ATHENS
(including day tour of Delphi)
GENERAL INFORMATION-. Athens is the capitol of Greece and the largest city in Greece. It is one of the world's oldest cities . Athens was the birthplace of democracy, theater, and Western civilization, and the city's cultural richness and history is evident in its architecture. Named for Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and courage, once the most powerful city in ancient Greece. Majestic, strong, and purely white, the sturdy columns of the Parthenon, which crowns the city, give travelers a glimpse into Athens' architectural perfection. Travel to Athens is a must for history and archeology buffs, but the city's hillsides and picturesque vistas will be equally appreciated by nature lovers. Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical example. It has hosted Summer Olympic twice ,in 1896 and in 2004.Present Capitol Athens was chosen in 1830 as capitol from Nafplio . The new city was built with modern architecture with wide roads,large city squares and green spaces .The city is bounded by three hills-Mt Ymettos ,Mt Parnitha , Mt Pendeli .Inside the Athens area there are twelve hills and the famous one are-Acropolis ,Lycabettus , Areopagus , Observatory Hill etc. A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.
OLYMPIC HISTORY-The first recorded celebration of the Games at Olympia was in 776 BC.Then the Games were only local and had only one race, the race of the stadium. Although the Olympic games were originally held on the fields around the temple of Zeus, with the growth of the Games increased also the buildings of the Stadium. Finally Ancient Olympia had a stadium that offered enough space to 40,000 spectators. The Olympic Games which were held every four years, were one of the four Pan-Hellenic Games. The purpose of Olympic Games was for young men to show their physical qualities and to enforce the relationship between the various Greek cities. Only Greek men were allowed to participate in the Olympics but not women. It was said Zeus once fought his father, Kronos, for control of the world. They battled atop a mountain that overlooked a valley in southwestern Greece. After Zeus defeated his father,after that a temple and immense statue were built in the valley below to honor him. This valley was called Olympia, and soon religious festivals developed there as people came to worship Zeus and to approach as nearly as possible his great strength. It is believed that these religious festivals eventually led to the famed Games of the Olympics. The Games gradually lost their importance when the Romans conquered Greece and when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Games were regarded more as a pagan celebration, and in 393 AD, the Emperor Theodosius banned them completely. So ended a period of one thousand years during which the Olympics were to be conducted every four years thereafter. The Olympic Games were revived and Greece was host of 1896 the first modern Olympic Games.
MARATHON-The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards), usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. The run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield at the site of the town of Marathon, Greece, to Athens in 490 B.C., bringing news of a Greek victory over the Persians. Legend has it that Pheidippides delivered the momentous message "Niki!" ("victory"), then collapsed and died, thereby setting a precedent for dramatic conclusions to the marathon. When the modern Olympic games were inaugurated in 1896 in Greece, the legend of Pheidippides was revived by a 24.85 mile (40,000 meters) run from Marathon Bridge to Olympic stadium in Athens. Traditionally the final event in the Olympics, the first organized marathon on April 10, 1896 was especially important to all Greeks. Greece was hosting those first modern Olympic Games. In 2004 Athens hosted the 2004 Summer Olympics. At the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the marathon distance was changed to 26.2 miles to cover the ground from Windsor Castle to White City stadium, with the 2.2 miles added on so the race could finish in front of royal family's viewing box. Today, marathons have become a running tradition throughout the world. In 1996, the 100th anniversary of the modern Athens Marathon, more than 3,000 runners from every part of the world gathered to run in the footsteps of Pheidippides.
