Dromeas (“Runner” in English) is a 12-meter-tall glass and iron sculpture created in 1994 by Athens artist Costas Varotsos
Sharp Dresser: Athens may be one of the world’s safest cities, but you won’t want to run into a big Greek guy named Dromeas while you’re there — he would literally tear you to pieces.
Standing 12 meters tall (nearly 30 feet), Dromeas cuts a dashing figure at Megalis tou Genous Sholi square near the Hilton Athens Hotel on Vassilissis Sofias Avenue. Created by noted Athens sculptor Costas Varotsos in 1994, Dromeas originally stood at Omonia Square, but was moved when construction commenced on the underground metro station there. Concerns that shakes and vibrations from subway building activity could damage the sculpture prompted his relocation to a triangular public square close to the Canadian Embassy.
A photo of Dromeas and the Athens Hilton, shared on the Facebook community page This is Athens
Dromeas is seen in a dramatic image that sculptor Costas Varotsos shared on @costasvarotsos, his official Instagram account
This marvellous image of Dromeas was captured and shared on Instagram by photographer @imikov during the heavy snowfall that paralyzed Athens and many other parts of Greece on January 24 2022
Another amazing photo of Dromeas during the Elpis snowstorm, this time captured by photographer Lucas Kouloubis. The image was shared on @costasvarotsos, the official Instagram page for sculptor Costas Varotsos.
This Associated Press photo of Dromeas, shot after the Elpis snowstorm had subsided, was widely circulated on social media
Please turn to page 2 to view more photos of Dromeas.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
December 26, 2014 at 12:55 pm
The Runner, sculptured by Kostas Varotsos, was originally erected in Omonia Suare in 1988. In 1994 it was moved to the Square of the “Great School of the Nation”, opposite the Hilton Hotel because the central square of the city was being remodeled for the 2004 Olympics.
May 7, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Can’t imagine how I missed it… Maybe my trip was before it was built. Need to find my pix.
January 5, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Before googling Dromeas (and reading your blog) I usted exactly the same words you did ‘one of my favorites contemporary sculptures’.
I stay at the Hilton Athens every year on my trips to Greece. Just love it there, I feel at home.
January 13, 2019 at 9:46 pm
Years ago that sculpture helped me remember the name of the square. It was glass and FILTHY. Looked like it needed a good cleaning with ammonia. Hence “Omonia Square.”
January 14, 2019 at 1:44 pm
Hate to tell you this, but the sculpture isn’t in Omonia Square. It’s not even close to it.
August 4, 2019 at 12:01 pm
Your photo of Dromeus is one of the best I’ve found. I wanted to get a large print of Dromeus but can’t find a source. Can you help?
August 8, 2019 at 8:52 am
I’m afraid I have no idea where you might be able to obtain a large print of Dromeas. Only suggestion I can make is to contact the artist directly.
May 13, 2020 at 5:49 pm
I have an image here: https://lindajphotography.smugmug.com/Travel-Photos/Greece You can purchase the digital file or a print from my site.
Go to Travel Images / Greece. I really only have videos up so far. Other images will be coming but I added the running man for you now.