The Pedion tou Areos is the largest public grove in Athens and is ideal for a walk. So one afternoon, after the end of our lessons, together with our students we enjoyed a walk in the grove. The park is opposite our school and its name means camp of Mars – the same name as the Champ de Mars in Paris.
At the entrance of the grove, we find a large statue of King Constantine I, on his horse. We continue walking, admiring the greenery and we reach the “Kipos tis Gardenia”, a small cafe in the center of the grove. There we learn about Greek coffee, how to drink it and how to order it.
Then we continue on Avenue of Heroes. The grove of the Pedion tou Areos was designed in 1934 to honor the Heroes of the Revolution of 1821, which is why it is decorated with the marble busts of the 21 heroes along the so-called Agoniston 21 street. At the top of the boulevard is the statue of the deceased Alexander Ypsilantis, a Russian prince and general, of Greek origin, who had been the president of the secret organization, called FILIKI ETAIREIA – Society of Friends, which had prepared the start of the Revolution.