The Oldest Tattoo Studio in Greece
The trendy district of Plaka in Athens is thriving with restaurants, souvenir shops and cafes, and jewellery stores. It has the perfect balance of tourist flare with an authentic Athens vibe. If you’re into archaeology or historical monuments, Plaka is the perfect destination. It’s also a good place to go to get a tattoo. Stop and visit the brother sister tattoo artists, Paula and Anna Mamatsis at the oldest tattoo shop in Greece, Jimmy’s Custom Tattoo.
The Tattoo Studio is located at 13 Kyristou Street, on gorgeous Acropolis Hill. It was opened in 1977 by Paul and Anna’s father Jimmy, who is now a legend in the area. Jimmy travelled the sea in the 1950’s and 1960’s, spending some time in Bombay where he first found a love for tattoos. “It was a hand tapped job of a Native American chief and cost six rupees,” he says. “But damn if it didn’t look good. I couldn’t wait to get another!” He skipped to Toronto and spent some time in Canada and New York City where he worked as a greenhorn tattoo artist. He returned to Athens in the late 60’s and began tattooing out of his home in 1973. It was a risky move considering tattooing was an illegal profession in Greece at this time. But Jimmy fought the law and the government finally licensed his tattoo shop in 1982. It was the first studio in Greece to operate legally.
Jimmy’s is the only tattoo shop in Plaka. According to Paul there are about 30 other studios around town and probably 50 home studios. Paul has been tattooing since 1980 and enjoys the life long connection to art that tattoos provide. “I’ve always been attracted to the beauty, the passion, and the spiritual energy of tattooing, and when it all comes together you express life through artistic creativity on other people’s skin. For me, tattooing is one of the most respectful professions I can think of. It’s an experience in life.”
Paul and his sister Anna have tattooed a variety of clients ranging from Greek models, football players, tourists, accountants, lawyers and doctors. Since Jimmy is legendary in Greece, people come to the shop first to check it out. Jimmy’s is open 7am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday and by appointment on Sundays.