Page 1 of 2
Cohen's house on Hydra
Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:14 am
by kleinschmidt
Hi. I know that this forum is for Leonard's music only, but it is also the forum with the biggest chance of getting an answer to my question, so here goes:
This summer I'm planning a trip to Hydra in order to locate Mr. Cohen's old house. Does anyone know how to find it, the adress, some tips or something like that?
thank you
kleinschmidt
Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 2:25 am
by lizzytysh
Hi Kleinschmidt
~
As you know, this Forum is about
far more than [only] Leonard's music! All things Leonard, and all other things, as well. Placement of a particular question can sometimes become a bit difficult, but hey....as long as it gets answered
. I apologize if my suggestions to follow are redundant to your experience here, but I'll give them, anyway, just in case. Since you're making a trip to Hydra [fortunate you
], my suggestion would be that you go to Jarkko's main page ~ click on the link above at
http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com and then scroll down to "Hydra Event." That will begin to get you acquainted with the island, and how it relates to Leonard. There are other sections on his/this site that you can visit that will give you more photos and writings that relate, as well. These include photos of the inside. You'll have many clues as to how to recognize it when you see it, and will be able to appreciate the island and Leonard's time there more deeply. Then, once you arrive, I'd say, "Ask the first person you see where it is
" and you'll get all the info you need as to how to actually locate it
.
Depending on when you're leaving for Hydra, have you considered coming to New York for the Leonard Cohen Event, June 11, 12, 13 ~ and beyond. You would have the opportunity to meet people from here, as well as from other areas around the globe, who also love him ~ and likely have equal interest in seeing his old house on Hydra, if they haven't already. Some of those who have would likely meet you there another time, as well.
~ Safe travels, happy wanderings ~
Elizabeth
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 1:17 am
by linmag
Last time I looked (which must be about a year ago), one of the travel companies with links on the Hydra event pages had a map of how to find Leonard's house. I can't remember which company it was, and you had to ferret about the site a bit, but if you're lucky it might still be there.
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 1:34 pm
by kleinschmidt
Thank you very much for the good advice. I'll try and find the travel agency that tells about leonard's house. I'm sure it's going to be a great event for both me and my traveling companion. Yet I'm not sure how I'll react when first seing the house. I'll problably faint or go clear
or something like that. Anyways.. thanks for your helping hand.
Sincerely J. Kleinscmidt
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:11 pm
by jarkko
Just locate the "Four Corners" grocery shop up on the hills
(you have to manage some hundred steps first). Then turn to
right at the shop (if you come from the harbor direction).
(There are no street names nor numbers so an address
cannot be given!)
Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:18 pm
by lizzytysh
There are no street names nor numbers so an address
cannot be given!
So charming
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:39 am
by username
I guess me saying that I can literally walk to Leonard's Montreal home won't make any of you feel better
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:45 am
by Insanitor
Well, why not go over an introduce yourself? Perhaps he provides maps and even may inform you of where the spare key is hidden??
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:11 am
by lightning
Look for a bird on a wire and follow the nearest ass.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 8:19 am
by Insanitor
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:24 pm
by lizzytysh
Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 1:57 am
by username
Lizzy, you are most definitely right about the fact that he's not here very much. However my friend saw him a couple of months ago in a cafe on saint laurent street. So i guess he makes the occasional appearance.
Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 1:40 pm
by lizzytysh
Hi Matt ~
Yes, I know that's true about Leonard's trips to Montreal. My point [teasing you, as well as us, cuz I honestly think none of us would
mind being within walking distance of Leonard's home
[previous or present]. The first portion of my teasing was intended to clarify that, if this is the home I'm thinking of, he sold it awhile back, including his original guitar and a few other childhood belongings. If it's not that home, then those dratted details have got me again
.
