The impetus for writing this book was a protest letter by Giannis Tsarouchis, in 1975, to a newspaper, regarding the tyranny of the imposition of green spaces in Attica, thereby pointing out green as the key to understanding the Attic landscape. The timeless absence of greenery in Attica coincides with the multitude of so-called "archaeological sites" it possesses. The relationship between these two elements is not coincidental, as both are equally threatened by vandalism and violence.
Therefore, public green spaces unexpectedly come to the forefront of the discussion about landscape: no longer directly, as merely green with plants and vegetation, but indirectly, as a designated vacant space, as emptiness. In the form of excavated areas, quarries, or even deserted or abandoned spaces, it offers a breath of fresh air to the city, providing an opening; from there, residents are given the opportunity to communicate freely with the sky.
In the first part of the book, the aspects of the Attic landscape related to the construction of its ideology and the shift of focus towards the lack of public green spaces are discussed. In the second part, the search leads to the typology of free spaces, undeveloped and excavated, culminating in the formulation of a proposal, where "green" is considered as part of the landscape and the role of archaeology as a producer and provider of open spaces in the life of the modern Greek capital is highlighted.
