Aerides, Athens

{{Infobox settlement | name = Aerides | native_name = Αέρηδες | native_name_lang = el | settlement_type = Neighborhood | image_skyline = Horologion_of_Kyrrhestos(1).JPG | image_alt = | image_caption = The Tower of the Winds | nickname = | motto = | mottoeng = | image_map = Aerides in Athens.svg | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within municipality of Athens | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|37|58|28|N|23|43|37|E|region:GR|display=inline,title}} | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Greece]] | subdivision_type1 = [[Modern regions of Greece|Region]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Attica]] | subdivision_type2 = City | subdivision_name2 = [[Athens]] | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | established_title = | established_date = | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 105 55, 105 56 | area_code_type = | area_code = 210 | iso_code = | website = [http://www.cityofathens.gr www.cityofathens.gr] | footnotes = }}

'''Aerides''' ({{langx|el|Αέρηδες}} {{IPA|el|aˈe.ɾi.ðes|pron}}) is a small [[neighborhood]] of the center of [[Athens]], [[Greece]] surrounding the [[Tower of the Winds]], from where it takes its name. It is a subdivision of [[Plaka]].

==History== Aerides was considered the centre of Athens during the reign of [[Otto of Greece|King Otto]] (1832-62). A market was located here and the so-called 'Plane Tree Square' (πλατεία του πλατάνου) which was a barracks in which the [[Bavarian Army]] camped. [[Aiolou Street]] starts at the small park in which the Tower of the Winds is located and at the crossroads with [[Ermou Street (Athens)|Ermou Street]] was where most of the city's commercial traffic gathered. To the north, a market called Abatzidika opened, dealing in coarse fabrics.

The [[Madrasa]] of Athens (Μεντρεσές Αθηνών) is found on the north side of the park in which the Tower is located. This [[Islamic]] holy school became a prison during Otto's reign. Those who were being executed used to greet the [[plane tree]] in the adjacent square named after it. This is the origin of the Greek phrase "Greet the plane tree for us" (χαιρέτα μας τον πλάτανο), said when someone doesn't believe what the speaker has said will happen.<ref>{{cite web|title=4th RouteAdrianou street - Agion Asomaton street -Thiseio Metro - Thiseio.|url=http://www.athenswalk.net/_/Athens_Walk_4th_route.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725194421/http://www.athenswalk.net/_/Athens_Walk_4th_route.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 25, 2013|website=www.athenswalk.net|accessdate=27 September 2017|language=en}}</ref>

With the move of military quarters elsewhere, over time this once busy neighbourhood became quiet. On 1 May 1965, Aerides became part of [[Plaka]], which it remains to the present day.

==Aerides Bath== The [[Aerides Bath]] (Λουτρό των Αέρηδων) is a [[Turkish bath]] left over from the [[Ottoman Greece|Ottoman rule]]. The bath remained opened until 1965.

==Transport== [[Monastiraki metro station]] on [[Line 1 (Athens Metro)|Line 1]] and [[Line 3 (Athens Metro)|Line 3]] is the nearest station of the [[Athens Metro]].

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Geographic location | North = [[Monastiraki]] | West = [[Ancient Agora of Athens]] | Centre = Aerides | East = [[Plaka]] | South = [[Anafiotika]] }} {{Athens}} [[Category:Neighbourhoods in Athens]]