The Empusa of Kolonaki, Athens

The Empusa was a shape-shifting demoness in ancient Greek belief — a creature of Hecate that appeared as a beautiful woman by day and a fiery-footed monster by night, seducing men in order to devour them. In 21st-century Athens, specifically in the upscale Kolonaki neighbourhood, a modern version of the legend has emerged among taxi drivers and late-night workers.

The story describes a strikingly beautiful woman who hails taxis on Skoufa Street between 2 and 4 AM, always alone, always heading to an address in the Kaisariani district. She pays with exact change in old drachma coins — currency discontinued in 2002. Drivers who accept her fare report that she smells of burning and that when they check the mirror, her reflection shows a different, older face. When they reach Kaisariani, she exits into a building that other drivers subsequently confirm does not exist at that address. At least 19 drivers have independently filed reports with a paranormal research group between 2009 and 2023.