Neos Kosmos

Neos Kosmos played a significant role in classical antiquity as it housed the famous temple of Herakles and the public gymnasium, Cynosarges. The surrounding grove, located outside the walls of Ancient Athens, offered ample open space for athletic and military training, making it an essential area for physical and mental development during that time.

In modern times, Neos Kosmos was initially established as a refugee shantytown in the 1920s. It was occupied by Armenians and refugees from the Asia Minor catastrophe of 1920, and its name, which means “New World,” held out the promise of a new beginning.

From the 1950s onwards, Neos Kosmos started gradually erecting to provide better conditions for its residents. Small parks of green separate the buildings, ceramic studios, and community workshops, murals on neighbourhood walls, and the streets of Neos Kosmos are brimming with creative fertility.

Today, this neighbourhood is experiencing a renaissance with hip art spaces, eateries, theatres, and bars sprouting up amongst repair shops and apartment buildings. It has become a new cultural stop in Athens where the past and present coexist harmoniously, making Neos Kosmos a beloved and vibrant community!