GREEK GODS & GODESSES-
001-APOLLO-Apollo was a handsome, strong and youthful god with impressive golden hair and an ideal physique. Apollo is the god of many things, including: music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge. He is the son of Zeus and the Titan Leto, and was born in the Greek island of Delos, along with his older twin sister Artemis – goddess of the hunt. As brother and sister,they were identified with the sun and moon; both use a bow and arrow.Apollo owned the precious gift of prophecy, given to him by his father Zeus in his infancy. He was the patron of the ancient city of Delphi, where the first oracle of Ancient Greece was located. The district was considered to be the Navel of the World (the "Omphalus") in Ancient times
002-APHORDITE- Aphrodite was the most attractive goddess of Mount Olympus. She was depicted as a beautiful woman and of all the goddesses most likely to appear nude or semi-nude with very large breasts.She was the goddess of Love, Beauty and Eternal Youth, arousing desire to gods and humans as well as birds and beasts. Aphrodite was a highly attractive young woman who dressed elegantly and loved to wear jewellery. Her eyelashes were curled and she had a constant smile on her lovely face. Aphrodite had a tender neck and symbolized the feminine beauty. According to a myth, Aphrodite gave birth to Eros, the winged cupid of love and was often accompanied by him. Her sacred animals are doves and sparrows. Her Roman counterpart was Venus. She was born from the foam in the waters of Paphos, on the island of Cyprus. She supposedly arose from the foam when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. Zeus married Aphrodite to Hephaestus because of his ugliness and deformity. Despite this marriage to Hephaestus, Aphrodite had many lovers. Her lovers include both gods and men – including the god Ares.
003-ARTEMIS- Artemis is known as the goddess of the hunt and is one of the most respected of all the ancient Greek deities. She was the daughter of Zeus, king of the gods, and the Titaness Leto and she has a twin brother, the god Apollo.She was an important goddess in the lives of women, especially when it came to marriage and young creatures, she was also known as the goddess of wild animals, wilderness, childbirth and virginity. Also, she was protector of young children and was known to bring and relieve disease in women. In literature and art she was depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrow. Artemis was a virgin and drew the attention and interest of many gods and men. However, it was only her hunting companion, Orion,that won her heart. It is believed that Orion was accidentally killed either by Artemis herself or by Gaia, the primordial goddess of the earth. Diana was her Roman counterpart.
004-ZEUS- Zeus was the first of the gods and a very imposing figure. Often referred to as the “Father of Gods and men”, he is a sky god who controls lightning (often using it as a weapon) and thunder and law, order, and justice. Zeus is king of Mount Olympus, the home of Greek gods, where he rules the world. Zeus was the last child of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. Zeus mated with many goddesses and mortals but was married to his sister Hera – goddess of marriage and monogamy. Though he is most well known as god of the sky and thunder, Zeus was the supreme cultural embodiment of Greek religious beliefs. He is often described as a strong, imposing man with a regal body and long, often curly, hair. He usually had a short beard or scruff and carried his trusty thunderbolt at all times. But even Zeus' powers had their limits, for, however powerful as he was, he had neither the right nor the ability to intervene in the decisions of the Fates.
005-ATHENA- She is goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill. She is known most specifically for her strategic skill in warfare and is often portrayed as companion of heroes and is the patron goddess of heroic endeavour. Athena was born from Zeus. She was depicted crowned with a crested helm, armed with shield and a spear, and wearing the aegis over a long dress. She was a special patron of heroes such as Odysseus. She was also the patron of the city Athens (which was named after her) her symbol is the olive tree. She is commonly shown accompanied by her sacred animal, the owl.
006-HERA- Hera is the Queen of the Gods and is the wife and sister of Zeus and daughter of Cronus and Rhea in the Olympian pantheon. She is known for being the Goddess of Marriage & Birth. Even before her marriage with Zeus, she ruled over the heavens and the Earth. This is one reason why she is referred to as ‘The Queen of Heaven’ – ruling over Mount Olympus where all the gods and goddesses live. In images and statues, Hera is portrayed as being majestic and solemn, crowned with the polos – a high cylindrical crown worn by many of the Great Goddesses. In Rome she was known as Juno.
HISTORY-Athens has been inhabited for at least 7000 years and become an center of the Mycenaean Civilization and the Acropolis was the site of major Mycenaean fortress. In 1458 it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire and entered a long period of decline. Following the Greek War of Independence and the establishment of the Greek Kingdom, Athens was chosen as the capital of the newly independent Greek state in 1834. In 1896 Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games.
GEOGRAPHY-Athens is built around a number of hills . Lycabettus is one of the tallest hills of the city and provides the view of the entire Attica Basin. The basin is bounded by four large mountains: Mount Aegaleo to the west, Mount Parnitha to the north, Mount Penteli to the northeast and Mount Hymettus to the east.
GEOGRAPHY-Athens is built around a number of hills . Lycabettus is one of the tallest hills of the city and provides the view of the entire Attica Basin. The basin is bounded by four large mountains: Mount Aegaleo to the west, Mount Parnitha to the north, Mount Penteli to the northeast and Mount Hymettus to the east.
