The Black Duck

One hundred-eighty years ago, this was not the center of the city. It might be hard to picture, but Klafthmonos Square, at the northern outskirts of Athens, was merely an unattended piece of land and the houses here were scarce. The residence of Stamatis Dekozis Vouros – which is nowadays home to the Athens City Museum – was built in 1833 and was shortly thereafter connected with the neighboring house of Afthonides. This was the building complex where Otto, first King of Greece, settled, after his wedding with 18-year old Amalia.

It was the young queen who organized the garden around the temporary royal residence, in 1836. “The old Palace garden” was the first public garden in the Greek capital. It featured four entrances, a fountain and a goldfish pond. It encompassed the area of modern Klafthmonos Square and extended all the way to Kolokotronis Square.

The modern garden of the Athens City Museum is only a small part of that great garden. However, it is a small oasis in the center of Athens. The palm tree planted by Amalia is still alive.

Black Duck garden is suitable for Coffee breaks, lunch breaks, brunch, business meetings, private reserved areas for dinners, cocktails.

The menu is mostly Mediterranean with most of ingredients coming from the Greek nature and traditional cuisine. There is also a special wine list including more than 60 Greek wine labels, indie varieties and micro wineries around the country.

Black Duck Garden is open every day from 10.00 in the morning  to 02.00 in the night. Reservations are recommended.