Fallen Aviators Monument

A roundabout in Athens features a striking centerpiece. There, drivers will spot a sculpture showing a male metal figure with sharp wings, his shoulder colliding with a pyramid. He looks as though he’s just dropped from the sky as the result of a nasty fall.

Many rumors have circulated about the artwork. Though some believe the image represents a fallen angel or even Lucifer himself, it actually depicts the legendary Icarus, who is famous for flying too close to the sun and suffering the fatal consequences.

The modern take on an ancient Greek figure serves a somber purpose. It’s a monument dedicated to the aviators who lost their lives while on duty.

The seven-meter figure was completed in 2000. It’s the work of sculptor Evangelos Moustakas and architect Ioannis Moustakas.