Athens, the capital of Greece, seems cold at first glance. However, it is actually warm because of its residents, magnificent history, and even the streets with dirty and graffitied walls.
According to tradition, Athens, which was named after Zeus’ daughter Athena, has a history of at least 3,400 years.
There are many beautiful places in Athens, but its main source of pride is the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Acropolis, which was built in the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. The entrance fee is 20 euros during other seasons of the year, but in the winter, the fee is 10 euros.
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Athens certainly does not have a lack of tourists, despite the fact that the city is full of beggars and many of the streets are filled with garbage.
The Temple of Zeus, the Pantheon, the agora, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, the Temple of the Winds, and more… these are must-sees for tourists.
One of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in the city is Plaka with its narrow streets, old construction, and restaurants and coffee shops that showcase souvenirs and national cuisine. It is pleasant to visit here even at night when the neighborhood becomes more lively.
The Monastiraki Square in the center of Athens seems to be the deciding point of which direction to go in. An Armenian worker at one of the restaurants located on this square gives his fellow Armenians special treatment and care. Armenians are also treated especially well at the nearby Giragos Nakasian fur store. He sells his products to Armenians at a price three times cheaper than he sells to other ethnic groups. Apparently, this was the will of his late father, who was from Van.
Armenians began living in Greece between the 5th and 6th centuries. The number increased after the massacres of 1895 and 1896, after the genocide of 1915, and in 1922, when the Turks conquered Smyrna.
The Old Royal Palace is located on Athens’ Syntagma (Constitution) Square, which houses the current Greek parliament. The Evzones, historically an elite infantry unit of the Greek Army, now guard the building. They change shifts with a special ritual that many tourists witness. They approach the Evzones so often for photos that they are frequently requested to take a few steps back. Everyone is fascinated by the Evzones’ uniforms and especially their wool socks and unique shoes.
There are many mandarin trees in the city, which no one eats from besides tourists. In order to get a feel for any city, including Athens, one must try their local cuisine. But the portions are so large that it is impossible to finish for those with normal appetites. Souvlaki, gyros, delicious seafood and dessert, sweet tea… it is impossible to not attempt to try everything.
It is possible to buy some of the most unique souvenirs in Athens from refrigerator magnets to statues and laurels to rosaries. Every kiosk sells colorful phalluses, which causes tourists to giggle as they pass by. And then, of course, there are cosmetics made of olive oil and donkey milk. Greece, the country of the old gods, is like a wise woman who knows her value, does not dress gaudily, and is not overly flirtatious, but still has the ability to attract even those who claim that they are invincible.
Gohar Hakobyan
Photos by the author
“Aravot” daily
