Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6. PLATEIA EXARCHEIA
It may seem a little worn around the edges, but this is the place to be for all your lib-
eral intellectual café-sitting needs. The roads leading up to it are covered with graffiti
decrying the latest actions of Western imperialist governments, and blanketed with
leaflets advertising the latest demonstration of the week. De rigueur frappé-sipping
attire is unruly hair, black turtlenecks and messenger bags. Of course, there is also a
jaded awareness of Exarcheia's reputation - as seen at the likes of the cutesy crêper-
ie called “Anarchy”. At night it's an atmospheric place to be as the rembetika music
starts up.
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7. POLYTECHNIC
This is where the student demonstrations in 1973 (for further details see
17 Novem-
lying on the ground - a monument to the fallen heroes of the uprising. Every year on
17 November, all of Greece's politicians turn out to put flowers at the memorial.
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8. EPIGRAPHICAL MUSEUM
Housed here is one of the world's most precious collections of ancient inscriptions,
including the official records of early Athens, carved on stone and marble slabs. It's
a fascinating trove of Athenean lore, and the most important exhibits include: a de-
cree by the assembly of Athens ordering the evacuation of the city before the Persian
invasion in 480 BC; a sacred law concerning temple-worship on the Acropolis; and
a stele carved with accounts of the construction of the Erechtheion at the Acropolis
some 2,400 years ago.
Tositsa 1 • 210 821 7637 • 8am-3pm Tue-Sun • Free
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9. NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
This almost peerless collection is the mother lode of archaeological displays in a
country that could arguably claim to be the mother lode of important archaeological
sites. Highlights include the golden hoard of Homer's Mycenae and the great Clas-
sical marble sculptures, plus everything in between. (For further details see also
Na-
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