Plaka Favorites

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Favorite thing: I didn't know Greece was famous for natural sponges. There are shops in the Plaka that sell almost nothing but sea sponges, so I became curious to learn more about this special product. One of the shopowners told me about Greece's famous sponge divers.
The sponges come primarily from two Dodecanese islands in southeast Greece near the coast of Turkey: Kalymnos and Symi. The Greek divers who collect these natural sponges are very proud of their dangerous work, and it is an industry that has prospered since ancient times. When the Turks attacked Rhodes, the island of Symi avoided invasion by offering the Ottoman sultan their most precious sponges for his harem.
Yet what are these sponges really used for? Well, obviously one can imagine using them to clean faces or tables but did you know sea sponges have also been used as a contraceptive? Tourists sometimes buy them to be used merely as decorations in their home, and rare sponges from the Libya coast are expensive collector's items. Some women buy small sponges to apply make-up and some men purchase large sponges to apply paint to walls.

Fondest memory: You learn something new every day in the Plaka district. Sponge shopping can be an educational experience and also provides insight into a part of Greek culture. Most of the sponge shops are located on Adrianou Street, and they each have a slightly different story to tell. I recommend visiting at least one sponge shop during your stroll through the Plaka, as it will immediately transport you to the Dodecanese islands without getting seasick.