Archaeological MuseumBuilt by the Italians in the 1930s to display mainly
Hellenistic and Roman treasures found in and around Kos Town and
dating from the third century BC, the Archaeological Museum allows
visitors to glimpse into the former glory enjoyed by this quaint
port town. From original mosaics of Hippocrates, who taught here,
to statues of Asklepieion, Artemis and Hygeia found north of
Decumanus Maximus, a trip to the Archaeological Museum provides a
good foundation before setting off to explore the surrounding
sites.AcropolisThose arriving in Athens for the first time generally
head immediately for the Acropolis. There are very few visitors who
are not already familiar with the image of this distinctive citadel
of ancient Athens, perched on its steep flat-topped rock above the
sprawling city. It is the spot where Athens, and classical Greek
civilisation, began, and the site of a collection of beautiful
temples, most dedicated to the goddess of wisdom, Athena. The ruins
that remain visible today date from the 4th century BC, most of
them erected by Pericles after the Persians destroyed many of the
original Acropolis buildings. Visitors toil up the slopes past the
souvenir stands and enter the site through the monumental
entranceway, the Propylaia, which in ancient times contained an art
gallery. To the right of the entrance is the tiny temple of Athena
Nike, reconstructed and restored. The Parthenon, the greatest
surviving monument of Doric architecture, is the biggest drawcard
on the Acropolis, built of Pentelic marble quarried from the
distant mountains, which form the backdrop to the magnificent view
of Athens from the Acropolis. Alongside the Parthenon is another
temple, the Erechtheion, which bears holes on its northern porch
where Poseidon's trident struck it during his contest with Athena
to have the city named after him. There is a museum on the
Acropolis, too, where some of the carving and friezes recovered
from the temples are on show, although many of the archaeological
finds from the Acropolis are now housed in the British Museum in
London.Ancient AgoraClustered below the Acropolis (enter from Odos
Adrianou, east of Monastiraki Square) is the remains of the Agora,
ancient Athens' commercial and civic centre, where once walked and
talked the great philosophers Socrates and Plato. In fact the
disgraced and despairing Socrates committed suicide in a prison in
the southwest corner of the Agora, by drinking poison. The area is
littered with the ruins of numerous ancient buildings, including
the Dionysos Theatre (the world's oldest theatre where great plays
by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides were first performed). One
building that has been restored is the 200 BC Stoa of Attalos (a
stoa is a long, low roofed promenade which served as a combination
law court, municipal office and shopping arcade in classical
Greece). The reconstructed building now has a museum on its ground
floor containing artefacts covering 5,000 years of Athenian
history.National Archaeological MuseumThis is the largest and most popular of Athens' many
museums, and is usually very crowded. Its vast collection includes
treasures unearthed from Mycenae by Heinrich Schliemann; a
staggering array of sculpture including the earliest known Greek
figurines dating from around 2,000 BC; frescoes from the volcanic
island of Santorini; and so much more that it is recommended
visitors make several visits to absorb it all.PiraeusAlthough not really attractive to tourists, the
confusing, bustling port of Athens is the departure point for
hundreds of island ferries and cruise ships, so most tourists pass
through it while visiting Greece. Piraeus has been Athens' port
since ancient times. It actually consists of three harbours, with
most of the tourist boats using the Zea Limani section. There are
several fish restaurants in the harbour precincts, and a sprawling
street market. Visitors with time on their hands while waiting for
ferries can also explore the Maritime Museum at Akti
Themistokleous, alongside the pier used by the island hydrofoils,
which features models of ancient and modern ships.PlakaThe old town section of Athens below the Acropolis has
become the gathering place for travellers and tourists,
particularly in the warm Athens evenings. Strolling the narrow
streets of the Plaka flanked by ancient monuments, Byzantine
churches and mosques, stately mansions, and inviting tavernas with
vine-covered courtyards, makes a pleasant diversion.Kolonaki/Lykavittos HillThis hill juts a steep 984 feet (300m) right up from
the centre of the city, and is a great vantage point from which to
take in the scope of Athens. The St. George chapel and Lykavittos
Theatre perch atop this hill, which can be reached by car, cable
car or a healthy hike! The cable car departs every 30 minutes, from
the corners of Aristippou and Ploutarchou Streets in
Kolonaki.Syntagma SquareThe square that forms the heart of modern Athens is
home to the Parliament Building, built in 1840 as a royal palace.
