Athens Line (11): Omonia Square
Omonia and Exarcheia are among Athens’ oldest, most well-worn districts.
Omonia and Exarcheia are among Athens’ oldest, most well-worn districts. Though neither qualifies as beautiful, both are steeped in history, some of it quite recent. In 1973, the Polytechnic student uprising in Exarcheia was crushed by the junta, but it did eventually lead to the fall of the hated military dictatorship. The students left behind a neighborhood full of cafés alive with political debate; this is also the best place to hear rembetika, the gritty Greek blues. Below Exarcheia is seedy, clamorous Omonia, and just beyond is the colorful marketplace district.
