 Plaka
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Plaka is the most picturesque and oldest neighborhood of Athens, rightfully attracting the highest tourist traffic in the capital.
Its narrow streets, mostly paved with cobblestones, form a genuine labyrinth in many parts. Plaka is built at the foot of the Acropolis, extending along the northeastern slopes of the sacred rock.
By general consensus, the historic neighborhoods of Plaka represent the most authentic glimpse of Athenian life from past centuries. The area flourished in the 19th century, when many wealthy Athenian families built grand neoclassical mansions that helped elevate the neighborhood. Many of these buildings remain today, serving as true architectural jewels for both Plaka and the entire city. A distinctive feature of the area is the coexistence of these elegant residences with older working-class neighborhoods, significant archaeological sites, and small Byzantine churches scattered throughout Plaka.
Plaka is truly a city within a city. It may sound exaggerated, but anyone who has wandered through its streets and lost themselves in its labyrinthine alleys will understand that the description is entirely accurate. It is a central neighborhood in Athens where time has respected its grandeur, allowing it to shine beneath the Acropolis and capture the admiration and praise of its visitors.
Walking through the cobblestone streets, visitors experience a living portrait of a bygone era. Traditional two-story houses adorned with colorful flowers in pots and small gardens evoke a countryside atmosphere. At the same time, the bustling streets lined with shops selling gifts, folk art, replicas of antiquities, and souvenirs reflecting traditional life remind dreamers that they are in the heart of Athens. Around the central square, at the intersection of Kydathinaion, Farmaki, Olympiou Dios, and Angelou Geronta streets, numerous cafés, tavernas, and restaurants offer authentic Greek cuisine.
One of Plaka¢s most charming neighborhoods is the famous Anafiotika, a miniature Cycladic settlement located directly beneath the Acropolis. Whitewashed houses with blue doors and windows, narrow cobblestone streets, and small courtyards adorned with bougainvillea and jasmine create a magical Aegean atmosphere. The first residents of Anafiotika came from the small Cycladic island of Anafi. They were skilled craftsmen brought to Athens by King Otto to help build the royal palace. Since they were expected to stay long-term, they recreated a piece of their island in Plaka, blending Cycladic architecture seamlessly into the neighborhood. Today, Anafiotika is a popular area that enchants visitors and inspires local shopkeepers.
Plaka is not only a hub of commercial activity and tourist interest due to its charm, but also an area rich in archaeological treasures. Beneath the Acropolis, to its north, lie the ruins of the Ancient Agora, the center of urban life in ancient Athens, where political, commercial, social, and cultural activities took place from the 6th century BCE. Highlights include the Temple of Hephaestus, resembling a miniature Parthenon and better known as Thiseio, and the Stoa of Attalos, the only two-story stoa in Athens, restored to its full glory. Built in the 2nd century BCE by King Attalos of Pergamon, it now houses a small museum that brings ancient Athenian society to life.
Continuing the walk through Plaka, another remarkable structure draws attention: the Tower of the Winds, or Aerides, part of the Roman Agora. This marble tower dates to the late 1st century BCE, stands 12 meters tall, and is made of Pentelic marble, shining like the Parthenon. The octagonal building features decorative friezes depicting the eight winds of mythology and originally housed a hydraulic clock powered by an aqueduct descending from the Acropolis.
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