Tip of the day 14/11/2024 – November 17th: Traffic and events in Athens

• November 14, 2024

In Greece, November 17th commemorates the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic (Polytechneio) against the military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1967 to 1974. This event, known as the Polytechnic Uprising, has become a symbol of resistance and the struggle for democracy in Greece.

The uprising began as a student protest but quickly grew into a larger movement, drawing in workers and citizens who opposed the military regime. On the night of November 17, 1973, the military sent tanks to crush the protests, and a tank famously broke through the gates of the Polytechnic, leading to violent clashes and a tragic loss of life. Although the exact number of casualties remains uncertain, the events of that night left a deep mark on Greek society and fueled the eventual fall of the dictatorship less than a year later. Today, November 17th is marked with solemn ceremonies and symbolic acts of remembrance across Greece. The central event is a march from the Polytechnic campus to the U.S. embassy in Athens.

As this year is the 50th anniversary of the event, safety and security measures will be increased, and traffic on the roads between Patission and Vassilissis Sophias Avenue will probably be even heavier. So keep this in mind when travelling in Athens and prefer to walk if you plan to pass through the surrounding areas. If you need a taxi to reach your destination faster, let us help you.

At 9 am on Friday morning (15/11), the historic complex of the National Technical University of Athens on Patission Street will open its gates for the three-day events of honour and remembrance, as part of the celebration of the 51st anniversary of the student uprising at the Polytechnic. More specifically, on Friday 15/11 and Saturday 16/11 the Patision complex will open at 09:00 and close at 20:00. On Sunday 17 November the gates of the Polytechnic will open again at 09:00 and are scheduled to close at 13:00, in order to hold the traditional march to the US Embassy.