Ελληνικό Δίκτυο ΦΙΛΟΙ της ΦΥΣΗΣ
THE HISTORY WEST OF
ATHENS - ATTICA
Kostas Fotinakis
The term “Western Athens” refers to seven municipalities: Agia Varvara, Aigaleo, Agioi Anargyroi
– Kamatero, Ilion, Peristeri, Petroupolis and Haidari. The term “Western Attica” refers to five munici-
palities: Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Mandra – Eidillia, Megara and Phyli.
W
estern Athens – Attica, being the entry gate from the Peloponnese, Ionian Islands, Epirus,
even Europe through Italy, has been described by dozens of travelers, historians and writers,
from Pausanias and the philhellene Francois Shateaubriand, British Colonel William Martin Leake, to
Henry Miller and Virginia Woolf.
Travelers on their way to Athens encountered two ancient cities, Eleusis and Megara, the ancient
lakes of Reitoi and the Sacred Way, with its traces visible even today, Daphni Monastery (World
Heritage Monument), Kifissos River and the ancient olive grove of Athens (“the best of suburbs”
according to Plato) and Mount Aigaleo – Poikilon.
Numerous significant books, special editions by municipalities, scientific and research articles on the
history of the area have been published.
But, apart from its historic traces, Western Athens and Attica offer a rich natural wealth, breathtaking
landscapes, seashores and beaches to enjoy beautiful sunsets and small tavernas in Eleusis,
Aspropyrgos, Megalo Pefko, Alepochori, Porto Germeno, Psatha etc.
Industrial architecture, the Aeschylia Festival and an abundance of cultural events render Eleusis
appealing and the city managed to be named Cultural Capital of Europe 2021. Along with Eleusis, we
can and must showcase the broader area of Western Athens – Attica. This is the goal of this program
– to prod us to “… go West of Athens”, to Aigaleo, Agia Varvara, Haidari, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, but also
to Vilia, Megara, Porto Germeno, Erythres….
We also go to Peristeri, with its two Metro stations and its park, to Agioi Anargyroi and Ilion where
the A. Tritsis Metropolitan Park and the Queen’s Tower, to Petroupolis with the old lime kiln and the
quarry etc.
We visit the theaters of “Petra” in Petroupolis, “Alexis Minotis” in Aigaleo, “Old Olive Mill” in Eleusis,
and “Phoenix” in Peristeri.
Of course, we do not wish to underplay the various environmental and social issues that burden the
area. Even if we wanted to forget them, poet Nikos Gatsos and composer Manos Hadjidakis always
remind us of “Persephone’s Nightmare”. As an antidote, we resort to the same composer, Hadjidakis
and poet Notis Pergialis who urge us to “… push away the sorrow, let’s go for a stroll on the Moon”.
And this is what we are doing – “we go west of Athens” to see and promote its bright side.
Kostas Fotinakis
President of Naturefriends Greece
Researcher of local history, author of the historical album
«Χαϊδάρι – Τόπος και Άνθρωποι» (“Haidari – Place and People”)
13