History Athens
Athens City
Athens
Athens - Olympic City 2004 - is the political, cultural and economic capital of Greece, located in the south-east of the country.
Athens has existed from the Neolithic period when the first inhabitants, in 4000-3000 BC, gathered around the hill of the Acropolis and the area of the Ilissos River. During the Mycenaean period (1550-1050 BC) the flourishing economy led to the fortification of the city and by the end of the 12th Century BC the sovereign's palace was built on the hill of Acropolis.
Modern Athens was born in 1834 and has been the capital of Greece ever since. In addition to the legendary buildings of the Acropolis, Athens is also home to one of the best archaeological museums in the world, countless Roman and Byzantine monuments and many areas of natural beauty. It is also the gateway to one of Greece's 1400 islands. The city has grown rapidly over the last 50 years.
A total of 38 countries have confirmed their participation in the 51st of the Eurovision Song Festival Contest, which will take place in Athens on 18, and 20 May 2006. The greatest party of the year will be held in Athens.
The 2006 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the Olympic Stadium's Indoor Hall which is part of the Athens Olympic Sports Complex. The venue was chosen because of its functionality, its unique design and its history of hosting major sporting events.
The Olympic Stadium's Indoor Arena was inaugurated in 1995. It consists of six levels and has a seating capacity of 18,500 people, including 2,000 fold-up seats and 300 seats for the media. It also has a 500 square metre Press Centre and a 100 square metre room for press conferences. But the main attraction is the impressive roof which adorns the stadium.