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Plaka Athens
Plaka is the most famous old historical neighbourhood of Athens with labyrinthine small narow streets,
lots of restaurants (Greek Taverna, bars, clubs and normal restaurants offering Greek food and beverages
( Greek coffe, ouso) and souvenir shops.
The Acropolis - Parthenon, the main monument on the site, rised above the Plaka can be seen from all of the Athens
- was built in favour of goddess Athena, the patron of the city Athens
(Greek: Athena, Athina)
Plaka the heart of the historical centre of Athens with easy tempo is oposit of the rush of the rest of the large city of Athens.
As Plaka is not so big distcrict you can easy walk from one side (east border between Plaka and Monastiraki, Psiri) to the other end of Plaka ( west border
Kukaki - Acropolis metro stop) in less then 20 min easy walk. And less then 15 min from the north (Syntagma Square - banks, shops, companies )
of Plaka to south where is located The Acropolis. Here you find the real Plaka with narow streets tourists shops, restaurants and tavernas)
Plaka the old Turkish quarter in Athens forms most charming and naturaly the most visited part of Athens. In the peak of summer
is Plaka flow with small shops. But Plaka still hiding delightful corners untouched by tourists.
Plaka is touristy in the extreem. Its main streets like Adrianou (leading from Monastiraki through the Plaka along the Acropolis) and Kydathineon are packed with restaurants, tavernas,
bars, and souvenir shops. As it is most attractive and interesting part of Athens - many tourists make Plaka their base in the capital of Athens.
Map of Plaka
Plaka, Makrigianni and Kukaki
Cranky medieval lanes of Plaka, ancient districts under Acropolis are creating probably most favourite part of Athens.
On the top of summer season the lanes are full of various small shops with cheap souvenirs.
At Plaka there are still hidden lots of romantic and amazing parts which were not covered by tourists yet.
Working quarters Makrigianni and Kukaki are reaching new and modern style in last years with interesting museums, fourstars hotels and ultra-fashionable clubs.
Acropolis
Plaka is dominated by a sacred Acropolis rock, the unique cathedrals standing there could
be seen from all the sides of the quarter.Just on that rocks top according to the ancient
legend Athena won the fight about the rule under Athens with Poseidon there.The rock is sacred to that Goddess from yuear 650 B.C.
Acropolis could be reached from Plaka wihin short walk up o he hill, bu what is fun - many Athenian remeber Acropolis just from the shool years ...
Anafiotika - Plaka
From one side closed to Acropolis there is a most amazing and original hidden quarter.
It was founded in 19th century by craftsmen from Anafi Island.
They were invited to Athens to build a palace for King Otto.
After the end of national-liberational rising they decided
to stay there and they created their small island with white and blue houses and small gardens with bougainvillias.
Lots of offsprings from Anafi Island are there staying till now.
Photos of ANAFIOTIKA
Roman Forum and Windss Tower
On the edge between Plaka and Monastiraki you can find - Roman marketplace which supplied the original Greek Agora, was founded by Imperor Augustus
the name of which is incribed on a magnificent gate Athens Archegetis.
But the most amazing unit is the Windss Tower built in 50 B.C.
The ancient world cannot know any simillar building which is decorated by personnificated winds and their names.
Greek Musician Instruments Museum
In Diogenous street in Plaka we can find Museum of Greek Music Instrument (also know as Museum of Popular Instruments ). Entrance is free of charge.
That modest museum is a real treasure. Located in Plaka near Adrianu street, you can see and hear how the Greek music was influenced by
Middle-East and Europe and how unique and lovely music was create on base of those effects by Greeks.
The instruments are beautiful, most of them decorated by ivory and turtleshells.
About half of the instruments forming the Anoyanakis Collection are on public display.
They have been selected on the criterion not only of their aesthetic and decorative value but, in particular,
of their ethnological and musicological interest. The remaining instruments are available for research and for travelling exhibitions
to be held in schools etc and for occasional exhibitions of a special nature
Mitropoli
Huge Athenss Cathedral belongs to the most important monuments in Athens. The prayers here are spoken by a
Greek archbishop often mentioned as a most important person of the nation. V.I.P.s weddings and christenings are taking place regularly.
