{"id":121660,"date":"2023-11-24T16:19:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T16:19:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/?p=121660"},"modified":"2023-11-24T16:19:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T16:19:32","slug":"fury-as-beautiful-european-city-is-gentrified-stop-turning-it-into-disneyland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cottontailsonline.com\/world-news\/fury-as-beautiful-european-city-is-gentrified-stop-turning-it-into-disneyland\/","title":{"rendered":"Fury as beautiful European city is gentrified- ‘stop turning it into Disneyland’"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

A historically radical neighbourhood in Athens, Greece – Exarcheia, is becoming more and more of a tourist hostpot with one resident claiming it is in danger of becoming exactly like Disneyland.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Politico, resident Niki, 36, believes the neighbourhood is altering its character, as it used to be “a place of fermentation and exchange of ideas from all parts of the society: students, workers and immigrants.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added: “It’s becoming like Disneyland with tourists.”<\/p>\n

Travel and review website, Time Out, described the construction of a new metro station in the central square of Exarcheia as a “turning point”, with many fearing the spirit of the neighbourhood may be eradicated.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Locals left terrified after three friends mysteriously vanish from remote town<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Exarcheia has long been a symbol of opposition to the establishment. In 1973, the Athens Polytechnic uprising took place, when students demonstrating against the dictatorship were met with a tank, killing 24.<\/p>\n

More recently in 2008, violent riots exploded here, with residents setting police cars alight in anger at the police shooting of a 15-year-old boy.<\/p>\n

Leaflets are scattered along street alleyways labelled “stop gentrification” and “tourists go home”, as reported in Le Monde. Residents have been opposing the development of seasonal rentals for many years but it is becoming a hot-spot for foreign investors.<\/p>\n

Today, pre-war townhouses and newer apartment buildings line the streets both creating a sense of community and tradition.\u00a0There are graffiti tours of the area and coffee shops on every street corner. A weekly farmer’s market runs the length of\u00a0Kallidromiou Street every Saturday selling fresh vegetables and fruit. Exarcheia Square\u00a0is the hub of the neighbourhood’s activity and is surrounded by little side streets bustling with life.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
Victims of UK’s ‘postcode lottery’ for IVF so desperate they’re flying to Greece[LATEST] <\/strong>
Alexander the Great mystery finally solved with breathtaking find at temple[LATEST] <\/strong>
The charming Greek destination that’s 19C in November[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n