Greece is an ancient country that has experienced ups and downs, the change of hundreds of rulers, nations and even civilizations. Her heart, her capital Athens, is buried in greenery in the summer under the scorching southern sun. The streets and squares of this city represent a multifaceted, sometimes complex history of the state. Time stands still in the marble ensembles of the Acropolis and Agora. The echoes of the Middle Ages are heard in Christian cathedrals. Joy and hospitality live in the hearts of the Athenians. Local residents, amazing cuisine and world-famous Athens attractions will help you get to know the culture of this country better.
Acropolis of Athens
This country has experienced many wars, victories and defeats. The Athenian Acropolis is a monument of those events, because its name is translated from Greek as "fortress", and the structures themselves rise on a rocky hill.
Temples and sanctuaries built in the 4th century BC served as a refuge in case of war. Now the entire complex is included in the UNESCO heritage list and meets hundreds of tourists every day. This amazing place is worth visiting even for those who consider the "ruins" a boring and uninteresting sight. The majestic white stone columns against the blue southern sky amaze with their graceful forms and monumentality.
The masters of Ancient Greece have been creating their masterpieces of architecture for several centuries. The entire architectural complex is considered one of the largest fortresses ever built on the territory of the country. It includes the Parthenon and Niki Apteros temples, the covered gates of the Propylaea and other structures. The reconstruction of the historical monument is currently underway.
Visitors may also be surprised by the fact that the sculptures are not originals, but only their exact copies. These statues are kept under the supervision of scientists in various museums around the world and are protected by scientists from the destructive effects of the environment.
The ancient city is located close to modern civilization. You can get to it by various public transport, the easiest way is by metro, getting off at the station of the same name. Here the noisy modernity is abruptly replaced by the greatness of antiquity. It is better to visit the Athenian Acropolis at the beginning of the day, since there is practically nowhere to hide from the scorching sun on the plateau. And most tourists usually get here around lunchtime. Entrance to the territory is carried out daily from 8 am to 6 pm. This time may vary depending on the holidays and the season of the year.
A ticket per person will cost no more than 20 euros. Some other attractions are included in the price. Its validity period is 4 days. Young people under 18 are admitted free of charge. You can also get here as part of an excursion, however, Russian-speaking guides often unjustifiably inflate prices. An audio guide or a travel guide is useful for those who wish not only to contemplate the monuments of antiquity.
Stock up on water: the price for it increases dramatically as you approach an architectural monument. Souvenirs and other little things can be purchased at the foot of the hill: they are much cheaper there. Tourists who are bored among the ruins can look at the Central Market of Athens. It is located nearby and pleasantly contrasts with its liveliness.
Parthenon
The central place in the architectural ensemble of the Acropolis hill is occupied by the temple of the goddess Athena Parthenos. This building is one of the most recognizable and visited by tourists in the world. Indeed, who has not seen at least once in their life a photograph of these perfectly straight columns? And for many it is no secret that they are not straight at all.
The Parthenon became the crown jewel of the architects, sculptors and artists of that time. The place for the construction of the temple was chosen as if the building is a continuation of the natural elevation and, when approaching it, gradually "grows".
Due to the arrangement of the columns at a certain angle, looking at them from the side of the central entrance, he sees the temple in volume, that is, 3 walls at once. The curvature of most of the lines creates an optical illusion that makes them all appear flawlessly straight. Repetitive elements in the architecture of the sanctuary give it a special harmony and grace.
A masterpiece of architecture was built from white marble. Under the influence of sunlight, over time, the southern side of the temple complex acquired a golden hue, and the northern side - purple. Stop and examine the Parthenon carefully. Remember that you cannot touch it with your hands, but you can safely take pictures. Take a closer look at the sculptures of the colonnade. They were created under the direction of Phidias, and many of the details of this decoration are now in various museums around the world.
Theater of Dionysus
In the southeast of the Acropolis in Athens, there is another monument of architectural skill and love for the art of the ancient Greeks. Visit this place to shout and sing for an experiment. The amazing acoustics of the amphitheater allows even the most distant viewer to perfectly hear the speaker on the stage. In antiquity, performances were shown in this place, the theatrical art, classical in our understanding, was born and glorified.
