Suburbs, Athens

The Pierides Gallery was established in 1980 in Athens. The collection consists mainly of post WWII paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and engravings by artists from Greece or Cyprus.

The richly-endowed Natural History Museum in the northern suburb of Kifissiá provides an excellent insight into the animal and insect life of the Mediterranean countries. It boasts a fine collection of butterflies and one of mussels, as well as numerous stuffed reptiles and mammals.The highlight of the museum is the 8m/26ft long skeleton of a triceratops, a member of the dinosaur family.On sale at the museum shop, articles in real silver, semi-precious stones and mussel-shells are good value.

A purpose-built building designed by the Athens architect Papagiannis, was finally opened in 1985 after taking several years to complete. Its bold, aquiline roof forms a landmark along the Fáliron beach promenade. Oval in shape, the stadium measures 87x43m /285x142ft internally, and seats up to 16,000 spectators. A large number of side-rooms are incorporated, providing facilities for the care of the athletes, training, administration and medical services.Important events of all kinds are held in the giant hall, including world-championship sporting events, rock concerts, festivals and various exhibitions.The floor is made so that it can be easily adjusted to the various needs.

On the beach at Páleo Fáliro the old battleship "Averof" is open to visitors. First put into service in 1910, the old veteran served at times as the headquarters of the Greek navy. The "Averof" accompanied convoys through the Indian Ocean and brought the exiled royal family back to Greece in 1944.

To the north of Páleo Fáliro lie the Hippodrome the Planetarium and the Eugenides Institute, where physical experiments along popular and easily- understood lines are carried out.