Around Plaka

 

A very hot day, 34oC but, wanting a break from swimming, a wander around Plaka is in order. First stop, St Catherine's a Byzantine church, built in the 11th century.

 

 

 

Daphne's restaurant is just across the road, in this beautiful neo-classical building

 

Just round the corner is the Lysikrates monument, most commonly referred to as The Lantern of Diogenis, built in 335BC. The Acropolis fortifications in the background

 

 

 

 

A lot of beautiful buildings in this area

 



 

 

 

that have managed to survive demolition mainly because it's illegal to build tall buildings around the Acropolis

 

 

 

 

I love these wrought iron balconies and their intricate design

 

 

 

 

Up the shallow steps, 

 

 

 

 

and we reach Tholou Street

 

 

 

another Byzantine church, Agios Nikolaos Ragavas






one more view

 

a beautifully restored neo-classical house 

 

 

 

 

lovely door, lovely balcony 

 

 

 

 

lots of steps round here 

 

 

 

 

great terrace, vines around the windows

 

 

 

 

another great balcony, love the supports

 

 

 

 

blue and white, the most common colours in Greece

 

 

 

there is a taverna at the end of this alleyway, we used to go there a long time ago

 

popped the camera through the railings to capture this courtyard - I was intrigued by the antiquities by the wall on the right

 

 

 

 

but then saw the plaque outside the building - it's the training centre of one of the museums 

 

 

 

 

the streets are so narrow here that it's impossible to get a photograph of a whole building

 

The Old University:  the seat of the First University of  the Independent Greek State, 1837-1841

 

 

 

quaint 

 

 

 

 

another gorgeous balcony

 

 

 

 

 

Dioskouros, a café/ouzo place just below the Acropolis

 

this place is usually packed. The only explanation I can think of as to why there are so few people is because Athens empties in August - Dioskouros is frequented by Greek people, students mainly. We used to come here all the time - they do a wonderful poikilia (tapas) which they serve with ouzo

 

 

 

 

gorgeous, muted colours

 

 

 

a closer look at the wonderful wrought-iron work of the balcony







The entrance to the Roman ancient agora

a peep through the railings

 

 

 

 

 

More ruins - the Library of Pantainos this time 

 

 

 

 

Adrianou Street, full of restaurants and cafes, overlooking the Acropolis. A wonderful place to sit and people watch

 

 

  

 

and we stop for lunch at Kuzina, our favourite these days. The kitchen is not open yet, but we are happy sitting here with a glass of wine

 

 

 

 

I always have the same starter, as I can't get enough of it: doughnuts filled with feta cheese mousse with spearmint and olives, with a pomegranate sauce, sprinkled with pistachio nuts. 

 

 

 

Our view of the Acropolis as we eat

 

Finally, on our way back, the flea market in Thissio

 

 

 

 

great fun for browsing.