If you plan to visit Athens, then make sure to book your accomodation closer to the Syntagma Square or in the Ancient Center of the city. The reason for this is that most of the important places to visit are in the vicinity, easily reachable on foot and hence you dont invest much time and money hopping from place to place.
The Temple of Olympean Zeus is located nearby the Hadrian's Arch on the Amalias Aveneu. This sanctuary is one of the most important of the ancient sanctuaries was built as a tribute to Zeus. The construction of the temple had begun in complete marble in the 4th century BC. The final completion however took place many years later by emperor Hadrian. The temple has undergone heavy deterioration by human and natural causes (storms etc). Some of its toppled columns lie still on the site.
The Acropolis or the City of heights is built on a hillock in the centroid of the ancient center of Athens. The entrance is to the west side. You first see the small Ionic temple of Athena Nike. There is the Pinakotheke which had frescoes on its walls. The most visible of the buildings on the Acropolis is the Partheneon, a temple dedicated to Athena. Its columns, walls and decorations are made up of white Pentelic marble. On the outside, the metopes were carved with the various battles between the gods and Giants, the Athenians and Amazons and the Trojan War. The Erechtheion is on the north side of the summit. Its an Ionic temple whose roof is supported by six figures of maidens, the famous Caryatids. There are many other sites in the campus like the altar of Athena, sanctuaries of Zeus and Pandion etc. On the southern side are the theater of Dionysus and the Odeum of Herodes Atticus (where concerts are held usually, the same site where Yanni had once played his concert)
The tickets to enter the Acropolis come in a booklet, which are valid for entering neighbouring sites as well. One good news is that there are discount on the prices for students and elderly people. Though the climb to the temples on the summit is tasking, you can always find bunches of tourists flocking by your side. Perhaps it was owing to the uncommonly hot weather in Greece these days, because during the climb one could feel the scorching sun burning down on you. I suggest to carry a heavy stock of water and dont forget those sun creams. At the entrance however, you can always buy a sluch of lemonade which is a good refreshment to your parched throats. If you need a guided tour of the whole place, you can hire a guide from close to the main entrance, who can enrich your experience with all the useful information and anectodes. One has to be cautious with the slippery marble in the Campus, as I observed many a unmindful tourists slipping around.
The temple of Hephaestos is situated in the Ancient Agora along with the Portico of Attalus. There is a museum in the same Agora, which has some good artifacts on display which were excavated in that area. The Roman Agora, the Library of Hadrian and the Clock of Kyristos is situated a couple of blocks away. Opposite to the Syntagma Square is the Monument of the Unknown soldier and the Greek Parliament. Infact the whole neighbourhood has a very diplomatic aura because of the numerous consulates and government offices. The National Gardens are to the south of the Parliament. The have good promenades in them, where you find a lot of families and senior citizens having an evening walk or sportsmen jogging around. Enjoying the cool evening breeze listening to the chirping of the various birds in the gardens can be very soothing after a stressful day. Further south is the building of the Zappio - which has a congressional hall and hosts exhibitions frequently.
No comments:
Post a Comment