As I was strolling down Solonos street with a friend of mine, the goofiest thought crossed my mind, I thought to myself "How do you enter those stores that have their window displays on the first floor and actually look like they have no front or back or any entrance at all"? And what's more, I asked my friend and he looked at me as he was having the same "epiphany" that I had at that exact moment.Â
Well, a few minutes and loads of wacky assumptions later, my eyes fell upon a small sign. It was an art gallery, housed in a restored 1960s/1970s building in the city centre. The name of the gallery was Gallery 7 and as I discovered a few seconds later the entrance of this unique art space was indeed the main entrance of the apartment building (yeah, I know).
Gallery 7 was launched in 1983 and since then it has showcased more than 300 established and emerging Greek artists. The gallery founders' motto is that "At Gallery 7 we say "YES", to mature artists with a fresh perspective, we say "YES" to newcomers who don't copy old concepts." Thus, it constitutes a contemporary art space that promotes pluralism by welcoming painters, sculptures, visual artists who practice traditional and new artistic means and methods of expression.
In other words, visitors dropping by Gallery 7 have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Athenian art scene and its new formations.
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The house is known for the two wonderful Caryatid sculptures located on the balcony of its facade. The house was built in the late 19th century and is a typical example of Athenian neoclassicism.
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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).
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My favorite morning walk in the Monastiraki Flea Market always ends with a visit to Zaharias Records. Here I can browse a huge and ever-changing collection of second-hand vinyl records and CDs and always discover something to buy.
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And really, what to choose first? Takis Bakery produces every day thirty different types of bread, sandwiches, biscuits, pies, and sweets, in addition to the always fresh koulouri.
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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.
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Street art has developed mainly in large urban centres, and Athens is no exception. The Psirri neighbourhood in the city centre is inextricably linked to the history of street art in Athens.
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Aside from the freshly ground coffee, which is either made on the spot or purchased in bulk to take home, you will find exceptional and always fresh nuts in sufficient variety.
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Many artists, musicians, actors, and painters have relocated to Mets, giving it a more bohemian feel. There are only a handful of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants in the area, a fact that creates a more intimate and cosy atmosphere.
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Quality and unique materials, special and simple colors, fashion, and personal style are combined in a large collection of men's and women's hats.
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The unique pancakes at Buho (sweet and savory) are in my opinion, the best I have tried in the city and the menu has enough options to satisfy all tastes.
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My favourite burger is the Bacon Mushroom Melt, and my favourite sandwich is the Tika, which is slightly spicy and causes a chain of flavour explosions!
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