Initially, the building was wooden, but over time it was reconstructed, made of marble. The theater never had a ceiling, so all the festivities were held in the open air. The auditorium was able to accommodate about half of the inhabitants of Ancient Athens, that is, 17,000 people.
The row closest to the stage was intended for guests of honor and consisted of 67 armchairs. For their manufacture, an expensive and extremely rare kind of marble was used. The names that have been engraved can be seen in the surviving places in the first row. During the reign of the Roman emperors, the theater was rebuilt for gladiatorial battles, providing the front rows with bumpers and iron bars. A frieze depicting satyrs also appeared here. After serving people for about 5 centuries, the building was abandoned. Not so long ago, it was restored, along with other objects of the Acropolis.
Hadrian's Library
In the dilapidated columns on the territory of the Athenian Acropolis, now you can hardly guess the library. In ancient times, this monument was built to the glory of human wisdom. There was a repository of numerous manuscripts, lecture and reading rooms, in the courtyard there was a garden with fountains. Inside the spacious building, decorated with gold and marble statues, one could hide from the heat and bustle of the world.
The building served as a library for no more than a century. For two and a half centuries, it was rebuilt several times and changed its purpose. Only the western wall has come down to us, which was originally made of marble. In 2004, it underwent restoration and was opened for viewing by tourists. Like all Greek ruins, the library of Andriana deserves attention, presenting only a fragment of the monumental structure. We can only guess how magnificent and grandiose this architectural creation was, if even a small part of it is admired by many.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
There are 2 theaters on the Acropolis Hill in Athens. And if the theater of Dionysus fascinates with its scale, then the odeon of Herodes Atticus attracts the audience with its romantic history and various performances taking place today in the open air. The detached building is located in the south of the Acropolis. It was built much later than others in this architectural ensemble: in the II century AD. The idea of erecting the odeon and the means belonged to the philosopher and orator Herod Atticus, who dedicated this creation to his deceased young and beautiful wife.
The architectural monument is well preserved. Only the roof and marble statues in the wall niches behind the stage have been lost.In the middle of the 20th century, the auditorium amphitheater and stage were rebuilt in order to gather again music and theater lovers. For half a century, the odeon has received the ballet of the Bolshoi Theater, opera tenor Andrea Bocelli, Elton John and many other celebrities. Up to 5,000 people can stay here at the same time.
Entrance to the odeon of Herodes Atticus is limited. You can get inside during performances and festivals, which take place annually from June to September. Tickets should be taken in advance. The easiest way to get to the theater is by bus number 230. The bus stop is opposite the main entrance. The magnificent Roman-Greek architecture can be admired from the top of the hill, coming closer to the Parthenon.
Ancient agora
Agora in Athens is the central square of the old city. The most important social and political events of the Greek capital took place here in ancient times. In terms of importance, this place was second only to the Acropolis. On an area of 5 hectares at the foot of the Acropolis Hill, there was an administrative center, temples, a theater, a library, platforms for various discussions, meetings and trials. The busiest was, of course, the market. All kinds of goods were brought here from different countries: from things necessary in everyday life to outlandish expensive trinkets.
Today, the agora in Athens is associated primarily with the shopping area of Monastiraki. Fairs are held on its streets every Sunday. This mixture of the Middle Ages, Greek folklore and modernity attracts travelers with the opportunity to plunge into the culture of the country, into its everyday life. There are cafes and bars nearby. Feel free to go to any of them. Greeks are hospitable, so their portions are rich, and they often compliment visitors in the form of a glass of wine or dessert. You can get here by metro, disembarking at Fision or Theseion stations.
The surviving monuments of Greek architecture that were once part of the agora complex can be visited with an entrance pass to the Acropolis for less than 20 euros. The pass is valid for 4 days, during which you can get around almost all the architectural sights of Athens. On the territory of the agora you will see several temples, Agrippa's odeon, the mint and the reconstructed Wall of Attalus. The latter is a monument of ancient architecture in itself. Also in this gallery is the museum of the agora.
Temple of Hephaestus
The ruins of the Acropolis are disheartening, reinforcing the idea that even a stone is not spared by time. The Temple of Hephaestus, built as part of the agora, is perhaps the best preserved of all the ancient monuments in Athens. The main elements of the building are in a complete condition, only in some places the roof and the interior of the temple have suffered.
