Amalias street of Athens

Amalias Avenue is a central avenue in Athens, connecting Syngrou Avenue and Athanasiou Diakou Street with Panepistimiou Street. It was named in honor of Queen Amalia, the wife of King Otto. On either side of the avenue lies Syntagma Square, while notable landmarks along the avenue include the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Hellenic Parliament. As early as 1886, the avenue had already been developed and was lined with pepper trees, a species personally chosen by Queen Amalia, hence the names “Avenue of the Pepper Trees” or “Tree-Lined Avenue.” The boulevard was a favorite destination for Athenians to take walks and became associated with the ceremonial changing of the guard. Many wealthy and prominent Athenian families built their mansions there, such as Miltiadis Negrepontis, the Skylitsis family, the Skouzes family, the Tombazis-Mavrokordatos family, the Kozakis-Typaldos family, and Stephanos Dragoumis. Most of these mansions have since been demolished. In 1934, a regulation was introduced that limited the height of buildings on the avenue. Pictured: Amalias Street, Athens in 1900. ©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’