Frog Island… in the center of Athens

Once in the center of Athens was… Vatrachonisi! But what exactly was it? Let’s take a tour of the “unknown old Athens”.

Everyone knows the islands that are in Attica, but did you know that once even in the center of Athens there was an island. And this is not a fantasy movie script at all. The island not only existed in reality, but even had its own name – Vatrachonisi.

Of course, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, years have passed, and the islands are no longer on the map of modern Athens. But the most interesting story about him is still alive today.

Vatrachonisi was located in the central part of the city, on the Ilisos Riverbelow the Zappeion, in the area of ​​​​the temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as Olympeion or the columns of Olympian Zeus.

It was a green island of land on the river, which no longer flows in the city center, as before, since its outlet is covered with asphalt. Vatrachonisi (“Frog Island”) was located in front of the Panathinaikos Stadium, on Agios Spyridonos Street.

But what was on this island? In ancient times there were sanctuaries, and later Christian churches. In those years, the area was not developed. The island, and with it the area that was gradually created around it, was called Vatrachonisi. In 1908 the area was renamed Stadiou Ilissos.

Vatrachonisi has not existed for many years, since Ilisos, as we have already said, was covered almost completely along its entire length. Roads now pass over the channel, connecting the center of Athens with other areas of the city.

In addition to Vatrachonisi, Athens had many sights and corners that are no longer there today, or the places have changed a lot. In any case, Athens is now very different, especially compared to the time when it had a much smaller population.

Do you know, for example, about the unknown giant tower on the acropolisthat no longer exists? Also interesting is the history of the area of ​​Athens, where once… windmills, and carriages with cabs followed along the roads.

All in all, Vatrachonisi is one of the many things we need to know about Old Athens, the history of the city and its sights, ancient and present.

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