An island without a sea! Photo

Photographer’s Note

Set in the shadow of the Acropolis, this is the closest thing you'll find in Athens to the whitewashed villages of the Cycladic islands featured on travel posters of Greece. It is populated by many descendants of the Anafi stonemasons who arrived from that small island in the 19th century to work in the expanding capital. Anafiotika is an enchanting area of simple stone houses, many nestled right into the bedrock, most little changed over the years, others stunningly restored. Cascades of bougainvillea and pots of geraniums and marigolds enliven the balconies and rooftops, and the prevailing serenity is in blissful contrast to the cacophony of modern Athens. You seldom see the residents -- only a line of washing hung out to dry, the lace curtains on the tiny houses, or the curl of smoke from a wood-burning fireplace indicate human presence. Perched on the bedrock of the Acropolis is Ayios Georgios tou Vrachou (St. George of the Rock), which marks the southeast edge of the district. One of the most beautiful churches of Athens, it is still in use today. Ayios Simeon, a neoclassical church built in 1847 by the settlers, marks the western boundary and contains a copy of a famous miracle-working icon from Anafi, Our Lady of the Reeds. The Church of the Metamorphosis Sotiros (Transfiguration), a high-dome 14th-century stone chapel, has a rear grotto carved right into the Acropolis. For those with children, there is a small playground at Stratonos and Vironos.

© 2008 - All rights reserved. The photos taken by photographer Athanasios Benisis are registered and copyrighted. Use in any form (web, paper publication, public exposure, etc.) is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the photographer. To contact with photographer please use his intro page Hellas on TrekEarth.

portmanndominic, adores, bostankorkulugu, stelli, AiresSantos, robertosalguero, ls7902, danos, NickPavlakis, magiqa, plimrn, MLINES, tolis68, stego, kdialyna, mvdisco, Vames, steliosk, elitsa, downer, salvator, JanD, pawelx, jwmunro, jafadabret has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

TGULUMSER (12528) 2008-09-15 5:54

Hello Athanasios,
Great composition, I liked the cat, colors and details. I read your intro, so sad about the accident you had with your family, hope you are fine,
Best regards,
Tulay

portmanndominic (2390) 2008-09-15 6:07

Athanasio Geia sou

thanks to post this quiet POV of Anafiotika ,good remenbers for us
nice manage of the general construction of the pictures , good colors and contrast

Good wishes of best for all of your after your accident
TFS and best regards
Dominic

rossofuoco (6412) 2008-09-15 6:09

Hi Athanasios.
Foto con una bella luce e colori naturali. Bella composizione e bella esecuzione.
Complimenti Renzo

athanvas (2353) 2008-09-15 6:16

Geia sou thanasi
Omorfo skiniko,me kalh oxitita kai fantastika xrwmata.
Bravo sou!!!
BASILIS

bema (9230) 2008-09-15 6:20

Kalispera Athanasios,

could be a typical greek-postcard; fine composition with beautiful objects and pretty colors at all, well done.

kind regards and Jassu Bernd

afroditi (535) 2008-09-15 6:31

Hi Thanasi!
Poli kairo eixa na dw foto sou!polu wraia eikona thumizei nhsi kai polu wraia xrwmata!
afroditi

tober (4134) 2008-09-15 6:35

Hi Athanasios, a very very lovely photo which takes all the negative electricity away from your body. It would be much better and natural if the poster was not there but considering that its blue colour fits quite well with the frame of the door, I found it tolerable. Congratulations, Tolga.

mesutilgim (37555) 2008-09-15 7:10

Hi Athanasios,
Wonderfull capture ! Yes, cats and aegean islands. Nobody can imagine one of them, without the other one.
Here with a perfect pov and nice light management and wonderfull colors, you have given and approved this message. Very good notes as well.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

george_iapetos (165) 2008-09-15 13:01

ÊáëçóðÝñá, ÈáíÜóç. Ôá ëïõëïýäéá, ôá êáèáñÜ êáé üìïñöá ÷ñþìáôá, áëëÜ êáé ôï...ìïíôåëÜêé óïõ, óõíèÝôïõí ìéá åîáéñåôéêÞ åéêüíá.