This ancient building is comparable in its grandeur to the Parthenon and is dedicated to the patron saint of fire and blacksmithing, Hephaestus. Both temples were built in the same period, and their architecture is sustained in the Doric style. However, the temple of Hephaestus was the first creation of architects in Athens, built of marble. In the XII century, the sanctuary was transferred to the Christian church, which saved it from destruction. It was named as the Church of St. George until 1834, when it was a national architectural monument of Greece.
The monument is located in the center of Athens. You can get here by underground and ground transport. You will have to get off the metro at the St. Thisiou ”, or take bus route 227. A visit to the National Monument is included in the Acropolis Tour. From November to March, every Sunday the temple is open to all for free. Although on this day it is more pleasant to look at the agora fair: there are a lot of people, but there is also more space.
Tower of Winds
The Tower of the Winds is located in the open and well-ventilated agora. The 12 meters high white marble building has the shape of a regular octagon, which corresponds to the 8 divine winds. Another name for this architectural monument is “Clock Tower of Andronicus of Kirr” or “Clock of Kirrist”. Andronicus of Kirr was an astrologer. According to the plan, the building was supposed to rise above the city so that the weather vane indicating the direction of the wind and the sundial on the roof were visible from any part of it. In addition to determining the time by the sun, the Greeks used a completely accurate hydraulic chronometer located inside the building. The tower was of great importance for the townspeople, as it was the meteorological and astrological center of Athens.
Currently, preparations are underway for the reconstruction of the tower. Compared to other architectural monuments in Athens, it is well preserved, but its outer facing and inner vaults are constantly being destroyed. The central location of the building in the old town makes it easily accessible for tourists. The Plaka area, where the Tower of the Winds is located, can be reached by any public transport to the Monastiraki station. The monument is open for visiting every day, except on holidays, from 8 am. During the tourist season, it closes at 7 pm, the rest of the year - at 3 pm. The cost of the visit is included in the Acropolis pass. Inspection of the tower together with
Agora will cost only 3 euros.
Eleusinian ruins
The noise generated by hundreds of tourists in the Acropolis or Agora can distract from the study of ancient culture. In the suburbs of Athens, the ruins of the holy city of Eleusis are comfortably located. In ancient times, the capital of Greece was connected to it by a road, along which a procession of pilgrims, dedicated to the goddess Demeter and Persephone, stretched every year. The whole mystery ended in the main temple of Demeter with secret rituals, about which their participants had no right to spread. Anyone who spoke Greek could participate in them. Even slaves were allowed to perform sacred services.
Archaeologists claim that the first sacred buildings were carried out in the 15th century BC. There are no especially significant monumental structures in this old city. Lovers of antiquity come here for unity with antiquity, because the Eleusinian ruins are allowed not only to see and photograph, but to touch them.
In Eleusis, on the coast of the gulf, there is an archaeological museum. Its exhibits include ceramics, architectural and sculptural works. They all reflect the events of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The museum receives visitors every day, except Mondays and holidays, from 8.30 to 15.00. The entrance ticket costs 3 euros. The Megara bus goes to the Eleusinian ruins. The starting point of his route is the "Thissio" metro station. There is also a railway station not far from the city.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Many emperors dreamed of creating something that would perpetuate their name. So Pisistratus initiated the construction of the temple of Zeus, which, according to his ideas, was to become the largest temple among the existing ones. The Greeks murmured, seeing in the monument only a manifestation of the whims of the ruling tyrant. For this and other reasons, the building was erected for 6 centuries, and only 3 stood there. 16 columns have come down to us, 14 of which form the corner of the temple of the once majestic temple of Olympian Zeus. The building was impressive in size.
It was 17 meters high, 96 meters long and 40 meters wide. Historians say that the main statue of Zeus was made of gold and ivory by craftsmen, just like the statue of Athena in the Parthenon. Both originals of these creations are lost forever. The monument of antiquity is located near the Acropolis and the metro station of the same name. You can also get here by land transport. The time to visit the ruins is no different from many others in the city: daily from 8 am to 7 pm in summer, and until 5 pm in winter.
