Atene, moderna capitale del mondo antico

Mi trovo ad Atene di passaggio verso le isole Cicladi in pieno Egeo ed ho un giorno per rinfrescare i miei ricordi greci, antichi e più recenti. Certo la città è cambiata dall’ultima volta e di sicuro non ho il tempo per fare un giro approfondito delle zone che amo di più che sono, tra l’altro anche quelle più visitate, l’Acropoli e il Monte Licabetto. Ma ci sono molte zone nuove o comunque cambiate che vale la pena di scoprire o riscoprire. La prima è di sicuro Psiri: area ricca di locali, negozietti, vie addobbate e tanti murales. È molto centrale, praticamente accanto a piazza Monastiraki, dal lato opposto dell’Acropoli. Ha subìto un’enorme trasformazione in occasione delle Olimpiadi. A vederlo oggi sembra impossibile pensare che fosse tanto malfamato come scrivono. Ora è uno dei quartieri più trendy della città, molto vivace anche di notte, quando i numerosi locali si riempiono di gente. Dopo Psiri c’è il classico quartiere della Plaka, area sotto l’Acropoli piena di gente, negozi e ristoranti. Da sempre la zona che mi piace di più ad Atene perché anche bella da un punto di vista architettonico.  Un altro luogo, ormai anch’esso iconico è il Centro culturale della Fondazione Stavros Niarchosprogettato dall’architetto Renzo Piano costruito dalla Fondazione Stavros Niarchos, per l’appunto. Il progetto, costato 566 milioni di euro, è stato completato nel 2016 ed è stato donato allo stato greco nel 2017. Il Centro Culturale della Fondazione Stavros Niarchos è situato a Kallithea, 4 km a sud del centro di Atene, sul mare. Si tratta di un importante complesso culturale, all’interno di un grande parco urbano (170.000 mq), che comprende la Biblioteca Nazionale Greca e l’Opera Nazionale Greca. Con questo progetto viene riqualificato un grande spazio semi-abbandonato, ex sede dell’ippodromo, poi inclusa nell’area dei Giochi Olimpici del 2004, diventata infine un parcheggio. Per arrivare dal centro città, dalla centralissima piazza Omonia basta prendere  la metro M1 e in 15 minuti si arriva a destinazione. Oppure, per chi vuole approfittare di un giro panoramico, dalla stessa piazza parte il tram T4

Greece, Athens: Omonia square

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: In front of the parliament building on Plateia Syntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.

Greece, Athens: The Roman Agora at Athens is located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora

Greece, Athens: Dorou street near Omonia square

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art. Loukanikos on Riga Palamidou St., Psyrri. Work by Billy Gee, Alex Martinez & N_Grams

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art. Psiri area is very close to the Monastiraki square. Many decades ago it was an undeveloped area

Greece, Athens: city graffiti and street art. Psiri area is very close to the Monastiraki square. Many decades ago it was an undeveloped area

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: beautiful view over the city from the rooftop of Electra Metropolis Hotel, Mitropoleos 15

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: The Public Market Place of Athens has been in business nonstop since 1886. It consists of a fish market, vegetable market and a meat market extending along both sides of Athinas Street. Also known as Varvakeios Agora, it is open every day, except Sunday, from early in the morning till late afternoon

Greece, Athens: buildings surrounding the Roman Agora at Athens, located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora

Greece, Athens: 22, Lysiou Street in Plaka, in the historic Athens Center, has its own special history. Way before it was established in people’s conscience, the Cafe-Bar-Restaurant “Melina” was initially used for other purposes, as you can see in the rare photo-gallery provided. Melina Cafe was initially named “Cafe of Melina” in 1994, to place the honours to the last Greek Godess, Melina Mercouri, which had just passed away but her high temperament was engraved in many hearts. Cafe Melina, with this strong sense of the dynamic Greek Godess, offers moments of morning serenity, a lunch in the afternoon and a drink at night, with the help of the multipurpose space, its warm personel and its magnificent coffee

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Lysiou street. The famous Zorbas restaurant was opened 40 years ago and is located under the Acropolis, in one of the most historical and interesting places of Athens. The view over the Zorba restaurant is from inside the well known Cafè Melina, just across the street

Greece, Athens:

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Apollonia Lyra Cafe, Lisiou 12

