Nea Smyrni

Nea Smyrni (Greek: Νέα Σμύρνη, "New Smyrna") is a southern suburb of Athens, Greece. Nea Smyrni is located about 5 km SW of downtown Athens, about 5 km SW of Kifissias Avenue, W of Vouliagmenis Avenue, about 6 km E of Piraeus, and NE of Poseidonos Avenue.

The area was once partly made up of farmlands, with woods dominating the landscape, and its mixed farming included pastures, vegetables, and groves ; forests lay to the east. Following the Population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922, a number of refugees principally from Smyrna, (today's İzmir), arrived and settled in the southwestern part of Athens, which became Nea Smyrni. Many of its inhabitants, including the soccer team of Panionios, moved here from Smyrna, transforming the plain into an urban area.

The district is mainly made up of residential areas with a few business areas particularly on Syngrou Avenue. Its two main streets have been linked since 1995 with interchanges and the roads connecting with Hymittos Street and Syngrou Avenue to the north. The Athens Industrial Area lies to the north.

Nea Smyrni has schools, lyceums, gymnasia, banks, post offices and squares (plateies) with a good number of high-end bars, cafes and shops.

Sporting Teams

• Panionios F.C. plays in the Super League Greece
• Panionios BC plays in the A1 Division
• Panionios Water Polo plays in the A1 Division
• AONS Milon (Greek: ΑΟΝΣ Μίλων)

Sites of interest

• Nea Smyrni Stadium, built in 1939, renovated in 1988. Panionios FC plays in the stadium.
• Nea Smyrni Indoor Hall, holds up to 1,832 persons, website: http://www.stadia.gr/nsmyrni-b/nsmyrni-b.html
• Nea Smyrni Square (Greek: Πλατεία Νέας Σμύρνης)
• Nea Smyrni Central Park (Greek: Άλσος Νέας Σμύρνης)
• Estia (Greek: Εστία)

Notable people

• Polina, singer

Sister cities

Sisian, Armenia (since 2004)

Historical population

It is the fourth-most densely populated municipality in Greece (following Neapoli, Kallithea, and Ampelopikoi).

See also

• List of municipalities of Attica

References