Tourists flock to photograph the unusually clad guards at the
palace; the skirted and pom-pommed guard is changed ceremonially
every hour. The square is a central point of access to all the
major attractions of Athens, particularly 'museum mile' along
Vassilissis Sophias Avenue, which runs from Syntagma Square. Here
most of Athens' museums are clustered, including the Benaki Museum,
Museum of Cycladic Art and the Byzantine Museum.Cape SounionCape Sounion, about 43 miles (69km) east of Athens, is
a popular seaside resort used by locals and visitors alike. On the
cliffs above the town is the 5th-century BC Temple of Poseidon,
where, according to legend, King Aegeus waited for his son,
Theseus, to return from Crete after slaying the Minotaur. Sounion
is easily accessible by bus from the city.Monastery of DaphniThis great Byzantine architectural masterpiece dates
from the 4th century AD, and is situated about five and a half
miles (9km) west of Athens on the road to Corinth. The church is
built on a site where shrines have existed since ancient times,
often destroyed by invaders and earthquakes. During the Crusades
Cistercian monks turned Daphni into a Catholic monastery, but today
it has been reclaimed by the Greek Orthodox Church and its
beautiful mosaic work depicting Biblical scenes has been restored.
A wine festival is held at Daphni each year in
August/September.MarathonAbout 26 miles (42km) northeast of Athens, between the
villages of Nea Makri and Marathona, is the site of the great
battle between the small force of Athenians and the mighty Persian
army in 490 BC. On the plain of Marathon today the burial mound of
the 192 Athenians who fell in the fight can be seen, along with a
small museum displaying archaeological relics from the battlefield.
The battle is famed not only for the Athenian victory against huge
odds, but also for the fleetness of the Athenian runner,
Pheidippides, who was dispatched to Athens with news of the victory
and fell dead from exhaustion after delivering the message to the
city; thus the name 'Marathon' was given to long-distance running
races. The Marathon race in the 2004 Olympics started here, and
followed the same route as that run by Pheidippedes in the legend,
ending at the Panathinaikon Stadium in Athens, which was built for
the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.DelphiIn ancient times pilgrims came from all over the Greek
world to seek advice from the god Apollo, via his oracle at the
scenically beautifully situated site on the slopes of Mount
Parnassus, known as Delphi. Today tourists flock constantly in the
wake of the pilgrims of old up the Sacred Way to marvel at the
remains of the marble Sanctuary of Apollo, the Castalian Spring and
the Sanctuary of Athena. There is an excellent museum, too, at the
site, which is northwest of Athens in the prefecture of
Fokida.Saronic IslandsThe Saronic group of islands are all within an hour or
two of Piraeus by boat, making them ideal destinations for day
trips from the city for those who want to experience a taste of
Greek island life. Alternatively, use the islands as tranquil bases
on which to stay while commuting to Athens to see the sights.
