Athens
is the capital and the largest city of Greece.
In the fifth century B.C., during the time
of Pericles, Athens was at the height of its cultural
achievements and the Imperial Power. Athens became the capital
of modern Greece, two years after its independence from Turkey,
in
1834.
Population: 762,000.
-
Full Day Athens Tour: includes a visit to: Acropolis,
National Archaeological Museum, Tower of Winds, Old Palace, Greek
And Roman Agora, Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament
And Changing of The guards, Temple of Zeus, Olympic Stadium (the
original stadium built in the 1863 for the first modern Olympic
games in 1896), Hill of Lycabetous, and finally Plaka, where you
will spend time for shopping and have lunch in a nice restaurant.
- Half Day Athens Tour: includes a visit to:
Acropolis, The Plaka, The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier in front
of the Parliament And Changing of The guards, Temple of Zeus,
and finally Olympic Stadium (the original stadium built in the
1863 for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896)
-
Full Day Athens And Cape Sounion Tour: includes
a visit to: Acropolis, Old palace, Tomb of The Unknown Soldier
in front of the Parliament And Changing of The guards, Temple
of Zeus, Olympic Stadium (the original stadium built in the 1863
for the first modern Olympic games in 1896), and finally Cape
Sounion, where you will see the Temple of Poseidon and have lunch
in a nice taverna.
Archaeological
Sites in Athens:
THE ACROPOLIS: For thousands of years the Acropolis
has been the symbol of Athens, the sacred rock, the link that
connects the magnificent ancient civilization with the modern.
The Acropolis and its monuments, its history and the myths that
are connected with it, are rightly the pride and the glory of
this city, the envy of all other cities in the world. These is
no Greek or foreign visitor who does not want to make the pilgrimage
to the sacred rock and absorb its magnificence and beauty. If
you have never been to the Acropolis, I assure you it is a unique
and memorable experience. The first habitation remains on the
Acropolis date from the Neolithic Period. Over the centuries,
the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or
as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous
and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai,
bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of
the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic
Period (650-480 B.C.).
During
the Classical Period (450-330 B.C.), three important temples were
erected on the ruins of earlier ones: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion,
and the Temple of Nike, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Athena
Polias, and Athena-Apteros Nike, respectively. The Propylaea,
which is the monumental entrance to the sacred area, was also
constructed in the same period. The monuments on the Acropolis
reflect the successive phases of the city's history. Some of them
were converted into Christian churches, houses of the Franks and
later on, of the Turks. After the liberation of Athens from the
Turks, the protection, restoration and conservation of the monuments
was one of the first tasks of the newly-founded Greek state. This
major effort is continued until today, with the large-scale restoration
and supporting of the monuments, which started in the 1970's and
is still in progress. The first excavations on the hill were conducted
between 1835 and 1837. More systematic work was carried out in
1885-1890 by Panagiotis Kavvadias.
THE
PARTHENON: It is the unique masterpiece of the world.
You will realize it yourself the moment you will stand in front
of it and learn a little of its history and the secrets of its
construction. The beauty, harmony and grace of this monument make
a really lasting impression on everyone who sees it. Today admission
to the Parthenon is prohibited due to the restoration work that
has been taking place there since 1983. This will not prevent
you from admiring this unique temple dedicated to the goddess
Athena and built of white marble from Penteli. Under the Parthenon
of the Classical Times there are remains of the monumental Ur-Parthenon,
an archaic temple dated in late 6th century B.C. The architects
of the classical temple, which was constructed and decorated between
447 and 432 B.C. during the Golden Age of Perikles, were Iktinos
and kallicrates. The Parthenon housed the golden-ivory statue
of Athena, work of the famous sculptor Pheidias. This statue was
the final destination of the Great Panathenaea procession, depicted
on the frieze of the temple.
THE
THEATER OF DIONYSUS: Pass through the entrance to the
archaeological site at the southern slope of the Acropolis in
Dionysiou Aeropaghitou Street and start climbing. On your left
you will see the oldest of all known theatres in the world, the
theatre of Dionysus. Here, the four greatest ancient Greek poets,
Aeschylos, Aristophanes, Euripides and Sophokles, saw their plays
being performed for the first time, in the 5th century B.C. The
koilon (cavea) and the proskoinion (stage) were originally of
wood. They were reconstructed of marble during the 4th century
B.C. Today only parts of the stone koilon have survived. Experts
estimate that the theatre could accommodate 17,000 spectators.
