Varvakios Market, the Greek capital’s first covered municipal emporium. Built on a plot beside the Varvakios High School, both were named after a wealthy benefactor Yannis Varvakis who endowed several important projects at the time.
Coming from a little island in the Aegean Sea he quickly made a fortune from sea trading and even joined the Russian aristocracy. Having good relations with Catherine the Great of Russia and General Potemkin, Varvakis joined the Russian Fleet and he settled in Odessa. There, he joined a secret Greek organization founded to help their fellow compatriots to rebel against the Ottoman Empire.
Coming from a little island in the Aegean Sea he quickly made a fortune from sea trading and even joined the Russian aristocracy. Having good relations with Catherine the Great of Russia and General Potemkin, Varvakis joined the Russian Fleet and he settled in Odessa. There, he joined a secret Greek organization founded to help their fellow compatriots to rebel against the Ottoman Empire.
Athens Central Market , outside view
Many people from every corner of Athensenter the market to shop some of the ingredients needed for the daily cooking. Here soemone can find fresh ingredients which arrive here from all over the country. Fresh fish from Piraeus
quayside, meat from Epirus
stocklives and also imported goods from other countries. Locals who shop in Varvakios have developed a trust relationshiop whit some of the owners of the stores, that is why they are not worried if the products they are going to sell them are not fresh or of bad quality. The central market is one of the most vivid parts of Athens. Inside the market there are also some traditional taverns which have as specialty “patsas” it a kind of soup made from lamp’s or beef’s stomach, legs or head. It is mixed with garlic, sun dried chilly peper, vinegar, olive oil and sometimes with tomato sauce. It was introduced to Greece through Armenian refugees. It is considered the best food after a long night out with lots of alcohol since it is really soothing for the stomach.