Aegina is the closest island, sporting a sandy beach called Agia
Marina, and a quaint fishing village called Perdika. Hydra has no
sandy beaches, but the town is picturesque and offers good seafood
restaurants. Poros can be reached from Piraeus in little more than
an hour and sports beautiful forests that descend to the beach. It
offers water sports opportunities and a lively café scene, as well
as being a ferry hub offering connections to all the popular Aegean
islands. Spetsi has an attractive old harbour and one of the oldest
wooden boat-building yards in Greece. It is also renowned for its
beaches and pine forests.OlympiaAmongst shady pine, olive and oak trees, in a valley
between Mount Kronos and the Alfios River on the Peloponnese
Peninsula, lie the remains of two temples and the stadium where the
first Olympic Games took place in 776 BC. Since the modern Olympics
were inaugurated in 1896 torchbearers have set out from Olympia to
carry the Olympic flame in relays across the world to wherever the
games are held every four years. The site also boasts one of the
finest archaeological museums in Greece. The ruins themselves are
fascinating, being the remnants of an ancient Olympic village
including a gymnasium, baths, the Prytaneion where winners were
honoured, and a Doric Temple dedicated to Hera. In the nearby
modern village of Olympia there is another museum that is often
overlooked - the Museum of the Olympic Games, which contains some
interesting memorabilia from games past.Ancient CorinthThe ruins of ancient Corinth, a short drive from the
modern city, are spread around the base of the rock of Acrocorinth,
which forms a natural acropolis for the city. Most of the surviving
buildings are Roman rather than Greek, dating from the city's
prosperous age after Caesar rebuilt much of the original Greek
city, Roman armies having sacked it. The ruin that stands out
particularly is the beautiful 6th century BC Temple of Apollo,
built on a hill overlooking the remains of the Roman marketplace
(agora). Much of the city has been toppled by recurring earthquakes
over the centuries. In the southwest corner of the site is an
archaeological museum containing some worthwhile collections of
mosaic floors, pottery and works of art. The top of Acrocorinth can
be reached via a road up the mountainside where the remains of the
ancient fortifications can be seen.MycenaeThis ancient site, 31 miles (50km) south of Corinth,
bears the remains of the ancient palace and citadel of Mycenae, a
place of archaeological controversy but fascinating for the lay
visitor. Homer's fabulous story has it that the kingdom of Mycenae
was dripping in gold and revelling in riches before King Agamemnon
decided to lead an assault on Troy, back in about 1,250BC. The king
started a war that lasted a decade, battling to win the impossibly
beautiful Helen of Troy back from Prince Paris. German
archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered Mycenae, which he
believed gave credence to Homer's tale, in 1874 after he had
excavated the remains of Troy itself. There is no doubt that
Mycenae was a city of power and prosperity and the ruins, from the
Lion Gate (oldest example of monumental sculpture in Europe) to the
palace complex, houses and beehive tomb of Agamemnon, are well
worth exploring. Most of the more exceptional finds from the site
are on exhibit in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
These include frescoes, gold jewellery, and the gold mask said to
have belonged to Agamemnon, among other priceless
pieces.EpidaurusA definite must on a tour of the Peloponnese is the
famed ancient theatre of Epidaurus, built in the 3rd century BC and
so well preserved that with little or no restoration it is still in
use today for regular summer dramatic performances, which are lent
a mystical aura by the beautiful setting. The theatre has perfect
acoustics, allowing even a whisper on stage to be heard in the back
row of the limestone amphitheatre, which can seat 14,000. North of
the theatre are the ruins of the healing Sanctuary of Asklepios,
which has a museum explaining how the original temple complex would
have looked and functioned. Where the ancient town of Epidaurus
once stood there is now the modern day village of Palia Epidaurus.
This is a popular seaside resort with scenic beaches, a small
harbour and several tavernas.Archaeological MuseumRegarded as one of the finest museums in Europe,
Thessaloniki's Archaeology Museum near the famous White Tower and
opposite the city's international fairgrounds, houses a huge
collection including the incredible treasures of the tomb of
Alexander the Great's father, Phillip of Macedon, which was
discovered at Vergina in 1977. Another treasured artefact is the
3rd century BC Derveni papyrus, the only intact ancient papyrus
found in Greece, which was discovered in the tombs of Derveni.
