A trip back in time thanks to the picturesque district of Atticus Alsus with its pastures, brick houses and magical views.
Dirt paths, shack houses with whitewashed yards, rusted front doors, peeling walls, garden plots, deserted dwellings, giant water tanks, post boxes, chickens and rabbits that suddenly appear in front of you, the chirping of birds, pastures, wire pens, the chants that can be heard from the two temples, compose a completely different reality ‒ and all this at a breath's distance from the center of the capital.
This place stands out for the constant fights. Everyone, internal migrants and poor people.
The settlement of Papandreou consists of approximately 140 houses, the permanent population reaches 800 people, while the total area exceeds 100 acres. However, the complex ownership regime was for many years the root cause of the multiple problems faced by the residents of the area. Imprisonments, hunger strikes, demolitions, fines, deadlines, encroachments and extortions have defined the neighborhood's identity.
The area began to be built up in 1944. However, the bulk of the buildings were erected in the 1960s, either by the current owners or their franchisees. At times the Greek government has contested the ownership of the land in question and this is the reason why many contradictory court decisions have been issued.
The area was named so because in 1964, when George Papandreou was prime minister, an area of 300 acres on the Polygon side was granted to needy families. At that time, about a hundred houses began to be built and this part of the hill was named "G. Papandreou Settlement". In fact, the Achaean politician had promised them that these arbitrary dwellings would soon be legalized. One year later the Papandreou government falls and in two years the dictatorship of the colonels, with the decision of Georgios Papadopoulos, decides to expropriate the area in order to build the Temple of the Savior to fulfill the Hope of the Nation, the promise of the Greek revolutionaries of 1821 to build a church as a sign of gratitude for the liberation of Greece from the Ottoman yoke.
At that time, various summoners had visited the area, who were sealing the eviction order. "The reactions were strong, residents protested and the police set fire to more than 80 houses. Three years after its fall, some people managed to acquire property titles and in 1993, according to a decision of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the area was not only supplied with water but also with electricity. Some drainage works were carried out and gradually the area came under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Athens.
Since then, the ownership status remains ambiguous and unclear.
Most of the houses are built of bricks, while the countless pots that are stuck in tins stand out. The chants heard from the holy church of Agia Kyriaki create an atmosphere of mysticism.
There is also the holy sanctuary of the Prophet Elias. A rare monastic complex, located in one of the most central parts of Athens.
In this spiritual oasis, which has been operating continuously since 1957, the abbess of the monastery, four nuns and a novice serve in total.
On the eve and on the day of the feast of the Prophet Elias, a very nice festival takes place and many people visit the sanctuary. Also, every Sunday this particular place is a constant choice of many Athenians for an excursion.
At such a close distance there are still points of interest that keep their physiognomy unchanged and constitute another city within the walls. At the highest peak of the Turkovunia hill range in Athens, the Papandreou Settlement still today offers a rare journey back in time and memories of yesteryear.