The neighborhood of Plaka,
below the Acropolis
My favorite place to walk, have a cup of coffee and meet a friend of
mine, is the area of Plaka, below the
Acropolis. This neighborhood is very old, just like its streets, which have a
long and great history, from ancient times.
I visited this place for the first time, when I was a
student, in the second year of high school. Our philologist and our professor of chemistry , who loved literature
very much, had arranged with the high school principal of our school and together
with two departments of the second year of high school, they accompanied us for
a walk in the alleys of Plaka.
I will never forget this day. Since
then, I usually go to Plaka, at least once a month, while there have been some
years that I went at least once a week to drink my coffee. I was taking my
magazine and I was enjoying the tranquility and beauty of this traditional
neighborhood, which resembles an island, although it is located in Athens.
This
place has a positive energy, a power, a refreshing aura, which helps you to continue
your life with new strength, until you get tired and visit it again. A little
higher are Anafiotika, the houses that have been built in island style, by
workers of Anafi, who settled in the 19th century in the area.
The beauty and
majesty of the Acropolis are seen from above, as you look up at the sky. The
area of Plaka, due to its location and
history, has a lot of tourists, all year round, but more in the summer. There
are many tourist shops around for souvenirs, but also for more useful everyday
objects, many small and pleasant cafes, taverns, restaurants and theaters. From
its narrow streets, you can go up to the Acropolis or end up in the chapel of
Saint Dimitrios of Lumbardiaris and in the hill of Philopappos.
The
neighborhood of Plaka is located very close to the center of Athens and is an
ideal place for walking, fun and entertainment. Its traditional houses, in
combination with its ancient monuments, narrow alleys and stone roads, take you
to another era, transmit you peace, joy and serenity and relax you from the
intensity and rhythm of everyday life.
