LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
Wednesday, 26 October 2022 12:20
Free Admission To The Acropolis Museum On October 28th
On Friday, October 28th admission to the Acropolis Museum will be free from 08:00 am until 22:00 pm.
Just like every other Friday, the museum's restaurant on the second floor will be open until midnight.
Just like every other Friday, the museum's restaurant on the second floor will be open until midnight.
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Community
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Wednesday, 26 October 2022 07:00
5 Interesting Facts About Ohi Day You May Don’t Know
Ohi Day is commemorated each year on October 28th by Greeks throughout the world and is undeniably one of the proudest moments in Greek history. It was the day when Ioannis Metaxas, on behalf of the Greek people, bravely shouted “No” and resisted the Italian occupation.
Here are five lesser-known facts regarding Ohi Day you may haven’t heard of!
Metaxas didn’t actually say “No”
When Grazzi delivered Benito Mussolini's message asking that the Italian forces be allowed into Greek territory, the Greek general responded in French. He famously said, "Alors, c’est la guerre." (Well, this means war). A newspaper called the Greek Future was the reason why the word “Ohi” was associated with this day. In its issue of October 30, 1940, the newspaper coined the word “Ohi” on the front page title of the article reporting the events.
The fascist orientation of Ioannis Metaxas
Fascism had a certain appeal for Ioannis Metaxas long before he became a dictator in 1936, and his "4th of August" regime had similarities with the fascist regimes of Italy and Germany. He didn't dream of a fascist Greece though; what he wanted to achieve was “The Third Hellenic Civilisation”, an unspecified concept for which we still do not have enough information. However, he understood well enough that the country’s interests lay with Great Britain and tried not to join the war until he didn’t have a choice.
Famous Greek artists fought in the war
Poet Odysseas Elytis might be among the most famous Greek artists who fought in the Greco-Italian War, an experience that inspired some of his works, including Axion Esti. Other artists who served as soldiers include painters Yannis Tsarouchis, Spyros Vasileiou, and Aleksandros Aleksandrakis; writers Nikiforos Vrettakos, Aggelos Terzakis, and Yorgos Theotokas; and beloved comedy actors Lampros Konstantaras, Dyonisis Papagiannopoulos, and Ntinos Iliopoulos.
Greece was the first nation to win a battle against Axis powers
At first, it may seem weird that we “celebrate” the beginning of the war instead of the end of it, but it is not: only Greece could celebrate the beginning of the war since it was the only country that managed to defeat the enemy during this first phase of the war. In fact, it was the first victory of the allied forces that revitalized the morale of all allies since, until then, there had only been defeats.
Metaxas’ guard mistook Grazzi for the French ambassador
Although there is nothing fun about war, we could say that this one is quite a “fun fact” about Ohi Day. When Italy’s ambassador, Emanuele Grazzi, arrived at Metaxas’ residence in Kifisia, it was 3 a.m. As reported, one of the guards mistook the Italian flag on Grazzi’s car for a French one. Hence, Metaxas originally woke up thinking he should urgently meet the French ambassador.
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Greek Philosophy & History
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Tuesday, 25 October 2022 07:00
Greek Monastery Manuscripts Tell New Story Of Ottoman Rule
A church bell sounds, the staccato thudding of mallet on plank summons monks to afternoon prayers, and deep voices are raised in communal chant. And high in the great tower of Pantokrator Monastery, a metal library door swings open.
There, deep inside the medieval fortified monastery in the Mount Athos monastic Orthodox Christian community, researchers are for the first time tapping a virtually unknown treasure – thousands of Ottoman-era manuscripts that include the oldest of their kind in the world.
The libraries of the self-governed community, established more than 1,000 years ago on northern Greece’s Athos peninsula, are a repository of rare, centuries-old works in several languages including Greek, Russian and Romanian.
Many have been extensively studied, but not the Ottoman Turkish documents, products of an occupying bureaucracy that ruled northern Greece from the late 14th century – well before the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, fell to the Ottomans in 1453 – until the early 20th when the area became Greek again.
