Just down from the Acropolis in Athens, Greece is an unassuming little shop off a side street. Although it has since moved, when we went to go find it, it took a little searching for. However, the search was well worth it.
Stavros Melissinos has become famously known as "The Poet Sandal Maker." Although the store is currently run by his son, people still come from across the world to get their sandals. This is because the only place to get the famous sandals is at their one and only shop at the base of the Acropolis.
When we were visiting, we were with a large tour group and it was our only free time in the marketplace, so we booked it across the market, past countless Vespas, and ducked down the alley just within sight of the Acropolis.
You may be wondering, "why are they so famous?" Well, it is the combination of a number of things. Melissinos' poetry is famous in its own regard and "his books of poetry, plays, and essays have been translated into English, French, German and Italian and his best-known work The Rubaiyat is on the curriculum of a number of American universities."
Apart from this, the Melissino Family has a long history of fine craftsmanship and has been creating shoes since 1920. Word soon spread about the custom-fit sandals that are made in the style of ancient footwear, and since then numerous famous icons have step foot in Melissino's store. These icons range from Barbara Streisand to Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis and, most notably, The Beatles.
The store even named a few sandals after them and you can still see the chairs The Beatles sat in when visiting and getting fit.
When we visited, the store, it was an eclectic assortment of paintings, knick snacks, and photos all over the walls. There were examples of each sandal hung on the wall and a little dog that greeted you at the door. We got there right as they were closing, so the store was all to ourselves.
There were sandals stacked everywhere according to size and design and I picked out the famous John Lennon style, of course. The really cool thing about The Poet Sandal Maker is that each sandal is custom fit to the customer's foot. After giving your basic shoe size, they sort through the pile of bases to find one that fits your foot shape best. They then tread the leather through the base according to the style you chose and they weave it around your foot and mark it off. They then put the sandal all together by nailing the leather to the sole, stamping it with their seal, gluing the base, and coating the metal tops of the nails.
After they are made, you shouldn't wear them for a couple of days, because you have to allow everything to set. They also give you the option of darkening the leather, but I chose not to because, as they said, leather darkens with wear. And mine certainly have.
I have worn my sandals very regularly since I got them 3 years ago, and they are beginning to show it. They really do fit my feet perfectly and only get better with wear. I highly recommend stopping by if you are ever in Greece.
So, go for the experience, stay for the sandals, and never forget to dillydally!
-Amber
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