Climb with me to Agia Paraskevi, where echoes of ancient worship and modern life intertwine. Agia Paraskevi is a suburb northeast of Athens. It’s named after its main church. This church is dedicated to Saint Paraskevi of Rome.
Agia Paraskevi’s story stretches back to ancient times. It was part of the municipality of Plysia in the 6th century BC. Historians say this wealthy area belonged to the tribe of Cyclops. Burial findings along Mesogeion Avenue support this. An impressive marble burial structure stands near Sofokli Venizelou Street. Today it serves as a church.
In ancient Flea, people worshiped Hephaestus and Artemis. They also worshiped deities of vegetation and the underworld. Flea was second only to Elefsina in sacrificial rituals. Themistocles rebuilt an important sanctuary here after the Persians destroyed it. Secret ceremonies of the Phrygian Great Mother flourished until the 4th century AD. Many inscribed altars found here attest to this. Poet Ovid praised the region’s beauty and climate in Roman times.
In Byzantine times, the monastery of St. John the Hunter was central. Monk Basil the Hunter founded it in 1185 AD. Neophytos, a prominent abbot, built a road connecting the Cross with the Monastery. It connected also the plain of Athens to the Mediterranean. The pillar of Neophytos asks passersby to pray for his soul’s salvation.
During the Turkish occupation, part of the monastery was used to fortify the Acropolis. However, the monastery thrived. In the early 19th century, Turkish Halil Bey owned the area. He sold it to Count Antonio Botsaris. Botsaris then sold much of it to residents of Chalandri in 1850.
In the early 20th century, there were few houses. These were mainly holiday villas and vineyard farms. Panagiotis Davaris built the first house in 1894. His grandson, Yiannis Davaris, was the first child born here in 1910.
Until the mid-20th century, Agia Paraskevi was a resort for tuberculosis patients. People sought its healthy climate. They rented shelters on the inhabitants’ lands. Until 1921, Agia Paraskevi was part of the Municipality of Athens. This included Chalandri, Psychiko, Cholargos, and others. In 1925, these areas formed the community of Chalandri. Later, they separated and formed their own communities and municipalities. Agia Paraskevi was first recognized as a community in 1929. It was abolished the same year. It remained a settlement of Chalandri until 1931. Then, it officially became a Community. Finally, in 1963, it became a Municipality.
Since 1948, Agia Paraskevi became a community of permanent residents. Public services arrived in the 1960s. Electricity came from a local company. Water came first from Hadrian’s Aqueduct. Later, ULEN provided it. Phone connections reached Tsakos in 1962.
During this time, the first roads were paved. Mesogion Avenue was widened. About 1,000 acres were allocated for the NCSR Democritus and the American College. Space was also given for the French School and the Ministry of Agriculture. During the dictatorship, the ERT radio station was built on Mesogion Avenue.
Today, Agia Paraskevi is a vibrant suburb. It blends ancient history with modern development. The church of Agia Paraskevi stands as a reminder of the area’s rich past. It connects the community to its spiritual roots. As you stand here, consider the layers of history beneath your feet. Think about the people who have shaped this place. From ancient worshipers to modern residents, their stories echo in the streets of Agia Paraskevi.