Lord Byron Statue, Athens
Near the heart of Athens, at the entrance to the National Garden, stands a statue representing Greece personified as a woman, bestowing a laurel wreath upon the British Romantic poet Lord Byron (1788–1824).
Back in 1809, when Athens' Psyrri neighborhood was notorious for its underground criminal activities and served as a gathering place for revolutionaries, Lord Byron took up residence there. During his stay, he explored the regions of Epirus and Attica in the company of his friend John Cam Hobhouse. It was in Athens that he penned 'The Maid of Athens', inspired by his affection for the daughter of his landlady, as well as portions of 'Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage'. These writings catapulted him to overnight fame, and upon his return to London in 1812, Byron famously declared, "If I am a poet, it is the air of Greece which has made me one".
Due to his ardent desire to support the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans, he was welcomed as a hero upon his return in 1823. Mementos of Byron's involvement in the struggle can be found at the National Museum and the Benáki Museum; alas, on Easter Sunday in 1824, he tragically fell victim to a fever in the cholera-ridden town of Mesolóngi, never witnessing the country's liberation.
Greece continues to hold Lord Byron in high esteem, with streets and even children named in his honor. The Greek version of "Byron," Βύρων ("Vyron"), remains a popular masculine name, and a suburb of Athens is named Vyronas in tribute to the revered poet.
Back in 1809, when Athens' Psyrri neighborhood was notorious for its underground criminal activities and served as a gathering place for revolutionaries, Lord Byron took up residence there. During his stay, he explored the regions of Epirus and Attica in the company of his friend John Cam Hobhouse. It was in Athens that he penned 'The Maid of Athens', inspired by his affection for the daughter of his landlady, as well as portions of 'Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage'. These writings catapulted him to overnight fame, and upon his return to London in 1812, Byron famously declared, "If I am a poet, it is the air of Greece which has made me one".
Due to his ardent desire to support the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans, he was welcomed as a hero upon his return in 1823. Mementos of Byron's involvement in the struggle can be found at the National Museum and the Benáki Museum; alas, on Easter Sunday in 1824, he tragically fell victim to a fever in the cholera-ridden town of Mesolóngi, never witnessing the country's liberation.
Greece continues to hold Lord Byron in high esteem, with streets and even children named in his honor. The Greek version of "Byron," Βύρων ("Vyron"), remains a popular masculine name, and a suburb of Athens is named Vyronas in tribute to the revered poet.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Athens. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Lord Byron Statue on Map
Sight Name: Lord Byron Statue
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Athens, Greece (See walking tours in Athens)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Athens, Greece
Create Your Own Walk in Athens
Creating your own self-guided walk in Athens is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Athens Food Walking Tour
Traditional Greek cuisine is one of the healthiest in the world, and prices in all but the flashiest establishments afford excellent value. The prevalence of vegetable and dairy dishes makes eating out a delight for non-meat eaters. Carefully selected appetizers (tzatzíki, dolmádes, kalamarákia) can constitute a full meal. Greece’s most famous slow-cooked oven dish, however, is probably... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Plaka Attractions Walking Tour
In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Plaka, the most picturesque and oldest district of Athens, with continuous habitation from antiquity until today. The “neighborhood of the Gods”, as it is called, is like a romantic, atmospheric trip to old Athens adorned with antiquities, historic 19th-century buildings, museums and Byzantine churches.
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
From the vibrant Syntagma Square walking down... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Walking Tour Around the Legendary Acropolis
Also called "the sacred rock", the Acropolis was home to temples and sanctuaries throughout recorded history, and is a symbol of the city of Athens. Its religious importance was paramount to the ancient Greeks, and the buildings on the summit still capture the essence of their classical architecture. You can see the temples from most parts of the city, which adds to the feeling that this... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Athens Introduction Walking Tour
Athens, the cradle of Western Civilization and one of Europe's oldest cities, originated between the 4th and the 3rd millennia BC. The story of Athens stems from a mythological contest between the goddess of wisdom and warfare, Athena, and the god of the sea, Poseidon. Both deities vied to become the city's patron. Poseidon's gift of a saltwater spring was deemed impractical,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
Walking Around the National Garden
The National Garden is an impressive, historic park in the center of Athens, complete with artificial streams and duck ponds. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by King Otto’s queen, Amalia, in 1838, reason why it is located directly behind the Old Palace (currently the Greek Parliament building). Not only is it a welcome refuge from the swirl of traffic just outside the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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