Byzantine scholar Jannis Niehoff-Panagiotidis says it’s impossible to understand Mount Athos’ economy and society under Ottoman rule without consulting these documents, which regulated the monks’ dealings with secular authorities.
“Ottoman was the official language of the state,” he told The Associated Press from the library of the Pantokrator Monastery, one of 20 on the heavily wooded peninsula.
Niehoff-Panagiotidis, a professor at the Free University of Berlin, said the oldest of the roughly 25,000 Ottoman works found in the monastic libraries dates to 1374, or 1371. That’s older than any known in the world, he said, adding that in Istanbul, as the Ottomans renamed Constantinople when they made the city their own capital, the oldest archives only go back to the late 15th century.
And the manuscripts tell a story at odds with the traditional understanding in Greece of Ottoman depredations in the newly-conquered areas, through the confiscation of the Mount Athos monasteries’ rich real estate holdings. Instead, the new rulers took the community under their wing, preserved its autonomy and protected it from external interference.
Nikopoulos said that one of the first actions of Murad II, the Ottoman ruler who conquered Thessaloniki – the closest city to Mount Athos – was to draw up a legal document in 1430 protecting the community.
Another unexpected revelation, Niehoff-Panagiotidis said, was that for roughly the first two centuries of Ottoman rule no effort was made to impose Islamic law on Mount Athos or nearby parts of northern Greece.
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
There, deep inside the medieval fortified monastery in the Mount Athos monastic Orthodox Christian community, researchers are for the first time tapping a virtually unknown treasure – thousands of Ottoman-era manuscripts that include the oldest of their kind in the world.
The libraries of the self-governed community, established more than 1,000 years ago on northern Greece’s Athos peninsula, are a repository of rare, centuries-old works in several languages including Greek, Russian and Romanian.
Many have been extensively studied, but not the Ottoman Turkish documents, products of an occupying bureaucracy that ruled northern Greece from the late 14th century – well before the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, fell to the Ottomans in 1453 – until the early 20th when the area became Greek again.
Byzantine scholar Jannis Niehoff-Panagiotidis says it’s impossible to understand Mount Athos’ economy and society under Ottoman rule without consulting these documents, which regulated the monks’ dealings with secular authorities.
“Ottoman was the official language of the state,” he told The Associated Press from the library of the Pantokrator Monastery, one of 20 on the heavily wooded peninsula.
Niehoff-Panagiotidis, a professor at the Free University of Berlin, said the oldest of the roughly 25,000 Ottoman works found in the monastic libraries dates to 1374, or 1371. That’s older than any known in the world, he said, adding that in Istanbul, as the Ottomans renamed Constantinople when they made the city their own capital, the oldest archives only go back to the late 15th century.
And the manuscripts tell a story at odds with the traditional understanding in Greece of Ottoman depredations in the newly-conquered areas, through the confiscation of the Mount Athos monasteries’ rich real estate holdings. Instead, the new rulers took the community under their wing, preserved its autonomy and protected it from external interference.
Nikopoulos said that one of the first actions of Murad II, the Ottoman ruler who conquered Thessaloniki – the closest city to Mount Athos – was to draw up a legal document in 1430 protecting the community.
Another unexpected revelation, Niehoff-Panagiotidis said, was that for roughly the first two centuries of Ottoman rule no effort was made to impose Islamic law on Mount Athos or nearby parts of northern Greece.
To read this article in full, please visit: ekathimerini.com
Published in
Greek Philosophy & History
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Thursday, 26 October 2023 07:00
The Heroes Of The Ohi Day
October 28th is the day that commemorates the rejection by Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas of the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940. This day is known as Ohi Day by Greeks around the world.
Unlike the Greek War of Independence heroes that we are all familiar with, the heroes of the Greco-Italian War are lesser known. Of course, there are so many of them, and it is impossible to know them all. But let’s take a look at some Greeks who were called upon to make critical political or military decisions and made history.
Ioannis Metaxas
Ioannis Metaxas was a Greek military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Greece from 1936 until his death in 1941. At first, Metaxas’ intention was to keep Greece out of World War II, a plan that failed when the Italian ambassador, Emanuele Grazzi, visited his residence demanding, on behalf of Italy, occupation rights to strategic Greek sites. His reply, “Alors, c'est la guerre," meaning “Then it is war," brought a united country into the Western alliance. In a strange twist of events, Metaxas never lived to see the Fascist-Nazi invasion of Greece because he died in Athens on January 29, 1941.
