The Acropolis
The Acropolis hill, or "Sacred Rock," is the most significant
historical site in Athens and has been inhabited since the Neolithic
period. From 650 B.C., the area was a place of worship to the goddess
Athena and during the Classical period, three important temples were
built: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike. These
monuments on the Acropolis mirror the history of Athens through the ages.
After a tour of the site, visit the Acropolis Museum to see many of the
excavated treasures from this remarkable site.
Website: The Acropolis
The Agora
The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens - an “open space”
which was the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social
activity for centuries. People shopped, argued and listened to the
philosophers here. Occupied since Neolithic times, the Romans, Persians
and Slavs have all had a say in the lengthy history of the Agora. The
area was eventually abandoned in the 6th century only to be rediscovered
as a residential area in the 19th century. Although now in ruins, there
is plenty to see and learn. Visit the Temple of Hephaistos, the Stoa of
Zeus, the Eleutheriosm, the Stoa of Zeus, the Eleutherios, the Temple
of Apollo, the Patroos, the Monument of the Eponymous Heroes. Altar of
the Twelve Gods. The Odeon of Agrippa, the Royal Stoa (Stoa Basileios)
and the Tholos.
Website: The Agora
National Archaeological Museum of AthensOne
of the top ten museums in the world, the National Archaeological Museum
of Athens houses an unrivalled collection of Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean
and Classical Greek art. Housed in a beautiful neoclassic building,
you can spend the day admiring the fascinating collection and
then relaxing in the sculpture garden café.
Website: National Archaeological Museum of Athens
Daphni Monastery
First built in the 5th century AD on the site of an ancient temple to Apollo,
the monastery was rebuilt in the 10th century. Occupied in turn by Cistercian
and Greek Orthodox monks, it is renowned for its 11th-century, unusually
complete Byzantine mosaics regarded as among the best in Greece.
Website: Daphni Monastery
The Plaka
Located downhill from the Acropolis, the Plaka is one of the oldest parts
of modern Athens. It is a labyrinth of stone-paved narrow streets and
alleyways that transport you back in time. The Plaka's central square
was founded in 1813 and is crammed full of cafés, restaurants, bars and
nightclubs. It is also the best area in Athens to shop for souvenirs and
traditional Greek jewellery.
The National Garden
If the intense hustle and bustle of Athens gets too much, then a visit to the
National Garden is a must. A peaceful, green refuge in the midst of central
Athens, this public park was once the palace garden of the royal family. It
contains garden, a zoo and small lakes and ponds complete with ducks, swans
and a few peacocks. There are also several cafés hidden away!
The Byzantine Museum
The Byzantine Museum houses a collection of Byzantine art from the 4th to
the 9th century. Housed in a Florentine-style villa, the collection includes
Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, sculpture, manuscripts, wall paintings,
mosaics, woodcarvings, bronze engravings, lithographs and prints. The whole
Museum complex includes both permanent and temporary exhibitions, a library,
conservation laboratories, a café and restaurant, educational areas, a shop
and an open-air archaeological park.
Website: The Byzantine Museum
Lykavittos Hill
Lykavittos Hill is the highest point in Athens and offers a superb view over
the entire city. The hill takes about an hour to climb and from the heights
you can spot landmarks like the Acropolis and Olympic Stadium as well as the
coast and nearby mountains. The start of the journey is relatively easy but
it does get progressively harder but you can enjoy a cool drink on the
hilltop-terraced café. The less energetic can hire a taxi all the way to the top.
Website: Lykavittos Hill
Monastiraki Flea Market
If you happen to visit Athens
on a Sunday, then the Monastiraki Flea Market is the place to be. Centered
in the area around Monastiraki Square this market is centuries old. The
sheer variety of goods on offer is astonishing.
Website: Monastiraki Flea Market
The Museum of Cycladic Art
Founded in 1986 to house the collection of Cycladic and Ancient Greek art
belonging to Nicholas and Aikaterini Goulandris, the Museum of Cycladic Art
is housed in a magnificent neo-classical building and contains relics from
over 5,000 years of Cycladic history.
Website: The Museum of Cycladic Art
|
del.icio.us
Digg it
Yahoo MyWeb
Stumble It!
