When Cavafy first traveled to Greece in the summer of 1901, it was during a leave from his job. The poet was then 38 years old and was accompanied by his brother, Alexandros.
Traveling in Athens with Cavafy is an exciting experience. Despite the century that has passed and the dramatic changes in the capital, the city center retains its essential characteristics. The urban fabric, in the shape of a large isosceles triangle dating back to the days of Otto, remains the most prominent feature of Athens. Most changes are observed in the archaeological sites, which during Cavafy's time were still partially inhabited. Many theaters, cafes, and buildings mentioned by Cavafy no longer exist, as they could not survive the historical storm of the period 1922-1949.
The map accompanying this edition aims to introduce the reader to this dual pathway of Athens today and back then, as described by Cavafy. The game of comparisons provides a further element of exploration for the restless traveler eager to experiment.
Seeing Athens through Cavafy's eyes and comparing it to one's personal experience of a modern city will give an unexpected dynamic to the reader's Athenian experience, revealing and uncovering a city with many faces, a city that is both the cradle of an ancient civilization and a modern Mediterranean capital.