POPULATION- Urban=30,10,000 Metro=37,54,000
AREA- Urban=412Km2 Metro=2928km2
TIME ZONE- UTC+2 Summer UTC+3
CO-ORDINATES- 37º58'N 23º43'E
CLIMATE-
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
AH0C 13 14 17 20 25 30 33 34 29 23 19 15
AL0C 7 7 9 12 16 21 24 24 20 16 12 9
AREA- Urban=412Km2 Metro=2928km2
TIME ZONE- UTC+2 Summer UTC+3
CO-ORDINATES- 37º58'N 23º43'E
CLIMATE-
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
AH0C 13 14 17 20 25 30 33 34 29 23 19 15
AL0C 7 7 9 12 16 21 24 24 20 16 12 9
ATHENS AIRPORT(ATH)- Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located near the town of Spata some 27 kms east of Athens city center. The airport is served by the metro by line-3,with fare of Ɛ8,the suburban rail,buses to Piraeus port,Athens city center and to suburbs .It is hub of Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air .The airport was opened in March 2001 .The Main terminal Building handles the all intra-Schengen flights .The other Satellite Terminal handles non-Schengen flights only .The airport is accessible by the Attiki Odos toll highway from the center and northern Athens .There is a small museum on the top floor that has an interesting history on Athens. At airport trolley's are available by inserting the coin and get them back by placing the trolley to its position .There is free WiFi in the airport limited to 45 minutes,with no security.
ATHENS SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
001-THE ACROPOLIS-The word acropolis means "highest point". The Acropolis in Athens, is a 156 meter (512 ft) high limestone rock. Here Athenians built magnificent temples. The Acropolis has a number of fascinating things to see, but the three temples are the main to see, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the temple of Athena Nike. After Athenians defeated the Persians in 479 BC, Pericles initiated a huge building project at the Acropolis, lasting more than fifty years. The Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike were constructed and , all of which still exist. In the sixth century AD, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the temples were converted into Christian Churches. The largest temple, the Parthenon, was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and served as the city's cathedral in the eleventh century. The Propylaea served as a residence during the Ottoman period, when the Parthenon was used as an arsenal.It is ruined now and its downfall started with Ottomans, they kept gunpowder in the temple which was exploded during the shelling by Venetians in 1687AD.Entry for 12 Euros and on Sunday is free .Opens from 8am to 7pm in summer and 8.30am to 5pm in winters .In this ticket other sites as Olympian, the Theater of Dionysos,the Agora and Roman Forum is included.
i- Parthenon Acropolis -The Parthenon is located on the Acropolis on a hill that overlooks Athens. The temple was built to honor the goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of Athens, to thank her for protecting the city during the Persian Wars in 479BC.The Parthenon originally held all kinds of treasures, but the main attraction was a huge statue of Athena that was made out of elephant ivory and gold and the statue was painted in bright colors, mainly blue and red and it was 12 meters high. Athena was depicted standing as a helmeted martial goddess.Construction began in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the height of its power. It was completed in 438 BC although decoration of the building continued until 432 BC.The temple was actually built over another temple that is often referred to as the Pre-Parthenon that was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. The temple was almost seventy meters long and thirty-one meters wide (230 x 100 ft). Fourty-six columns surrounded the inner cell. The Parthenon was decorated with numerous sculptures and reliefs.
ii-Propylaea- It was built in the fifth century BC on the west side of the Acropolis and is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis. The Propylaea consisted of a large, temple-like central building flanked by two wings. It is reached by the largest, central gate , more than 4 meters wide and almost 7.5 meters high (25 ft). Originally a twenty meters (66 ft) wide ramp led from the foot of the Acropolis to the Propylaea. In the first century AD, the Romans replaced it with a monumental staircase.
iii-Temple Of Athena Nike -Temple of Athena Nike, dedicated to the goddess of Victory. It is a small temple built in 421 BC. The temple has four Ionic columns on the east and north side, each 4.66 meters tall (15 ft). The temple was demolished in 1687 by the Ottomans, but it was reconstructed between 1834 and 1838 when the original materials were discovered.
iv- Erechtheion-The Erechtheion was erected between 421 and 406 BC at the most sacred place of the Acropolis. The temple was named for Erechtheus, a mythical king of Athens and was dedicated to both Poseidon and Athena. Here the Ionic columns are replaced with statues of young girls.
v-Acropolis Museum- Opened to public in June 2009.This museum at the foot of the Acropolis and about 300m .There are a collection of 4000 priceless finds from the Acropolis Monuments . A glass floor allows people to look at the excavated remains of houses that have been uncovered.The museum has glass façades on all sides, allowing visitors to catch a glimpse of the Acropolis from inside the museum. There's even an outdoor terrace on the third floor with a great view of the Acropolis Hill.
002- NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM- This museum was opened to public in 1891.The National Archaeological Museum has an impressive collection spanning from the seventh millennium BC until the fifth century AD. Sculptures and prehistoric treasures are on the ground floor. The large vase collection occupies most of the museum's second floor. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to see the museum .
003- BENAKI MUSEUM- Antonis Benakis (1873 - 1954) was born in Alexandria, Egypt as the son of a wealthy Greek merchant. Antonis was an art connoisseur and started collecting art while in Egypt. When he moved to Athens in 1926 he decided to donate his art collections to the Greek state. They are now displayed in his parental home, a beautiful neoclassical mansion. The museum's exhibits give a chronological overview of the history of Greek art and crafts from the prehistoric times to the modern age.
004- AGORA- The Ancient Agora was the commercial, social and political heart of Athens during the Antiquity. Excavation of the area, which started in the early twentieth century, revealed a large number of temples, stoas, altars and even a concert hall. Most of the buildings at the Ancient Agora have been reduced to ruins. Today two large buildings are intact:- the Hephaisteion - the best preserved temple in Greece - and the Stoa of Attalos, a large shopping center that was rebuilt in the 1950s. It is now home to a museum. The rest of the Agora looks like a large park with ruins of ancient buildings visible all around.
i-Temple of Hephaistos- The Temple of Hephaistos, also known as the Theseion or Hephaisteion, was built in the fifth century BC. The temple was dedicated to the gods Hephaistos and Athena.
ii- Stoa of Attalos- The two stories tall building, 116.5 meters long and 19.5 meters wide (382 x 64 ft) functioned as a shopping mall. Each floor had 21 stores. It was built in 150 BC.
iii- Museum of the Ancient Agora- The museum in the Stoa of Attalos displays a varied range of objects that were found during excavation of the Ancient Agora.
The address is Adranou 24,Monastiraki, it opens daily from 8am to 7pm in summer and upto 3pm in winters.
i-Temple of Hephaistos- The Temple of Hephaistos, also known as the Theseion or Hephaisteion, was built in the fifth century BC. The temple was dedicated to the gods Hephaistos and Athena.
ii- Stoa of Attalos- The two stories tall building, 116.5 meters long and 19.5 meters wide (382 x 64 ft) functioned as a shopping mall. Each floor had 21 stores. It was built in 150 BC.
iii- Museum of the Ancient Agora- The museum in the Stoa of Attalos displays a varied range of objects that were found during excavation of the Ancient Agora.
The address is Adranou 24,Monastiraki, it opens daily from 8am to 7pm in summer and upto 3pm in winters.
005-THE TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS-It is situated in the middle of the city and dedicated to Zeus the father of all Greek God .The temple was so big that it took 700 years to build .It 's construction was started in 510BC and completed in 129AD during the reign of Emperor Hardian (Roman Ruler). In was at that time the largest temple in Greece. The temple is made of fine marble and originally measured 96 meters long and 40 meters wide. There were originally 104 Corinthian columns, each 17 meters high; 48 of these stood in triple rows under the pediments and 56 in double rows at the sides. Only 15 columns remain standing today, with lovely Corinthian capitals still in place and remain standing to give a sense of the enormous size of the temple which would have been. A 16th column blew over in 1852 and is still lying where it fell. Hadrian had erected a giant gold and ivory status of Zeus in the cella, and placed an equally large one of himself next to it.
006-TEMPLE OF HEPHAESTUS-The Temple of Hephaestus and Athena was begun in 449 BC, just two years before the Parthenon. This temple was the first in Athens to be made of marble. Located on Kolonos Agoraios hill overlooking the Agora, the Temple of Hephaestus stands on an elevated platform measuring 104 feet long and 45 feet wide. The temple consists of a rectangular enclosure surrounded by an outer colonnade on all four sides. In the 7th century, the temple was converted to the Church of St. George Akamas. The east end was given a semi-circular apse and walled in to form a modest square building. In the early 19th century, this temple-turned-church became a burial place for many Protestants and those who died in the Greek War of Independence in 1821.The church remained in use through 1834, then became a museum until the 1930s. It has since been restored to its original Greek appearance.
