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gm2263
December 24th, 2004, 10:54 PM
Όπως δημοσιεύτηκε στο τμήμα "Skyscrapers and Skylines". Πατήστε εδώ (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=162448) για να μεταφερθείτε αν θέλετε.

A, και να μην ξεχαστώ: ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ ΚΑΙ ΚΑΛΕΣ ΓΙΟΡΤΕΣ παλιόπαιδα. Ό,τι καλύτερο για μας και την πατρίδα μας :grouphug:.

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As everybody knows, Santiago Calatrava, one of the most renowned architects or our time was appointed to renovate the Athens Olympic Stadium and its vicinity, thus giving to the city of Athens and the northern suburb of Maroussi a fresh look with some of the most brilliant pieces of architecture that Athens saw in its modern history.

However, few know that SC also designed another monument outside the confines of the OAKA-the main Athens Olympic Complex, and specifically, at some 1.5 km distance from where I live. The place is actually at the junction of the Messoghion and Katehaki Avenues, close to the mount Hymettus and serves a huge number of commuters apart from the junction itself, there is a metro station (LIne 3, Katehaki) and a small bus terminal serving a dozen lines or so. Notably, this is THE ONLY Calatrava construction outside the Athens Olympic Complex :):):):)

Close to this area as we will see in the pictures are, from the west side of the Messighion Anenue a densely populated district of Athens called Ellinorosson (the Hellenes-Russians district) probably because in earlier times, the place was inhabited by Greeks from the Black sea.

Anyway, on the east side there are some sizeable developments, namely the 401 Army Hospital, the 431 (I think) Air Force Hospital, the 17-storey Ministry of Public Order, all built during the 1970's, but seen many renovations over the years. They are visible from the bridge which was built

When Calatrava showed the designs of this bridge he said that he was inspired by the ancient Hellenic ships. I personally think that this bridge resembles a giant harp. In any case, the bridge was completed just before the Athens Olympic games and true, it resembles to a giant harp. The mast which constitutes the cetrepiece of this work is I reckon, some 50 - 60m tall. The bridge helps pedestrians to cross the junction and has full disabled persons access with escalators and elevators directly connected to the metro station under it.

The pictures that follow were taken last August, that is, amidst the Athens Olympic games. That's why in some pictures you see all those coloured drapes that were hanging from buildings and streetlights all over the city.


-The bridge seen from Messogeion Avenue looking to the north.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361573/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+7+-+Towards+Junction+Ground+2.jpg


-As above, taking a good picture of the size and the shape of the mast

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361577/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+8+-+The+Mast.jpg


-As above, picture depicting the newly planted flowers on the spot.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361578/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+6+-+Towards+Junction+Ground.jpg


-Unreal picture depicting the base of the structure from the side of the Ellinorosson district. This is probably the picture that Salvatore Dali might have taken of the structure...

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361579/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+3+-+The+Underbelly.jpg


-The bridge and how it blends with the mid-rises of the area. We see the mast, with the Army hospital (left) and the Ministry of Public Order (right)

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361581/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+4+-+Towards+401MH+Ground.jpg

-View of the junction from the bridge looking south. The houses of the Ellinorosson district are visible...

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361580/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+2+-+View+South+2.jpg


-As above, zoomed a bit. Part of the top of the Politeia Business Centre (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=170304) is visible to the vigilant eye :D

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361585/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+1+-+View+South.jpg


-Looking east while on the bridge. Here you see the walkway, the mast and the government builidings, mentioned before.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361587/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+11+-+View+East+-+401+MH+and+Neighbourhood.jpg


-Looking east from the tip of the bridge. This is part of the 401 Army Hospital and the parking fro the metro station

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361586/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+9+-+401+Military+Hospital.jpg


-Looking East-South East. Part of the ground level of the junction with the 17-storey Ministry of Public Order (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=148980)

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361588/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+12+-+View+East+-+Ministry+of+PO.jpg


-Looking North we see the part of Messogeion Avenue which is submerging under street level.

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361589/0/Calatrava+Katehaki+10+-+View+North+-+Messogeion+Avenue.j

...aaaaand, again, the vigilant eye of the author cannot leave without taking a distant look of the 18-storey Messogeion Avenue Twin Towers (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=103328) located some 700m from this structure, the only real twin towers in Athens built on sloping ground and belonging to one of a handful of midrise residential tower blocks in Athens. Taken with a big magnification and offered to you as a bonous from THE ONE AND ONLY GREEK HIGHRISE FREAK IN THIS FORUM :).

http://briefcase.pathfinder.gr/download/gm22633/30498/361590/0/Messogeion+Twins+from+calatrava.jpg

Finally, thank you for bearing with me, all the best, merry Christmas and a happy new year and if you read this on the night of the 24 to the 25th of December, feast yourselves at maximum warp speed this and the coming nights :):):):):):):)

zafiris
December 24th, 2004, 11:19 PM
Καταπληκτικό. ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ

Christos7
December 25th, 2004, 01:12 AM
gm, incredible thread. bravo sou.

I love when you make threads like these, and I hope you keep doing them. :)

Allan
December 25th, 2004, 01:25 AM
gm, wonderful views. Specially the streets with the mountain behind look amazingly beautiful.
As for the bridge, it is very nice. I don't know if you have been to Toronto but there is a bridge in Mississauga, which resembles this bridge. It is so cute.
Thanx for sharing.

Mr. T
December 25th, 2004, 04:57 AM
Para poli orea photographies gm. I Athina alaxi yia to kalo kathi mera. :bow:

Arpels
December 25th, 2004, 05:07 PM
Bravo!! Calatrava is fantastic.

gm2263
December 30th, 2004, 12:16 PM
First of all, I wish to thank all the visitors of this thread. True, this bridge looks fantastic, although I would prefer it to be somewhere on Kifissias Avenue where the environment is more modern. However, due to this structure, this area has been transformed completely and I must admit that the views from the bridge are impressive.

Anyway, wish you all a very happy new year with prosperity, health and happiness... :)

zafiris
January 1st, 2005, 01:20 AM
http://assets.in.gr/dGenesis/assets/Content200/Photo/10416_b.jpg

Giorgio
January 6th, 2005, 08:09 AM
Panagia mou! I have always loved this bridge when i first saw a picture of it. i didnt no where it was and now i know its in my home land! Can i post these pics in the brifdges forum if it isnt posted already?

gm2263
January 6th, 2005, 11:55 AM
Of course you can Christo. They are all mine except the one posted by Zafiris and I would gladly see them elsewhere promoting our country and its beauties. Go ahead. :):):)

Christos7
April 30th, 2005, 04:32 AM
Bump :D

sts
April 30th, 2005, 04:00 PM
Great bridge!

SEED
May 1st, 2005, 06:57 PM
nice bridge! guess it will be nice if itz lit up at nite!

Raleigh-NC
May 2nd, 2005, 03:05 PM
Great shots!!!! Thanks for posting these pics :okay:


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