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Monday 06:00 - 19:00 Tuesday 06:00 - 19:00 Wednesday 06:00 - 19:00 Thursday 06:00 - 19:00 Friday 06:00 - 19:00 Saturday 09:00 - 18:00

lefterry_bellos, Ploutarchou, Athens (2025)

08/02/2025

If ever there were a Greek VIP lounge for the royally departed, this would be it. The Treasury of Atreus, also marketed as the Tomb of Agamemnon, because branding matters—especially when it’s done by Heinrich Schliemann himself. But regardless of Heinrich’s tomfoolery, this is the Rolls-Royce of Mycenaean burial chambers. Built between 1350 and 1250 BC, it stands as one of the best-preserved Beehive Tombs—not because the Mycenaeans had a thing for honey, but because its massive domed ceiling resembles, well, an actual beehive. Art imitates life, no?
Part of the already impressive archaeological site of Mycenae, this Bronze Age penthouse for the afterlife is an architectural flex. A place so legendary that Homer’s badass king, Agamemnon, ruled these realms and made the Mycenaean palatial complex The powerhouse of the Late Bronze Age.
So yeah, this place was home to mythical kings, stabbing queens, bloodthirsty warriors, and an architectural style that basically screams, “Bigger stones = Bigger empire.”
And speaking of big stones—the entrance passage (dromos) leads to an equally grand doorway (stomion), crowned by a lintel stone so massive (120 tons!) that most visitors scratch their heads in awe and mumble, “Ancient aliens!” Meanwhile, the walls are classic Cyclopean masonry—which means that’s what happens when you build with limestone boulders the size of SUVs.
Inside, structurally speaking, the tomb’s tholos (dome in Greek) is nothing short of astonishing, equipped with a secret side room—because even Bronze Age VIPs needed a bit of privacy, especially in their afterlife. The ornate facade, once glittering with exotic materials, has been, ahem, Relocated! Some bits are in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, while others ended up in the British Museum (cue dramatic sigh).
Due to its grandeur—and the fact that it was always visible—the tomb was looted very early on in its afterlife. So, we literally have no clue what treasures or Mycenaean royalty it once housed. But it remains a must-see, standing there for 3,500 years, waiting for visitors to arrive and declare, “Aliens built this!”
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®

04/02/2025

Ah! The Evzones! Greece’s elite ceremonial guards stand tall and look super dapper in their flamboyant uniforms! Officially known as the Presidential Guards, or Tsoliades—as the are colloquially called, have the prestigious task of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Presidential Mansion, and their own barracks—because even elite units need security.
Handpicked from the Hellenic Armed Forces, every Evzon must be a towering 1.85m (coz everyone admires tall men!). This honourable role is the crème de la crème of the mandatory military service in Greece, making them national symbols, and many a mother’s and grandmother’s pride.
Their iconic uniform is inspired by the rugged klephts—the legendary outlaw warriors of the Ottoman era—and the elite mountain troops of the Greek War of Independence. The entire outfit is a fusion of symbolism and flair! Especially those pom-pom-adorned tsarouhia shoes—yeah, even battle-hardened warriors understood the power of pizzazz! Their attire became the Greek look across colonial Europe—even Oscar Wilde was photographed as one!
The Evzones stand guard 24/7, 365 days a year, and change every hour on the hour, come rain or shine. The hourly switch is a highly stylised slow-motion, ballet-meets-battle routine. Their march style consists of normal march time, but at irregular intervals they strike the ground forcefully with their right foot for several paces.
Every Sunday at 11:00, the Grand Change rolls out! The full unit, accompanied by officers and a military band, parades to Syntagma Square in a spectacle that turns Athens into the place to be on a Sunday morning.
The dashing regiment was established in 1833 by none other than Greece’s first king, Otto. A Bavarian with a flair for pageantry whom we have to thank for these debonair sentries. Otto knew the young Greek kingdom needed both guardians and grandeur.
From battle-ready fighters to ceremonial icons, the Evzones became a symbol of Greek pride, tradition, and some seriously disciplined calf muscles!
The Tsoliades deserve a round of applause for always being on time, standing tall, and looking sharp.
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®

01/02/2025

Athens by night… under the moonlight. Enlighten your evening—book now!

ATHENS BY NIGHT - Driving Tour
Athens and the Acropolis lit up like they’re posing for Vogue.
Highlights: The illuminated Acropolis to the evening glow of Plaka to the “toy” soldiers in front of the Parliament House, to the enlightened Academy of Science & Art.
Bonus: Lycabettus Hill’s dreamy skyline views for a panoramic nightcap.
Dinner: Greek taverna with live music and folk dancing—Zorba the Greek would approve! (Optional)
Duration: 4–5 hours

CULTURAL CRUSADES
History, Myth, and Philosophy
Served with Humour!

•© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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30/01/2025

Where the heavens roar, and the earth listens—nature’s drama unfolding in shades of black and white.
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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26/01/2025

Ah Mani…
Yep, back in the day, this place was legendary! Warlords and pirates aplenty. The mountainous skyline is dominated by the distinctive stone built mediaeval towers they once inhabited.
Nonetheless, the coast is lapped by the Aegean sea, so, there’s beaches surrounded with flowers, olive groves and cypress trees. The rugged terrain is overhung by cliffs and escarpments on which perch traditional stone built houses and some domed orthodox churches.
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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22/01/2025

Your comfort zone is safe and secure, but life should be daring adventure.
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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20/01/2025

The question is precisely to know whether the past has ceased to exist, or ceased to be useful...
- Henri Bergson
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© photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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25/12/2024

Ho Ho Ho, Cultural Crusaders!
You guys ready to rev up your holiday spirit because this year in Athens, Santa’s ditching the sleigh for something a little more badass! That’s right, folks! As you can see, Santa’s rolling in on a blue Harley! Yep! Forget the reindeers! White bearded jolly old Santa has officially upgraded. So have his helpers. Santa and crew pulled up right next to the Parthenon, engines roaring, then hit the mythical streets of this historical city!
The kids of Athens better watch out too! Because Instead of “Naughty or Nice?,” he’s asking, “You ready to Rock n’ Roll?” This badass Santa it’s not just about melomakarona & kourambiedes—he’s expecting the special edition of “Easy Rider - Directors cut” and Born To Be Wild playing in the background.
So, if you hear the unmistakable roar of a Harley and see a flash of red and blue zooming by, don’t worry—it’s just Santa making his rounds, spreading holiday cheer! Leave out a gyros and a Mythos, and you might just get a gift!
Ho Ho Ho
Merry Christmas and ride/drive safe, everyone! Who knew Santa could be so cool?
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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19/12/2024

Miss someone - Call ‘em.
Wanna meet up - Tell ‘em.
Got Questions - Seek answers.
Like Something - Say it.
Don’t like something - Say it.
Want something - Ask for it.
Don’t want something - Say it.
Wanna be understood - Explain.
Wanna understand - Ask questions.
Love someone - Tell ‘em.
Don’t love ‘em - Tell ‘em.
Wanna a fun ride - Call me.
DON’T COMPLICATE LIFE. KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Seasons Greetings Cultural Crusaders!
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© text & photo by Terry, The Overdressed Cultural Crusader®
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24/09/2024

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Πενθώ τον ήλιο και πενθώ τα χρόνια που έρχονται
Χωρίς εμάς και τραγουδώ τ’ άλλα που πέρασαν
Εάν είναι αλήθεια

Μιλημένα τα σώματα και οι βάρκες που έκρουσαν γλυκά
Οι κιθάρες που αναβόσβησαν κάτω από τα νερά
Τα «πίστεψέ με» και τα «μη»
Μια στον αέρα, μια στη μουσική

Τα δυο μικρά ζώα, τα χέρια μας
Που γύρευαν ν’ ανέβουνε κρυφά το ένα στο άλλο
Η γλάστρα με το δροσαχί στις ανοιχτές αυλόπορτες
Και τα κομμάτια οι θάλασσες που ερχόντουσαν μαζί
Πάνω απ’ τις ξερολιθιές, πίσω απ’ τους φράχτες
Την ανεμώνα που κάθισε στο χέρι σου
Κι έτρεμε τρεις φορές το μωβ τρεις μέρες πάνω από
τους καταρράχτες

Εάν αυτά είναι αλήθεια τραγουδώ
Το ξύλινο δοκάρι και το τετράγωνο φαντό
Στον τοίχο, τη Γοργόνα με τα ξέπλεκα μαλλιά
Τη γάτα που μας κοίταξε μέσα στα σκοτεινά
Παιδί με το λιβάνι και με τον κόκκινο σταυρό
Την ώρα που βραδιάζει στων βράχων το απλησίαστο
Πενθώ το ρούχο που άγγιξα και μου ήρθε ο κόσμος.

