By Nicolas Bard

High Alonia, also known as “Psilonia”, is one of the most historic and popular neighborhoods of Patras, near the city center and is a favorite meeting and gathering point for both locals and visitors. High Alonia Square is one of the largest in Greece and is well known for its intense movement throughout the day, but also for Instagrammable palm trees that once decorated it. Several years after they were destroyed by the beetle, the municipality planted young people in their place, hoping at some point the square would have its earlier appearance. There are nowadays the events of the Antistiria of May Day, as well as many of the events of the renowned Patriotic Carnival. The statue of the old Patras Germanos, a leader of the Revolution of 1821, stands in a prominent position on the west side of the square.

The high threshing floors were formerly the headquarters of the holiday homes of the wealthy families of the Patras Trade, and there were a space for death executions. Today it is a fairly densely populated area, with narrow roads around the square, intense life and many shops. The area is bordered to the east with the district of Agia Catherine, while there are two other squares, Omonia Square and Bud Square, which is a southern end of it, while in its west are the Roman retaining walls, which during the Second World War. During the junta, the flagship building of the raisin Vourloumi, which had statues from the twelve in its roof, was demolished, the three historical cinemas of the square became apartment buildings, as well as the flagship theater of “Lyikon” and the “Lyria” theater.

Back in the distant 1883 the square numbered 5 fountains, 15 crystal clear lamps and a platform for music. There were many mansions, butchers, but also cafes that stayed overnight! A few years later, in 1899, George I bought a property in this area, while at the same time their gyms made their gyms Panachaikos GS Associations. and GE Patras, which later passed the ownership of Panachaic. The GEP gym was sold and became a summer cinema, which was operating until the 1990s. Today’s sights in the square include the sundial, offering of the Technical House Training Center, which was placed in 1953, as well as the Golfinopoulos Palace. Finally, southwest of the square there are the stairs on Three Admirals Street and a bust of Kostis Palamas.

The square exudes vintage vibes from side to side, and while the city of Patras has changed a radically face since the beginning of the last century until today, the square has not been the moment to be a region of the city and always “keep” the Patriots near it, which explains how much it is alive. The locals will certainly have many and interesting stories to tell you around the square, while the younger generations are still growing in her arms. Sit in a neighboring coffee, enjoy the city of the city and listen to children’s voices in the air. Patras may be a big city, but many corners, such as this, hide in them something of the beauty of the Greek province.