And you’ve probably never heard of it …
Welcome to Anafiotika, a tiny, village-like neighbourhood that you might miss when visiting Athens, but is definitely worth a visit! Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re on one of those Cycladic islands where time seems to have stopped for years. With its whitewashed houses, narrow alleys and peaceful lanes, Anafiotika is a little paradise in the hustle and bustle of Athens. Here are a few photos to help you discover it.
THE HISTORY OF ANAFIOTIKA VILLAGE
How did Anafiotika happened to exist ?
It can be intriguing, when you think about it, how a village can exist around all those buildings in Athens, all that modernity and urbanity. And how did it manage to survive?
To find out, we have to go back to the mid-19th century, when King Otto of Greece invited skilled workers from the island of Anafi to help rebuild Athens after its independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Since the island of Anafi is in the Cyclades, some 400 kilometres from the capital, the stonemasons and craftsmen wanted to recreate a house that reminded them of their island. They chose the northern slopes of the Acropolis – a largely unoccupied area at the time – and began building small whitewashed houses with narrow, winding streets, imitating the traditional architecture of Anafi. The area became known as Anafiotika, which literally means ‘things or places connected with Anafi’ or ‘the neighbourhood of the people of Anafi’.
In the 1950s and 1970s, part of Anafiotika was demolished due to archaeological excavations around the Acropolis, but a small section of the village still remains today, which you can visit.
WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE IN ANAFIOTIKI
Don’t expect hours and hours of wandering through deserted alleyways. You’ll be disappointed. In fact, it only takes a few dozen minutes to walk around the district. Because there are only a few alleys and staircases that cross it. But it’s enough to appreciate the beauty of this place for a few moments. You have some interesting views of the Acropolis of Athens, which rises just above the bougainvillea that dot the streets. You can also catch a glimpse of small hidden churches such as the Chapel of Saint George, discover the street art that surrounds the district and take a few moments to appreciate the beauty of these houses with their flower-filled patios spangled with geraniums.
WHAT ELSE TO SEE IN ATHENS WHICH IS NOT THAT TOURISTIC ?
If you want to avoid the crowds, and discover more secrets places in Athens I can recommend a few places in and around Athens, such as the Church of Daphni, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is particularly famous for its 11th century Byzantine mosaics, depicting richly preserved biblical scenes. And admission is free! There’s also the Gyflada district, the Athenian Riviera, where you can take a guided tour of ‘The Greek Rescue Centre for Sea Turtles’, which is dedicated to rehabilitating injured or sick turtles. I’ll be writing an article soon about more off-the-beaten-track activities to do in Athens, so don’t hesitate to subscribe to the newsletter!