I loved and admired Queen Sophia Avenue since I was a small child, when my parents (usually my father) would take me almost every Sunday morning to the then Royal Garden. As we reached the entrance, I would pause to admire the magnificent mansions that stretched imposingly before my eyes. And I envied the fortunate residents who lived in these grand houses. When I grow up, I thought, I will record the history of this unique avenue.

Years passed and, as happens with most plans we make in our lives, the childhood ambition to study and describe this unique Athenian avenue remained a simple and unfulfilled desire. And every time I passed by and watched the beautiful mansions being demolished, I was overcome with sadness and anger. I would then blame myself for not having managed to realize my childhood ambition, to at least preserve the memory of this beautiful street...