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Athens, at the heart of Ancient Greece, is one of the world's oldest cities. It is still
dominated by 5th century B.C. landmarks,
including the hilltop citadel, the Acropolis,
with its ancient buildings like the Parthenon,
the Erechthium, and the Theater of Dionysus. It
was a pleasure to return to our favourite sights
from a previous trip. See
European Excursions: Athens.
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Athens lies in a basin, surrounded by 4 mountains and a number
of hills. On Mount Lycabettus there is a chapel and an open-air
amphitheater.
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The city is dotted with pretty churches of Byzantine and Greek
Orthodox origin.
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The
Temple of Olympian Zeus was a massive temple with 104 columns of
which 15 remain.
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Below the Acropolis lies the
Agora, the ancient gathering place for commerce, assemblies and
residences. It is home to important temples and stoas (covered public
walkways).
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The Tower of Winds is an octagonal
water clock tower considered to be
the world's first meteorological station.
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Monastiraki Square serves as a gathering place to access the
Agora and the Acropolis, and as a hub for the entrance to the
older cobbled streets of the Plaka.
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The new Acropolis Museum was completed in 2009 and is
built over top of the ruins of a Roman and early Byzantine
site.
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The
Acropolis Museum houses over 4000 artifacts related to the
acropolis from the Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece.
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The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates
is the only surviving trophy awarded to patrons of winning
dramatic performances at the Theater of Dionysus.
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Mitropolis Cathedral
is the central church of the Greek Orthodox archbishopric. It
has been recently renovated and has lovely frescoes, icons,
sculptures and mosaics.
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Syntagma Square
is the central square of Athens and the heart of commercial
and political activity. It sits in front of the Old Royal
Palace housing the Greek Parliament.
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The
National Garden is a 38 acre park lying between the Parliament
Buildings and the Olympic Stadium of the 1896 Olympic Games.
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Constantin XI was
the last of the Byzantine emperors, who died while defending
Constantinople against the Ottoman Turks.
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Archbishop Damaskinos
is recognized for saving thousands of Greek Jews during the
Holocaust by issuing them baptismal certificates.
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The
Evzones are a special unit of the Hellenic army who guard the tomb of the unknown
soldier at the Greek Parliament.
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Ermou Street is the modern pedestrianized shopping street.
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At the
Flea Market shoppers can find jewellery, antiques, carpets, old
books, fashion clothing and souvenirs.
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Piraeus was an ancient port which
is still the largest passenger port in Europe.
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Greater Athens
has a population of 3 million, and has been dealing with
issues of traffic congestion, pollution, waste management
and climate change.
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