Philothei my hometown

Up until my 30th birthday I have been living with my parents at Philothei, in the northern part of Athens. On February 15th, 2002 I decided to finally leave the family nest and move to a suburb, near by, namely to Chalandri (Flya as it was known in the ancient times).

Philothei in a nutshell... (by http://www.philothei.gr/)

Filothei or Philothei is a beautiful seventy-year-old suburb that lies a few kilometers away from Athens. In 1927 the administration of the NATIONAL BANK of GREECE bought a region, 8km north of Athens in order to give home to its employees. At first it belonged to Greeks of Egypt. Due to this fact the first name of this suburb was "Nea Alexandria". The construction association, entrusted the planning and the reconstruction of the settling to significat scientists, civil engineers, architects and mechanics.

The outcome was a wonderful city full of parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, squares, athletic facilities and schools. Generally the 2/3 of its area is covered by the above foundations. Also many archeological sites were discovered when the construction of the roads took place. The first citizens belonged administratively to the Community of Chalandri, a suburb near Filothei. Later on it became an indepedent community named "Nea Alexandria" in 1934. On the 18th of May, 1936 changed its name to Filothei in honour of Saint Filothei, a woman that died for her faith in Christianity during the period that Greece was under Turkey's seige.

Pikioni Playground is one of the most famous playgrounds of Athens, as it has been used in many old Greek movies.

Filothei's stream is a part of Podoniftis, which has its spring in the Pentelian mountains.

It traverses across Filothei, starting from Kifisias Avenue, then passes by the gymnasium up until the Adreanian aqueduct (borders of Filothei and N. Ionia and Kapodistriou Byzantine road). From the Adreanian aqueduct and up until the junction of Podoniftis with the stream of Halandri, its bed is covered. The uncovered part of the Podoniftis - uphill to the junction and onto Kifisias avenue - is a real oasis and has been described to have exceeding environmental and ecological value. The stream's foliage is typical for a Greek wetland. There is a rich variety of trees which defoliate and evergreens, and which take advantage of light and humidity as best as they can.

These trees keep the stream's surroundings as green as possible. There are also many trees such as poplars,pine trees, eucalyptuses and mulberry trees. The stream's bank is covered with mossy foliage of which most are wild plants such as mustard plants, night- flowers, and wild cucumber plants. The most common trees are platans, oleanders and many types of climbing ivy. Beautiful, green shrubs decorate the stream's shore. Some of which are wild rose bushes, wicker bushes, blackberry bushes and wild acanthus. Except for the stream's foliage there is healthy, domestic fauna. There are many important types of amphibians like the frog Rana Ridibunda. Also there are many types of domestic birds such as the nightingale Lyscinia Megharhinchos, which is known for its need for excessively clean water and dense foliage

The church of Agia (saint) Filothei is one of the most beautiful churches in Attica. Several Greek movies have used the church when portraying weddings, also a large portion of Athenians ask permission to get married here. St. Filothei died and her body is saved in the crypt. The crypt was digged up during the construction period in 1936. (More on her story here >>>)Filothei's difficult years during the Second World War have been replaced by years of prosperity, happiness, creativity and recreation so that Filothei has become one of the most priviliged suburbs of Athens.

Halandri or Flya

In the ancient times, the extended area which includes the present communities of Halandri, Ag. Paraskevi, Vrisissia, Philothei and Psychiko was named Flya (the origin of the name probably comes from Flio, son of Goddess Dimitra who was abored here and it certainly declares the blooming area which was included between the two streams Kifisso and Vrilisso. In this area there were four rural communities, one of which was the center of the present suburb of Halandri, that is the headquarters of the ancient Municipality of Flia. Europedis the tragic poet son of Mnisarchos was born here. The Roman conquerors construct waterworks in the districts. The roman Mausoleum which is saved until today in the form of a small church behind the church of Marmariotissa is supposed to be dated in the same period.
During the Franc occupation a whole community must have been built judging from the local name Francoklissia. The name Halandri was most probably given to the area during that time. The origin of the new name most probably comes from Halandrion (ravine) or Hala - dere (Hala's estate). During the Turkish Occupation there was government Headquarters of the local pasha. In the central square there was a small church dedicated to Saint Nikolas (photo taken in 2007) and the surrounding place was used as commentary of Greeks and Turks. Cypress, pine trees and poplar trees shaded the area and fountains watered it continually all year round. After the liberation the residents built a new temple in the place of the old one dedicated to Saint Nikolas who is the battle of Halandri.

In 14th of November 1821 in the battle of Halandri, residents of the district managed to disband the Turkish troops ahich were walking along Kifissos River. After the establishment of the first Hellenic country Halandri belongs to the municipality of Athens and is ruled by a representative of the mayor Christos Liossis is said to be the first representative. In 1925 Halandri is separated from the municipality of Athens and becomes a community and 1944 is announced a municipality.

Ag. Nikolaos in Chalandri of 1940 >