Stadiou Street
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Stadiou Street (Greek: Οδός Σταδíου) is Athens' major street linking the Omonoia and Syntagma Squares. It runs diagonally and is one-way from northwest to southeast. The street is named after the ancient Panathenaic Stadium located about 3 km southeast of the downtown core and is aligned directly with the ancient stadium. This street had existed during ancient times. The modern street was originally designed to extend all the way to the stadium. The project was cut short for lack of funding, but the name remained. The street was officially renamed Churchill Street after World War II in honor of the British prime minister, but Athenians remained faithful to the traditional name of the street.
Famous buildings within the street are the Bank of Greece building, and the Old Parliament. Klauthmonos Square is a square that is located off the central part of this street.
[edit] History
The modern street was first rebuilt in the early to mid-19th century. The street was later paved. Streetcars and trolleys were added in the 20th century and the street was mainly two-way. Old two and three storey neo-classical buildings were located in this street. After the Greek Civil War, it became one-way with three lanes and parking spaces. In the 1990s several buildings were demolished and eight and ten storey buildings were built in their place; several neo-classical buildings survive. It is mainly a shopping street, with upscale shops clustering towards Syntagma Square and lower scale ones towards Omonoia Square.
[edit] Intersections
- Aiolou Street
- Santaroza Street
- Stavrou Street
- Pesmatzoglou Street
- Dragatsanou Street
- Korai Street (walkway)
- Paparrigopoulou Street
- Lada and Edward Law Streets
- Omirou Street (no access)
- Amerikis and Kolokotroni Streets
- Voukourestiou Street (no access)