Óå ÷áéñåôþ, Ãéþñãïò.

chrkont (3697) 2008-09-15 13:37

Γεια σου Θανάση
Τι υπέροχα καθαρά και φυσικά χρώματα είναι αυτά. Η ευκρίνειά σου τόσο στην γάτα, στην πόρτα, στα λουλούδια είναι απίστευτη.
Εξαιρετική δουλειά. Πολύ σωστά κάνεις και βάζεις copyright, είναι για κλέψιμο.
Χαιρετώ
Χρήστος

adores (15837) 2008-09-15 16:35

Hi Athanasios!
beautiful shot! I just love the cat resting in fotreground.The colourful background and the pot with the flowers are also perfect here and really mediterranean.

bostankorkulugu (34168) 2008-09-15 22:39

very greek and very nice saki... your model looks amazing, also the colourful background... compliments file mou...

korkut

stelli (2987) 2008-09-16 14:26

Beautiful synthesis and colors! Very innovative and original title! Thank you for sharing! ΦΙΛΙΚΑ Στέλλα

robertosalguero (110) 2008-09-18 0:28

Hi Athanasios,

A little tiger at the door! Nice composition with very good colours and details. Your perspective of this house facade is enhanced by the feline on the foreground. Good details and clarity. Thanks Athanasios :-)

Roberto

AiresSantos (43250) 2008-09-18 0:29

Hi Athanasios
Beautiful portrait of this cat, fine atmosphere.
Great colours and details.
TFS and have a nice day
Aires

kpav (5025) 2008-09-18 0:45

Γεια σου Θανάση, διάβασα το intro σου, είναι πολύ επικύνδινο τελικά να κυκλοφορείς στους δρόμους της Αθήνας τον Αύγουστο. Εύχομαι ειλικρινά οτι καλύτερο για σένα και την οικογένεια σου με υγεία.
Η φωτογραφία σου απλά απίθανη ειδικά αν σκεφτεί κανείς οτι τραβήχτηκε στην Αθήνα. Πολύ ενδιαφέρον και το σημείωμά σου. Χαιρετώ φίλε,
Κώστας.

ls7902 (6406) 2008-09-18 4:14

Hello Athanasios,
Great shot. Cool cat. I like this well balanced vertical format. Everything here is so well placed. Best Regards. Latiff.

danos (33680) 2008-09-18 5:01

Θανάση καλησπέρα,
πράγματι το σκηνικό αυτό μοιάζει με νησιώτικο,στην καρδιά της Αθήνας.Πολύ καλό το μοτίβο με την γάτα σε πρώτο πλάνο να κοιτάει τον φακό σαν φωτομοντέλο.Το κιούπι με το γεράνι στολίζει ευχάριστα την είσοδο.

Καλό απόγευμα,Δάνος

berek (29111) 2008-09-18 10:28

Hi Athanasios,
its so cute cat. I like lovely cat and pastel colours. well framed picture.
greetings.
Burak

Viera (886) 2008-09-20 10:16

Hi Athanasios,
Long time I haven´t seen photos on TE.
In your galery are many beautiful new pics.
This one with cat is very nice.
Blue colour make this compo more beautiful.
Regards
Viera

NickPavlakis (492) 2008-09-21 3:33

8anash mou sou eyxomai na anarrwseis plhrws kai esy kai h oikogeneia sou. Vevaia anhsyxw perissotero gia th mikrh sou korh pou htan mazi sas kai elpizw na 3eperasei grhgora ta opoia psyxika kai swmatika traymata. Elpizw malista na mhn exei ka8olou swmatika traymata, giati me 8livei kai mono h idea shmadiwn sto paidiko kormaki ths. Exw kai egw mia korh... kai idiaiteres eyais8hsies kai anhsyxies e3aitias ths.
Edw synantiomaste pali me diaforetiko onoma, ti na pei kaneis gia tis fwtografies sou? apo to kalo sto kalytero, posotikh kai poiotikh h douleia sou opws ligwn edw mesa. Xreiazetai arage na pw poso omorfh einai h poza ths gatas? Poso ka8aro kai omorfa "sthmeno" to kadro sou? Pws ta xrwmata miazoun na vgainoun apo zwgrafia? Oxi, ayta 8a ta akouseis kai apo tous allous. Apo emena 8a akouseis poso empneysmenh vriskw th douleia sou kai kyriws na vreis kouragio na synexiseis na "milas" me tis fwtografies sou.
Kai panw apo ola "Kalh Anarrwsh file mou"
Nikos

magiqa (1264) 2008-09-21 7:22

Lovely and relaxed cat, so typically Greek! Very nice and good photo!

giorgimer (21640) 2008-09-23 14:39

Hi Athanasios,

very nice shot. I like typical greek homes colors. good idea to include the cat in the FG.

