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Top Attractions in Greece |
Olympia
Olympia is located in the West Peloponnesus and was the site of
the first Olympic Games. Every four years athletic competitions were
organized at Olympia in honor of Zeus. The Games began in 776 B.C
and carried on until 5th century B.C. There is much to see at
Olympia with some of the most important monuments of the site
including the temple of Zeus, The Temple of Hera, the Stadium, the
Bouleuterion where athletes were sworn in, the Prytaneion (site of
the eternal flame) the Treasuries, the Gymnasium and the Leonidaion
(a guesthouse dating from 330 BC). The Archaeological Museum at
Olympia contains some fascinating exhibits.
Website: Olympia
Delphi
Located about one hundred miles northwest of Athens, Delphi is
considered by archeologists to be one of Greece's greatest cultural
treasures. The complex includes the Temple of Apollo (home to the
famous oracle) the sacred Corycian Cave and the Castalian Spring. In
mythology, Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world or the
"Navel of the Earth". Legend has it that the shrine was originally
watched over by the she-dragon Pytho who was eventually slain by
Apollo. Allow at least a half-day for visiting the site.
Website: Delphi
Mycenae
Mycenae was the legendary home of the Atreides - victors in the
Trojan War. Situated on a small hill-top on the lower slopes of
Euboea Mountain north of Corinth, Mycenae has been inhabited since
around 4000 BC and civilization flourished there until about
1350-1200 BC. The ruins of ancient Mycenae are situated near the
centre of modern day Mycenae. The town has a citadel housing the
ruins of an Acropolis, a palace, Royal Tombs, Cyclopean Walls and
the tomb of the Greek hero Agamemnon. The views from this ancient
city are simply stunning.
Website: Mycenae
Meteora, Kalambaka, Thessaly
The Meteora are a series of monastic buildings perched on a
cluster of detached precipitous rocks. One of the most striking
sites in the world, the monasteries were set up during the late
Byzantine period when persecuted monks settled here. At its peak,
there were 24 inhabited monasteries on top of these rocks.
Website: Meteora
Dion
Lying at the foot of Mount Olympus in northern Greece, the
ancient and sacred city of Dion was completely destroyed by an
earthquake in the 5th century AD. The site was first excavated in
1928 and the digs uncovered a fascinating network of flagstone
streets, public buildings, shops, workshops, statues, houses, an
orchestra and a large theatre. Wander these ancient streets and
allow yourself to be transported back in time.
Website: Dion
Samaria Gorge
Located in western Crete, the Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge
in Europe measuring some 18 kilometers. The area is well known for
its outstanding beauty and for its challenging hiking routes. Hiking
is only permitted in summer and is dependant on the weather as the
gorge is cut by a stream, which flows between the highest peak of
the White Mountains and the Volikas Mountains.
Website: Samaria Gorge
The Corinth Canal & Ancient Corinth
The idea for a canal linking the Ionian and Aegean Seas was first
considered in the 7th century BC when the Emperor Nero started the
work with a golden pickaxe. Today’s canal was built between 1882 and
1893 and the 6 km dramatic canal is one of the most significant and
remarkable stretches of water in the world.
Website: Corinth
The Temple of Apollo, Andritsaina
This famous temple to the god of the sun and healing was built
towards the middle of the 5th century B.C. in the lonely heights of
the Arcadian mountains. It is the only nearly complete temple that
survives and combines the Doric, Ionian and Corinthian architectural
styles.
Website: Temple of Apollo
Knossos Royal Palace, Crete
Knossos was the court of the legendary King Minos, whose wife
Pasiphae gave birth to the Minotaur – half-bull, half-man.
Excavations were begun by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans
in 1893 and lasted 35 years. Entering the Great Palace through the
West Court you can easily understand why the legend of the labyrinth
started here. It takes nearly two hours to walk around the site and
explore the entire Palace. During this walking tour, you’ll see the
superb Royal Quarters, the Throne Room with an antechamber and main
throne and the Queen’s Quarters. The wall above the entrance door of
the Queen’s Quarters is decorated with a copy of the famous dolphin
frescoes.
Athens
Check out our guide to the top ten attractions in Athens
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