Athens: New Playground Opens at Revamped Kalliga Square

Aerial view of the Kalliga Square in Athens. Photo source: Athens Municipality.

The Municipality of Athens recently completed the upgrade of the historic Kalliga (Karamanlakis) Square in the neighborhood of Kato Patisia.

Fulfilling a long-standing request by the area’s residents, the upgrade includes the addition of a children’s playground,  funded by Visa as part of the municipality’s “Adopt Your City” program.

In addition to the playground, the revamped square now features a modern fountain, donated by the area’s group of residents and visitors who were actively involved in the reconstruction process.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis. Photo source: Athens Municipality.

The project was celebrated with a launch event, attended by locals and all parties involved in the refurbishment.

During the event, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the project, describing it as “a demonstration of how public-private cooperation can benefit everyday life in the city of Athens.”

The revamped Kalliga Square

The playground of the revamped square. Photo source: Athens Municipality.

The upgraded square has been divided into two zones: the playground and the recreation area.

The fenced playground meets contemporary safety standards and offers modern play equipment. It is surrounded by a green area that adds to its safety and architectural cohesion with the rest of the square.

The recreation area features functional benches around a multi-purpose fountain, which the municipality says will also provide cooling off during the summer.

The square’s new fountain. Photo source: Athens Municipality.

Overall, the 2,000 square meter revamped square, which is fully paved with blocks offering a coherent look, has now become a recreational space for all ages. The municipality has promised to continue implementing projects in all its 129 neighborhoods, aiming to significantly improve the daily life of Athenians.

Kalliga Square history

Kalliga Square was an experiment in Athens’ urban planning during the late 1930s. At that time, it was decided that all buildings surrounding the square would have similar facades and small gardens, making the transition from private to public urban space smoother and more coherent.

Following the area’s decline in recent years, the Kalliga Square Friends Association was established in 2010 to promote the upgrade of the area.