Alexandros Papagos
With the declaration of the Greco-Italian war, Alexandros Papagos assumed the position of Commander-in-Chief and managed to organize an effective defense and successfully halt the Italian troops along the Greco-Albanian borders. He remained in command until April 23, 1941, when he resigned in order not to participate in the negotiations following the German advance. In 1943, he established a resistance organization, the Military Hierarchy. In July of the same year, he was arrested by the German occupation authorities and transported to Germany's concentration camps as a prisoner. He was liberated by the Fifth U.S. Army on May 5, 1945.
Mordechai Frizis
When the Greco-Italian War was declared, Colonel Mordechai served as a detachment commander of the Delvinaki section of the Division. As the Italian army invaded Greece, crossing the Albanian frontier into Epirus, the task of defending the country’s border fell entirely to the VIII Division. Frizis and his men successfully pushed back the attacks, resulting in heavy losses for the Italians. On December 4th, he was ordered to move his unit towards the town of Përmet to cut off the Italian line of retreat, and the following day he was discovered dead from enemy fire. He was the first senior officer of the Greek Army to be killed in action on the battlefield in the Greco-Italian War.
Konstantinos Davakis
Konstantinos Davakis was a Greek military officer who, as the commander of the Pindus detachment, successfully repelled the Italian Julia Alpine Division's attack in October 1940. On November 1, 1940, when the reinforcements expected by Davakis arrived, the Greek forces counterattacked and surrounded the Italians, who were forced to retreat. On the 6th day after the start of the operations, Davakis was wounded and forced to withdraw from the front line position. He was arrested by the Italian occupation authorities in December 1942, suspected of participation in the Greek Resistance. He was to be shipped along with other officers to POW camps in Italy, but the ship was torpedoed and sank off southern Albania in January 1943.
Charalambos Katsimitros
As commander of the VIII division, Katsimitros successfully managed to hold back the Italian advance. He decided to organize forward defense and hold the Elaia (Kalpaki) position, despite opposite instructions from the General Staff and succeeded in defending it against repeated attacks until November 9. In this way, he managed to contain the Italian offensive in the Epirus sector and bought valuable time for the Greek reinforcements to arrive. After the German attack on Greece began, he retreated with the rest of the Army of Epirus, and the capitulation found him in Ioannina.
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Greek Philosophy & History
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Tuesday, 25 October 2022 07:00
Greece Ranks 6th As World’s Most Popular Destination For Weddings
Greece ranks 6th in the World’s Most Popular Places for Destination Weddings list, according to Google search data analysis recently published by money.co.uk, an online financial product comparison service.
By analyzing Google search data from the last 12 months for ‘wedding in + [destination]’ in nearly every country around the world, experts at money.co.uk discovered that Greece was the most googled wedding destination in Armenia, Brazil, England, Hungary, South Africa, and Wales.
The country ranked 3rd most popular destination to tie the knot in Europe and came in 5th place among South Americans wanting to get married.
The most popular country that the world is googling to get married in is India, as it takes the top spot for 38 countries around the globe including Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the US.
The second-most popular place for a wedding destination is Italy, with 28 countries choosing it as their top nuptial haven including France, Greece, and Sweden.
Wedding destinations sum up approximately $16 billion in annual spending of visitors according to Ampers and Travel while 2022 is set to be the biggest year for weddings since the 80s, the Wedding Academy International says.
To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr
By analyzing Google search data from the last 12 months for ‘wedding in + [destination]’ in nearly every country around the world, experts at money.co.uk discovered that Greece was the most googled wedding destination in Armenia, Brazil, England, Hungary, South Africa, and Wales.
The country ranked 3rd most popular destination to tie the knot in Europe and came in 5th place among South Americans wanting to get married.
The most popular country that the world is googling to get married in is India, as it takes the top spot for 38 countries around the globe including Australia, Canada, Mexico, and the US.
