Athens Polytechnic uprising anniversary: Three-day commemorations begin amid heightened security and road closures

The three-day commemorations marking the 53rd anniversary of the November 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising begin on Sunday (November 15), with the historic National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) campus on Patission Street operating under special security arrangements.

While the university buildings will remain closed, commemorative events will take place in designated outdoor areas of the historic campus.

On Sunday, November 15, and Monday, November 16, the campus gates will open at 8:30 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., although they may close earlier if necessary to protect the buildings.

On Tuesday, November 17, the anniversary itself, the gates will open at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.

The buildings have been closed since Friday, November 13, and will remain inaccessible through November 17.

Security measures at the campus were increased last Tuesday and will remain in place until Wednesday, November 18.

Throughout the commemorations, all buildings at the historic Patission Street campus will remain closed, and no indoor events will be permitted. Activities will be restricted to outdoor spaces specifically designated by the university.

According to a decision issued by the university’s rector, the changes are intended to prevent damage, vandalism and violent incidents.

The university cited previous disturbances, including incidents that occurred on the morning of November 15, 2025, during last year’s commemorations.

Athens Polytechnic anniversary: Road closures and traffic restrictions

Extensive traffic restrictions will be introduced across central Athens from Sunday, November 15, until Wednesday, November 18, as authorities prepare for the anniversary events and the traditional march to the US Embassy.

The measures include parking bans, restrictions on stopping vehicles and temporary road closures, which will be implemented progressively according to traffic conditions.

Road closures from November 15 to November 18

From 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 15, until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, parking and stopping will be prohibited and vehicle traffic may be suspended on the following roads and sections:

• Stournari Street: Between Exarchia Square and 3is Septemvriou Street.
• 28is Oktovriou Avenue (Patission Street): Between Kodrigktonos Street and Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue (Panepistimiou), in both directions, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Tositsa pedestrian street.
• Polytechneiou pedestrian street.
• Bouboulinas Street: Between Stournari Street and Alexandras Avenue.
• Tzortz Street: Between Stournari and Kapodistriou streets.
• Botasi Street: Between Stournari and Kapodistriou streets.
• Kaningos Street: Between Stournari and Chalkokondyli streets.
• Solomou Street: Between 3is Septemvriou Street and Exarchia Square.
• Kapodistriou Street: Between Botasi and 3is Septemvriou streets.
• Exarchia Square.
• Chalkokondyli Street: Between 3is Septemvriou Street and Kaningos Square.
• Averof Street: Between Patission and Marni streets.
• Veranzerou Street: Between Kaningos and Marni streets.
• Spyrou Trikoupi Street: Between Alexandras Avenue and Exarchia Square.
• Solonos Street: Between Ippokratous and Patousa streets.

The restrictions will be introduced gradually, depending on traffic conditions and operational requirements.

Additional road closures on Tuesday, November 17

Further restrictions will apply on Tuesday, November 17, when the main anniversary events and commemorative march are scheduled to take place.

Parking and stopping will be prohibited from 6 a.m., while vehicle traffic will be progressively suspended from around midday until the conclusion of the events.

The measures will affect the following roads and areas:

• Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue (Panepistimiou): Its entire length, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Omonia Square.
• Aiolou Street: Between Panepistimiou and Stadiou streets.
• Stadiou Street: Its entire length, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Syntagma Square.
• Vasileos Georgiou I Street: Its entire length.
• Vasilissis Sofias Avenue: Its entire length in both directions, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Akadimias Street: Its entire length, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Alexandras Avenue: Its entire length in both directions, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Gelonos Street: Between Dorylaiou and P. Kokkali streets.
• P. Kokkali Street: Between Gelonos Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
• Dorylaiou Street: Between P. Kyriakou Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
• Vasilissis Amalias Avenue: Its entire length, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Filellinon Street: Its entire length, including intersecting streets up to the first parallel road.
• Syngrou Avenue: Between Athanasiou Diakou Street and Vasilissis Amalias Avenue.
• P. Tsaldari Street (Pireos): Between Iera Odos and Omonia Square.
• Athinas Street: Its entire length.
• Ermou Street: Between Athinas Street and P. Tsaldari Street (Pireos).
• Tsocha Street: Its entire length.
• Soutsou Street: Between Mavili Square and Tsocha Street.
• Zacharof Street: Between Alexandras and Vasilissis Sofias avenues.
• Kifisias Avenue: Between Katechaki and Alexandras avenues, in the direction of central Athens.
• Mesogeion Avenue: Between Katechaki Avenue and Feidippidou Street, in the direction of central Athens.
• Feidippidou Street: Between Mesogeion and Vasilissis Sofias avenues.
• Michalakopoulou Street: Between Feidippidou and Spyrou Merkouri streets, in both directions.
• Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue: Its entire length, in the direction of Kifisia.
• Ardittou Street: Its entire length, in the direction of Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue.
• Vasileos Alexandrou Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Ventiri Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Chatzigianni Mexi Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Iridanou Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Papadiamantopoulou Street: Between Michalakopoulou Street and Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
• Aiginitou Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Papadiamantopoulou Street.
• Lourou Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Lampsakou Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Semitelou Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Kerasountos Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.
• Kartali Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Evrou Street.
• Lykaonias Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Evrou Street.
• Angelou Pyrri Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Evrou Street.
• Xenias Street: Between Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Michalakopoulou Street.

All restrictions will be implemented progressively, depending on traffic conditions and the requirements of the anniversary events.

Changes to bus and trolleybus services

According to a decision by OSY (Road Transport S.A.), changes will also be introduced to bus and trolleybus routes and stops during the commemorations.

The Attica Traffic Police Directorate has prepared additional traffic management measures to minimise disruption across the wider city centre.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and possible diversions, particularly on Tuesday, when the main commemorative march is due to take place.

Police urge drivers to avoid central Athens

The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) have urged motorists to avoid driving or parking near the anniversary venues, along the planned march route and around the US Embassy in Athens from Sunday, November 15, through Tuesday, November 17.

Drivers are also advised to avoid unnecessary journeys through the wider city centre during this period.

Authorities say the measures are intended to facilitate the commemorative events, maintain public safety and prevent additional traffic congestion.