The 37th Athens Classic Marathon will be held on November 10, 2019, smashing all previous records with 65,000 participants (an estimated 55,000 runners participated in 2018) from 120 different countries! Apart from being a major sports celebration, the Athens Marathon is a fountain of values that perfectly showcases the power of human will. About 20,000 athletes from the international running community will participate in the 42.195 km course, along with runners who wish to challenge themselves and experience the euphoria (or the so-called “runner’s high”) of crossing the Athenian finish line. Participants will have to overcome not only the physical exhaustion, but also the psychological challenges of the race; although for many of them, this is a way of life!
In addition to the Classic Marathon Race, a Power Walking Race, a 5km and 10km Road Race, a Kids’ Race, and a Special Olympics Race will also take place. In order to allow for an increase in the number of registrations, this year the Marathon’s events and festivities will start on Wednesday November 6th, while the 10km Road Race will be held on Saturday November 9th.
If you wish to watch the race and stay up-to-date, you can download the free app “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” here..
The history of wine is indelibly linked to the history of Greek civilization, as it has always been an integral part of the ancient Greek diet, along with bread and olive oil. Cooking utensils, containers and other findings dating back almost 3,500 years from archaeological sites in Crete, Santorini, and other Cycladic islands of Mycenaean civilization, reveal the continuous production and trade of wine; always diluted with water, wine was said to gladden the heart and liven up conversations! Wine consumption continued unabated throughout Roman and Byzantine times until today, and even during periods of severe economic strife, wine never ceased to be an integral part of Greek socialization and diet.
The Greek province of Attica is a rare case where vineyards and wineries are located so close and sometimes even within the urban infrastructure. With a history that spans over 3,000 years, this winemaking region is truly special! Savatiano is Atticas's most widely planted and characteristic grape variety, covering 65,000 acres of land and with numerous wineries spread across the region. In addition to Savatiano, the Rhoditis, Assyrtiko, and Malagousia varieties are also extremely popular.
Some of the most important vineyards in Attica are Kokotos Estate in Stamata, Markou Vineyards in Paiania, Mylonas Winery in Keratea, Papagiannakos Domaine in Markopoulo and Anastasia Fragou’s Winery in Rafina. All of these wineries are open to the public and fulfill the requirements needed to host visitors who can participate in wine-tasting activities and purchase wines of their choice. These vineyards form a network called “Athens Wine Road Wineries”, which was created by the winemakers themselves in order to bring more awareness to the vineyards and grape varieties of the province of Attica. "Athens Wine Road Wineries" has a vision of connecting the vineyards of Attica with its abundant archaeological sites, affording visitors to savor an incredible journey through history.
From October 2, 2019, avid art lovers will have ‘their own’ museum of contemporary art in Athens! Located next to Agios Spyridon Square in the Pagrati district of Athens, the new modern art museum of the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation has found a home in a fully restored building of high aesthetic, extending over 11 floors. 180 unique and priceless works of contemporary art, created between 1880 and 1980 have a new home on Eratosthenous Street. The museum will host temporary exhibitions of Greek and foreign artists, as well as numerous educational programs.
With a total surface area of 7,250 sq.m., the new museum will showcase the legendary private collection of Basil and Elise Goulandris, two of the most renowned art collectors of the 20th century; Basil and Elise Goulandris accumulated these rare artworks based on their personal aesthetic and passion for art. Their unparalleled devotion helped them create an enviable collection, but their vision was to give a wider audience the opportunity to come into contact and become familiar with the art they so loved.
Since the 1950s, the two passionate yet meticulous collectors added masterpieces by prominent artists of modern and contemporary European avant-garde artists such as Cézanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec, Braque, Miró, Kandinsky, Klee, Léger, Bacon, Giacometti, Pollock, and others, as well as works by distinguished Greek modern painters including Parthenis, Bouzianis, Vasileiou, Hadjikyriakos-Ghika, Tsarouchis, Moralis, Tetsis and others. A hall dedicated to the memorable visionaries will host a display of French furniture, works of art from the 18th century, as well as Chinese artifacts.
This Athens museum heralds the beginning of a new chapter for the Goulandris Foundation, and in parallel to the Museum on Andros, it aims to promote this new hub as a vehicle for the development of innovative cultural activities. One thing is certain, the vision of Basil and Elise Goulandris’ Athenian cultural center to be placed among the global artistic landscape is a reality!
One of Attica’s most colorful and sweet-smelling gardens is located on the Agricultural University’s campus; it is open to the public and enjoys unparalleled views of the Acropolis!
The greenhouse on Iera Odos, designed by students of the Agricultural University of Athens, is a hidden oasis in the heart of the city where everyone can visit and buy beautiful outdoor plants at affordable prices. There is also a 1.7 acre area consisting of a four-room glass greenhouse with indoor ornamental plants in pots, these are offered for sale as well. Other products produced in the AUA laboratories, such as wine, honey, cheese, and pistachios, are regularly offered for sale at low prices.
If you visit the university you will be rewarded with a fresh, one-of-a-kind experience. The extraordinary gardens invite visitors to embrace the magic of nature - the urge to explore is irresistible. On the grounds of the Agricultural University of Athens, professors, students, and visitors alike can connect with nature and revive their mind, body and soul.
