Kephisia

Kifisia Κηφισιά
The Villa "Atlantis" the work of architect Ernst Ziller (1837-1923)
Kifisia
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°5′N 23°49′E / 38.083°N 23.817°E / 38.083; 23.817Coordinates: 38°5′N 23°49′E / 38.083°N 23.817°E / 38.083; 23.817
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Attica
Regional unit	North Athens
Government
• Mayor	Georgios Thomakos (since 2014)
Area
• Municipality	35.10 km2 (13.55 sq mi)
• Municipal unit	25.937 km2 (10.014 sq mi)
Elevation	290 m (950 ft)
Population (2011)
• Municipality	70,600
• Municipality density	2,000/km2 (5,200/sq mi)
• Municipal unit	47,332
• Municipal unit density	1,800/km2 (4,700/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	145 xx
Area code(s)	210
Vehicle registration	Z
Website	www.kifissia.gr

Kifissia or Kifisia (also Kephisia or Cephissia; Greek: Κηφισιά, pronounced [cifiˈsja]) is one of the most expensive northern suburbs of Athens, Greece, mainly accessed via Kifissias Avenue, running all the way from central Athens up to Theseos Avenue in the suburb of Nea Erythraia. It has traditionally been home to rich Greek families and major Greek political families.

The municipality Kifisia was formed at the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the following 3 former municipalities, that became municipal units:

The municipality has an area of 35.100 km², the municipal unit 25.937 km².

Kifisia is situated in central Attica, at the western end of the forested Penteli mountain range. The small river Kifisos forms the western border of the municipality. Kifisia is situated 12 km northeast of Athens city centre. The built-up area of Kifisia is continuous with those of the neighbouring suburbs Lykovrysi, Nea Erythraia, Marousi and Pefki. Kifisia consists of the following neighbourhoods: Adames, Ano Kifisia, Kato Kifisia, Kefalari, Nea Kifisia and Politeia. It is a green suburb with many parks and tree-lined streets.

The main thoroughfare is Kifisias Avenue, which connects Kifisia with central Athens and the northern beltway Motorway 6. The Kifisia station is the north terminus of Athens Metro Line 1.

Cephisia was a deme of ancient Attica. It was the home of the famous dramatist Menander (circa 342-291 BC). Cephisia had become a famous retreat of philosophers during the reign of the Roman emperor Hadrian, when the wealthy Herodes Atticus of Marathon, Greece built the Villa Cephisia. In his Attic Nights, Aulus Gellius describes the unique ambiance of intellectual ferment and aristocratic leisure in an idyllic setting which he created there. It was also the practice of Herodes to provide free instruction in philosophy for selected youths from Athens. The remains of some of his family funeral monuments lie at the centre of the town in Platonas Square. He also beautified a sanctuary to the Nymphs in the ravine of Kokkinara, in the nearby district of Kefalari.