007-HARDIAN ARCH-Hardian’s Arch was costructed in 131Ad by the Roman Emperor Hardian as part of a wall seperating the old and new cities of Athens.The 18 m(60ft)gate was made of marbel and decorated in the Corrinthian order.There are inscriptions on the arch facing the Acropolis “ This is Athens,the former city of Theseus on on other side –This is the city of Hardian and not of Thesus”.This is located at Amallias Avenue at the entrance of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
008-LIBRARY OF HADRIAN-Emperor Hadrian, who ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138 AD was an ardent admirer of Greek culture . Hadrian wanted to make Athens the cultural capital of the Roman Empire. The library was built between 125 and 132 AD on a rectangular plan. The complex - which measured about 120 meters long and 78 meters wide (400 x 260ft) - was built around a large rectangular inner garden with a pond. The garden was adorned with large marble statues of Athena and Hadrian. The most prominent remainder of the original library is a section of the outer wall, with huge Corinthian columns.
009-NATIONAL LIBRARY-The National Library forms the part of “Neoclassical Trilogy” of the city of Athens.Triology consists of –The Academy-The University-the Library. These three buildings, all built next to each other. Construction of the National Library started in 1887 and was completed fifteen years later. The National Library was designed as a Doric temple flanked by two wings. Two wide winding staircases lead to the entrance of the temple. The statue standing between the staircases shows one of the benefactors of the library, the merchant Panaghis Athanassiou Vallianos. The building houses a large collection of books, maps, newspapers and manuscripts in Greek and other languages. Most interesting is the collection of Greek manuscripts, some of which are more than 1400 years old.
010-THE ACADEMY-The Academy is the most acclaimed of the three buildings. It was constructed in pentelic marble between 1859 and 1885. Flanking the main temple are two tall Ionic columns with statues of Athena and Apollo.The statues of Plato and Socrates are also situated on either side of a staircase.
011-THE UNIVERSITY-The university is the oldest and largest of these three buildings. The interior of the portico is decorated with colorful murals created by Carl Rahl. The murals depict figures in classical attire gathered around king Otto and symbolize the renaissance of the arts and science in nineteenth-century Greece. Atop the portico statues of sphinxes refer to the ancient Greek legend of Oedipus.
012-THE PARLIAMENT-It is the supreme democratic institution that represents the citizens through an elected body of Members of Parliament (MPs). The history of the impressive building of the Hellenic Parliament is intimately linked to the history of the Modern Greek state. Initially, the building served as the palace of Kings Otto and George I. It became the Parliament and Senate building a hundred years after it was constructed, and still houses the Hellenic Parliament today. The Greek Parliament Building was erected between 1836 and 1842 as the royal palace for king Otto I, the first king of modern Greece. In November 1929, after lengthy debate in Parliament, the government of Eleftherios Venizelos decided to relocate the two chambers of Parliament, the Parliament proper and the Senate to the old Palace Building.
i-Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-In front of the Parliament Building is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The monument, with a large relief depicting a nude, dying hoplite, was inaugurated on March 25, 1932, on the Greek day of independence. On either side of the tomb are excerpts from Pericles's famous funeral oration inscribed on the wall.
ii-Evzones-The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is permanently guarded by Evzones, members of the presidential guard in traditional attire, foustanella .The foustanella was worn by the Greek revolutionaries who fought the independence war against the Turkish between 1821 and 1830. It consists of a white skirt with four hundred pleats (the number of years of Turkish rule), white shirts with long sleeves, red pointed shoes with large pompons and an embroidered vest.The change of the guards, on the hour, looks like a very slow dance where the soldiers kick their feet on the ground and in the air. On Sunday at 11 o'clock, the ceremony is more elaborate than the weekday event and features a marching band and an abundance of guards.
i-Tomb of the Unknown Soldier-In front of the Parliament Building is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The monument, with a large relief depicting a nude, dying hoplite, was inaugurated on March 25, 1932, on the Greek day of independence. On either side of the tomb are excerpts from Pericles's famous funeral oration inscribed on the wall.
