Monastiraki: the Go-To Place

Georgia Lemos | October 8th, 2015

There's always something lively and unusual to see in Monastiraki.

© Clairy Moustafellou

In this crazy neighborhood, you can find just about everything under the sun

Pandrossou is a relatively broad street linking Mitropoleos – named after the imposing Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral – and Monastiraki Square. At the top end of the street, you may see idle shopkeepers whiling away the hours over cups of coffee, lamenting the drop in their business. Further down, a hodgepodge of commercial establishments sells furs, elegant gifts, knock-off soccer jerseys, plenty of tchotchkes and the predictable tacky souvenirs.

At the lower end of Pandrossou, one usually finds Monastiraki Square in a state of bedlam, with crowds of people waiting to meet their friends or just hanging around, while the odd drum circle or group of Peruvian flute players adds to the din. Monastiraki offers an excellent demonstration of the fact that old and new live hand-in-hand in Athens. The square itself is home to an historic train station built in 1895 that now accommodates the metro system, a mosque from 1795, a small Christian church dating from the 9th-11th centuries and the remains of the Roman emperor Hadrian’s 2nd century AD library or forum.

Monastiraki Stop

The old station, today used by the ISAP electric railway, marked the first stream-train link between Pireaus and central Athens. It was instrumental in boosting commerce by getting merchandise to and from the port fast.

Try a "koulouri" - a favourite Athenian snack - either with or without sesame.

© Dimitris Vlaikos

Backgammon boards and worry beads come in all shapes and sizes in Monastiraki.

© Dimitris Vlaikos

CHURCH OF PANAGHIA PANTANASSA<br/>Monastiraki was named after this church, a barrel-vaulted basilica from the 9th-11th centuries. A Patriarchal sigillium from 1678 refers to it as a “Big Monastery,” an annex of the Monastery of Kaisariani; after 1821, it became known as the “small convent,” or monastiraki. It has a very pleasant atmosphere inside as well as a good collection of pretty icons, wood sculpture and other ornamentation. (Ermou & Athinas)

© Dionysis Kouris

LIBRARY OF HANDRIAN<BR/>Corinthian columns mark the western end of the Library of Hadrian (2nd cent. AD), once a large public forum, with strolling paths, decorative statues in niches, a library and two lecture halls.

© Dimitris Vlaikos

As much as we like to complain about our changing world, Ifestou Street – named after Hephaistos, the god of metalworkers – and Avyssinias Square still have something of their old mystique. The shops may no longer sell beautiful antiques, but the new objects have their own charm and the reproductions of old furniture are quite good. Tiny side-streets like Kynetou and Normanou, meanwhile, offer small pockets of tranquility that appear to belong to more innocent times.

Ifestou seems narrow because of the masses of merchandise displayed on both sides of this street, which represents the heart of the so-called Monastiraki Flea Market. Athenians have always said that you can find anything you want here and this may well be true. We spotted the following incongruous items: beads, sportswear, handmade soaps, hats, sandals, military uniforms, bicycles, furniture, dinner sets, old buttons, hardware, works of art, Karagiozi shadow-theater figures, vinyl records, decorative items, toys, knick-knacks and much, much more.

“ Day or night, Monastiraki always has something interesting to offer; food, drink, shopping, ancient ruins, Acropolis views and colorful people from around the world. ”

CENTER OF HELLENIC TRADITION<br/>Showcasing artists whose works are inspired by Greece’s folk traditions, this venue also hosts a number of shops selling folk art, furniture, decorative items and much, much more. There is also a lovely cafe on the first floor, serving light meals and thirst-quenching refreshments. (59 Mitropoleos Stoa  & 36 Pandrossou  • Tel.: (+30) 210-321.3023 • www.kelp.gr)

MOSQUE OF THE LOWER FOUNTAIN<br/>Also known as the Mosque of Tzisdarakis, it was built in the 18th century by the then-governor of Ottoman-ruled Athens, who called it the Mosque of the Lower Fountain after a public fountain that once existed nearby. Today it serves as an annex of the Museum of Greek Folk Art, showcasing its 20th century pottery collection. (1 Areos • Tel.: (+30) 210-324.2066 • www.melt.gr)

We even saw a man selling canaries. We asked around for a shop that sells handmade tsarouchi clogs – the red shoes with pom-poms, today worn by Greece’s Presidential Guard but historically by 19th century Greek soldiers – and were told about Dino, the best craftsman in town. Soon we found him in a small basement at 26 Ifestou and had a fascinating chat about his usual and not-so-usual products.

At Avyssinias Square – once a center for antique auctions, first organized by a Greek Jew from Asia Minor in 1910 – you no longer find an abundance of antiques; but, with patience and a good eye, you may spot an attractive souvenir. In recent years, the square – likely named after the area’s former Ethiopian (Abyssinian) community – has become more a center of leisure, with two cafe-bar-restaurants already in place.