Plaka-The Neighbourhood of the Gods
When in Athens, one of my most favourite places to visit is the area of Plaka. Only a short walk away from the buzzing city centre, Plaka is a haven of peace amid the usual hustle and bustle of the city. Winding roads, neoclassical mansions, houses with red-tile roofs, balconies with bougainvilleas, jasmine or geraniums compose "the neighbourhood of the gods" dominated by the Acropolis - the sacred rock that makes us Greeks so very proud of our illustrious ancestors and our Greek heritage - the most advanced civilization the world has ever known.
It's no wonder Plaka takes pride of place in the Greeks' hearts, especially in the hearts of the older Athenians who would have a glass of Retsina in one of the typical Plaka tavernas. In those days, every taverna had a guitarist playing old Greek songs such as the old Plaka "Kanta des". Later in the 60s, Plaka became the birthplace of the Greek "new wave" music inspired by the mainstream of the 60s in Italy and France. Many famous Greek artists first performed in one of those clubs, called "bots". What's more, one of the most well-known Greek films - Stella starring Melina Mercouri - was filmed at Plaka.
It was under the ministry of Melina Mercouri, in the 70s, that Plaka, which had turned into a nightlife spot, was upgraded and declared a solely pedestrian area. All the nightlife havoc moved to the areas of Psiri and Thesio. Thanks to Melina, Plaka found its real identity as the "neighbourhood of the gods." even though it has now become a main tourist attraction. Yet, Plaka hasn't been spoilt by tourism. It still preserves the aura of the past in the modern city of Athens.
It's no wonder Plaka takes pride of place in the Greeks' hearts, especially in the hearts of the older Athenians who would have a glass of Retsina in one of the typical Plaka tavernas. In those days, every taverna had a guitarist playing old Greek songs such as the old Plaka "Kanta des". Later in the 60s, Plaka became the birthplace of the Greek "new wave" music inspired by the mainstream of the 60s in Italy and France. Many famous Greek artists first performed in one of those clubs, called "bots". What's more, one of the most well-known Greek films - Stella starring Melina Mercouri - was filmed at Plaka.
It was under the ministry of Melina Mercouri, in the 70s, that Plaka, which had turned into a nightlife spot, was upgraded and declared a solely pedestrian area. All the nightlife havoc moved to the areas of Psiri and Thesio. Thanks to Melina, Plaka found its real identity as the "neighbourhood of the gods." even though it has now become a main tourist attraction. Yet, Plaka hasn't been spoilt by tourism. It still preserves the aura of the past in the modern city of Athens.
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