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka, Lysiou Street

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka district

Greece, Athens: The Roman Agora at Athens is located to the north of the Acropolis and to the east of the Ancient Agora

Greece, Athens: the first hotel in Athens, now an abandoned building, located near the Roman Agora

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka district

Greece, Athens: scene in La Plaka district

Greece, Athens: Agios Eleftherios church, also known as Mikri Mitropoli (little metropolitan church) or Panagia Gorgoepikoos is a Byzantine-era church located at the Mitropolis square, next to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens (Megali Mitropoli). It is often said Michael Choniates, the bishop of Athens, ordered the construction at the start of the 13th century, but is known nowadays it dates to the second half of the 15th century, already in the Ottoman period

Greece, Athens: Koulouri, a ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. This healthy snack, packed with carbohydrates and proteins, is virtually sold everywhere, in bakeries or on the streets. And while it’s usually in a simple ring form, you may also find it twisted or braided. Available in many variations (multigrain, filled with chocolate spread, cheese or tahini or even without sesame seeds), the traditional sesame-seed koulouri was first introduced by Greek refugees from Asia Minor who were flooding Greece’s second city.

Greece, Athens: Koulouri, a ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. This healthy snack, packed with carbohydrates and proteins, is virtually sold everywhere, in bakeries or on the streets. And while it’s usually in a simple ring form, you may also find it twisted or braided. Available in many variations (multigrain, filled with chocolate spread, cheese or tahini or even without sesame seeds), the traditional sesame-seed koulouri was first introduced by Greek refugees from Asia Minor who were flooding Greece’s second city.

Greece, Athens: Koulouri, a ring of bread sprinkled with sesame seeds. This healthy snack, packed with carbohydrates and proteins, is virtually sold everywhere, in bakeries or on the streets. And while it’s usually in a simple ring form, you may also find it twisted or braided. Available in many variations (multigrain, filled with chocolate spread, cheese or tahini or even without sesame seeds), the traditional sesame-seed koulouri was first introduced by Greek refugees from Asia Minor who were flooding Greece’s second city.

Greece, Athens: a local pope

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Lysiou street. The famous Zorbas restaurant was opened 40 years ago and is located under the Acropolis, in one of the most historical and interesting places of Athens. The view over the Zorba restaurant is from inside the well known Cafè Melina, just across the street

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Lysiou street. The famous Zorbas restaurant was opened 40 years ago and is located under the Acropolis, in one of the most historical and interesting places of Athens. The view over the Zorba restaurant is from inside the well known Cafè Melina, just across the street

Greece, Athens: La Plaka, Apollonia Lyra Cafe, Lisiou 12

Greece, Athens: 22, Lysiou Street in Plaka, in the historic Athens Center, has its own special history. Way before it was established in people’s conscience, the Cafe-Bar-Restaurant “Melina” was initially used for other purposes, as you can see in the rare photo-gallery provided. Melina Cafe was initially named “Cafe of Melina” in 1994, to place the honours to the last Greek Godess, Melina Mercouri, which had just passed away but her high temperament was engraved in many hearts. Cafe Melina, with this strong sense of the dynamic Greek Godess, offers moments of morning serenity, a lunch in the afternoon and a drink at night, with the help of the multipurpose space, its warm personel and its magnificent coffee

Greece, Athens – PALLAS ATHENA GRECOTEL Boutique 65, Athinas str. & Likourgou, GR-10551 Kotzia sq.

Greece, Athens – PALLAS ATHENA GRECOTEL Boutique 65, Athinas str. & Likourgou, GR-10551 Kotzia sq.

Greece, Athens: Syntagma square

Greece, Athens: Mitropolis square, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens (Megali Mitropoli).

Greece, Athens: the Syntagma metropolitan station

Greece, Athens: Local fruit vendor at Omonia square

Greece, Athens: Dinner in the Sky in Athens. An extraordinary culinary proposal, in the center of Athens, welcomes you! A table for 22 people, along with our experienced chefs who are preparing a 5 course menu, lifts you up to 50 meters and offers once in a life time experience over the city. Located in Technopolis

Greece, Athens: Kotzia square where the City Hall is located

Greece, Athens: Kotzia square where the City Hall is located

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the theatre

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the orchestra rehearsaling

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the music room only for rehearsal

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea – the music room only for rehearsal

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea

Greece, Athens: The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, Leof. Andrea Siggrou 364, Kallithea