Πάντα εσύ τ’ αστεράκι και πάντα εγώ το σκοτεινό πλεούμενο
Πάντα εσύ το λιμάνι κι εγώ το φανάρι το δεξιά
Το βρεμένο μουράγιο και η λάμψη επάνω στα κουπιά
Ψηλά στο σπίτι με τις κληματίδες
Τα δετά τριαντάφυλλα, το νερό που κρυώνει
Πάντα εσύ το πέτρινο άγαλμα και πάντα εγώ η σκιά που μεγαλώνει
Το γερτό παντζούρι εσύ, ο αέρας που το ανοίγει εγώ
Επειδή σ’ αγαπώ και σ’ αγαπώ
Πάντα εσύ το νόμισμα κι εγώ η λατρεία που το εξαργυρώνει:

Τόσο η νύχτα, τόσο η βοή στον άνεμο
Τόσο η στάλα στον αέρα, τόσο η σιγαλιά
Τριγύρω η θάλασσα η δεσποτική
Καμάρα τ’ ουρανού με τ’ άστρα
Τόσο η ελάχιστή σου αναπνοή
Που πια δεν έχω τίποτε άλλο
Μες στους τέσσερις τοίχους, το ταβάνι, το πάτωμα
Να φωνάζω από σένα και να με χτυπά η φωνή μου
Να μυρίζω από σένα και ν’ αγριεύουν οι άνθρωποι
Επειδή το αδοκίμαστο και το απ’ αλλού φερμένο
Δεν τ’ αντέχουν οι άνθρωποι κι είναι νωρίς, μ’ ακούς
Είναι νωρίς ακόμη μες στον κόσμο αυτόν αγάπη μου

Να μιλώ για σένα και για μένα.

20/07/2024

Summer in the city?
Dream of, or even better, imagine you are on an island somewhere in the Aegean Sea.
Summer in the city!

31/05/2024

I don’t want comfort. I want danger. I want freedom. I want goodness. I want poetry. I want sin.
— Aldous Huxley

08/05/2024

Thermopyles, literally means, Hot Gates, because in Greek mythology it was one of the entrances to Hades underworld. The spring became hot and sulphuric after Heracles dived into it to wash off poison infused in his cloak while slaying the Lernaean Hydra.
Being the only land route large enough to bear significant traffic on the east coast of central Greece, many a strategic standoffs took place here. The most epic was in 480BC during the 2nd Persian invasion when 7000 Greeks led by the badass Spartan King, Leonidas and his 300 super soldiers, faced-off with the massive Achaemenid Persian army of King Xerxes. The Greeks held back the Persians for 2 days, but betrayal reared nightmarishly. Ephialtes of Trachis, led the Persians on a night march through the Anopaea Pass, a hidden goat path, and flanked the Greeks.
Leonidas, ordered the Greek forces to retreat and regroup. However, he, his 300, and 700 Thespians, stayed behind, guarding the passage. The Persian king demanded they surrender their weapons, but Leonidas laconically replied, Molon Lavé - Come get them!
Nowadays, the actual battlefield is buried under heaps of debris. Mother Nature did some serious redecorating. Natural erosion from the forested limestone slopes of Mt. Kallidromos, continuous sediment deposits from the Spercheios river delta, and travertine deposits from the natural thermal spring have altered the topography creating a coastal floodplain advancing the shoreline of the Malian Gulf some 9km.
But fear not, for there stands an impressive bronze statue of Leonidas on the east side of the old highway, and across the road, atop a small hill, lays Simonides’ epitaph immortalising the fallen Spartans. As for the Hot Gates, Hades has closed shop, but the thermal spring flows and fumes ceaselessly, filling the air with that oh-so-delightful scent of sulphur.
So, next time you’re driving by Thermopyles, turn off the highway to see where this history defying battle went down. Oh, if you choose to visit the museum… It’s more of a souvenir store selling Spartan memorabilia.
Molon Lavé, fellow cultural crusaders!
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© text & photo by The Overdressed Cultural Crusader® aka Lefterry Bellos
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06/05/2024

