Thiseio or Thissio (Greek: Θησείο, pronounced [θiˈsio]) is a traditional neighbourhood in the old city of Athens, Greece, northwest of the Acropolis, and surrounded by the archaeological sites of the Agora, Keramikos and Pnyx. The name refers to the Temple of Hephaestus, which was mistakenly known as Thiseion, in reference to Theseus, the mythical king of Athens.

Thiseio
Θησείο
Neighborhood
Homes in Thiseio
Location within Athens municipality
Location within Athens municipality
Coordinates: 37°58′32″N 23°43′00″E / 37.97556°N 23.71667°E / 37.97556; 23.71667
CountryGreece
RegionAttica
CityAthens
Postal code
118 51
Area code210
Websitewww.cityofathens.gr
The ‘Temple of Theseus’ (Temple of Hephaestus), after which the area was named
Statue of Theseus outside the Thiseio metro station
The Entry of King Otto in Athens, Peter von Hess, 1839
A metro line between the Stoa of Attalos and a basilica’s ruins
The Byzantine Church of the Holy Apostles next to the Stoa of Attalos
The Roman-era Philopappos Monument
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, open-air ancient theatre
The National Observatory atop the Hill of Nymphon

The area is famous for its many pedestrian streets, Acropolis views, archaeological sites, churches, synagogues, cafés, open terraces and cultural meeting points.[1][2][3] Thiseio is served by the nearby Thiseio metro station is connected to the other neighbourhoods of the old city of Athens through a network of pedestrian streets passing across the major archaeological sites.

Residential streets

edit

Here is a list of residential streets in the Thiseio area:


Archaeological center

edit

Thiseio is surrounded by hills, heights and historical sites which are within a walking distance. The Ancient Agora of Athens, Stoa of Attalos, the Temple of Hephaestus and Kerameikos Archaeological Museum can be entered from Thiseio; all others: the National Observatory of Athens, Acropolis of Athens, Philopappos Monument, Mouseion Hill, Pnyx, which is considered the birthplace of Democracy and the Mount Lycabettus can be easily reached or viewed from Thiseio. The panoramic views of them and their natural surroundings from the Areopagus height are spectacular, especially by night.

Historical landmarks

edit

The historical churches of Agia Marina,[5] the church of Agii Assomati,[6] the church of Agios Athanasios Kourkouris[7][8] and many others are situated in Thiseio.[9] Also, situated in Thiseio are the two synagogues of modern Athens, Etz Chaim or Romaniote Synagogue and the Sepharadi Beth Shalom, the Holocaust Memorial of Athens as well as the ancient Synagogue in the Agora of Athens inside the archaeological site. Beautifully restored neoclassical homes, small streets and many architectural landmarks and archaeological sites make Thiseio one of the most cultural, picturesque, distinguished and peaceful neighbourhoods of Athens and one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Acropolis. [10] Due to Thiseio’s position, adjacently to other traditional and historical neighbourhoods and the major archaeological sites, pedestrian-only streets join them. Therefore, Athenians go for a leisurely walk around Thissio and enjoy cultural events and promenades along narrow serpentine-like paths which twist their way through historical sites.

Apostolou Pavlou is a pedestrianized street which meets Dionysiou Areopagitou Street to form the main pedestrian zone around the archaeological site of Agora from Thiseio to the Acropolis. There are numerous small and friendly boutique shops, restaurants, cafés where people readily are welcomed and invited to socialize at leisure; all set in a quiet enclave and frequented by both tourists and locals alike.

As one of the many entertainment centers of the city of Athens, Thiseio is rich in history and culture. It has museums, galleries, the two synagogues of Athens, exhibition centers[11] and open-air theatres and cinemas.[12]

 
 
Thiseio
Location of Thiseio in central Athens

Notable people

edit

The N.O.A Meteorological Station

edit

The National Observatory of Athens handles the most antique meteorological station in Greece and one of the oldest in Southern Europe. The station is located at the center of Athens, in the Thiseio neighbourhood (Hill of Nymphs). The A class Meteorological station has been located at the same position from the 11th of September 1890; while it started its operation in 1858 at a different location in Thiseio. [13]


Climate data for Downtown Athens (1991–2020), Extremes (1890–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.8
(73.0)
25.3
(77.5)
28.2
(82.8)
32.2
(90.0)
37.6
(99.7)
44.8
(112.6)
42.8
(109.0)
43.9
(111.0)
38.7
(101.7)
36.5
(97.7)
30.5
(86.9)
23.1
(73.6)
44.8
(112.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13.3
(55.9)
14.2
(57.6)
17.0
(62.6)
21.1
(70.0)
26.5
(79.7)
31.6
(88.9)
34.3
(93.7)
34.3
(93.7)
29.6
(85.3)
24.4
(75.9)
18.9
(66.0)
14.4
(57.9)
23.3
(73.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4)
10.8
(51.4)
13.1
(55.6)
16.7
(62.1)
21.8
(71.2)
26.6
(79.9)
29.3
(84.7)
29.4
(84.9)
25.0
(77.0)
20.3
(68.5)
15.6
(60.1)
11.6
(52.9)
19.2
(66.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8)
7.3
(45.1)
9.2
(48.6)
12.3
(54.1)
17.0
(62.6)
21.6
(70.9)
24.2
(75.6)
24.4
(75.9)
20.4
(68.7)
16.2
(61.2)
12.2
(54.0)
8.7
(47.7)
15.0
(59.0)
Record low °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3)
−5.7
(21.7)
−2.6
(27.3)
1.7
(35.1)
6.2
(43.2)
11.8
(53.2)
16
(61)
15.5
(59.9)
8.9
(48.0)
5.9
(42.6)
−1.1
(30.0)
−4.0
(24.8)
−6.5
(20.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 55.6
(2.19)
44.4
(1.75)
45.6
(1.80)
27.6
(1.09)
20.7
(0.81)
11.6
(0.46)
10.7
(0.42)
5.4
(0.21)
25.8
(1.02)
38.6
(1.52)
70.8
(2.79)
76.3
(3.00)
433.1
(17.06)
Average relative humidity (%) 72.0 70.0 66.0 60.0 56.0 50.0 42.0 47.0 57.0 66.0 72.0 73.0 60.9
Average ultraviolet index 2 3 5 7 9 10 10 9 6 4 2 2 6
Source 1: Cosmos, scientific magazine of the National Observatory of Athens[14]
Source 2: Meteoclub[15][16]

References

edit
  1. ^ English text and photos of old Athens and Thissio
  2. ^ View photos from five walking routes and Athens by night
  3. ^ "Thiseio Photo Guide".
  4. ^ Click on the photo ‘Ayios Athanasios von Kourkouris’. The church is located at 2 Eptachalkou Street
  5. ^ Choose ‘Athens-Observatory and Agia Marina church’ from the list. The church of Agia Marina is located very near the National Observatory of Athens
  6. ^ Agii Assomati church of 11th century
  7. ^ Agios Athanasios Kourkouris, old church on a rock
  8. ^ "Two churches, the new and the old". Archived from the original on 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
  9. ^ Informative text in Greek
  10. ^ The sign outside the Thissio Metro station
  11. ^ Melina Mercouri Cultural Center, at the road junction of Irakleidon and Poulopoulou Streets
  12. ^ Cine-thission-open-air-cinema
  13. ^ "Το αρχείο του Θησείου". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Το 'νέο' κλίμα της Αθήνας - Περίοδος 1991-2020". National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Το κλίμα της Αθήνας". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Το αρχείο του Θησείου". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
edit
View of the Parthenon