Τhe Coffee House of Europe

The Coffee House of Europe on Aiolou Street (opposite the church of Agia Irini) was the most elegant in Athens. In contrast to the Turkish coffee shops, where the worry beads’ sound dominated, the customers could enjoy a beer over a game of billiards. The patrons included an international gathering of Greeks and foreigners in foustanellas or frock coats and a real Babel where Greek, German, Italian, and French mixed in passionate discussions about Crete or Balzac.

Creator: Ludwig Köllnberger (1837)
Source: National Historical Museum
Text source: Artemis Skoumbourdi, Kafeneia of Old Athens, Athens, 2001.