THE
AREOPAGUS: It is the most ancient court of law, a place
that must be respected in ancient times. Here was the seat of
the first aristocratic parliament of ancient Athens. In time this
parliament started to lose its political power and from the second
half of the 5th century B.C. it had only judicial responsibility
and particularly that of trying murderers. In this court, as is
described in Oresteia, Orestes was judged for the murder of his
mother Clytaemnestra and her lover Aegisthos. It was from this
spot, as we learn from the bronze tablet at the base of the rock,
that Saint Paul delivered his first sermon to the Athenians, in
AD 51.
THE
MONUMENT OF PHILOPAPPUS: [Filopapou,
114-116 AD]. This was erected as a monument to Gaius Julius Antiochus
Philopappus, a benefactor of Athens, on a hill opposite to the
Acropolis with a splendid view over the entire basin of Attica.
THE
PNYX HILL: The Pnyx is situated between the Hill of the
Muses, upon which stands the Monument of Philopappou, and the
Hill of the Nymphs, where the tomb of Kimon was found and where
the Observatory stands today. This semi-circular area was the
place of gathering for all the citizens of ancient Athens. They
gathered here in order to hear the famous orators who spoke from
the stone-cut tribune in its middle. It is believed that it could
accommodate up to 10,000 people at a time.
THE
ANCIENT AGORA: Was the civic, religious and commercial
center of the Athenian life set with appropriate buildings. Among
these was the Stoa of Attalus erected by Attalus II, king of Pergamum
[159-138 B.C]. Now, since its restoration, is used as a Museum
housing interesting findings.
THE
ROMAN MARKET: It is located at the beginning of Eolou
Street. The clock of Andronikos Kyrrhestes. This is an octagonal
marble tower near the west gate of the Roman Market. Its sides
are adorned with reliefs representing the winds.[thus tower of
winds]
HADRIAN'S
LIBRARY: [2nd century AD] built by the emperor Hadrian.
The
choregic Monument of Lysicrates: of Diogenes lantern
[on the corner of Lyssikratous and Vironos st.]. This carried
the bronze tripod awarded as a prize to the winner of a drama
contest.
HADRIAN'S
ARCH: This wasbuilt by Hadrian to mark the boundary between
the ancient city of Theseus and the new city. [ it is at the corner
of Vassilissis Olgas and Amalias Avenues].
THE
TEMPLE OF THE OLYMPIAN ZEUS: [also at the junction of
Vassilissis Olgas and Amalias Avenues]. It is the largest ancient
temple in Greece in the Corinthian order.
THE KERAMEIKOS CEMETERY: This
was the ancient burial ground of the city of Athens.
CAPE
SOUNION [69km]: The temple of Poseidon, standing some
60m/200 feet above the sea at the edge of a cliff on Cape Sounion,
in one of the most breathtaking and deeply moving sights in all
of Greece. And Greece has many of them. The temple is an hour’s
drive from central Athens and both the site itself and the route
leading to it are worth every minute of the drive. The road runs
along the Saronic coast and from the window of your car or bus
you can enjoy the endless and brilliant blue sea. If you are traveling
by car make sure you stop for a breath of sea-scented air and
a walk on the beach. You will also find many coffee shops, fresh
fish tavernas and ouzeri along the way.
BRAURON[VRAVRONA]
[38km]: Temple of Artemis and the stoa of Arktoi [bears]: the
little girls dedicated to the worship of the goddess. The local
museum contains interesting findings.
MARATHON
[38km]: The burial mound was raised in honor of the Athenian Warriors
who fell in the battle of the Marathon in 490 B.C. There is also
a museum on the site and the lake reservoir, with the allmarble
dam, which supplies Athens with water. Finally, there is a tourist
pavillion on the site.
RHAMNOUS
[49km]: Temple of Nemesis [5th century B.C] designed by the same
architect who built the temple of Hephaestus [Theseion] and that
of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
AMPHIARAIN
[45km]: The sanctuary was dedicated to the healer good-soothsayer
Amphiaraos.
ELEUSIS[22km]:
This is one of the most important sanctuaries, dedicated to the
worship of Demitra and her daughter Persephone. It is also associated
with the Eleusinian mysteries cult. The museum house findings
from the site itself and the surrounding countryside.
