It's March and Spring has arrived in Athens. What better way to spend the day than walk through the streets of old Athens, and more specifically through the streets of Anafiotika.
Anafiotika is a tiny picturesque neighbourhood, forming part of the greater neighbourhood of Plaka, lying on the northeast side of the Acropolis.
In 1840 construction workers came to Athens from the island of Anafi in order to help build King Othon's palace (today it is the Greek Parliament building). The construction workers built the first houses in the the neighbourhood according to typical Cycladic architecture, and even today as you walk through the neighbourhood you feel that you are on a Greek island. The houses are typically white with different shades of blue and grey decorating the windows and doors, and bougainvillea flowers are lined around the entrances.
In 1950, archaeological researchers partially destroyed the neighbourhood and in 1970 the Greek state started buying the houses. Today about 45 houses remain unaltered through time, on the unnamed streets. Walking through the neighbourhood you can still see many elements from the past such as ceramic tiles on the steps forming part of the artwork.
The easiest way to access this unique small neighbourhood situated on the North of the Acropolis, is by the steps right next to "Ai-Giorgis of the Rock". When you start climbing them you will think that they lead to a dead end - keep going up and you will be rewarded with the best view of Athens!
Photos follow below!
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| View of Athens and Lycabettus Hill from the top of Anafiotika |
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| Anafiotika #5 - one of my favourite houses in the neighbourhood |
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| The colourful entrance to Anafiotika #4 |
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| Walking through the houses |
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| Detail of Marble Drawing |
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| Afternoon siesta by the doorstep |
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| Home entrances... |
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| ...and more home entrances |
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| Home garden |
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| And yet another entrance with tiles and plants |
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| Grey vs Terra cotta shades |
