Seven thousand inhabitants. That’s how many people called Zografou home a century ago. Can you imagine the quiet hills then? Now the Municipality of Zografou bursts with life. Its story begins with Ioannis Zografos. A politician and professor he envisioned a community. He bought land in Goudi and Kouponia. He divided it into plots selling them for a mere 112 drachma a month. The first houses appeared in 1919. Within ten years 100 stood proud.
The Municipality of Zografou was born in 1929. It separated from Athens. It became its own entity. Its first president was Sotirios Zografos Ioannis’s son. The area grew rapidly. High-rise buildings even ten stories tall became common. Its proximity to Athens city center fueled the expansion. The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the National Technical University of Athens established campuses here. Students faculty and employees transformed the landscape. They added to the vibrant cultural pulse of the Municipality of Zografou.
The Church of St Therapontas became the heart of Zografou. It stands as a testament to the early settlers. Its foundations were laid in those early years. Many steep uphill streets characterize Zografou. The hills of Hymettus shaped its character. They present a challenge yet a beauty all their own.
Today the Municipality of Zografos thrives. It’s a mix of old and new. It’s a place where history and modernity intertwine. The Gounaropoulos Museum showcases the works of the famous painter. The Marika Kotopouli Museum celebrates modern art in a stunning 1926 villa. Asteras Zografou a football club and EFAO Zografou BC a basketball club represent the athletic spirit. The Ilisiakos sports club another presence shares roots with neighboring Athens.
The Municipality of Zografou continues to grow. A metro line will bring it even closer to Athens. Three stations Ilissia Zografou and Goudi are planned to open in 2029. This will transform daily life. It will connect the community even more tightly to the wider city. Zografou’s journey is one of transformation. It’s a story of vision growth and resilience. It’s a story we continue to witness unfold right before our eyes. The Municipality of Zografou a thriving suburb with a rich past and a promising future.