Start of reconstruction work Vasilisis Olga Avenue and the creation of an open space for the public, which will unite Olympia with the Zappeion and the National Garden and complete the archaeological route from Keramikos to Ardittos Hill and the Panathenaic Stadium, marked by the signing of the contract. between the Municipality of Athens through the organization “Anaplasi Athens S.A.” and a contracting company.

The architectural form of the pedestrian street

Between the archaeological site and the neoclassical geometry of the Zappeion, the design of the pavement is made using a letter corresponding to modern construction, as the municipality of Athens states in its announcement. The axes of the pedestrian connection with Dionysius the Areopagite and the Ardittos hill constitute the main elongated frame, around which the pedestrian path is organized. “In the transverse sense, the Zappeon axis is decisive for the design of the sidewalk, the end of which on the Vasilisa Olga pedestrian street is decorated with the placement of square marble benches and low cylindrical structures. The purpose of these structures, in addition to their use as living rooms, is to create a plastic configuration that will emphasize the central axis of the Zappeion,” emphasizes the Municipality of Athens.

According to the municipality, the pavement façades towards Amalia Avenue and Vasileios Constantinou Avenue are decorated with plantings, so that the image of a single space, uninterrupted by the passage of cars, from Vasilissis Sofias Avenue to Athanasiou Diakou Street, appears. The inclined transverse axis just behind the entrance to the archaeological site symbolizes the possible access to the entrance to the Themistocleian wall.

Between the two symmetrical entrances to the central axis of the Zappeion Gardens, which form an angle of approximately 80 degrees with Vassilissis Olgas Avenue, a free configuration of hard surfaces and green surfaces is planned, designed to help relax the image of the corridor. This free configuration is formed by a sequence of concentric or heterocentric circular arcs. The configuration with alternating opposite directions and tangents between the arcs of the circle to the east side of the central axis of the Zappeion is formed in a flatter manner due to the gentler slope.

As emphasized by the Municipality of Athens, “the configuration of hard and green surfaces along the entire length of the sidewalk is designed in such a way as not to affect existing large trees, including the wonderful cypresses and olive trees located on the central Avenue of the island. Where necessary, existing tree lines are complemented and important new low and high planting surfaces are formed. Plants from the Attic flora will be used to blend in with the existing vegetation and create a familiar atmosphere for visitors and passers-by.”

“Pedestrian sidewalks are designed with strips of marble or precast concrete placed across the footpath to give rhythm to traffic. Some of the lanes are radial and designed to align sidewalks with important pedestrian surface features such as Hadrian’s Gate, Lord Byron’s statue and Zappe’s Axis. The statue of Alexander the Great, located at the intersection of Vasilisa Amalia and Vasilisa Olga avenues, is in maximum harmony with the configuration.

By design, the surfaces inside the formwork strips are formed by slate slabs. Between the runway formwork strips, it is planned to lay cobblestone for the upstream runway to prevent vehicles from passing as much as possible, and asphalt for the downstream runway, which will be used for traffic to and from the Tennis Club. Pebble pavements will be built outside the paths, which will delimit the zone of safe pedestrian traffic.

The study includes the maintenance, repair, completion, and refurbishment of the Zappeion railings, as well as the National Gymnastics, Swimming Pool, and Tennis Club.

Unhindered access for the disabled

The configuration of Vassilisis Olga Avenue provides unhindered access for people with disabilities along the entire length of the pavement, as the Municipality of Athens emphasizes in its communication, while noting that, given that the only unevenness along the entire length of the avenue is a 5 cm curb at the beginning and in end with a cut-off at the edge, ramps are not required for the movement of people with disabilities. As for the visually impaired, their route will be marked with 30 cm wide stripes of white engraved plates.

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

According to the relevant announcement, the total area of ​​the redevelopment is 28,360 sq.m. In addition to ground configurations and equipment, it includes:

• Planting 158 trees, 8,538 shrubs and low vegetation patches.
• 112 lighting masts and 156 lighting buildings, not counting the lighting masts and buildings of the new tram stop.
• 46 new single console masts for tram or trolleybus and 11 double console masts.

Protection and promotion of antiquities

On the south-southwest pavement of Vasilisis Olga Avenue and at a distance of 70 m to the west of the entrance to the archaeological site, there are ground remains of a Roman balaneum. After carrying out the necessary earthworks, a structure will be formed to protect and highlight them.

Behind Vasilisis Olga Avenue, the area around Hadrian’s Gate will be reformed with stabilized soil and in such a way as to divert rainfall to prevent damage to the foundation of the monument.

No change to existing traffic – Tram stops

With the construction of pedestrian structures, the space will be completely transferred to pedestrians, with the exception of:

• Upper and descending tram lines from and to Syntagma. The runway will also be used for the entry and exit of EIX vehicles to and from the Tennis Club and for public utility vehicles.
• Ascending trolleybus lane from Pagrati to Syntagma.
• Entrance lane EIX cars to the parking lot “Igli” in Zappeio. Their exit will be from a small alley located at the southeast end of the Phokianos Gym.

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 to the National Gymnastics Association. One of the two stops of the trolley lift lane is located at the height of the tram stop in order to provide a transfer between the two facilities. The second stop of the trolleybus will be located opposite the entrance to the archaeological site of Olympia.

Project history and budget

A study on the reconstruction of the boulevard was prepared in 2011-2014 by the Association of Archaeological Monuments SA (EAXA) and carried out by the Office of Architectural and Urban Research “Giorgos Proveleggios, Niovi Probeledjou and Partners E.E.” In mid-2020, the municipal authorities of Athens started to update the study under the responsibility of “Regeneration of Athens SA”. The updated study was approved by the Central Council for Architecture and later by the Municipal Council of Athens. The project has a contractual budget of 4,606,819.10 (excluding VAT) and is funded by the TPA of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Bakoyannis: Another step towards realizing the vision of M. Merkuris and Ant. Trisha

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, in a statement immediately after the signing of the agreement at the Athens City Hall, stressed: “Today we are taking another step towards realizing the vision of Melina Merkouris and Antonis Tritsis with the unification of Olympia. with Zappeion and the National Garden. As today we are proud of Dionysius the Areopagite, so tomorrow we will be proud of Vasya Olga. The Acropolis and Kallimarmaro converge on one of the most beautiful routes in Europe.”

For his part, the managing director of Anaplasi Athens S.A. Chronis Akritidis said: “After 26 years, an exciting project for the city is becoming a reality. We are pleased that the redevelopment of B. Olgas Avenue is underway, creating conditions for a quality and better life in the city center.”