Other rooms in the museum contain exhibits depicting the history of
the city from prehistoric days through to the Roman period,
including spectacular mosaics and some exquisite, delicate
Hellenistic glass.Roman ForumClose to one of the city's main bus terminals in
Dikasterion Square lies the archaeological site of the ancient
Greek agora or marketplace, which was later expanded to become a
Roman forum on two levels. The forum was the heart of the ancient
city, and was discovered by workmen in the 1960s. The
best-preserved component of the forum is the large theatre, which
is still used for occasional summer concerts.The White TowerThe city's most famous landmark, the White Tower was
originally built as part of the city walls. It now stands, no
longer white but still imposing, on the seaside promenade south of
the Archaeological Museum, having been restored and offering
panoramic views of the city and harbour from its rooftop café. The
tower was once used as a prison, and on the way up the winding
staircase visitors can peep into the dim rooms that were used as
cells. The tower contains a museum housing some Byzantine art and
historical artefacts from Thessaloniki's history between 300 and
1,500 AD.ChurchesThessaloniki has numerous beautiful churches, large
and small, dating from various eras, most notably Byzantine. Most
are sited in the Upper City area, which is a warren of quaint,
narrow cobbled streets and has become a fashionable quarter
favoured by local city slickers. Some of the most important
churches are the church of Saint George, a domed building dating
from the 4th century AD, which was originally the mausoleum for
Roman Emperor Galerius; Agia Sofia, the domed cruciform church
built in the 8th century AD that is a copy of the Agia Sophia in
Istanbul (Constantinople); Agfi Apostoli from the 14th century,
with its rich Byzantine decorations; and the 14th-century Agios
Nikolaos Orfanos with it's beautiful frescoes. Churches are wont to
close in the afternoons and sightseers are expected to dress
appropriately.Mount AthosOnly men are welcome to make a pilgrimage to Mount
Athos, the secretive 'Shangri-La' on a rugged promontory about 80
miles (129km) south east of Thessaloniki, where it is possible to
step back in time and mingle with hundreds of monks, from more than
20 monasteries, in one of the most scenic spots in Europe. This
unique mountainous enclave on the coast is sprinkled with huge
monasteries, most resembling castles, containing wonderful
frescoes, mosaics and libraries. There are also smaller monasteries
known as kelions attached to small churches, as well as caves on
the mountain slopes where monks retreat as hermits. There are
forests and a pristine seashore, and beautiful gardens cared for by
the monks. Mount Athos is a self-governing area within Greece, and
to visit it is necessary to obtain a permit from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Athens, or from the Ministry of Northern Greece
in Thessaloniki.VerginaVergina, known in ancient times as Aigai, is about 38
miles (61km) west of Thessaloniki and is the most important of a
cluster of three archaeological sites in the area connected with
Philip, father of Alexander the Great. Vergina is where Philip
built a massive palace and a theatre, and where he was assassinated
in 336 BC. The palace has been excavated, as has the theatre, and
the site also features hundreds of burial mounds, some dating from
the Iron Age, across the plain. The tomb of Philip was found here
undisturbed in 1977, full of treasures that are now on display in
Thessaloniki's Archaeological Museum. Nearby is Pella, the remains
of the former capital of Macedonia from the 5th century, where
Alexander the Great was born; and Dion, an important religious
sanctuary frequented by Philip and Alexander.Mount OlympusTowering above ancient Dion, about 48 miles (77km)
south of Thessaloniki is Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus,
home to the Gods of Greek mythology. The mountain is rich in tree
and plant life, supporting more than 1,700 species, some very rare.
The main village in the area is Litohoro, which is connected to
Athens and Thessaloniki by bus and train. It is possible to climb
the highest peak in about two days, without experience or special
equipment, along numerous mountain trails.Archaeological MuseumLike all good Greek towns, Corfu Town has its
Archaeological Museum, on the boulevard along the waterfront.
Although it is small, it is worth visiting particularly to see the
pediment from the Temple of Artemis that is housed there. The
temple dates from 590 BC and is south of Corfu Town. The pediment
on display in the museum features a Medusa and is regarded as a
fine example of archaic sculpture. The museum has some other
interesting sculptures too.Museum of Asian ArtThe building housing this collection of Chinese and
Japanese works of art is a beautiful neoclassical structure built
by the British in 1820 when the Ionian Islands were ruled by
Britain. The museum is a peaceful oasis exhibiting Chinese
porcelain and art through all the main dynasties, as well as some
Japanese prints, ceramics and sculpture. The Museum is situated at
the north end of the Esplanade in Corfu Town.KanoniSouth of Corfu Town is the clifftop terraced view site
of Kanoni, overlooking an inlet that contains two tiny islands. One
of the islets can be reached via a causeway and bears the Monastery
of Vlakherna. The other islet is known as Mouse Island, and legend
has it that it is actually a ship turned to stone. A small boat
ferry will carry you to Mouse Island to visit the 13th-century
chapel set among the trees.AchilleionThe villa of Achilleion was built for Empress
Elizabeth of Austria in 1890 as a memorial to her son, Rudolf,
after his death by suicide. The villa, Neoclassical in style,
features numerous statues and motifs associated with Achilles both