Archaeological Museum
In especially hot or, on the contrary, rainy weather, acquaintance with the monuments of ancient Greek architecture may bring nothing but discomfort. In this case, a complete immersion in the culture of antiquity is possible at the National Archaeological Museum.It can rightfully be called the main repository of Greek culture. The exposition of the Archaeological Museum in Athens has more than 20 thousand exhibits from all eras of the state. It contains some of the richest collections of sculpture and ceramics in the world.
The museum building is so large that it is possible to get lost in its galleries. It will take a whole day for even a detailed view of all the halls. But it doesn't matter, because the ticket is valid all day. It is allowed to go out and go on it again. There is a chance to transfer the entrance receipt to another visitor, although its cost is already low: 7 euros per person. Entry for visitors under 18 is completely free. The museum is closed on Mondays and holidays. The working day is short on Sunday and ends at 3 pm. On other days, visitors are expected from 8 am to 8 pm.
Daphni monastery
In Greece, in addition to the monuments of ancient culture, there are also many architectural creations left over from other eras. This is how the Daphni monastery represents Byzantine architecture. The mystical disposition left its mark on the fate of the building. The Christian complex was erected in the 6th century AD on the road from Athens to Eleusis in a laurel grove on the site of the destroyed ancient Greek temple to Apollo.
Some of the remaining fragments of the old sanctuary were not demolished, but overgrown with new walls. Over the course of several centuries, the monastery was completed and developed. The most ambitious and significant were the works of the 11th - 12th centuries, when the main temple was decorated with the famous Byzantine mosaics. Fragments of it still adorn the vaults of the sanctuary, and having lifted your head, you can see the face of Christ under the dome.
Daphni Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1999, it was badly damaged by an earthquake, after which it was temporarily closed for reconstruction work. Now the temple is open to visitors twice a week in the summer on Thursdays and Fridays from 9 am to 2 pm. the entrance is free. You can get to the monastery in 2 ways: either call a taxi from the Daphne metro station; or from the city center, take buses running on routes No. 880 and No. 860. Not far from the sacred place is a psychiatric hospital of the same name, so for the Greeks, "going to Daphne" means "going crazy."
Plaka
The place where the centuries-old history of Athens began is named Plaka. The area stretching east and north of the Acropolis is named after a stone slab discovered in the Temple of St. George of Alexandria. Today, the central area of the city is a labyrinth of winding streets, cozy restaurants of national Greek cuisine, wine cellars, souvenir shops and a popular flea market. It is here that the most famous sights of different eras are concentrated:
- Tower of the Winds, erected in the 1st century BC. e.
- Temple of Olympian Zeus, the beginning of construction of which dates back to 515 BC. e.
- Church of the Holy Trinity (XI century)
- Botanical Garden (XIX century)
Visiting colorful Plaka, you will find yourself in the capital of Greece, as it was at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries. The neoclassical buildings that fill the ancient quarter came into being after a fierce fire in 1884. The foundations for them were the remains of buildings from ancient times.
Agora
Back in 594 BC. e. The Agora was the "first violin" in the city, being its religious, administrative, political and cultural center. Here, in the majestic Temple of Hephaestus, the gods of arts and crafts were sung, and musical performances were held in the Odeon of Agrippa. The Panathenaean path ran through the ancient square, along which, during the celebration of the wise warrior Athena, the patroness of the city, solemn processions went to the Acropolis.
Today, the once monumental structures of the Agora lie in ruins. The most preserved buildings are the grandiose Temple of Hephaestus, whose Doric columns still support the vaulted roof, the Church of the Holy Apostles, which appeared in the 10th century and rebuilt in 1956 by the Stand of King Attalus of Pergamon.
You can visit the ancient relics daily (except weekends and holidays):
- in summer from 08:00 to 20:00
- in winter from 08:00 to 15:00
Entrance - 8 euros.
Standing Attala
The ancient inhabitants of Hellas called the covered colonnades, erected at temples, markets and houses, as standing. Such a gallery was built as a sacred gift to Athens by the king of Pergamum Attalus II, whose reign fell on 159-138 BC. The grandiose structure of limestone and Pentelian marble 115 m long and 20 m wide, which served as a place for trade and leisurely walks, was destroyed in 267 by the ancient Germanic tribe Heruli.
