Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

EXPERIENCE Athens

7 It was built by the Syrian 9 "-
astronomer Andronikos
Pláka Kyrrestes around 100 BC as a Benaki Museum
Πλάκα weather vane and waterclock. Μουσείο Μπενάκη
On each of its marble sides,
q Monastiráki v 1, 2, 4, 5, the eight recognized winds ⌂ Corner of Koumbári and
9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 18 Vasilíssis Sofías, Sýntagma
are depicted in relief form.
Considered the historic heart Many churches here are q Sýntagma v 3, 7, 8, 13
# 10am–6pm Wed & Fri,
of Athens, the Pláka district worth a visit: 11th-century
buzzes with tourists as well as Agios Nikólaos Rangavás has 10am–12am Thu & Sat,
Athenians who come to eat in ancient columns as its walls. 10am–4pm Sun ¢ Main
old-fashioned tavernas or public hols ∑ benaki.gr
browse in the antique and icon Tower of the Winds This outstanding museum,
shops. Despite the crowds, " ⌂ Platía Aerídon § 210 which opened in 1931, contains
Pláka still retains the atmo- 32 45 220 # May–Oct: 8am– a diverse collection of Greek
sphere of a traditional neigh- 5pm daily; Nov–Apr: 8am– art and crafts, regional
bour hood and while only a 3pm daily ¢ Main public hols costumes, jewellery and polit-
few of its buildings date back ical memorabilia spanning
further than the Ottoman from the 3rd century BC to the
period, it remains the oldest 8 20th century. There are also
continu ously inhab ited area in fantastic artifacts from Egypt
the city. Lykavittós Hill and the rest of the world. The
One explanation of its name Λυκαβηττός museum was founded by
comes from the Albanian Andonios Benakis (1873–1954),
soldiers in the service of the q Megaro Moussikis the son of Emmanouil Benakis,
Turks who settled here in the At 277 m (910 ft), this hill is the a wealthy Greek who made his
16th century – pliaka (old) was highest point in Athens and fortune in Egypt. Andonios
how they described the area. the apex offers the best view Benakis was, from an early age,
Among the notable remains over town. A steep path climbs interested in Greek, Persian,
here is the only choregic it from the top of Loukianoú Egyptian and Ottoman art,
monu ment intact in Athens, Street, at the southwestern tip and started collecting while
the Lysikrates Monument in of the ridge; alternatively, the living in Alexandria. When he
Platía Lysikrátous. Built to easy way up is the funicular a moved to Athens in 1926, he
commem orate the victors at block away on Aristíppou, at donated his collection to the
the annual dramatic and the top of Ploutárhou. Near Greek State and used his
choral festival at the Theatre the summit, the little chapel family house as the museum.
of Dionysos, the monuments of Ágios Geórgios is well The elegant Neo-Classical
took their names from the attended on 23 April, when mansion housing the museum
sponsor (choregos) of the every George celebrates his was built towards the end of
winning team. name-day. Beyond, the out- the 19th century by Anastasios
The Tower of the Winds, in door Lykavittós Theatre is Metaxas, who was also behind
the far west of Pláka, is in the a popular venue for concerts Athen’s Kallimármaro stadium.
grounds of the Roman Agora. in the summertime. Due to generous donations,
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