The Pagrati Grove dates back to 1908, when the first pine trees were planted under the care of the former Queen of Greece Sofia and with the help of the Foundation Philodassiki Enossi Athinon. In 1936, the grove was provided to the Municipality of Athens, while a zoo also opened there in 1939 until World War II, when it was destroyed by the German forces. In 1960, the “Alsos” theater opened and in the 1970s, acting as a meeting point forartists of the anti-dictatorship movement.
In an area of 7,4 acres, full of alleys with steep slopes, benches, tall trees that offer precious shade in the summer, many visitorsgo for hiking, to work out on the fitness equipment installed and on the basketball court.
The voices of playful children and the dense vegetation greatly reduce the noise of the city and thus any visitormayexperience a natural ecosystem offeringfresh air in the center of Athens.
The grove also providesa variety of choices in cafes and restaurants around.
