Kotzia Square, Square in Athens, Greece
Kotzia Square is a public square in the center of Athens, Greece, surrounded by neoclassical buildings such as the City Hall and the National Bank of Greece Cultural Center. The square has a rectangular shape with streets on all sides and a central area with busts of historical figures.
Originally built in 1874, the square was first known as Loukovikou Square and later renamed after Mayor Kotzias. During the 2004 Summer Olympics, it served as the start and finish for the men's and women's road race events.
The square is named after Konstantinos Kotzias, a former mayor of Athens, and its central busts honor figures like Pericles and Solon who shaped the city's culture. Locals often use the space as a meeting point, and the surrounding buildings host cultural events and exhibitions.
The square is easy to reach on foot from nearby Monastiraki and Omonia squares, and the area is flat and open. Visitors can enter from any of the surrounding streets, and the central space is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Excavations in the square revealed a large part of an ancient road, tombs, and a small building, along with what is considered the oldest entrance to the city from ancient Acharnian times. Visitors can still see remnants of the city wall and an encircling moat at the site.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,498 contributors worldwide.