As i said in a previous post, i would coming back to the streets of the center of Athens quickly! And as you may see i kept my promise!!!
Today we will have a ride in Athina Street ( Οδός Αθηνάς). As most of us know(and others may easily understand) this street is named after the goddness of of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, mathematics, strength, war strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill in ancient Greek religion and mythology. Ancient Greek history has been a great source of imaginations and many streets, buldings and other places are named after someone or something quite important in the Greek mythology!
This road, was named after a goddess which is also the patroness of Athens city.(ookkk no more mythology let’s move to the street itself now!!!)
When Athena Street was designed in 1834, Monastiraki was the central point in the city. This street with the dozens of stores had been the meeting point for all the Athenians (imagine it as being in Ermou today). An this is not hard to say, since you can sse and feel it when reaching it. It has definetely kept something from its old ”commercial” character and a great example of that is the fact that in Athena’s street is located the notorious Varvakios Agora( best place to buy meat and other goods). Also there plently of old stores that import goods such as spices from other countries. There is a great variety of each good you wish to find
Until the 1950s, Athena street was considered as a luxury street. Numerous buildings still preserved since then however the majority of them have lost their initial glamour and use!
The Athena street, or the Wonderland street or ‘the garden of the people’ is still multicultural and colorful street. An alloy of people, cultures (perhaps more than in any other street in Athens), emotions with colors, perfumes , the flavors. It has also been an ispiration for the famous Greek composer, Manos Hajidakis, who wrote ” The Ballads of Athena Street” and which explains the general atmsphere of the street and the people.
The Athena Street had acquired a bad enough reputation because of the drug addicts and prostitution that exist in its sidewalks.
The story that this street tells me, reflects what happens generally in life. Once in a time started aspiring to remain the greatest street in the center of Athens and ended through the years to decline as one of the most isreputable.
However, its incontestable history and the experiences that offer to the people who walked in, are worth wondering for!!!
Read more about the street here and Here
Take a glimpse of the old Athena street!!!
….and the modern Athena street!!!
sathenscity 