Ah Metéora! On the northwestern edge of the Thessalian Plain, just a stone’s throw away from where the Pineiós river exits the rugged Píndos Mountains in central Greece, above the charming town of Kalambáka, you’ll find one of the country’s most jaw-dropping sights - the majestic ginormous conglomerate boulders of Metéora. This cluster of colossal rocks, some towering over 600m high, were Mamma Nature’s way of saying, “I’m gonna make something wondrous here!” And oh boy, She did!
Back in the day, these towering boulders provided the perfect hideout for hermits seeking refuge in the natural caves. A rudimentary brotherhood evolved in the 1100s, but then they got all fancy schmansy and built monasteries atop of the gigantic rocks. By the 1700s, it had grown into a thriving monastic state with 1500 monks and nuns living ascetic lives in snazzy high-rise monasteries, surrounded by mediaeval treasures, valued manuscripts, and priceless icons. A real life version of, In The Name Of The Rose - without the murder.
Nowadays, it’s a spiritual theme park in the clouds. Of the 24 Holy Monasteries, 8 still stand, of which, 4 monasteries and 2 nunneries are operational.
Gradually gaining popularity after a road was opened in 1948 allowing easy access and entrance to women, in 1988, UNESCO was like, “Yeah, this place is too divine to ignore,” declaring Metéora a World Heritage Site. And let’s not forget Mother Nature’s stamp of approval - apart from the amazing geological rock formations, the area is part of the NATURA 2000 network, home to some seriously rare plants and critters.
Despite the throngs of domestic and international visitors, there’s a spiritual ambience here. It’s like God and Mother Nature got together and said, “Let’s create a truly beautiful combination of spiritual fervour and natural wonders!” And they did!
If you’re looking for a dose of history, spirituality, spectacular views, hiking paths, or rock climbing, this is the place. So, whether you’re a devout believer, a nature lover, or just someone looking for a cool Instagram backdrop, Metéora has something for everyone.
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© text & photo by The Overdressed Cultural Crusader® aka Lefterry Bellos
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01/05/2024

Ah, the Athenian Agorá (market) was not only the main market where Athenians went shopping. Oh no! The agora was where all aspects of civic life unfolded. It was the heart of Athenian democracy, where all the main political assemblies, administrative facilities, and judicial functions were located. This is where people from all walks of life came to buy, sell, and trade goods, participate in religious and athletic activities, and to catch a performance of the latest Greek tragedy. And of course, to socialise!
In its heyday, it was so popular that even the Olympian gods payed a visit! Yep! Zeus swooped in to check out the mortal women. Poseidon rolled in to do quality control on the salt. Athena pranced around armed to the brim wearing her coolest plume, regulating the price of olives. While Aphrodite flirted with Ares behind the temple dedicated to her hubby, and Dionysus kept trying to get wine parties started!
Nowadays, the gods may be long forgotten, but their spirit lives on as the site is dominated by the Temple of Hephaestus, colloquially known as Thissio, located on top of the Agoraíos Kolonós hill in the northwestern corner of the agorá. It’s dedicated to the god of fire and craftsmen, the blacksmith of the gods, notorious for cracking Zeus’s head open with his peen, after-which, goddess Athena emerged fully grown wielding her spear and shield! But he also smelted and forged all the cool weapons and snazzy armours for the Olympians. Construction of the temple began in 449BC, but took a tad longer to finish as in 447, marble masons were redirected to building the Parthenon. Finally completed in 415BC, it stands testament to the building techniques used.
Cultural Crusader Fun Fact: …it may have lost its roof over the millennia, but hey, it’s the only totally intact Doric temple still standing.
So, when you’re stnrolling through the ruins of the Agorá, take a moment to imagine the hustle and bustle of the place, and the gods themselves wandering the market stalls, haggling over prices. Trade after all, is not merely selling a collection of products, it’s also a social transaction.
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© text & photo by The Overdressed Cultural Crusader® aka Lefterry Bellos
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25/04/2024

Mount Pilio (Pelion), in the southeastern part of Thessaly in Magnesia, central Greece, forms a hook-like peninsula separating the Pagasetic Gulf of the city of Volos from the Aegean Sea.
The mountain is named after the mythical king Pelios (Peleus), father of badass warrior, Achilles. Furthermore, it was the stomping ground of Chiron the Centaur, a creature with the upper body of a human and the lower of a horse, who was the wise tutor of Greek heroes: Heracles, Jason, Achilles, and Theseus. This is where the marriage of Thetis and Pelios took place. And where the goddess Eris, in revenge for not being invited, offered the Golden Apple of Discord with the inscription, To the Fairest. The dispute between Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena, resulted in the events leading to the Trojan War. Additionally, Volos (ancient Iolkos) was the starting point of the famed expedition of Jason and the Argonauts.
Today, Pílio is a popular tourist attraction combining mythology, history, traditional mountainous villages, and beautiful beaches. Looming above the coastline, a dramatic sweep of thriving vegetation is dominated by pine, chestnut, and plane trees, that stretch all the way up to the lofty summit, Pourianos Stavros (1.624m) where sits the Ski Resort.
The mountain is overhung by cliffs, escarpments, and plateaus, on which nestle numerous picturesque villages, that preserve traditional architectural styled buildings with stone slate rooftops. To name a few: Makrinítsa, Portariá, and Hánia, on the western slopes, and, Zagorá, Moúresi, and Tsagaráda, on the eastern slopes.
Tsagaráda is perched from 250-500m between lush vegetation, overlooking the Aegean Sea. It has about 550 permanent residents who sparsely inhabit 4 main neighbourhoods: Agii Taxiarches, Agia Paraskevi, Agios Stefanos, and Agia Kyriaki, which are scattered above the area between the beaches of Milopotamos and Fakistra.
Cultural Crusader Fun Fact: The square of Agia Paraskevi is dominated by a ginormous plane tree which has a whopping 20m wide trunk. The locals proudly declare it’s over a thousand years old. Slay!
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© text & photo by The Overdressed Cultural Crusader® aka Lefterry Bellos
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31/03/2024

