Athens - Pláka 
The Pláka, the older part of modern Athens, lies between the northern slopes of the Acropolis and Ermoú Street, extending east almost to the Leofóros Amalías. In its narrow streets and little squares are a number of small churches, from the Metamórfosis (southwest) to the Sotír tou Kottáki (east), from Ayios Nikodímos (southwest) to the Kapnikaréa (north). It is a district of houses in Neo-Classical style, mostly of modest size, with attractive tiled roofs.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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At 5 Thólou Street is an old building (altered by Kleanthes) which housed the University before its move to Christian Hansen's new building in Epistomíou Street. The building is now a taverna.
Since 1978 the city council have been introducing preservation orders on the Pláka area. Half of the buildings are Grade I listed, Pláka and any conversions and renovations are subject to strict regulations. Most streets are barred to traffic.
A very pleasant evening stroll can be taken from the Mitrópolis through the Filotheu and Adrianou or the Kidathineon, past the Platia Pláka to the Lysikrates Monument. Here can be found rows of little shops selling sweets, dried fruits and nuts, souvenir-stands, taverns with or without bouzouki music, leather-goods and jewelry shops, clothing boutiques and gyroscope-stands.
Since 1978 the city council have been introducing preservation orders on the Pláka area. Half of the buildings are Grade I listed, Pláka and any conversions and renovations are subject to strict regulations. Most streets are barred to traffic.
A very pleasant evening stroll can be taken from the Mitrópolis through the Filotheu and Adrianou or the Kidathineon, past the Platia Pláka to the Lysikrates Monument. Here can be found rows of little shops selling sweets, dried fruits and nuts, souvenir-stands, taverns with or without bouzouki music, leather-goods and jewelry shops, clothing boutiques and gyroscope-stands.
Related Attractions
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Ste Catherine's Church
Ste Catherine's Church in Athens, near Hadrian's Arch, dates from the 12th or 13th century, with later extensions, and has preserved its original dome and apses.
The church, reached by descending a short flight of steps, stands in a large courtyard planted with palms. In this garden are two columns of the Roman Imperial period; the function of the building to which they belonged is unknown, but it was probably part of an earlier church facade.
The church, reached by descending a short flight of steps, stands in a large courtyard planted with palms. In this garden are two columns of the Roman Imperial period; the function of the building to which they belonged is unknown, but it was probably part of an earlier church facade.
Anaphiotiká
Above the Pláka, most conveniently reached from the upper end of Erechthéos Street, is this little settlement established by incomers from the island of Anaphi who came here in the 19th century and built their little village-style houses on an area of undeveloped land below the Acropolis. Their church of St Simeon, built in 1847, is a plain aisleless structure.
Church of St Nicholas Rangava
In Athens, between the churches of Ayios Ioánnis o Teológos and Ayios Yeóryios tou Vráchou stands this 11th C. church. It was attached to the palace of the Rangava family, which produced several Byzantine Emperors and Oecumenical Patriarchs. Much altered in later centuries, the church has been recently restored.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 | 15:30 |
| Close | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 | 19:30 |
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Church of Sts Cosmss & Damianos
The Church of Sts Cosmss & Damianos in Athens, is a 17th century church (with later alterations) in the higher part of the Pláka. It belongs to the monastery of the Panayíou Táfou, a dependency of the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It is dedicated to the third century doctor saints Cosmas and Damian, the "moneyless saints". The interior is in Baroque style, with a handsome throne and a carved and gilded iconostasis.
In the courtyard are some fragments of ancient capitals.
In the courtyard are some fragments of ancient capitals.
Church of the Transfiguration
The Church of the Transfiguration in Athens stands at the upper end of Klepsídras Street, which runs up from the Tower of the Winds to a point immediately below the rock-face of the Acropolis. It can also be reached by taking the panoramic road (Theorías Street) which begins between the Propylaia and the Areopagos.
Although built in the 14th C., during the period of Frankish rule, the church is purely Greek in character. An early Christian capital serves as the altar of this modest place of worship.
Although built in the 14th C., during the period of Frankish rule, the church is purely Greek in character. An early Christian capital serves as the altar of this modest place of worship.
Dora Stratou Folk Dance Festival
Greek dances are performed as part of the Dora Stratou Folk Dance Festival runs throughout the summer months.
The events are described as a "living museum of Greek dance".
The events are described as a "living museum of Greek dance".
Hadzimihali House
The elegant townhouse of the Hadzimihali family is now a museum. Much of the interior has been kept as it was, complemented by a number of works of art and old utensils and everyday items, including some musical instruments.
One room is dedicated to Angelikis Hadzimihali, who made a name for himself in art circles during the 1920s and 30s.
Note also some items made by nomadic shepherds from the Pindus mountains in northern Greece.
One room is dedicated to Angelikis Hadzimihali, who made a name for himself in art circles during the 1920s and 30s.
Note also some items made by nomadic shepherds from the Pindus mountains in northern Greece.
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens houses a collection of over 3000 designs in its permanent collection. These exhibits cover areas such as the History of Greek Jewelry, the Dawn of Art, and the art of twelve different civilizations.
Collections from other museums are displayed in the temporary galleries.
Collections from other museums are displayed in the temporary galleries.
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
Kallisperi 12
11742 Athéna
Greece
Kallisperi 12
11742 Athéna
Greece
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | Closed | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 21:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Photographing the collections is not permitted. All other photography must be done without tripods or flashbulbs.
Admission is free on Wednesdays after 3pm and Saturdays between 9-11am.
Parking
Free
Disabled
Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities
Gift shop
Restaurant or food service
Restaurant or food service
St George of the Rock
This tiny aisleless church, probably dating from the Frankish period, stands at the top of the stepped Epichármou Street, on the upper edge of the Pláka. It takes its name from its situation immediately below the rock-face of the Acropolis.
There is another church dedicated to St. George on Lykabettos.
There is another church dedicated to St. George on Lykabettos.
St John the Evangelist
St John the Evangelist is a beautiful 13th C. domed cruciform church, with Roman capitals, stands in a little square at the intersection of Erechthéos and Erotokrítou Streets in Athens, in which a mulberry tree provides welcome shade. The church was restored some years ago.
Tzistarakis Mosque (Ceramics Museum)
On the north side of the market in the Roman Agora is a mosque built in the 15th C. in honor of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror (Fetiye Camii); it is known to the Greeks as the Market Mosque (Djami tou Staropazaroú).
The mosque now houses a collection of folk ceramics, part of the collection of the Greek Tradition and Folk Art Museum.
The mosque now houses a collection of folk ceramics, part of the collection of the Greek Tradition and Folk Art Museum.
Hours
June 15 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 12:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
November 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