The modern model, which exactly reproduces the appearance of the destroyed relic, was created in 1950 on a few fragments of the original walls. Today the two-storey building houses a museum. Here you will find details of ancient decor, remains of columns, sculptures, amphorae, clay, glass and bronze items, collections of coins, jewelry and genre figurines. An introduction to the collection is included in the price of the visit to the Agora (8 €).
Kerameikos
The ancient necropolis is the burial place of the nobility, which appeared in the XI century BC. e., - was located at the intersection of the main routes leading from the suburbs. Until now, you can see the remains of the famous city gates: the Dipylon gates, which served as the official Athenian entrance, and the Sacred ones, through which religious processions passed. As you walk along secluded trails, you will get acquainted with the results of archaeological excavations that began in 1870 and continue to this day.
The main objects of the cemetery: a 2.10-meter statue sculpted by the sculptor Dipylon, a marble figure of a bull towering over the grave of Dionysius and the ruins of Pompeion, a building used to store sacred relics. After visiting the "city of the dead", you can look into the Keramika Museum. Its halls are filled with antique artifacts: statues, ceramic decorations and household items.
Byzantine Museum
One of the richest art collections, including 25 thousand exhibits reflecting Christian and Byzantine art of the III-XX centuries, can be found at Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias Street, 22. The founder of the museum, created in 1884, was a private collector - theologian Georgios Lampakis ... Initially, his treasures were exhibited at the Academy of Athens, and in 1930 they settled in a new building.
The exhibition includes two parts. Visiting the first of them, you will witness the flourishing of the art of Byzantium in the IV-XV centuries. and get acquainted with unique wooden icons, marble steles, sculptures, mosaics, frescoes. The second exposition includes exhibits of the 15th-20th centuries that illuminate the church and everyday life of Christians: the clothes of clergymen, jewelry and household items.
The museum is open from 8:00 to 20:00 (Tuesday – Sunday). The ticket price is 8 € (full) and 4 € (reduced).
War museum
The stone building, built in the shape of a cube, is discordant with the ancient structures inherent in the appearance of the capital. However, it also attracts many tourists who want to get acquainted with weapons and military equipment of different eras - from Antiquity to the Second World War. On the adjacent territory, the largest exhibits of the collection are exhibited - guns and aircraft, among which the American jet Starfighter E104 and the twin-engine fighter of the 70s of the XX century Nortrop F-5 are of particular interest.
The building, built in 1975 at the intersection of Rizari, 2 and Vassilissis Sophias Av., Welcomes tourists with a collection of military awards and military uniforms of the Greek army. The flagship of the museum is an exhibition of edged weapons of the Middle Ages, models of combat sailing ships from the times of the Turkish invasion and canvases depicting battles. The expositions can be viewed from Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00. On weekends, the museum opens 30 minutes later.Ticket price - 3 € (concessional - 1.5 €).
Cycladic Museum
Mysterious artifacts from centuries gone by will meet you at the museum, opened in 1986 and focusing on introducing visitors to the art of long gone civilizations - the lands washed by the Aegean Sea. The unique collection focuses on objects that illustrate the life of the inhabitants of the Cyclades islands, which lie southeast of the Greek coast. The age of the exhibits to which the second floor of the cozy mansion is dedicated is the 3rd – 2nd millennium BC. The gem of the exhibition is female idol figurines carved from marble. Temporary exhibitions are held on the ground floor. On the third, you will find works of art from Ancient Greece, and the fourth floor introduces the treasures of Cypriot culture from the 4th century BC. until the Middle Ages.
Address: Neophytou Douka, 4. The exhibitions can be viewed daily from 10:00 to 17:00 (on Thursday - until 20:00). Closed on Tuesday. The visit will cost you 7 € (full ticket) and 3.5 € (reduced).
