
Using google maps API and by geocoding data from EIE I've constructed a map of interesting architecture in Athens. Buildings can be filtered according to year of construction by using a slidebar (see screenshot above) + the map has a basic search function.


Using a map of Athens published in 1890 from Meyers Konversationslexikon, following the design of modern Athens by architects Stamatis Kleanthis, Eduard Schaubert & Leo von Klenze , I aligned the streets from the 1890 survey with the streets as they exist today. The 1890 survey is astonishingly accurate - It's fascinating how this level of precision cartography was achieved without modern day tools such as GPS. Subsequently, the original survey can be imposed on to the modern map with very minor corrections.

Above is a detail of Kolonaki. According to the 1890 map, the modern day Hilton hotel was built on top of a Barracks & everything south of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue was undeveloped.. You can also see how the development of Kolonaki has spread up into Lykavittos :/

By comparing the Acropolis with the survey from 1890, it's possible to see how much things have changed... Lot's of interesting things to see here :)

Back to the architecture map - I've noticed this building a few times whilst coming back from Athens in a taxi. According to EIE, it was built in 1925. I especially like this one - it stands in huge contrast to the hastily built modern slabs of concrete around it. Here it is on the map - 46 Septemviou & Marni Steet
Nice post, I find it really interesting how many of these fantastic old buildings in Athens are completely neglected and un-utilised - even in the centre of the city - while hideous post-war buildings are relatively clean and in good shape.
ReplyDeleteImagine this happening in London or Paris! Or in Athens.. oh.. it is.
Look like 'CMK' owns that building in the photo anyway, perhaps he lives there??
@see this video. it's in greek, but a great 20 film:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.eie.gr/archaeologia/En/video.aspx
Beautiful film.. thanks.
ReplyDeleteReminded me of one of my favourite photographs by Henri Cartier-Bresson: Athens, Greece 1953
http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d44395/d4439581x.jpg
I call it Ionic-Ironic.. ho ho
dude , your taxi map is broaken...
ReplyDeletestart from ''Iera Odos 7, Athens 11854, Greece ''
to syntagma or near by roads and it gets me at leoforos V.konstadinou and michalakopoulou corner.. THIS IS FALSE ! I even can't use the pointe... it goes @ michalakopoulou's corner .. ELEOS!!!! plz fix it ...
It is a problem with google maps related to the centre:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.google.com/support/forum/p/maps/thread?tid=783e80a060466392&hl=en
I'm making a better version of the tool which will not have this problem.. thanks
Hello really nice map of Athens.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to send you an email about a similar project we are doing about ottoman period buildings in Athens (for schools)
Can you email me at rea@anemon.gr?
many thanks, Rea
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteφίλοι, το Εθνικό Ίδρυμα Ερευνών βρίσκεται στην Λεωφόρο Βασιλέως Κωνσταντίνου (λίγο πιο κάτω απ' το Χίλτον προς Καλλιμάρμαρο) και όχι στην Αγίου Κωνσταντίνου, όπως το έχετε εσείς στο χάρτη...
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know :) I have updated it's location to: λεωφόρος Β. Κωνσταντίνου 48 .
ReplyDelete