This activity is only available in Greek.

Archaeologist and guide Michalis Giohalas invites visitors to explore the sculpture garden of the First Cemetery of Athens, in collaboration with the This is Athens City Festival.

Beyond the “Sleeping Female Figure”

The tomb of Sofia Afentaki—better known as The Sleeping Female Figure by Yannoulis Chalepas—is undoubtedly the cemetery’s most famous sculpture. But it’s far from the only one of note. This alternative walk veers off the main path to reveal a lesser-known yet equally remarkable side of Athens’ open-air gallery.

Winding through the cemetery’s quieter, uphill lanes, we’ll encounter mausoleums of celebrated figures—places where mortals meet immortals, and where the lofty desire for remembrance coexists with overwhelming silence.