Her signature contract between the Municipality of Athensthrough the entity “Athens Redevelopment SA” and the contractor company – which resulted from an open tender – marks the immediate start of the works for the regeneration of the avenue Vasilissis Olga and the creation of an open space for the public, which will unite the Olympia with the Zappeion and the National Garden and will complete the archaeological route, from Kerameikos to the hill of Ardittos and the Panathenaic Stadium.

The Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis in his statement, immediately after the signing of the contract at the Athens city hall, he emphasized: “Today we are taking another step towards realizing the vision of Melina Merkouris and Antonis Tritsis with the unification of the Olympia with the Zappeion and the National Garden. As we are today proud of Dionysios Areopagitou, we will be tomorrow for Vas. Olgas. The Acropolis and Kallimarmaro come closer with one of the most beautiful routes in Europe.”

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For his part, the Managing Director of “Anaplasi Athens S.A.” Chronis Akritidis, said: “After 26 years, a breath-taking project for the city is becoming a reality. We are happy that the redevelopment of B. Olgas avenue is immediately on track for implementation, creating the conditions for a quality and better life in the center of the city”.

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The architectural form of the pedestrian street

Between the archaeological site and the neoclassical geometry of Zappeion, the design of the sidewalk is carried out with a script that corresponds to a modern construction. The axes of the pedestrian connection with Dionysiou Areopagitou and the hill of Ardittos constitute the basic elongated frame, around which the pedestrian walkway is organized. In the transverse sense, decisive for the design of the sidewalk is the Zappeion axis, the end of which on the pedestrian street of Vasilissa Olga is shaped by the placement of square marble benches and low cylindrical structures. The aim of these constructions, beyond their use as living rooms, is to create a plastic configuration that will emphasize the central axis of Zappeion.

The fronts of the sidewalk towards the Amalia Avenue and Vasileos Konstantinos Avenuey are formed with plantings, so as to create the image of a single space, uninterrupted by the passage of cars, from Vasilissis Sofias Avenue to Athanasiou Diakou Street. An oblique transverse axis just outside the entrance of the archaeological site symbolizes the possible access to the entrance of the Themistocleian wall.

Between the two entrances symmetrical to the central axis of its gardens Zappio which form an angle of approximately 80 degrees to Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, a free configuration of hard surfaces and green surfaces is foreseen, which aims to contribute to the relaxation of the image of the corridor. This free configuration is formed by a succession of concentric or heterocentric circular arcs. The configuration with the succession of opposite direction and tangents between the circular arcs towards the eastern side of the central axis of Zappeion, is formed in a gentler way, due to the gentler slope.

The formation of the hard and planting surfaces along the entire length of the sidewalk is done in a way that does not affect the existing large trees, including the remarkable cypresses and olives located on the central island of the Avenue. Where necessary, the existing tree lines are supplemented and important new surfaces are formed with low and high planting. Plants of the Attic flora will be used to be compatible with the existing vegetation and to create a familiar atmosphere for visitors and passers-by.

Pavement pavements are designed with lhours of marbley or prepared concrete, placed transversely to the pedestrian street, in order to give rhythm to the traffic. Some strips have a radial direction and are intended to harmonize the pavements with important elements of the pedestrian surface, such as Hadrian’s Gate, the statue of Lord Byron and the Zappeian axis. The statue of Alexander the Great which was placed at the junction of Vasilissis Amalias and Vasilissis Olgas Avenues harmonizes, as far as possible, with the layout.

The surfaces within the formwork strips are shaped with slate slabs. Between the formwork strips of the runways, it is planned to place cobblestones, for the ascending lane to prevent the passage of vehicles as much as possible, and asphalt for the descending lane that will be used for traffic to and from the Tennis Club. Pebbled surfaces will be constructed outside the tracks that will delimit the area of ​​safe pedestrian movement.

The Study foresees the maintenance, renovation, completion and reconstruction of its railings Zappio, as well as the National Gymnastics Association, the Swimming Pool and the Tennis Club.

Unhindered access for the disabled

The configuration of Vasilissis Olgas Avenue ensures unimpeded access for the disabled to the entire length of the sidewalk. Since the only unevenness throughout the Avenue is the 5 cm high curb at the beginning and end with a cut-off at the edge, no ramps are required for the movement of people with mobility problems. Regarding the visually impaired, their route will be marked with 30 cm wide strips of off-white engraved plates.

158 new trees and 8,538 bushes – New lighting fixtures and masts

The total area of ​​the redevelopment is 28,360 sq.m. In addition to surface configurations and equipment, it includes:

  • Planting of 158 trees, 8,538 bushes and areas of low vegetation.
  • 112 lighting masts and 156 lighting bodies, not including the lighting masts and bodies of the new Tram stop.
  • 46 new masts for Tram or Trolley with single cantilever and 11 masts with double cantilever.

Protection and promotion of antiquities

On the south-southwest sidewalk of Vasilissis Olga Avenue and at a distance of 70 meters west of the entrance to the archaeological site, there are surface remains of a Roman balaneum. After the necessary excavation work has been carried out, a structure will be formed to protect and highlight them.

Beyond Vasilissis Olga Avenue, the area around Hadrian’s Gate will be reformed with stabilized soil and in a way to drain the rain, so as to prevent damage to the monument’s foundation.

No modification of the existing traffic – Tram stops

With the construction of the pedestrian works, the space will be entirely handed over to pedestrians, with the exception of:

  • The up and down lines of the Tram from and to Syntagma. The descent lane will also be used for the entry and exit of E.I.X. cars to and from the Tennis Club and for the passage of public utility vehicles.
  • An ascending Trolley lane from Pagrati to Syntagma.
  • An entrance lane of E.I.X. cars to the “Aigli” parking lot in Zappeio. Their exit will be from the small alley located at the southeast end of the Fokianos gymnasium.

The Tram stop in the direction of Syntagma, located on Ardittos Avenue, will be moved to the pedestrian street of Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, opposite the stop in the opposite direction, in front of the entrance of the National Gymnastics Association. One of the two stops of the Trolley rise lane is placed at the height of the Tram stop, in order to ensure the transfer between the two means. The second stop of the Trolley will be located opposite the entrance to the archaeological site of the Olympia.

Project history and budget

The boulevard regeneration study was prepared in 2011-2014 by the Unification of Archaeological Sites S.A. (E.A.X.A.) and was carried out by the Office of Architectural and Urban Studies “Giorgos Proveleggios, Niovi Probeleggiou and Associates E.E. .». In mid-2020, the municipal authority of Athens proceeded to update the study under the responsibility of “Regeneration of Athens SA”. The updated study was approved by the Central Council of Architecture and subsequently by the Municipal Council of Athens. The project has a contractual budget of 4,606,819.10 (without VAT) and is financed by the TPA of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.