~ Lizzy
Re: Cohen's house on Hydra
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:34 pm
by B4real
I know this is a very old thread (nearly 20 years) but I thought I'd add the latest info about LC's house on Hydra here - maybe I should have posted it in the Hydra section
Of Love and Legacy: Inside Leonard Cohen's House in Hydra
https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/09/22/o ... -in-hydra/
[Photos in the link]
In the late 1960s, amidst the azure waters of the Argosaronic Gulf, Leonard Cohen found solace in a quaint traditional house on the Greek island of Hydra. Little did he know that this island paradise would become the backdrop for one of the most enduring love stories of the 20th century. Today, that very house, brimming with history and memories, is owned by his son, Adam Cohen, who continues to honour his father's legacy on this enchanting island.
The Love Story of Leonard and Marianne
Hydra, in the late 1960s, was a haven for artists, writers, and bohemians seeking inspiration and tranquillity. Leonard Cohen, the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, was among those drawn to this idyllic Greek island. He acquired a traditional whitewashed house for a mere $1,500, a decision that would forever change his life.
It was in Hydra that Leonard Cohen found love, not only for the island itself but also for Marianne Ihlen, a Norwegian woman who captured his heart. Their love story became the stuff of legend, immortalised in Cohen's music and poetry. Marianne served as his muse, inspiring timeless songs like "So Long, Marianne" and "Bird on the Wire."
For seven blissful years, Cohen and Ihlen lived together in that Hydra house, where creativity flowed as freely as the island's crystal-clear waters. Cohen penned some of his most profound and iconic works during this time, including his debut novel, "Beautiful Losers," and the album "Songs of Leonard Cohen."
Their love affair eventually waned, but the memory of Hydra and their time together endured in Cohen's heart. When Marianne Ihlen passed away in 2016, Cohen penned her a heartfelt farewell letter, expressing his eternal love and gratitude for the time they spent on the island that had brought them together.
Hydra in the 1960s: A Bohemian Oasis
During the 1960s, Hydra was a bohemian haven, attracting artists, writers, and musicians from around the world. It was a place where creativity thrived, where the laid-back lifestyle and stunning natural beauty provided the perfect backdrop for artistic pursuits. The absence of cars on the island added to its charm, with donkeys serving as the primary mode of transportation along the cobblestone streets.
The island's intoxicating blend of traditional Greek architecture and rugged landscapes made it a magnet for individuals seeking refuge from the tumultuous outside world. Hydra was a place where artists like Cohen could escape the noise and distractions of urban life, immerse themselves in the island's serene beauty, and find inspiration in the simplicity of daily life.
Adam Cohen: Continuing the Legacy
Leonard Cohen's legacy lives on not only in his music and poetry but also through his son, Adam Cohen. Following in his father's footsteps, Adam is a talented musician and songwriter in his own right. He shares his father's love for Hydra and the profound connection it held for Leonard.
In 2014, Adam returned to Greece to record his album "We Go Home." In a making-of video for the album, he paid tribute to his father and showcased the traditional house in Hydra, sharing glimpses of its timeless beauty. The street outside the house has been named after Leonard Cohen, a fitting tribute to the man who left an indelible mark on the island.
Leonard Cohen's House in Hydra Today
Today, the house in Hydra is a place where Leonard Cohen's spirit continues to linger. Now owned by Adam, it remains a cherished family retreat. Like his father, Adam returns to Hydra, particularly during the summer months, to find inspiration and reconnect with the island's soul.
In the summer of 2023, Adam once again graced the island of Hydra. On a rainy Wednesday in September, he shared glimpses of his family's traditional house with his online friends, inviting them to experience the magic of the place where his father's greatest creations were born.
Through Adam, Leonard Cohen's house in Hydra remains a timeless ode to love, art, and the enduring magic of the Greek islands.
Re: Cohen's house on Hydra
Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2023 1:14 am
by lightning
If you loved Hydra wait till you spend some time on Mykonos! It's more a tourist destination,beautiful, all white houses, "The bride of the Aegean." Lots of artists too, painters especially appreciate the morning light. Less rocky than Hydra, another feature. No Leonard Cohen traces, though.