My spring trip to Crete, in order to take care of the farm and handle some other affairs, is over. On my way back, I stopped for one day in Athens and since I don't visit it very often, I combined the things I had to do with the pleasure of a long photo walk!
It is always fun to go around the streets of the city that I was born and raised with a camera hanging from my neck. Anywise I am very often mistaken for a foreigner but with the camera, almost no-one doubts that I am a tourist and they usually address to me in English :)
I find it very amusing and kind of liberating and I make sure to enjoy my walk like the first time I ever laid eyes on this scenery!
The first part of my walk was from Thissio to Monastiraki, probably the most trodden route in Athens, if not in all Greece! It is unthought-of any visitor not to walk this area at least one time, usually more!
Acropolis and many archeological sites on one hand, the most famous flea market on the other and a square in the heart of the historical centre that you simply can't miss!
I have to admit that I am not very good at history but the good thing about blogging is that it gives me excuses to read some more! So as I didn't remember what was the ruins in the three pictures above, I made a little search to refresh my memory.
Of course, how could I forget! It is Hadrian's Library, the largest library of ancient Athens!
Located just outside the northern corner of the Roman Agora, the library was built on the site of Late Hellenistic and Early Roman housing. Becoming the largest library in Athens it was built to house not only books but also as a repository for the official state archives. Several important schools of learning and philosophy also occupied the building.
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On Monastiraki square you can see an old Ottoman mosque (now a folk art museum) and the 10th century church that is responsible for the name of the whole area!
On the other side of the square is the lovely building of the metro station and the entrance of the flea market.
And in between people, lots of people!
In a rush to get to their work or in awe sightseeing, resting after a long walk or chilling with their pals, you can find all kinds of ages, types or ethnicities!
The second part of my walk was towards Syntagma square through the, less old but still, historical centre.
From now on I had to remember to be careful of the cars and motorcycles that are crowded in all the narrow streets of the neighbourhood, while my eyes (and my lens) kept looking at the blooming acacia trees and the wonderful neoclassic buildings!
As I was moving uphill I passed from a road that you also don't want to miss. Unless of course, you have no interest in trendy bars, ethnic food and all short of cool things to do :)
Kolokotroni Street, with its neoclassical architecture, boutique shops and eateries, has been ranked by Time Out magazine as one of the "coolest" streets on the planet.
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It was not long until I reached the old parliament and Kolokotroni square. The sightseeing bus was there waiting for its passengers to come, while the city was roaring louder and louder. I was only a few meters away from Syntagma square, the absolute centre of the city but it was getting late for my next appointment and I had to put my camera in the bag and move a little faster!
Happy walks, to all of you :)
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