“A Capital Within the Capital”
The Municipality of Peristeri is the largest of the 9 municipalities of Western Athens, both in area and population, and the fourth largest municipality of Greece in population. It borders with the municipalities of Ilion (to the north), Athens (to the East), Egaleo (to the south), Chaidari (to the west) and Petroupoli (to the northwest). It covers an area of 1,100 hectares which have been densely populated with the only exception of the Agios Ierotheos (Saint Ierotheos) Park which covers an area of 8,5 hectares belonging to the Hellenic Public Real Estate Corporation.
Peristeri is among the most populated municipalities of the country. The official census of 1991 estimated a population of 145,854 citizens, while on the contrary the Power Company’s statistical survey of 1989 estimated a population of more than 250,000.
History
In 1934, Peristeri was administratively separated from the Municipality of Athens and acknowledged as a separate municipality due to its high population. This new municipality incorporated other settlements of the time, becoming even larger: Peristeri, Chrysallida, Ano Germanika, Kato Germanika, Ktista as well as the settlements created by the immigrants from Pontus and Armenia.
The Germanika settlement was built with wooden houses, funded by the compensations paid by Germany for the war actions in World War II. The first stone houses were built in Ktista. The Armenian refugees settled in Armenika. Of the districts that were later created, Anthoupoli (Flower City) was established by flower merchants, Lofos Axiomatikon (Officers Hill) was named after two families of army officers that had settled there before WWII, Aspra Chomata (White Ground) was named after the ancient city of Leukonoe, located around the municipal cemetery of Ilion and Bournazi was named from the land owned by the Bournazios family that lived there. Agios Ierotheos (Saint Ierotheos) was named after the church located in the same area.
Economy - Society
Today, Peristeri is characterized by small businesses employing 2 or 3 people. Of its total population, 39% is working with 6,7% being employers and 81,4% employees and free-lancers.
It is divided in 8 districts and 34 neighborhoods. Also, being in the geographical center of Western Athens, it has the most extended traffic and transportation coverage (bus lines and a metro station).
The Municipality of Peristeri is well known for its warm smile and traditional hospitality. The district of Bournazi is one of the most important areas for entertainment in the greater Attica area, where one can find hundreds of shops, restaurants, bars, internet cafes etc.).
Infrastructure
The construction of the New City Hall - the largest construction work in the history of Peristeri - is progressing at a fast rate. It is located at the site of the old city hall, at the city’s central square. It includes 4 underground parking spaces and 3 upper levels covering an area of 10,058 square meters.
This new and modern building will house all of the city’s municipal offices. Apart from the 4-level underground parking (400 spaces), it will include a theater, a conventions hall and various spaces dedicated to cultural and exhibition activities.
The materials and the architecture of the building will ensure its harmonious integration with the surroundings and low levels of energy consumption. The construction cost is approximately €9,684,520 and is expected to be completed in a total of 800 days.
In August 2004, the metro reached Agios Antonios, inaugurating the first metro station in Peristeri, while under construction are two other stations (Peristeri & Thivon). When completed, this transport grid is estimated to serve the capital’s western suburbs (Peristeri, Chaidari, Ilion, Petroupoli), in which a large part of Attica’s total population resides.
Since the opening of the Agios Antonios Metro Station, more than 50,000 people use the metro to commute. In 2007, when the full metro grid will be in service, this figure is expected to double.
The City of Boxing
The Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall is located near an area full of life. On the central square of Bournazi stands the largest boxing monument of the world.
Peristeri won the Olympic games bet and being an Olympic city took a leading role with a series of promotional events on a world-wide level, the edition of historical album The Roads of Boxing and the distribution of the “Peristeri Collection” souvenirs.
Man and Culture
For a few months now, the biggest cultural move in the history of Peristeri is being made with the opening of a local archeological museum, which hosts the city’s archeological findings.
“We wanted to return to the city its DNA”, said the Mayor of Peristeri Andreas Pahatouridis, while the plans for the construction of a new museum are already under way.
Within the framework of the city’s cultural activities, the “Phoenix” Theater hosts the biggest artistic performances in Attica, the renovated summer cinema “Cine Peran” as well as the magazine Nees Eikones (New Images).
The new municipal theatrical lab is also a fact along with the Municipal Music School where the children of the city are given the opportunity to learn the instrument of their choosing.
Also, the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra has been upgraded and enriched and the two new choirs (for children and adults) have been created along with workshops for painting, religious painting and hand-made jewelry.
Lastly, the recently created dance school is under the guidance of the great dance teacher Fotis Metaxopoulos, something that guarantees this school’s future success.
Useful Communication Information:
- Municipality of Peristeri:
Telephone: +30 210 5704000
Web Page: http://www.peristeri.gr
E-Mail: info@peristeri.gr
- Mayor’s Office
Telephone : +30 210 5711351-2
Fax : +30 210 5758555
- Press & Public Relations Office
Telephone: +30 210 5709045, 5709026
E-Mail: press1@ananeper.gr
- Municipal Police
Telephone: +30 210 5762201
- 1st Police Station
Telephone: + 30 210 5711231
- 2nd Police Station
Telephone: + 30 210 5711231
- Fire Department
Telephone: + 30 210 5725555
More information about Peristeri: www.peristeri.gr
