Crossing the always bustling Evripidou Street, it is difficult to notice the small church of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) the Baptist and even more difficult, behind the tall trees of its courtyard, to notice the ancient column projecting through its roof. But Agios Ioannis of the Column is one of the most interesting hidden attractions in the center of Athens. The church was built in the 6th century AD, and its sanctuary was formed around an ancient Corinthian column. According to archaeologists, the column belonged to a sanctuary of Asclepius (the ancient god of medicine) that existed at the site, along with a monument dedicated to the Athenian physician Toxaris. He was considered a healer of fever and helped the Athenians during the plague of 430 BC.
In the Christian religion, Agios Ioannis, like Asclepius, had healing abilities. It is clear that the belief in Asclepius' healing powers persisted in Agios Ioannis. According to the testimonies of travelers of the 19th century, when the Athenians were sick with malaria and high fever, they would tie white and red ribbons to the column, which, if untied, meant that the saint would cure them. Today the church is open to the public, and on the day of the saint's feast (August 29), it is filled with believers, mainly elderly residents of the city center. Its small, green courtyard is a small oasis of calm from the hustle and bustle of the city and the perfect place for a quick, relaxing break.
Evripidou 70
€
no-price
Find your way with 263 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
At Tarantino Burgers, the secret of its success are great raw materials. The burgers are 100% black angus ground beef, and the fluffy buns are made with their own recipe.
by
"Zouridakis" in Athens, in the central market, has all the Cretan specialties you can imagine - but my favorite is the Xigalo cheese. Don't miss it, along with some raki!
by
"Αstor" Athens is my favourite indie cinema hall in town. I would say that if Athens were a cinema, it would be here. Indulge in Greek culture here...
by
"Diomidous Botanical Garden" in Athens, only 30 minutes from the centre of the city, is the largest botanical garden of the eastern Mediterranean...
by
MOMO is a cafe/bar/restaurant in Athens with an exquisite backyard that will give you back the time that's been stolen from you...
by
Matchpoint's interior is tastefully decorated, and the music is lovely but my favorite is sitting outside enjoying my drink and watching the world go by.
by
Ode to socks has made good use of the local greek heroes such as the priest (pappa), the priest's wife, the sailor, and the fisherman, who are characteristic figures in every Greek's childhood.
by
There are always dishes of the day in addition to the set menu, so no two visits to Mandragoras are ever the same. And kontosouvli is always available.
by
It does not matter what you order when you visit Mouries because everything is made with the same care (however, my favorite dish here is the meatballs).
by
Every time I cross Evripidou Street, I am overwhelmed by the aroma of cinnamon, pepper, and oregano, and images of Eastern bazaars come to mind.
by
263 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 263 Insider Tips