Discovering Alleys and Passageways in Arachova, Greece

What do I love about Arachova, Greece?

So many twisty-turny passageways to explore.

This awesome little village 

is no sleepy town. 

Situated on the side of a mountain 

makes it a fine location for a ski resort 

(Yes! Skiing in Greece!)

offering a lively nightlife. 

It's close proximity for those who wish to visit Delphi 

also makes it a great place to spend the night. 

The people we met here were very friendly as well. 

One woman told us how to get inside this church. 

This little guy welcomed us too. 

Being on a mountainside 

means there were plenty of steps. 

I lost count climbing these steps 

when I stopped to catch my breath, 

but google says there are 264. 

The steps lead up to this church. 

Do you love all those arched doors?

I LOVE them!! 

There is one main street that runs through Arachova, 

the rest are the small side streets. 

The main street isn't very big either 

but it is lined with 

shops, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. 

Marveling at the Ancient Agora in Athens

The Parthenon sits on top the hill.

The ruins of the Ancient Agora in Athens 

sits in the shadow of its newer neighbor, the Parthenon.

The Agora dates to the Archaic, Greco-Roman and Byzantine times

and was a public space where Athenians 

would go to market, do business, and celebrate religious festivals. 

Stoa of Attalos

Since 1931 this site has been undergoing excavations, 

preservation, and in the case of the Stoa of Attalos--

rebuilt from the ground up based on its ancient appearance. 

(The inside is a small museum.)

A Byzantine era Church of the Holy Apostles

Wandering around the Agora 

you'll see the ruins of many structures, 

but it is easy to imagine busy Athenians

going about their day to day life here. 

An original Corinthian column capital. 

We marveled at the architectural remains 

and the size of the stones hoisted into the air 

without modern day equipment. 

Temple of Hephaestus from the Stoa

The preserved classical Temple of Hephaestus 

is the only ancient building still standing. 

Davide Mauro, CC BY-SA 4.0

You are walking where such greats as 

Sophocles, Socrates, Protagoras,

and the apostle Paul walked before you. 

We spent about 2 hours here 

in the morning (beat the heat)

and then explored more of Athens. 

Location: 

24 Adrianou, Athens
Αρχαία Αγορά Αθηνών, Αδριανού 24

10€ In season, 5€ Off season as of 2023
also available on a city pass unified ticket. 

Click for Additional Information

Impressions of Athens

The first thing that struck me driving to our hotel was the architecture...

well, if you can call it architecture. 

Housing on top of shops was built fast and on the cheap between 1950 and 1980 

in what is called the Dom-Ino System.  

(That sounds scary to me...if one falls...?) 

This systems does away with the need for interior load bearing walls.  

The condominiums also provide a bit of social mixing as the higher your condo the more expensive it becomes.  

So all social spheres are mixed into one building. 

Next up, the traffic.  

I am used to city traffic in and around Philly, but this traffic is beyond Philly traffic.  

The streets are narrow and filled with motorcycles weaving between cars and buses while people bustle between them.  

It definitely created the feel of being in a Bourne movie. 

And then there is that whole ancient history thing...right in the middle of modern day life buzzing by, 

you see something from long ago still managing to survive. 

This is the olympic stadium from 1800s but it was built on the site of athletic race courses from 330 BC which was rebuilt in 150 AD with marble seating. 

The juxtaposition of old and new surrounds you. 

If you own property and you want to do any excavation, you need to have an archeologist on site.  

Should the archeologist find something of interest, your project can be held up for years.  

If the find is of high interest of value, 

you have the privilege of allowing the government to give you a small donation in exchange for confiscating your property.

People come from all over to visit the capital of Greece 

and the most popular attraction is the Acropolis on which the Parthenon sits. 

It is an impressive sight to see and a marvel of ancient construction. 

Discovering Ramshackle Homes and Cobbled Passageways of Anafiotika, Athens, Greece

The best little spot to wander around in Athens 

is found perched on the northern side of the Acropolis:

 Anafiotika. 

 

"Little Anafio" is a collection of ramshackle homes 

built in the 1800s by people from the Anafi Islands.

They came as tradesmen to help rebuild Athens.

Their small homes are separated by tiny cobbled passageways. 

At one time this neighborhood was larger 

than the 45 or so remaining structures.

The archeological excavations around the Acropolis 

claimed a number of these homes.

You can find Anafiotika from 

Stratonos Street or Prytaneiou Street.

Take any of the steps or alleys that head uphill

and you'll find this tranquil neighborhood

waiting to be explored. 

After our explorations, we stopped for dinner at Yiasemi (3*)

along the pedestrian steps of Mnisikleous Street 

where the hosts somewhat aggressively hawk for your business.

 Next we checked out the shops 

along Stratonos Street.

How cute are those ceramic doors and windows 

modeled after Anafiotika?

The pottery added an exuberance of color 

and the gelati a scrumptiousness of flavor. 

If you get to Athens, 

be sure to visit Anafiotika - 

but be respectful, 

as you are right up close and personal 

with the people who live there. 

I'm in Love....Don't You Love a Good Haul?

I went thrifting in two states over two days 

and here are my favorite finds.

By the way...

if you live near Delaware, 

I just discovered on Wednesdays

age 55+ gets a whopping 30% off

and as usual they have no sales tax.

Pennsylvania's Goodwill 55+ discount 

is 10%.  Boo-hiss.

And we pay sales tax. 

Most items will be coming to my Etsy shop. 

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Thrift Finds, Thrift With Me, Thrifting, Thrift Haul