The second-most popular place for a wedding destination is Italy, with 28 countries choosing it as their top nuptial haven including France, Greece, and Sweden.
Wedding destinations sum up approximately $16 billion in annual spending of visitors according to Ampers and Travel while 2022 is set to be the biggest year for weddings since the 80s, the Wedding Academy International says.
To read this article in full, please visit: news.gtp.gr
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Greece In The News
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Monday, 24 October 2022 07:00
Greek Author Kazantzakis’s Last Novel Published 75 Years Later
The last remaining unpublished novel of Nikos Kazantzakis, the universally-celebrated author of “Zorba the Greek,” is out on October 26, 2022, sixty-five years post-mortem and seventy-five years since it was penned.
The novel, titled “Aniforos” (“Uphill”, in free translation), hit the bookstores in Greece by publishing house Dioptra, following a comprehensive publishing rights deal with Kazantzakis’s descendant, Niki Stavrou, who is the copyright owner of the author’s works and director of Kazantzakis Publications.
The manuscript had been kept at the Kazantzakis museum, in the author’s home village of Mirtia, just outside Heraklion, Crete, since its rediscovery.
Nine-time Nobel nominee
Nikos Kazantzakis is the most translated Greek contemporary author, and he is widely considered a giant of modern Greek literature.
A novelist, poet, playwright, journalist, philosopher, and politician, Kazantzakis was born and raised on Crete but traveled around the world and lived in several European cities, leading a truly cosmopolitan life.
His work includes novels, short stories, plays, travel logs, memoirs, and philosophical essays, written between 1906 and his death in 1957.
Kazantzakis was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times, for a total of 14 different nominations. In the year of his passing, the Cretan author famously lost the prestigious prize to Albert Camus by one vote.
Kazantzakis’s last unpublished novel
“Aniforos” was his last novel, written right after his world-famous masterpiece “Zorba the Greek” (1946). He wrote it around the time that he departed for the UK on what was meant to be his last journey.
Brimming with autobiographical references, as the author reflects on the sad experience of World War II, which he endured firsthand, “Aniforos” is separated into three parts: Crete, England, and Loneliness.
Dioptra said in an earlier note that this work was Kazantzakis’s answer to the criticism he had received that the pain and destruction suffered by Greece during the German occupation was missing from “Zorba the Greek.”
To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
The novel, titled “Aniforos” (“Uphill”, in free translation), hit the bookstores in Greece by publishing house Dioptra, following a comprehensive publishing rights deal with Kazantzakis’s descendant, Niki Stavrou, who is the copyright owner of the author’s works and director of Kazantzakis Publications.
The manuscript had been kept at the Kazantzakis museum, in the author’s home village of Mirtia, just outside Heraklion, Crete, since its rediscovery.
Nine-time Nobel nominee
Nikos Kazantzakis is the most translated Greek contemporary author, and he is widely considered a giant of modern Greek literature.
A novelist, poet, playwright, journalist, philosopher, and politician, Kazantzakis was born and raised on Crete but traveled around the world and lived in several European cities, leading a truly cosmopolitan life.
His work includes novels, short stories, plays, travel logs, memoirs, and philosophical essays, written between 1906 and his death in 1957.
Kazantzakis was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature nine times, for a total of 14 different nominations. In the year of his passing, the Cretan author famously lost the prestigious prize to Albert Camus by one vote.
Kazantzakis’s last unpublished novel
“Aniforos” was his last novel, written right after his world-famous masterpiece “Zorba the Greek” (1946). He wrote it around the time that he departed for the UK on what was meant to be his last journey.
Brimming with autobiographical references, as the author reflects on the sad experience of World War II, which he endured firsthand, “Aniforos” is separated into three parts: Crete, England, and Loneliness.
Dioptra said in an earlier note that this work was Kazantzakis’s answer to the criticism he had received that the pain and destruction suffered by Greece during the German occupation was missing from “Zorba the Greek.”
To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com
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Greek Language & Culture
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Monday, 17 October 2022 11:00
6th Athens Tattoo Expo & 3rd Athens Barber Expo
True to its established autumn appointment, the Athens Tattoo Expo returns for the 6th year.
