefactor, Panagis Xarokopos.

Panteios Supreme School of Political Sciences (1927)

and Sivitanideios Public School of Trade and Vocations (1927) another donation of brothers Sivitanidi.

There is also the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center (O.C.S.C.), a hospital specializing in cardiovascular surgery and in diagnostic and interventional cardiology.

Xarokopeion University Panteios University

Sivitaneidios University Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center

Monuments& Architecture

As a result of all these great benefactors connected to Kallithea, there have been many statues made to honor them that adorn its squares, parks and streets. A very important part of the architecture in Kallithea are the churches. There are 12 churches in Kallithea and the main two are All Saints Church (Greek: Αγίων Πάντων) and St Nicolas (Greek: Αγίου Νικολάου).

Another very important monument is the house of Sofia Laskaridou which was one of the most famous Greek artists of the beginning of the 20th century. The house in now used as an art gallery.

Art Gallery St Barbara's Church

Statue of Sofia Mauroeidi

All Saints’ Churchstatue in honor of the fallen in

battle

Environment Kallithea is a place for people of all ages. There children can find parks, courts and many playgrounds. While there are also many events planned, especially for the elderly.

Entertainment With regard to entertainment, Kallithea has an interesting past, as Tzitzifies had been an important rebetiko music centre from the early 1920s until the 1970s.

Today, Kallithea has an equally interesting present. In its centre square there are many restaurants, cafés, bars and shops since it used to have a very well known market. There are also many cinemas as well as a few theaters in the rest of the area.

Kallithea is, for all of us fortunate enough to be growing up here, a unique place, offering many advantages since it's a place where families can live, teenagers can entertain themselves, young people can go out and elders can have a quiet walk while maintaining a rare feeling of neighborhood among the older and recent residents.

Bibliography

http://www.kallithea.gr/files/1/kallithea_history/Kallithea.pdf (e-book)

http://wwk.kathimerini.gr/kath/7days/2003/04/13042003.pdf (online newspaper inset)

www.kallithea.gr

"Η Καλλιθέα και ο τύπος της", Ευαγγελία Γεωργιτσογιαννη, Αλεξάνδρα Κιτσαρα, Νικολινα Μαυρογεωργη (Xarokopeion University)

Papyrus Larousse Britannica vol. 27 p. 673

http://www.kallitheaonline.gr/

photos: personal collection