directly above the charming neighborhood of Plaka, Anafiotika is comprised of rows of homes built along narrow, winding alleys. Its origin comes from legend – during a fierce storm, the Argonuts asked Apollo for help who in turn called for an island to come up from the sea to give them shelter. The island was named Anefani which means emerged to come to light. In the 1860’s, island residents, also skilled builders, were ordered to Athens by King Otto to help construct his new palace. The workers settled in the foothills of the Acropolis and created Anafiotika to look like their homes on their island of Anefani. Sadly many of the original homes were destroyed during the 1950’s archeological digs although about 45 remain – all covered in vibrant colors of bougainvillea.
