Athens Holidays - The
Village of Plaka within Athens is a place where you can get lost in
time enjoying the real antiquities of Athens and the Greek culture,
or you can enjoy the modern and eclectic Plaka. Having visited Athens
for an extended period, I recommend that you do both. Plaka is like
an island in Athens, and it is my favorite neighborhood.
Athens Holidays - First,
let’s look at the archaeological sites where we begin to see Greek
culture unfold. The Tower of the Winds is a part of the ancient Roman
Agora. It was built in the first century as a meteorological station
by the Syrian Astronomer Andronikos Kyrrhestes. The Mosque on the
grounds of the Roman Agora was built around 1458. It was built for
the visit to Athens by Sultan Mehmet, a fan of the ancient Greek
philosophers. The Plaka displays evidence of some past civilization;
most likely Greek, Roman or Ottoman Turkish.
The
Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting is the
only museum in Greece that displays the range of art history that it
does. It is home to a private collection of contemporary paintings
and temporary exhibitions of Greek and European artists. The museum’s
home is two restored neoclassical buildings of the 19th century. The
Children's Museum, the Music Museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum, and
the Jewish Museum are excellent museums for the study of Greek
culture.
Plaka is a
great neighborhood in central Athens. I have enjoyed good food in
many of the local restaurants, and you should have some enjoyable
evenings and without being upset by the bill. The Vyzantino
Restaurant is one of the best in Plaka for lunch, and dinner is very
good also. Travel toward the Acropolis on Epiharmou Street to the
wonderful Kouklis, and down below to the To Kafeneon. Both of these
spectacular venues are wonderful and authentic Greek drinking and
dining spots. Look around and you will find some great dancing.
The
Plaka is home to many street musicians and flower sellers who are not
bums, but rather highly skilled artisans who are exiled from another
country. They make their living by selling flowers or playing the
most amazing violin pieces ever heard. Although they may follow you,
they intend no harm and I like to buy a Gardenia. For a few Euros you
get the most amazing concert quality music.
Get
off the traditional tourists’ paths and meander through the back
streets. Admire the ancient architecture of buildings that have been
part of Plaka for hundreds of years.