Benaki Museum
At 1 Koumbari St. & Vas. Sofias Ave, in a 19th century neoclassical building, houses the largest private museum in Athens. To visit it means to make a historical journey and find out what the art of Asia Minor, Cyprus, Greece and China is famous for - from the Paleolithic to the present day. Numerous halls are hidden behind the snow-white facade. They contain objects of interiors and everyday life, jewelry, pottery, figurines carved from ivory, amulets, national costumes, textiles, toys, musical instruments. Samples of the Monastic culture are displayed in the showcases of one of the rooms: icons, church utensils and vestments of clergymen. The employees are proud of the works of the Greek painter El Greco.
You can enter the museum from 9:00 to 17:00 (Wednesday, Friday), from 9:00 to 24:00 (Thursday, Saturday) and from 9:00 to 15:00 (Sunday). Entrance fee: full 9 € and reduced 7 €.
Temple of Niki Apteros
On the territory of the Acropolis, a small temple, erected in about 427 BC, flaunts a monument of classical Greek art. - during the Peloponnesian War. The Athenians, dreaming of an imminent triumph over the defeated Sparta, placed a wooden statue of Nike in the sanctuary. In Greece, the goddess of victory was always depicted with wings on her back. But the inhabitants, who wished that the celestial woman would remain in the city forever, deprived the statue of its traditional attributes.
To this day, the Temple of Apteros (wingless), towering on a three-stage base, has reached almost its original form. After the last restoration in 2000, the graceful building made of stone blocks, 9.56 m long and 6.8 m wide, is still adorned with Ionic columns and reliefs depicting military battles. Time did not spare only a few front columns and the roof of the building.
Cruiser Georgios Averof
There are very few ships left on the planet that plowed the sea during the First World War. One of them is the battle flagship - the cruiser Georgios Averof, built at the Italian shipyard of Livorno and sold to Greece in 1910. Over its centuries-old history, a military vessel, whose image is captured on a postage miniature today, has gone through 5 wars and changed many captains.
Since 1985, the legendary cruiser has been moored forever in the port of the Athenian suburb of Paleon-Faliron. There is a museum on board. Instead of exhibition halls, there are cabins, the equipment of which has been preserved from the beginning of the 20th century. Visitors can find out what the steam engine looked like, what conditions the sailors lived in and what furniture the officers' cabins were furnished with. Georgios Averof is open for sightseers from 9:00 to 14:00 (Tuesday – Friday) and from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekends. Entrance - 2 euros.
Athens Academy of Sciences
In 385 BC. The Academy of Plato was founded, which became the foremother of a modern research institution - the Athens Academy, whose main activity is the study of art, natural sciences, morality and law. For tourists, the National Academy is interesting primarily for its architecture. Built in 1887, the main building, whose facade is decorated with an Ionic colonnade with a triangular pediment and a portico, is an example of the neoclassical style.
On both sides of the building, which in its appearance resembles an ancient temple, there are columns crowned with the figures of Athena and Apollo. At the entrance, everyone who wants to become a part of the scientific world is greeted with statues of Socrates and Plato. The interiors are decorated with paintings that reflect the myths and history of Ancient Greece.
Church of Panagia Kapnikarea
Surrounded by the central busy streets, among the hustle and bustle, there is an oasis of peace and quiet - a Byzantine church built in honor of the Virgin of Kapnikarea. The temple, erected in the XI century, was founded on the ruins of an even more ancient basilica. Built-in capitals, Latin inscriptions and elements of sculptures remind of the old building.
The architectural style of the Panagia Kapnikarei church is characterized as a cross-domed one. The structure, created from special carved bricks, includes three buildings, harmoniously connected by arches and columns. On the north side there is a chapel dedicated to the great martyr Barbara. The temple owes its interior to the Greek painter Fotis Kondoglu. His most famous work is the icon "The Mother of God with the Child" - an object of worship for hundreds of Orthodox Christians who visit the holy house that still functions today.
Areopagus
Admire the magnificent city and take the best photos of Athens' sights by climbing the hill located northwest of the Acropolis. A staircase carved in stone leads to its smooth top. According to legend, the first trial took place here, at which the lord of the seas, Poseidon, accused the militant Ares of killing his son. For those of you who are familiar with the Book of Acts of the Apostles, the Areopagus is known as the place where Saint Peter addressed the pagans with a speech about the "Unknown God."