TFS

Gio

plimrn (19856) 2008-09-24 23:47

Kalimera Athanasios,
While you speak of pots of flowers and absent people, you show the disdainful cat is superb detail guarding the classic detail of the whitewashed porch that frames the detail ofg the doorway.
HLJ, Pat

fkokol (1614) 2008-09-25 7:57

Nice composition with this cute cat. Nice colours and detail.
greetings,

figen

MLINES (11054) 2008-09-25 14:30

Hi Athanasios, A very pleasing composition with good sharpness and excellent colours. The cat takes pride of place and looks very content as all the pets we saw on Milos Island also looked well cared for. Beautiful photograph. The blues in Greece seem better than everywhere else! TFS. Murray.

testmaniac (12340) 2008-09-26 3:04

Hello Athenasios, good composed and colorful shot.

TFS

Phil

tolis68 (2006) 2008-09-27 3:13

Γεια σου Θαναση.Μολις διαβασα εστω και καθυστερημενα την οικογενειακη σου περιπετεια.Ευχομαι περαστικα σε ολους και να μην ξαναζησετε παρομοια εμπειρια.Οσον αφορα τωρα την φωτο ειναι εξαιρετικης καθαροτητας με πλουσια χρωματα και οξυτητα και με μια γατα που μονο που την κοιτας σε πιανει υπνηλια.Πολυ ομορφη συνθεση.

labro33 (2804) 2008-09-27 5:07

Γεια σου φιλε Θναναση,
Μετα απο ολα αυτα που 'συμβαινουν' ολα φαινονται πιο ομορφα γυρω μας...μπροστα στα ,ματια μας...ακομα και αυτη εδω σκηνη φανταζει και ειναι μοναδικη...
Σε χαιρετω,
Γιωργος

stego (22500) 2008-10-04 7:43

Hi Athanasios,
It's a beautiful image, very well composed, with great clarity and colours. The graphics (wall placed diagonally, leading the eye to the flower pot and door, the rectangles of the door and poster) make a nice backdrop to the "alive elements" of the image, the flowers and the cat. The latter enhances a certain relaxing feeling. The colours play together very well.
Regards, José.

kdialyna (3096) 2008-10-06 3:13

Αγαπητέ Αθανάσιε, μόλις διάβασα για το ατύχημα που συνέβη σε εσένα και την οικογένεια σου και πραγματικά σοκαρίστικα.
Σου εύχομαι ολόψυχα για γρήγορη επούλωση των σωματικών και ψυχικών τραυμάτων για να απολαμβάνεις και πάλι τις όμορφες στιγμές της ζωής, όπως και η γατούλα στην όμορφη φωτογραφία σου.
Φιλικά
Κώστας

CatherineD (4860) 2008-10-06 14:38

Geia sou Thanasi,
This photo is full of life: colours, flower and the cat. In its simplicity, it tell us much. In French we say that the cat has 7 lifes. I wish you and your family peace and health and to enjoy each day like a priceless present. Filika,
Katerina

bizsu (1011) 2008-10-07 4:50

Kalimera Athanasios,
Excellent photo. Sharpness picture. I like it cat:) Good POV. TFS.
Best regards, Zsú

azaf1 (15615) 2008-10-08 3:30

Thanasi kalimera
Molis diavasa gia to distixima kai einai sigklonismenos. Etsi gia plaka oi anthropoi odigountai sto ikrioma. Efxomai to kalitero gia olous sas.
H foto vevaia apekti! Panemorfa xromata kai omorfes diagonies
Na pernas kala
filika
Argiris

mvdisco (11709) 2008-10-09 13:35

Hi Athanasios,
Beautiful composition and presentation, great colors and lovely cat in your compo., lovely details and light,
very well done.
Michel

Gregtom (7119) 2008-10-09 23:05

Hello, Athanasios!
Putting a cat into the scene was just a great idea. Very nice, saturated colors and fine contrast.
regards,
Greg

Vames (4356) 2008-10-10 9:18

γεια σου Αθανάσιε,μια πολύ ζεστή στιγμή και ξεγνασιάς θα έλεγα,όμως τα χρώματα κλέβουν τη παράσταση εδώ ποικίλα και καθαρά !