inside and out. The gardens are also set with a number of statues
commissioned by the Empress, including the famous 'Dying Achilles'
by German sculptor Herter. Part of the villa is now a museum, with
a casino housed on the second floor.The Palace of KnossosThe Minoan palace at Knossos, covering an area of
215,278 square feet (20,000 sq metres), is one of the world's
greatest sightseeing experiences. It consists of four wings,
arranged around a rectangular central court. The palace originally
had many storeys, was built of ashlar blocks and had walls
decorated with splendid frescoes. British archaeologist, Arthur
Evans, who excavated most of the labyrinthine Knossos site, has
painstakingly restored some sections of the palace. The remains now
visible are actually not those of the original palace, which was
built around 2,000 BC and destroyed by an earthquake about 1,700
BC. A subsequent more complex palace was then constructed. The
palace was first unearthed in 1878 by a Cretan merchant and
antiquarian, but was not systematically excavated until 1900. The
Knossos site is about three miles (5km) south of
Heraklion.Archaeological MuseumA visit to the Minoan palace at Knossos should be
complemented with a visit to the wonderful Archaeological Museum in
Heraklion. Thousands of artefacts depicting the intriguing Minoan
culture are on display, from magnificent bull-headed drinking
vessels to the mysterious Phaistos disk inscribed with undeciphered
symbols.Historical Museum of CreteThis museum deals with Crete's more modern history and
highlights the islanders' long battle for independence from the
early Christian times to the present day. Exhibits include some
Cretan folk art, and the Medieval and Renaissance collection
contains the only painting on Crete by the island's famous painter
El Greco, The Landscape of God-trodden Mount Sinai. Another
world-renowned Cretan, Nikos Kazantzakis, author of Zorba the
Greek, is also remembered in the museum, which houses a recreation
of his study.Monastery of ArkádhiSituated about 14 miles (23km) south of Rethymnon, the
Monastery of Arkádhi is something of a national Cretan shrine.
During the 1866 rebellion against the Turks the monastery became a
refuge for Cretan insurgents and their families. They were
surrounded by the Turks and after two days of fighting, ignited the
gunpowder storeroom, which killed hundreds of both Turks and
Cretans. The tragedy brought international recognition to the cause
for Cretan independence. An ossuary displays the skulls of many of
the victims and it is possible to see the roofless room where the
explosion took place, as well as the surviving 16th-century church
that is one of the loveliest Venetian buildings on the island.
There is also a small museum.GortynaThe remains of Gortyna to the south of Heraklion tell
a later tale than that of the other archaeological sites in Crete,
particularly the important inscribed stones, known as the Gortyn
Law Code, dating back to the 5th century BC: a complete code of law
based on Minoan tradition. The Code stones are still preserved and
exhibited in the north round wall of the Roman Odeon at the Gortyna
site (although of course the theatre was built much later in the
1st century AD). Other highlights at Gortyna (which was capital of
Roman Crete and Cyrene) include the Church of St Titus, where
Christianity was first introduced to the island and the Temple of
Apollo Pythios, dating from 700 BC.PhaistosAbout 38 miles (61km) south of Heraklion lies Crete's
second most important Minoan archaeological site, the Palace
complex of Phaistos, considered by many to be a finer example of
Minoan architecture than Knossos. The west propylon, the monumental
entranceway to the palace, is particularly impressive, and the
ceremonial staircase and great court are breathtaking. Like Knossos
the site has actually been built on twice, with the original
palace, built about 2,000 BC, having been destroyed by fire and
replaced with a new palace around 300 years later.The Samaria GorgeIt is an arduous trip but well worth it to see one of
the great natural wonders of Europe, the Samaria Gorge in the White
Mountains in western Crete. From the top of the gorge it is a
10-mile (16km) hike through the dramatic geological formations and
wildflower-strewn cliffsides of the National Park. From the village
of Agia Roumeli at the end of the gorge hikers board boats to sail
to Khora Sfakion or Paleohora where there are buses back to Haniá,
Rethymnon or Heraklion.Acropolis of RhodesThe ancient Hellenic acropolis of Rhodes sits on a
hill in the western part of the city, and once consisted of a
monumental zone full of sanctuaries, large temples, public
buildings and underground vaults. The buildings were set on stepped
terraces interspersed with gardens. The remains of the buildings on
the Acropolis date back to the 2nd century BC, but all has not yet
been excavated at the site. The Stadium, however, has been fully
excavated and restored. Also still to be seen are the ruins of the
Temple of Athena Polias on the northern edge of the site, the
Nymphaia, which is made up of four cave-like constructions cut into
the rock, used for recreation and worship, a small restored marble
Odeon thought to have been used for musical events or lectures, the
Temple of Pythian Apollo and the remains of the
Gymnasium.KarpathosFrom Rhodes it about a three hour ferry crossing to
the hospitable island of Karpathos where the clock has stood still
in the delightful village of Olymbos in the south. Here the locals
go about their business much as they did in Homer's time, wearing
their traditional costumes and preserving their language and
culture with the aim of attracting tourists. They are particularly
proud of the unique houses, built of carved stone and decorated
inside with gorgeous embroidery and other colourful folk art décor.
