Page 293 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

EXPERIENCE MORE The charming streets of

Anafiótika, lined with
whitewashed houses EAT

helped to build the new city Rififi
following independence, they Expect creations like
ignored a decree declaring slow-braised pork neck
the area an archaeo logical in balsamic ginger sauce
zone, and completed their at this airy venue.
houses overnight, installing ⌂ Emmanouil Benaki 69
their families by morning. By & Valtetsiou ∑ rififi-
Ottoman law, this meant the restaurant.gr/en/
authorities were powerless to ¡¡¡
knock the new houses down.
The area is bounded by two
17th-century churches: Agios Ama Lahei
bronzes are the Horse with the Geórgios tou Vráhou to the Dine in an old house
Little Jockey and the Poseidon. southeast, which has a tiny (winter) or a large tiered
Also housed here is one of the courtyard filled with flowers, garden (summer). Rakí
world’s largest collections of and Agios Symeón to the by the carafe.
ancient ceramics, comprising west, which con tains a copy of ⌂ Kallidromíou 69
elegant figure vases from the a miraculous icon, originally § 210 38 45 978
6th and 5th centuries BC and brought from Anáfi. ¡¡¡
some Geometric funerary
vases dating back to 1000 BC. Diporto
The Library of Archaeology 5 Businessmen and
holds a large collection of rare
market traders come
books, including the diaries Exárhia here for grilled fish and
of Heinrich Schliemann, who q Omónia stews. Limited seating,
uncovered the remains of so you share tables
Mycenae and Troy. An area of about a dozen with other diners.
blocks southeast of the
⌂ Sokrátous 9, crn
National Archaeological Theátrou, basement; no
4 Museum, around the platía at sign § 210 32 11 463
the junctions of Spyrídonos,
Anafiótika Themistokléous, Trikoúpi ¡¡¡
Αναφιώτικα and Stournára, Exárhia is the
traditional student quarter,
q Monastiráki or Akrópoli the long-time headquarters
Nestling beneath the northern of the Greek publishing
slopes of the Acropolis, this industry, and a major next to the Ancient Agora, it is
area is one of the oldest alternative culture hub. bounded by Platía Agíon
settlements in Athens. Today, It is a heavily graffitied area, Asomáton in the west and
its whitewashed houses, and some of the murals are Eólou in the east. The streets
cramped streets and pots well worth seeking out. of Pandrósou, Iféstou and
of basil on windowsills still Tavernas, cafés, bars and Áreos leading off Platía
give it the atmosphere of a quirky shops abound. Monastirakíou are full of
typical Cycladic village. Its first shops, selling a range of
residents were refugees from goods from antiques, leather
the Peloponnesian War. By 6 and silver to tourist trinkets.
1841, it had been colonized by The heart of the flea
workmen from Anáfi, in the Monastiráki market is Platía Avyssinías,
Cyclades, who eventually gave Μοναστηράκι where every weekend junk
the area its name. Part of the dealers arrive with pieces of
influx of island craftsmen who q Monastiráki Market furniture and various odds
# Daily
and ends. During the week,
This area, named after the nearby shops and stalls still
little monastery church in offer antiques, second-hand
The imposing stoa of Platía Monastirakíou, is books, rugs, leatherware,
Attalos, on the site of synonymous with Athens’ taverna chairs, army surplus
the Ancient Agora famous flea market. Located gear and tools.
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