Olgas Square - Location and History

Location and History

The square is defined by the Zaimi Street in the north, Maizonos Street in the east, Kolokotroni Street in the south and Riga Feraiou Street in the west. Originally the square was intended as a market, but it was planted with trees and became a public square known as "the Queen's garden" («της βασίλισσας το περιβόλι»). Its original name was Omonoia Square (Πλατεία Ομονοίας, "Concord Square"), but it was renamed after Queen Olga of Greece – the city's other major central square, Georgiou I Square, is named after Queen Olga's husband, King George I of Greece.

After the fall of the Greek monarchy in 1974, the square was officially renamed to Ethnikis Antistaseos ("National Resistance Square") after the Greek Resistance against the Axis Occupation of Greece during World War II. A marble monument to the Resistance forms a centerpiece of the square. The square also features a fountain in the middle and several trees and lawns, and is lined with cafes and restaurants, making it very popular especially during the summer months.