Byzantine
Monuments in Athens And its Suburbs
The
period from the 10th to the 12th centuries AD is marked by a resurgence
of prosperity in the Byzantine Empire during which Athens acquired
the elegantly designed small churches of Agii Apostoli, Kapnikarea,
Panagia Gorgoepikoos [or Agios Eleftherios] which stands next
to the Athens cathedral and Agii Theodori. These are some of the
most notable monuments of their time as well as the church of
Agios Nikodemos [11 century] and Omorfi Eklissia at the end of
Patission Street {one of the finest 12th century Byzantine monuments}.
THE
KAISARIANI MONASTERY [6km]: One of the most important
monasteries, set amid beautiful surroundings. The domed, cruciform
church is adorned with frescoes of the Cretan school, while in
the narthex built later, there are frescoes painted by Ioannis
Ypatios [17th century].
THE
DAFNI MONASTERY [11km]: Built on the site of a shrine
dedicated to Apollo Daphneios the monastery lies inside a fortified
enclosure. It is an 11th century church with masonry of a high
standard of workmanship. It is adorned with some of the best mosaics
to be seen anywhere in Greece.
The
Modern City of Athens
THE
TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER: A monument over which a
guard of honor keeps vigil. The 11 a.m. changing of guard on Sundays
is a picturesque small ceremony.
THE
GREEK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENTS: This is a neoclassical building
overlooking The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Formerly used as
the residential palace of Greece’s first king, Otto [1832-1862],
it houses since 1933 the Greek Parliament. Adjoining the building
is the National Garden stretching as far as the Zappeion exhibition
and Congress Hall, which stands in its own park.
THE
HILL OF LYCABETTUS: Clad in pinewoods and crowned by
the picturesque white chapel of st. George the hill provides a
fine panoramic view over the entire city. There is a restaurant
and pastryshop on the top. Access is by funicular or footpath.
SYNTAGMA
SQUARE: Below the tomb of the Unknown Soldier stretches
the most central square in Athens lined by a large number of pastryshops,
which are usually filled with a lively crowd of Athenians and
foreigners.
THE
PLAKA : As soon as you start walking around Plaka’s stone-
paved, narrow streets, you will have the feeling that you are
traveling back in time. This is Athens’ oldest and most picturesque
neighborhood. You will be delighted by the beauty of the neoclassical
colors of its houses, their lovingly tended little gardens, the
elegance, and the total atmosphere of the area. In Plaka, even
the air is different; lighter, clearer, scented, like a gift from
the gods. When you decide to take a walk around it be sure to
bring a map along, because Plaka is a labyrinth and you may get
the feeling that you are lost in its maze of narrow streets and
alleyways. No need for alarm though. It is easy to orientate yourself:
uphill is the Acropolis and downhill are Syntagma and Monastiraki.
MONASTIRAKI:
This is in reality an extension of Plaka. It is the part of the
city with the greatest number of antique dealers and gift shops
of every kind.
ILIOU
MELATHRON: Formerly the home of the celebrated archaeologist
Heinrich Schliemann, it is one of the most beautiful buildings
in Athens and stands at the upper end of Panepistimiou Street.
On the same street, a little further down, are the neoclassical
buildings of the Academy, the University and the National Library.
Shopping
Athens
is a city full of pleasant surprises for the shopper who is looking
for unique purchases and good bargains. Gold and silver jewellery
is a major area of interest, given the world famous unique Greek
designs. The numerous jewellery shops, which you will find in
the areas of Plaka, Syntagma, and Kolonaki, carry a wide selection
of museum reproductions of ancient Greek pieces of jewellery,
as well as traditional and fashionable ones. Most of them are
handmade by local craftsmen.
I would recommend you visit the Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum.
This Museum houses over 3,000 jewellery designs. Its 45 collections
display the history of the Greek jewellery. Jewellery
inspired by the art and architecture of eleven different civilizations,
by nature, technology and biology. The Museum is located at the
foot of the Acropolis.
The
place to look for the unique Greek ceramics and pottery is in
the Peloponnese (Argolida). A couple of designer ceramists and
potters have shops there and they still make them in the traditional
way (2500 years ago).
My secure website:
www.athensminibus.com
