Penteli Mountain’s shadow looms. That’s where our journey through Vrilíssia begins. Vrilíssia is a suburban town. It is part of the North Athens regional unit. We’re in the Attica region of Greece right now.
Vrilíssia sits in the Athens basin. It is at the southwestern foot of Mount Penteli. The municipality had 32417 residents in 2021.
Vrilíssia’s limits stretch from the Chalandri gully to Penteli’s foothills. These are known as Patima and Koufos Hills. Vrilíssia is about 10 kilometers northeast of Athens’ center. It is 5 kilometers northwest of Pallini. The municipality covers 3.856 square kilometers.
The area was part of the deme of Phlya in antiquity. This area spanned from Psychiko to Agia Paraskevi. It mainly centered on Chalandri.
Vrilíssia was part of Chalandri until 1949. It became a separate community then. Vrilíssia became a municipality in 1990. The suburb grew quickly during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. The city improved its roads. The central avenue was widened. Inner traffic was diverted. The Naval Base region was transferred to the municipality. Many small parks were created.
The name Vrilissos or Vrilittos appears in ancient writings. Thucydides, Herodotus and Strabo used it. It likely means Great Rock. It comes from “vri” meaning forceful. “Li” comes from “laas” meaning rock. The ending “sos” is Pelasgic. Penteli Mountain got its name from its white stones and marble. These were used for the Acropolis and 19th-century buildings.
The word Vrilíssia is a plural form. It refers to the land of the Great Rock Mountain. In Greek, the Municipality of Vrilíssia is Δήμος Βριλησσίων.
Vrilíssia is affluent. It has schools, sports grounds and parks. It also has a large commercial district. You’ll find banks and malls here. Plateia Iroon and Plateia Analipseos are popular squares. They have coffee shops. Vrilíssia has wide, straight roads. Most buildings have gardens.
Around 1950-1970, the city’s limits reached Pentelikon Mountain’s foothills. The residential area went up to Anapafseos Avenue. The woodland of Patima Hill spread over that avenue. The Metamorphoseos tou Sotiros church was built there.
Penteli was a popular destination for Athenians. They came for picnics and walks. They stopped for coffee or dinner. The Penteli Abbey owned much of the land. They often sold or leased it to local graziers.
Urban housing projects reached Halandri, Vrilíssia and Melissia. Penteli transformed into a residential landscape. The area’s value rose. This led to individual claims on the land. Vrilíssia expanded into the hill.
In the 2000s, members of the Building Association “Agios Theoklitos” claimed ownership of Patima’s forested land. They said they bought it in 1965. The Court of First Instance of Athens ruled that the Greek state owned the land.
In June 2007, a large fire broke out. It consumed residential buildings and forests. Another fire spread in August 2007. It consumed more houses. The Vrilíssia gully was also struck. Evidence of arson was found.
ESN Vrilíssia has won handball titles. FO Vrilíssia has won women’s volleyball titles.
Key settlements include Analipsi, Rematia and Ano Vrilíssia. You’ll also find Patima Hill and Krassas Settlement here. Don’t forget Doukissis Plakentias Belt.
Vrilíssia stands as a testament to time. It has grown from ancient roots to a modern suburb. It offers a blend of history and contemporary life.