New Lighting for Dionysiou Areopagitou Pedestrian Walkway in Athens

An impression of the new lighting at Dionysiou Aeropagitou street. Photo source: Athens Municipality

The iconic Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian walkway in central Athens, offering a spectacular view of the Acropolis, will be receiving a new lighting design, as announced by the Municipality of Athens.

This renowned promenade runs alongside the Acropolis, surrounded by significant monuments and archaeological sites. The upgrade is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Municipality of Athens and the Onassis Foundation, aiming to enhance the city’s infrastructure and overall aesthetic.

According to Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, the lighting redesign of Dionysiou Areopagitou will be based on a study by lighting artist Eleftheria Deko.

“This project focuses on both the aesthetic and functional upgrading of the walkway. With the support of the Onassis Foundation, we aim to enhance the historical route and provide city residents and visitors with a new experience while enjoying the view of the Acropolis,” Mayor Doukas said.

Onassis Foundation President Anthony S. Papadimitriou and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas. Photo source: Athens Municipality

Antonis S. Papadimitriou, President of the Onassis Foundation, emphasized that the foundation’s initiatives aim to improve the urban environment. “Our interventions are focused on upgrading the daily life of the city, especially in its most popular areas. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance the safety, accessibility, and public space experience throughout Athens.”

Eleftheria Deko, who is leading the lighting design for the walkway, also worked on the 2022 lighting project for the Acropolis. Known for her ability to harmonize light with its surroundings, Deko’s work promises to bring a sophisticated touch to this iconic area.

Honoring Kavafis with a bronze bench

Photo source: Athens Municipality

In addition to the lighting project, the Onassis Foundation will soon install a bronze sculptural bench on the walkway to honor the memory of the renowned Greek poet K.P. Kavafis. The bench will be placed between the Onassis Library and the Onassis Mandra, near the new building housing the Kavafis Archives, at the intersection of Dionysiou Areopagitou and Amalia Avenue.

This tribute is part of the European tradition of honoring influential figures in literature. Similar benches are found in other European cities, such as the Fernando Pessoa bench in Lisbon, the bronze statue of James Joyce in Trieste, and the Hans Christian Andersen statue in Copenhagen.

These initiatives follow the recent opening of the “Garden of the Acropolis”, a model playground by the Municipality of Athens located under the Acropolis rock.