The island has great beaches and unspoilt villages and is a
pleasure to explore, with a picturesque bay and a monastery at Kyra
Panagia, Diafani village on a promontory to the north and the
forested mountains. Karpathos is also renowned for its feast days
and weddings. Visitors who happen to catch one in progress will
usually receive a warm invitation to join the festivities. Just
four nautical miles from Karpathos is the smaller island of Kassos,
linked by ferry, which has a small community of fishermen living
the way they have for centuries.PatmosThis island, sometimes called the 'Jerusalem of the
Aegean', is an official pilgrimage site for members of the Catholic
religion, because it is home of the sacred cavern where the exiled
St John the Evangelist was inspired to write the Biblical Book of
Revelations. Cruise ships and ferries keep the small port very
active, disgorging visitors who wish to visit the holy cave and
witness the cracks in the wall, said to have appeared when St John
heard the voice of the Lord. Crowning the island is the immense
Monastery of St John, with its buttressed walls and, inside,
frescoes, icons, tapestries and pendants made of precious stones.
Visitors can walk up to the monastery from Skala along the
Byzantine path.Benaki MuseumEstablished in 1930, the museum houses prehistoric to
modern Greek art and artifacts, occasionally hosting exhibitions,
and restoration and conservation workshops. The collection features
Paleolithic and Neolithic relics, and covers the late Roman Empire
as it merged into the Byzantine Empire.Koutouki CaveLocated 4km outside the town of Peania, and a scenic
hour's ride from Athens, this cavern lies under the eastern slope
of Mount Ymittos. A guided tour of the cave starts every 30
minutes.Attica Zoological GardensThe wonderful Attica Zoo is a must for children of all
ages. Featuring over 2000 birds of 30 different species, as well as
other exotic animals such as lynx, white lions, black panthers,
snow leopards and jaguars, this zoo is the only one of its kind in
Greece. It also features a reptile house and a children's farm as
well as other walk-through enclosures, including a 'monkey's
jungle'.National GardensPicnicking with the children at the National Gardens
on a Saturday has become a common pastime for local Athenian
families and is a great way to spend a sunny summers day when the
days are long. The Gardens feature a small zoo, duck ponds,
resident cats, a Botanical Museum a playground and lots of
wide-open space for children to play in. For children who love
books, the gardens are also home to a Children's
Library.Goulandris Museum of Natural HistoryChildren love nothing more than exploring museums with
fossils, dinosaur skeletons and animal models, and for this reason,
a trip to the Goulandris Museum of Natural History is a must for
all families travelling to Athens.Allou Fun ParkOne of Athens' most popular theme parks, Allou Fun
Park offer children the opportunity to ride some seriously exciting
rides, such as the Big Apple and Crazy Mouse. The views over the
city of Athens form the to of the panoramic ferris wheel are also
great for kiss of all ages. Children under 10 years of age will do
better to go to the next-door section of the park called
'Kidom'.Hellenic Children's MuseumThe Hellenic Children's Museum is a non-profit
educational and cultural organization established in Athens in 1987
aims to encourage children to explore, learn, discover and question
all around them.
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