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST.
During the Greek War of Independence (1821), local chieftains followed in the rebellious footsteps of the rest of Greece. But the Ottomans weren’t having any of it, imprisoning prefects and executing locals, even demolishing all the bell towers in retaliation (1823). Autonomous rebel crews never stopped making a ruckus against the Turks, but it wasn’t until the 1st Macedonian Revolution in 1867, when prominent Kastórians joined the cause that the rebellion actually gained momentum. The Ottomans nonetheless, returned like for like, and things got uglier in the 2nd Revolution of 1878. The Sultan allowed the Bulgarians to invade, with Greeks and Bulgarians duking it out again, especially after a not-so-great Greek-Turkish war of 1897. Rebels like Pavlos Melas and chieftains like Aristides Margaritis were making waves, with various other figures leaving their indelible mark in the bloody Macedonian uprisings!
Come November 11th, 1912, Greece claims victory in the 1st Balkan War, and Kastórians dance to songs of liberty in the rear of 500 years of Ottoman rule. After WWI, Greece goes to war with Turkey (again), culminating in a crushing defeat for the Greeks. Whereafter brutal massacres of the Orthodox populations living on the coasts of Asia Minor, forces them to flee to Greece as refugees. In the subsequent population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922, of the 500,000 total, 2000 Muslim Kastorians bid adieu forever, and of the 1.5 million total Greek orthodox refugees, 1000 settle in Kastoriá.
With the outbreak of WWII the Kastorians fought against the Italian, Bulgarian, and German invaders. The city was severely affected by the German occupation, nonetheless, it remained commercially active. In the 1940 census Kastoriá had 6000 inhabitants with a vibrant Jewish community 780 strong, whose ancestors were drawn to the fur trade scene. But in late March 1944, 760 of them were taken to the concentration camps. Only 35 returned. This is especially tragic seeing the city was freed from the n***s just four months later by the Greek People’s Liberation Army.
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© text & photo by The Overdressed Cultural Crusader® aka Lefterry Bellos
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30/03/2024

Ah ha! You thought Kastoriá was a one off thing? Oh no no! Greece has way too much history for just one post.
I will be uploading 3 to 5 posts a week, taking a deeper look into the unique history of the chosen location… you ready to Rock n’ Roll?

Kastoriá’s story is dope! No joke; it’s got more ups and downs than a beaver on speed! So, buckle up, and get ready for a shaggy ride.
Archaeological evidence shows human presence since the Neolithic times. Inevitably, its namesake has many conflicting theories. Greek mythology mentions the mythical god Kástora, who was an avid beaver hunter (kástoras in Greek) with a breed of dog called Kastorides. This dude gave his name to Kastoriá, the beaver, and the dogs.
Much later, in the 1st c. AD, Livy wrote about a town on a lake calling it Celetrum, which got snagged by the Romans in 200BC during their tussle with Phillip V of Macedonia. While the Romans played masters of the Mediterranean, names like “Diocletianopolis” and “Justinianopolis” were thrown around like confetti at a Roman Emperor’s birthday-bash.
It wasn’t until 980AD we come across the name, Kastoriá again. With prevailing opinion, it came from the Greek word kástoras - beaver, that were endemic to the area and the main source of income for many a yesteryear.
After the decline of the Roman Empire, throughout the Early Medieval times, the Crusades and late Middle Ages, the Kastórians were caught in the crossfire between the Bulgarians, the Byzantines, and the Normans. Changing rulers, warlords, and despots, as if they were in a crazy game of medieval musical chairs.
In the early 1300s, Kastoriá found itself under a Thessalonian warlord with a flair for drama. Then, this local hero dude swooped in like a man with a mission, only to have the Byzantine ruler Andronikos Palaiologos sn**ch the spotlight in 1332. But the Serbs, from up north, decided to crash the party and claim Kastoriá for themselves. In 1371 it was captured by the Albanian Mouzakis family, and finally, in 1385, the ever growing Ottoman Empire start taking the Balkans. Northwestern Greece included!
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© text & photo by The Overdressed Cultural Crusader® aka Lefterry Bellos
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Monday	06:00 - 19:00
Tuesday	06:00 - 19:00
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