Plato’s Academy (Akadimia Platonos) is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Athens with a rich history. It took its name from its first inhabitants Ekadimo or Academo, and is the area where the ancient Greek philosopher Plato founded the Philosophical Academy (387 B.C.), a powerful center of culture, research and political thought.
Nowadays it’s characterized as an archaeological park strongly maintaining the spirit and the culture of that era. In the footsteps of history many state and local cultural and educational organizations (and this is the interesting part for me) periodically organize art exhibitions, philosophical discussions and free courses in Philosophy, Language, Science, Art, etc. keeping this place an unchanged center of culture and education. Recently, the Digital Museum of Plato’s Academy opened its doors in the park. You can visit it every day (except Monday) from 09:00 to 16:00. And when the weather is good, Plato’s Academy is the ideal destination near the center of Athens to walk, relax, have a picnic or set up a music evening with friends as we do sometimes.
Finally, going to Plato’s Academy, you will see that the old inhabitants of the neighborhood are fully connected to the area and their love for it is one of the most important aspects that keeps it alive today. In the nearby shops you will surely find some of those willing to explain the history and the philosophy of the area in detail.
