Freedom Park is being reinvented as a hub of encounter, knowledge, historical memory and culture, as a modern outdoor reading room and five new themed gardens have been created.

The historical Park, on Vasilissis Sofias Street, emerges today as a lively, interactive, cultural hub. In it, together with the Arts Center of the Municipality of Athens which is a modern exhibition space, the “Athens Book Space”, a relaxation point for reading digital and printed books, was created and operates. Five new, inviting, themed gardens were also created in the Park.

In his statement, the Mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis, emphasized: “The Freedom Park carries a “heavy” historical memory that we want to preserve intact. After its regeneration, it grows and reintroduces itself. History, memory and nature come together to create a vibrant hub of culture and enrich one of Athens’ most beloved haunts.”

Five themed gardens on an area of ​​2,000 sq.m.

In the park, five themed gardens have been created with new plantings that extend over 2,000 sq.m. Already, 8 new trees, 8,028 shrubs and perennial herbs have been planted, while as the study predicts, 5 more trees and 500 herbs will be planted.

The path to the central point of the park leads to the Meadow Garden with compositions of flowering perennial herbs and meadow plants, which make it even more pleasant.

The Water Garden crosses the meadow in a curvilinear flow. The course on the elevated wooden path brings the visitor in touch with nature, ending in the Bamboo Forest. The subtle fountain is “embraced” by the Subtropical Garden, which includes a collection of subtropical plants with colorful foliage and flowers. The route through the gardens ends with the Mediterranean meadow in the outdoor area of ​​the reading room. It includes a collection of xerophytic species, which enhance the vegetation at the base of Mediterranean trees.

In the new pedestrian street of Evzonon Street, which is also the main access to the Park area, the traffic corridors inside were demarcated, the existing flower beds were reformed and marked with signs in Greek and English. The route begins with the Garden of Remembrance Columns and includes a plant palette, which is enhanced by the growth of a double row of Jacaranda trees.

Going up to the Park, visitors can read, on the modern columns, verses about freedom by famous poets and writers, such as Kazantzakis, Solomos and Rigas Feraios and others.

The seating areas in the park, placed at selected viewing points, create “hugs” with views towards the city and its interior.

Modern LED lighting has been installed throughout the space.

Athens Book Space, a modern outdoor reading room

With the aim of encouraging reading culture, Athens Book Space, a modern outdoor reading room inspired by the Athenian Agora, with covered and open arcades stretching along the walls of buildings.

Visitors have free access to printed and digital books (gradually the collection will be enriched), to podcasts, but also to cultural events centered on the book.

In and around the Athens Book Space, there will be 24-hour free Wi-Fi access so that visitors can connect for free and read the available e-books.

At the same time, the procedures for the re-exhibition of the Eleftherios Venizelos Museum and the studies for the creation of the Anti-dictatorship Struggle Museum are progressing. The goal is to preserve the historical memory of the city for future generations.

In the next period, a rich program of activities inside the Park will be announced.