Monastiraki – is one of the oldest areas of Athens (Greece). It is located at the northern part of the Acropolis and, in fact, the Acropolis is officially part of the area.
Monastiraki
During the Turkish domination it was the central area of the city. Probably, the large number of small private shops, which are in
the area and where you can buy everything (well, or almost everything), came to us from those times.
The Ermou Street is the commercial center of Athens, where a large number of stores of global brands. If you liked something in these shops, you need to bargain. The Greeks immediately inflate the price several times, and, apparently, the process of trade gives them an incomparable pleasure. So do not hesitate and ask the bargain.
The Ermou Street
The most significant monument of the Turkish presence in Athens is a mosque Fetiya. Located directly opposite the station is the same name with the metro area. The mosque was built in the 15 th century to commemorate the visit to Athens husband of Roksolana — Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror.
Mosque Fetiya
Also in this area concentrated interesting monuments of Greek and Roman architecture.
First, the so-called Tower of the Winds. The tower was built in
the 2 nd century BC by Syrian astronomer Andronik Kirrestesom and served as the determinant of the weather. The tower was named in honor of the bas-reliefs decorating the tower, each of which dedicated to a certain wind. An interesting fact is that in the 18 century dervishes (Muslim order of ascetics) turned the tower into a monastery. They were patronized by the Turkish authorities, who came at the tower to look at the ritual dance of the dervishes — «Sema».
Tower of the Winds
It is also interesting excavations of the Roman Agora and the Library of Hadrian (132 g.). In antiquity the library was a huge repository of books in a complex which also included a garden and swimming pool.
The Library of Hadrian
Ceramics
Also at Monastiraki there is an ancient cemetery of Athens — Ceramics.
Ceramics is located right near the flea market (to go strictly on
Ermou, leaving the Acropolis on the left). This ancient necropolis has served as the burial place from 12 in BC. Most of the monuments of Ceramics are now in the National Archaeological Museum, and in the Ceramics there are the plaster copies of the sculptures.
And Ceramics offers the most beautiful views of the Acropolis — the review does not interfere with modern buildings and exists a feeling as if you’re in ancient Greece. In ancient times Ceramics crossed one of the main roads leading into Athens, on the edges of which were located of the monuments of the Athenians, as well as the graves of heroes who died for the honor and glory of the city of Athens. It is in Ceramics Pericles delivered his famous speech during the Peloponnesian War.
Ceramics
In Ceramics, according to the historian Pausanias, were buried Cleisthenes, Frasivul, Lycurgus Pericles himself. On the territory of Ceramics there is a museum Oberlander, which is named in honor of the American industrialist Gustav Oberlander, who has funded and built a museum. The museum contains a large collection of tombstones from Ceramics and stelae which once served as a decoration of sacred gates.
Monastiraki — is a big ant hill. There are a huge number of vagrant musicians, traders, counterfeit goods, beggars from all over Europe and other miscellaneous folk. Generally, such a motley crowded — it is a natural attribute of the commerce and the historic district. But, nevertheless, the area is absolutely safe for tourists, as well as all this happens under the watchful eye of the Greek police.
The Monastiraki square
Monastiraki on the map