Omonoia Square -- the most known, talked about, depicted, used and abused public space of Greece

(Borrowing this photo from EngineerGreece)... this is also by Costas Varotsos

Southern, personally I feel there were so many fine examples of public spaces to "borrow" from. What may look functional on a rendering can fail in real life. I feel that the material used combined with the hot Athens sun was one of the worst decisions made. Along with not addressing the problems of the undesirables in the area and inept and corrupt politicians (like there is a honest politician!)

I live in New York and even that photo of the men congregating on the bench would scare me.

In New York City, Byrant Park on 42nd Street used to be called "Neddle Park" in the 1980s because of all the heroin addicts that made the park their home. In the 1990s, the park was completely redone, cafes were introduced, and events were held to invite the general public to the square. That way, no ONE type of people could have "claimed" the square as their own and "scare off" others. Like Omonoia, it also has a crossworlds of subways tracks and stations.

What if, what if, what if we can have a do-over? Maybe in another 50 years. Oh well.....

^^ those stats are old. It's no secret that over recent times Athens has seen a a sharp rise in crime, including violent crime and homicide.

Extra police to fight violent crime
Police are alarmed by the rise in violent crime in Athens, particularly in the city center, during the last two months and are making an effort to put 500 more officers on patrol in a bid to ensure citizens’ safety.

There have been 10 robberies in the last month in Athens that have led to victims being killed or injured. This week alone, a 30-year-old man was killed in a raid on a gift shop in Patissia. A few days earlier, a 35-year-old employee at a tailor’s shop in the same area was seriously injured after being shot in the head by robbers, while on Saturday the owner of a shop in Omonia was shot by robbers after refusing to hand over his takings.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_1_30/10/2008_101704

The problem has gotten so bad and out of control that Greek officials have pleaded for help from England.

Scotland Yard called in
British experts in Athens this week to help combat resurgent terrorism, crime wave
Counter-terrorism experts from Britain’s Scotland Yard, who helped Greek authorities break up the left-wing militant group November 17 in 2003, are due back in Athens today to advise their Greek counterparts on how to tackle an emerging terror threat and burgeoning crime in the capital, it has emerged.

Sources have told Kathimerini that the appeal to Scotland Yard was made by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis last week following an upsurge in domestic terrorist attacks and street violence.

The British delegation is expected to provide advice on restructuring Greece’s counter-terrorism unit and to recommend tactics for curbing the spiralling lawlessness that has taken over the capital since the police killing of a teenager in central Exarchia last December.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4Dcgi/4Dcgi/_w_articles_politics_11_16/03/2009_105545

Once upon a time Greece could say that it may not be as rich as other countries but it's hospitable and safe. Well it may still not be as rich, but unfortunately on top of that it's not as safe either anymore. Sad but true.

Thalassa said:

Omonoia Square -- the most known, talked about, depicted, used and abused public space of Greece

Omonoia Square - Early 20th Century

Click to expand...

Τhis is not from the early 20th century, it is sometime around 1940-1950. In the 1930's when the metro station was built, they had to have some kind of ventilation. The solution was brilliant: they set up statued of the muses standing agianst a column-like structure, one of which was hollow and acted as a ventilation chimney, too! The bases of the statues were kiosks.
The aesthetics of the statues were too "1930's" for the neoclassical tastes of the Athenians (it was before the people from the mountains came to Athens, Athenians actually DID have tastes! ). So they were quickly removed, resulting in this image. The kiosks are still there in this photo.

There is still a memory of the "ugly" muses, but we have to remember that the monument to the unknown soldier, the Army Shared Funds building (City Link) and other structures of that same time were received in the same hostile way. If the whole design had been left alone, I am sure it would be regarded as a landmark of art deco architecture today...even the small lamps in the staircases leading to the underground were brilliant (can be seen in the railroad museum)...sadly, this monumental art deco look is gone forever :bash::bash::bash:
Here is Omonoia in the mid-1930s...