Athens

Written by Maria Siritzidou

Athens.. multidimensional, bustling, colorful city!!!

The capital of Greece will enchant you as soon as you set foot in it. This city really has it all. The entire history of the country is hidden in its ancient remains scattered throughout the city.

Our tour started from the Acropolis and the amazing Parthenon.

The Acropolis of Athens is a rocky hill 157m high. from the surface of the sea and is accessible from its western side, where the entrance is located, which is decorated with its exquisitely aesthetic Propylaia.

The Parthenon was built in honor of the goddess Athena with leading architects Iktinos and Kallikrates in the middle of the 5th century BC. After the Greek Revolution the entire hill was classified as an archaeological site and rightfully belongs to the World Heritage Sites (since 1987)

A little further down is the Acropolis Museum which includes many of the finds from the archaeological site of the Acropolis. In the museum there are finds from Mycenaean to Roman and Early Christian Athens. The museum's collections are displayed on four levels while the fifth level houses a restaurant, shop and official hall.

Some of the most famous finds are the Parthenon zoophoros depicting the procession of the Panathenaians to the Acropolis, the Caryatids, the pediments of the temple and many others.

In the same area is Pnyka. Pnyka was the area where the Church of the Municipality was convened in Ancient Athens from the 6th to the 4th century BC. From the ancient podium of this sacred space great political generals and orators such as Themistocles, Pericles Demosthenes and the modern like Theodoros Kolokotronis

We then visited the Ancient Agora which is the open space northwest of the Acropolis. In ancient times it was an administrative, philosophical, educational, social and above all the economic center of the city. Inside the market you can see the temple of Hephaestus, the portico of Attalos as well as the temple of the Holy Apostles Solakis.

You should not miss a walk by the Hellenic Parliament and the Constitution and admire the historical center where the most important decisions are made.

Another sight of incomparable beauty worth visiting is the Temple of Poseidon in Sounio for the needs of worship. This temple is built on the promontory located at the southernmost end of the prefecture of Attica.

The construction of the temple dates back to the beginning of the 5th century from Lavrio marble, but it was never completed as it was destroyed by the Persians during the Median wars.

The Niarchos Foundation will not leave you unmoved either. This foundation includes the National Library of Greece and the National Lyric Stage as well as an urban park. This building is famous for its architecture as well as for its immense philanthropic work. Cultural events are held here. It was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2016.

Among the must-sees are the Columns of Olympian Zeus. It is an important ancient temple in the center of Athens. It was first created by Deucalion, the progenitor of the Greeks, and was completed in 129 AD by the emperor Hadrian, who was an admirer of Greek culture. It is 46m long and has 104 columns made of Pentelic marble. Today it is an open-air museum that can be visited.

The Panathenaic Stadium or Kallimarmaro will surely be unforgettable. The modern Olympic Games were held in Kallimarmaro in 1896. In ancient times, it was used for holding part of the Panathenaic Games in honor of the goddess Athena. It once had a capacity of 75,000 to 80,000 spectators, while today around 45,000. In rare cases it has also been used as a concert venue for music or dance performances.

It is also worth a walk from Thisio, a limited small district located northwest of the Acropolis and designated as a traditional settlement. In the same area is a part of the quarter of the Stoa Attalus, while it took its name from the Temple of Hephaestus, which was formerly called Theseus from the relief representations of the exploits of Theseus that adorned its fronts.

Plaka and Monastiraki in the center of Athens below the Acropolis are two equally imposing districts that are worth visiting and have been characterized as traditional settlements. Plaka has been continuously inhabited since ancient times and was the center of Ancient Athens. Cafes, taverns, museums and shops with tourist items operate in the area today. In the section of Plaka there are also Anafiotika, a district in the Cycladic style that was built by Anafiot builders in the second half of the 19th century.

Finally, a visit to Lake Vouliagmeni is imperative. This well-known lake is a natural brackish lake with healing properties,it is of particular natural beauty as it is very close to the sea.

Its waters come from a depth of 50-100 meters and have a temperature of 22-29 degrees. It contains many metals and trace elements such as potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, iron and iodine, while it is indicated for rheumatic and gynecological diseases and many others.

Swimming is available for a fee and there is also a restaurant and bar

Don't miss a stop for a coffee or a drink at the Flisvos marina with its wonderful sailboats. There you will have the most beautiful afternoon walk.

Also a passage through the beaches of Athens is imperative. Lagonisi, Anavissos, N. Fokaia with the tsipouradi shops next to the sea will delight you. Last in line is Lavrio, the sweetest port

For a relaxed drink or coffee, you can enjoy your drink or cocktail on one of the very impressive terraces overlooking the Acropolis. The view from there will truly take your breath away.

Little Cook is also one of the most colorful cafes in Athens and changes its decor every time according to the theme.

Undoubtedly, Athens is a place with many stimuli, a place with a huge history but also diverse activities, a place that will definitely stay in your heart forever!!!