Burberry1 (6041) 2008-10-14 2:28

Excellent shot like a postcard from Greece.
I love this picture.

Agnieszka

steliosk (4784) 2008-10-14 5:38

to epiases ston ypno to gati?
poly kalh syn8esh, de pernaei aparathrhth.
prosegmenh, grammes pantou, eisai empeiros file mou, kai auto fenetai se oles sou tis fwtografies, den einai tyxaies, auto 8aumazw apo esena perissotero.

Xairetw
Stelios

marietom (32280) 2008-11-09 3:30

hello Athanasios,

Génial, le portrait de ce chat dans ce beau décor coloré.
Bon dimanche
Marie

gbeli (2026) 2008-11-09 12:11

Geia sou Thanasi
Poli omorfi eikona apo tin Plaka, pou pragmatika miazei na einai travigmeni se Kykladonisi.
H gonia lipsis kai ta xromata einai fovera, kai kathe antikeimeno mesa sto kadro einai topothetimeno sosta.
Xereto

gepall (1808) 2008-11-15 15:20

Fantastic thought and capture.
You handled your theme perfectly and used the most suitable title anyone could imagine.

sotirios (1685) 2008-11-16 0:19

Καλημέρα Θανάση
Πολύ ευχάριστη φωτογραφία με τον Γατούλο να ποζάρει με αυτό το ύφος, δίνοτας έτσι ζωή σε όλη την φωτογραφία. τεχνικά άψογη χρήση των γραμμών στο κάδρο και πολύ ωραία χρώματα.

ifanik (20686) 2008-11-16 10:37

Pws ta kataferes re file kai soy ekatse h gata ekei panw?
Poly omorfh foto
Exw brethei kai egv ekei alla xwris thn gata xaxa
Bravo
Xairetw
Nikos

elitsa (459) 2008-11-25 1:22

Hi Athanasios,
I like this one very much! I have visited this place and I like the way you present it in your picture (and intro). I like your choice of details! Compliments!
Elitsa

downer (244) 2008-12-11 15:31

Γεια!
Πανέμορφη η σκηνή και τα χρώματα σε τραβάνε αμέσως! Πολύ καλή σύνθεση και άψογη από πλευράς οξύτητας, αντίθεσης κτλ. Αυτή η γάτα με το ύφος το ποιος-είσαι-εσύ-τώρα-θα-σε-γρατζούναγα-αλλά-βαριέμαι φοβερή!
Ιωάννα

salvator (18979) 2008-12-22 7:15

Yasu Athanasios,
Wonderfully sharp with beautiful colors and well composed.
The details look superb.
Se xereto. Salvator.

JanD (15251) 2009-01-26 3:27

Howdy Hellas!
Wonderful cat. Amazing door. Beautiful scene. Very nice picture.
Regards!

pawelx (473) 2009-02-02 1:36

Very well shot - the cat in the foreground seems magnified by the perspective you've used, which makes a lot of sense. Nice colours, too. And an interesting note, which are always interesting to read. Regards, PAwel

jwmunro (6273) 2009-03-04 21:01

Hello Athanasios -

Nicely done! This is a great travel image. Without your note I would have expected this image to be from one of the many Aegean islands. All of the technicals of exposure, DOF, and lighting are spot on the money.

Thank you for sharing.

John

jafadabret (40633) 2009-03-04 23:24

Kalimera Athanasio.
Ce quartier a une âme même si les touristes l'ont un peu trop envahi. Je me souviens avoir apprécié les ruelles et les petits commerces accrochés au pied de l'Acropole.
Ce chat devant cette entrée et ces fleurs traduit bien la tranquillité et la chaleur de ce quartier.
Bonne journée !
Jacques

jmdias (20165) 2009-05-05 17:15

athanasios

very beautiful portrait of the cat and nice place around., perfect pov, framing and light. an image very interesting and nice

hugs

jorge

levente (501) 2009-08-19 12:25

This is tremendous - and thanks for the local info, very grateful. This is pretty much the purest essence of these lovely little places - the colours also work well and that expression on the cat's face... perfect. Pure relaxation.