From the artistic point of view much more important is the neigberhood church so called
Little Mitropoli .
It was built in the 12the century and inside you could admitre 19 mythological scenes.
Lord Byron
Among plenty of famous residetns at Plaka you can find Lord Byron, a romantic poet (1788-1824) His Childe Harolds
Pilgrimage was written at the Capuchin Monastry at Plateia Lysikratus Sqwuare. There is street in Athens named after Lord Byron and also his statue. Byron loved Greece and Athens
specially Plaka. In Plaka you can find hotel Byron. Byron came to Greece as a lover of antiquity and of Greek nature and after while in Greece in December 1809, reached Athens.
During the whole of his stay he struggled and helped in many different way
the just cause of the Greeks. His only leisure was sailing on the lagoon of Mesolonghi and horseriding in the country.
Thre is in Plaka Lysikrates - Capuchin monastery was founded here by French friars of that order and in
1669 the monument was bought by them. It was in this monastery that Lord Byron stayed during his second visit to Greece
Greek Folk Art Museum
The Museum five floors building isnt too interesting from outside, but inside you can enjoy beautiful collections of
jewels for all over the body and lovely needleworks from silver and golden clews. On the walls you can see the paints from a primitive painter Theofil Chatzmichail.
The Museum of Greek Folk Art belongs to the state and comes under the Ministry of Culture.
It was founded in 1918 under the name "Museum of Greek Handicrafts" and was housed in the Tzami.
In 1923 it was renamed the "National Museum of Decorative Arts"; it was given its present name in 1959
Plateia Filomousou
On a green shaddowed square lined by very fine coffee bars you should go for a nice cup of coffe and nice cake to the
Victorain stylo bar To Tristato or to Kydatheneon with a view to the square.
Dont forget to go for a movie to Cine Paris located in the roof where from you can see Acropolis.
There are many traditional Tavernas. It is the very centre of Plaka. Good Place to eat on Filomousou square is Taverna Byzantino
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
Situated across the Amalias ave just short walk from the centre of Plaka just behind the Hadrian Arch.
From the largest Temple of Athens you can find at the moment just 16 columns. But their majestic silhouettes on a bright antic sky are attractive until now.
Inside of the church there used to be a colossal statue ( just a copy) of Zeus made from gold and ivory beloging to one of the Miracles of the World.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus was built in years between A.D. 124 and 132
Filapappos Hill
Green Filapappos Hill full of pines and cypresses is djoining a dry Acropolis Rock.That place was made for
lovely walks and from its top you can have a panoramatic view from Acropolis to the sea.
At the theatre located among the pines there are taking place performances of Greek folk dances by Dancing Theatre of Dora Stratua in summer .
Hotels in Plaka Athens
If you looking for hotel in Athens you may find useful our
Athens hotel giude where are hotels listed by location in Athens
Hotel Pan Athens
budget three stars hotel Pan situted in Plaka near the Syntagma Square
(Mitropoleos street)
Hotel Electra Palace
Luxury hotel located right in the middle of Plaka in Nikodimou street
Hermes Hotel Athens
Hotel Hermes is one of the hotel situated in Plaka still good price for good quality of accommodation. Apolonos street
RELATED ATHENS LINKS
Acropolis
Syntagma Square
About Athens (Guide)
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Hotel Pan Athens
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About Plaka
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Photos of Plaka
Pictures of Plaka, photos of Plaka streets, monuments, museums. Historical sights of Plaka, Plaka nowdays, and other photos of Plaka athens...
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Map of Plaka
Plaka map, the map covers the area of Plaka in athens. Find out more about the romantic Plaka
the most beautiful place in Athens
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Hotels in Plaka
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Magna Grecia Hotel
4 stars hotel located on Plaka
luxury hotel accommodation
Hotel Adrian Athens
3 stars elegant hotel
perfectly siituated in Adrianou street
Hotel Plaka Athens
3 stars hotel directly on Plaka
nice tourist hotel great located
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Travellers reviews
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