ATHENS, GREECE

ANCIENT CITY OF GREECE - ATHENS

Greece has never been in my travel itinerary. 

It is by coincidence I am inform that I have to exchange my earlier selected destination (Spain) to this ancient city of Athens, due to a massive volcano ash affecting certain routes in Europe.

The first thought that cross my mind is that this will be a rugged holiday for me, of getting close to stones, torn temples and monuments which were left behind by ancestors of the 5^th century BC. 

WRITER AT PARLIAMENT HOUSES

Nevertheless, I am left with no choice while I console myself “have faith with Greece” before packing and leaving to a destination with an air of mystery greeting me.

Upon reaching Greece, I quickly check into a hotel arranged for me, get refreshed and asked some friendly locals for a list of recommended tourist destinations, here.

I know little of this City, but, I still remember a place called "The Acropolis of Athens" which is a “must” see place for tourist  coming to Greece. 

I am lucky, to discover that the Acropolis is located just in the city center of Athens, and it is about 10-minute walk from where I stayed.

RUINS OF COLUMNS OF THE ACROPOLIS

ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

Historically, the Acropolis started in 1833 to 1985 AD, when the token Turkish guard departed definitely from the sacred rock.

The Acropolis was taken over by Greeks and declared a national monument.

As I stood on the grounds of the Acropolis, I felt that I am living back in times of the AD century. There are beautiful sightings of ruins ancient buildings, statues, temples, monuments and inscriptions found on walls.

A tourist is encouraged to take a fleet of rocky steps to the top of the Acropolis, and get a bird’s view of the city of Athens.

The Acropolis (High City) is a rocky hill 156-metre above sea level, dominating the centre of the town. It is a natural fortress and accessible from all sides except the west side where entrance is located. It had been both a fortress and religious centre of the State. The principal cult was that of the goddess Athena and in her honour splendid temples were constructed on the Acropolis.

The most remarkable monuments are The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea, Ordeon of Herodes Atticus, Porch of Caryatides and the temple of Nike were built in the 5^th Century BC under Pericles and even though in ruins, still witness “the glory that was Greece”.

THE ARCH OF HADRIAN

 One significant sight is the Arch of Hadrian consisting of an apsis decorated with Corinthian columns proclaims on the western side “This is the city of Theseus” and on the eastern “This is the city of Hadrian”.

TEMPLE OF ZEUS

 The Temple of Zeus is another well-known place for tourists to stop-by for a breather. The temple of Olympian Zeus was completed about 700 years by Hadrian after Peisistratus raised the first immence columns 2 metre by 0.3 metre (7 feet by 10 inches) in diameter. The 104 Corinthian marble columns of the roman sanctuary were a third smaller, though still is the largest in Europe, as was the temple itself 108 metre by 41 metre (354 by 135 feet).

A MAJESTIC ORDEON OF HERODES ATTICUS

NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

A peep into the national archaeological museum is beneficial for educational purposes to view Greek archaeological treasures mainly sculpture, temple friezes, pottery and jewellery of all ages,  golden mask, statue of Poseidon (Zeus), pre-classical Kouros, and a goemetric syle vase (800BC).

 

ATHENS OLYMPIC STADIUM

The Panathenaic Stadium, in marble, which can accommodate 70,000 spectators was built in 1895 for the first ever modern Olympic Games.

It occupies the same site of the ancient Panathenaic Stadium which begun under Lykurgos in 330 BC and completed in 140 AD during the period of Herodes Atticus.

It is a good experience to walk around this spacious stadium where the first olympic games was held back then. 

ATHENS OLYMPIC STADIUM

 PARLIAMENT HOUSE

One must not missed the Monument of the Unknown Soldier guarded by the Evzones, dressed in the national costume.

MONUMENT OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

The Monument was designed by architect Emmanuel Lazaridis in 1929 representing a dying Geek heavily armed soldier in the Archaic and Classical periods. 

It is located at the Parliament Square opposite Syntagma Square, which is popular place among tourists who were seen taking photographs with the guards as they perform a sort of Changing of Guards ceremony. 

SYNTAGMA SQUARE

WRITER (R) POSING IN FRONT OF PARLIAMENT HOUSES

 

SHOPPING

One of the fascinating sight of Athens is none other than its glamorous city centre called Plaka where one can find eateries outlets, pubs and entertainments, souvenir shops and shopping arcade crowded with tourists. 

One have to walk along the ‘cobweb streets’ for shopping and if one is not careful, one will get lost inside the so-called ‘maze’, and wonder how one can get back to the initial spot.

In addition, the locals are ‘friendly’ and they are willing to extend a helping hand if you ask for direction or just for a chit chat. 

PLAKA - SHOPPING AREA

 It is also a ‘food haven’ here, because at every corner there is a coffee house or pub or eatery stall where they served western food, kebab (grilled items) and spicy food.

TRADITIONAL GREECE BREAKFAST

Before leaving for home, do grab yourself a Greek souvenir such as dolls, wooden toys, bronze cat or scarf.

DOLLS

 

Finally, just before waving adious to Greece, I say to myself ‘this is one of the most remarkable impromptu trip’ I ever made which I never expected it would turned out to be an awesomely beautiful place filled with history and ruins where no other place in the world could replace the mass ruined temples that seems to be coming alive in this corner of the world.

A GREEKMAN ATTIRED  IN TRADITIONAL COSTUME

GREEKMAN STATUE