A celebration of the art and culture of tattooing takes place this year at the Old Railway Station of the OSY in Gazi and becomes a pan-Hellenic meeting point for all those who love the art, aesthetics and culture of tattooing.
140 of the best Greek tattoo artists will gather for three days and demonstrate the high level of their work and their art.
Of course, like with any other self-respecting festival, the 6th Athens Tattoo Expo will have a rich program of parallel actions and events:
- Live Tattooing
- Tattoo Contests
- Dj sets
- Live Bands
- Art Exhibition Experiences
- Game Rooms
- Graffiti Show
- Body Painting Show Acrobatics.
And the program is ideally completed by the 3rd Barber Expo with 15 (fifteen) of the most famous barber shops in Athens actively participating in the event!
As part of the 6th Athens Tattoo Expo, the 3rd Greek barber show is presented for fans of barbering and men's grooming.
Fifteen of the city's best-known Barber Shops make their appointment at the three-day exhibition, which will be surrounded by competitions, as well as seminars by internationally renowned barbers.
It should be noted that once again the Athens Tattoo Expo shows its social sensitivity in practice by supporting from the first day of its creation
the action of the Make A Wish Organization, through the Star Your Body action, in which the visitor by making a Tattoo from selected star designs, strengthens the organization with 100% of the price.
A celebration of the art and culture of tattooing takes place this year at the Old Railway Station of the OSY in Gazi and becomes a pan-Hellenic meeting point for all those who love the art, aesthetics and culture of tattooing.
140 of the best Greek tattoo artists will gather for three days and demonstrate the high level of their work and their art.
Of course, like with any other self-respecting festival, the 6th Athens Tattoo Expo will have a rich program of parallel actions and events:
- Live Tattooing
- Tattoo Contests
- Dj sets
- Live Bands
- Art Exhibition Experiences
- Game Rooms
- Graffiti Show
- Body Painting Show Acrobatics.
And the program is ideally completed by the 3rd Barber Expo with 15 (fifteen) of the most famous barber shops in Athens actively participating in the event!
As part of the 6th Athens Tattoo Expo, the 3rd Greek barber show is presented for fans of barbering and men's grooming.
Fifteen of the city's best-known Barber Shops make their appointment at the three-day exhibition, which will be surrounded by competitions, as well as seminars by internationally renowned barbers.
It should be noted that once again the Athens Tattoo Expo shows its social sensitivity in practice by supporting from the first day of its creation
the action of the Make A Wish Organization, through the Star Your Body action, in which the visitor by making a Tattoo from selected star designs, strengthens the organization with 100% of the price.
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Art
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Monday, 17 October 2022 10:54
Athens Art Festival 2022
The Athens Art Festival is back!
After a year, the ultimate artistic festival opens its doors again on October 21, 22 and 23 at the Old OSY Train Station in Gazi.
Come and join us for a three-day art celebration where you will be able to wander between exhibitions of paintings - photography - visual arts and exhibitors' booths small and large.
Every day will be special with surprises, full of music and of course food and drink!
After a year, the ultimate artistic festival opens its doors again on October 21, 22 and 23 at the Old OSY Train Station in Gazi.
Come and join us for a three-day art celebration where you will be able to wander between exhibitions of paintings - photography - visual arts and exhibitors' booths small and large.
Every day will be special with surprises, full of music and of course food and drink!
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Art
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Friday, 13 September 2024 07:00
Top 5 Health Benefits Of Greek Coffee
Greek coffee is a strongly brewed coffee served with foam on top and grounds at the bottom of the cup. It is tremendously popular all over Greece, especially in the countryside, where you will most likely find the locals enjoying a sip or two at a local kafeneio.
Greek coffee is much more than just coffee; it is an integral part of the country’s culture. Greeks’ first acquaintance with coffee happened when the country was under Ottoman rule, and the first coffee shop opened around 1475. Since then, the Greeks’ bond with their coffee has been unbreakable!
Luckily for Greeks, it has been proven that Greek coffee has major health benefits. Let’s take a look at some of them, and we are sure that after reading this article, you will find yourselves holding a briki, getting ready to make a cup of ellinikos!