In antiquity, this rock aroused respect and awe among the Athenians. Until the 5th century BC the rocky cliff served as the seat of a powerful council of elders with unquestioning authority and verdicts on religious, civil and political matters. Later, the Areopagus was deprived of some of its prerogatives, leaving only the consideration of criminal issues in its jurisdiction.
Hill of the Muses
Another observation deck from which a breathtaking circular panorama of Athens opens up is the 147-meter Hill of the Muses. A stone-paved path leads to its top, winding in the shade of Mediterranean pines. In addition to a beautiful view, travelers are expected here and historical sites: a monument to the prince of the Kingdom of Commagene - Philopappos, an artificial cave "Prison of Socrates", where, according to legend, the philosopher was forced to drink deadly poison, and the functioning church of St. Dmitry, built in the 16th century.
Experienced tourists recommend climbing the hill at sunset. While enjoying the singing of cicadas and inhaling the scent of the many flowers, you will see a stunning sight. Slowly plunging into darkness, the city lights up its lanterns one by one, solemnly highlighting the priceless monuments of architecture against the background of the black sky.
National garden
A visit to this park is like a breath of fresh air among the beautiful, but devoid of greenery, ruins and historical buildings. A picturesque corner appeared in the center of Athens in 1840 by order of Amalia of Oldenburg, wife of King Otto I. The project was entrusted to Friedrich Schmidt, a gardening master from Prussia. The queen also contributed to the creation of the garden - the hourglass she designed to this day (albeit with flaws) shows the time.
Today, on an area of 15.5 hectares, an atmosphere of silence and tranquility reigns. Citrus trees exude a delicate aroma, benches and shady gazebos invite to relax, fountains and decorative ponds give coolness. The National Garden serves as a haven for representatives of the fauna: birds, turtles, domestic animals.There was also a place for traditional Athenian ruins, mosaics and elements of Corinthian columns.
Mount Lycabettus
The name of the mountain, rushing to the heavens among the central quarters, is translated as "wolf's hill". In ancient times, in dense forests overgrown with cypresses and pines, wolf packs lived, guarding the shrine - the temple of Zeus, located at the very top. In the era of the Ottoman invasion, the Turks conquered burned out all the plants that covered the gentle slopes. The restoration of flora began only in 1880.
You can climb the mountain, which rises above the Kolonaki area by 277 meters, either on foot, resting on the numerous benches along the way, or on the funicular that goes up the tunnel dug inside the hill. In addition to the magnificent views stretching all the way to the sea, the snow-white chapel of St. George, a restaurant, a cafe with a veranda and souvenir shops await travelers at the top. An open theater is located just below. In summer, colorful performances and concerts take place on its stage.
Erechtheion
No architectural object characterizes the famous Acropolis better than Ionic columns and marble female figures - caryatids, serving as a support for the roof of a structure that is ready to compete in fame with the legendary Partheon. And if the latter was a "folk" temple, then the Erechtheion, which united several sanctuaries, performed sacred functions. Here the priests performed religious ordinances and performed rituals of worship to the inhabitants of Olympus.
The Erechtheion was built in the 5th century BC. According to legend, the construction work was preceded by a quarrel between Poseidon and Athena. The two celestials could not decide which of them should own the great city. The temple received its name in honor of King Erechtheus. Over the centuries, it has undergone several global reconstructions, so the original appearance is now almost unknown. Today the structure is an irregular-shaped building divided in two, erected on a foundation measuring 23.5 x 11.6 m.
Panathinaikos stadium
In 566-565. BC The stadium, whose stands are made of white marble from Mount Pendelikon, hosted the first Olympic Games in the history of the planet. All world wars have stopped for their sake. The grandiose construction in the shape of a horseshoe was erected back in 329 BC. Its remains were discovered during archaeological excavations in the mid-19th century.
The design of Panathinaikos differs from the current stadiums. In particular, treadmills are inferior in length to modern "tracks". Today, the stands that frame the oval arena (area - 6,784 m2) can accommodate about 80,100 people. In 2004, the Olympic Games were held here again. This picturesque place among the Athenian hills is filled with hundreds of tourists every day. The most curious visit the underground Olympic Museum, hidden behind wrought iron bars. In addition, Panathinaikos serves as the venue for Open Air concerts.