1. Greek Coffee Is High In Antioxidants
Like most coffees, Greek coffee is a potent source of healthy antioxidants. In fact, a double Greek contains about 90-130 mg of antioxidants. Among others, antioxidants prevent premature aging of the cells.
2. Greek Coffee Reduces The Risk Of Certain Diseases
According to a 2011 study, 1-2 cups of Greek coffee a day can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, Greek coffee is rich in polyphenols, chlorogenic, and caffeic acid, meaning it can help prevent various types of cancer, including esophageal and liver cancer. Last but not least, it is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
3. Greek Coffee Promotes Mental Well-Being
Drinking coffee, in general, can act as a shield against certain neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Studies have also shown that coffee intake can reduce the risk of stroke, Parkinson's disease, and dementia. Based on research conducted on the inhabitants of Ikaria, drinking a cup of Greek coffee, in particular, contributes to fewer neurological dysfunctions and promotes longevity.
4. Greek Coffee Increases Metabolism
Drinking a cup of Greek coffee after a meal can activate your metabolism and improve your digestion. The caffeine it contains increases the intestine's motility, causing food to move through the gastrointestinal tract more quickly, hastening the digestion process.
5. Greek Coffee Contributes To Weight Loss
Greek coffee is traditionally enjoyed black, without the addition of sugar or milk, due to its rich flavor and texture. A cup of black Greek coffee has almost zero calories, making it perfectly suitable for those on diet. Also, its ingredients are poor in carbohydrates and fats.
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Greek Food & Diet
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Thursday, 20 October 2022 07:00
4 Of Our Favorite Bakeries In The City Center
Greece’s gastronomic culture is one of the most celebrated in the world and is a reason why millions of tourists visit the country every year. And, although most are eager to try feta, gyros, or tzatziki, the Greeks’ love for pastry and baked goods doesn’t go unnoticed by fellow travelers.
From village (choriatiko) bread to filo-based sweet and savory pastries like bougatsa or spanakopita and sponge cakes soaked in syrup like revani, Greece has a long history of baking that goes back to ancient times.
Here’s a small list of our favorite bakeries in the heart of Athens to get a taste of authentic Greek baked delicacies and kickstart your day most deliciously!
Tromero Paidi
@tromeropaidi
@tromeropaidi
This French-inspired artisan bakery and patisserie is housed in an old neoclassical house in Ilisia and features a combination of elegant aesthetics and high-quality products. There, you will find about 8–10 different varieties of bread every day, each baked on the spot using 100% Greek grains. Not to mention the delicious desserts, like lemon tarts and honey cakes, that you won’t be able to say no to!
Address: Papadiamantopoulou 30, Athina
Telephone: 210 777 7537
Betty’s Bakery
bettysbakery.gr
Located in Gazi, Betty’s Bakery is all about reviving real bread, as their motto goes. Whether you’re looking for handmade and organic bread or you're into fitness and super bread, there’s no other place to go. The bakery offers eleven different bread options, such as the carob and walnut loaf and the wheat loaf with thyme and olive oil, to mention but a few, each of which is mouthwatering and made from flour free of additives and preservatives.
Address: Kassandras 10, Athina
Telephone: 210 342 4832
Kora Bakery
@korabakery
Located in Kolonaki, Kora Bakery offers the highest quality of goods while respecting the environment and leaving a positive social footprint. The bread, made with Greek and Italian flours, is naturally kneaded and cured for about 20 hours, a process that helps it become tastier, more nutritious, and more digestible. Except for quality bread, the bakery also sells a creative and flavorsome range of pastries!
Address: Panagiotou Anagnostopoulou 44, Athina
Telephone: 210 362 7855
Takis Bakery
@fournostakis
@fournostakis
In the shadow of the Acropolis stands Takis Bakery, offering traditional bread and yummy pastries for three generations. More than 30 types of bread are baked daily, from dense sourdough to focaccias, crunchy baguettes to koulouri. You will also find delightful muffins, cookies, and pies, all made with quality ingredients.
Address: Misaraliotou 14, Athina
Telephone: 210 923 0052
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City Discovery
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