ii-Evzones-The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is permanently guarded by Evzones, members of the presidential guard in traditional attire, foustanella .The foustanella was worn by the Greek revolutionaries who fought the independence war against the Turkish between 1821 and 1830. It consists of a white skirt with four hundred pleats (the number of years of Turkish rule), white shirts with long sleeves, red pointed shoes with large pompons and an embroidered vest.The change of the guards, on the hour, looks like a very slow dance where the soldiers kick their feet on the ground and in the air. On Sunday at 11 o'clock, the ceremony is more elaborate than the weekday event and features a marching band and an abundance of guards.
013-PANATHENAIC STADIUM- This monument is in Pagrati, opposite Zappeion Gardens on Vassilisis Konstantinou Avenue .The Panathenaic Stadium was built in 330-329 BC and was the site of the Panathenaic Games. The games were held part of a large festival that was organized every four years in honor of goddess Athena. Athletic competitions were held in the stadium, which only had wooden seating for officials. Common people watched the competitions from the slopes around the stadium. In 144 AD, during the Roman era, the stadium was rebuilt and the seating was completely in marble and the stadium was larger than before, measuring 204 by 83 meters (669 x 272 feet) and accommodating approximately 50,000 spectators. The first modern version of the Olympic Games was held in 1896 in Athens. Reconstructed from the remains of an ancient Greek stadium, the Panathenaic is the only stadium in the world built entirely by marble and is one of the oldest in the world. The Panathenaic Stadium is the venue where the Olympic flame handover ceremony takes place before every Olympic Games.
014-SYNTAGMA SQUARE-In 1843 King Otto was to grant a constitution to the people of Greece after an uprising during that year and the square was renamed Syntagma Square (Constitution Square) from its old name Palace Square. It was the front lawn of the palace. It is the hub of public transportation in the city; buses, trolleys, trams, and the metro all stop here. The square also boasts a central fountain, a number of statues and two grassy areas with lots of trees, perfect for relaxing in the shade. Syntagma Square is to be the home to political rallies and other demonstrations and also a central gathering place for people in Athens. The main attraction at Syntagma Square is the House of Parliament-Evzones-The hourly Changing of the Guard ceremony-historic hotels George II and Grande Bretagne. Syntagma Square is also the starting point of Ermou Street, the most important shopping street in Athens.
015-SYNTAGMA METRO STATION-In Athens most stations are mini museums housing antiquities that were found on the site where the station was built. The metro stop for the Greek Parliament, Syntagma Square, boasts one of the larger of these collections. Since in ancient times this area lay outside the city walls, it was a natural location for cemeteries, starting as early as the 11th century BC/BCE. The station thus exhibits several finds, including grave goods, (or their reproductions if the originals are too valuable) ancient Greek plumbing uncovered during the Excavations and building of the metro. The Syntagma Metro Station was built when hosting the Olympic and thousands of priceless items were found and most magnificent is a glass wall overlooking the site that of different layers. Visitors can see clearly the myriad layers of human history at this site, starting with Byzantine times, moving down through Roman, ancient Greek, and finally prehistoric, including the open grave of the ancient necropolis which originally existed here. The Metro Station, serves as a transfer point to the Blue Line (Line 3) with the Red Line (Line 2). It also serves as a connection point (albeit at street level) to the Athens Tram.
016-THE NATIONAL GARDEN-The National Garden is a 40acres garden behind the Parliament. The park used to be the garden of the Royal Palace. The garden encloses some ruins, two duck ponds, a small zoo and a café. In 1923, after the royals had already moved to a new palace nearby, the park was opened to the public. At the same time it was renamed National Garden. The leafy park soon became popular with the citizens of Athens, as it is a beautiful and quiet refuge from the hectic city center. The many tall trees provide ample of shade, a necessity in a city with often scorching summer months. The Zappeion structure built in 1874-78 is an exhibition hall.
017- MONASTIRAKI SQUARE- Monastiraki was the site of one of the largest monasteries in Athens. After archeological excavations little was left. The surviving church, also known as the Pantanassa Church, was built in the seventeenth century at the site of an older church that probably dated back to the tenth century. The Monastiraki Church has a richly decorated interior with a beautifully painted vault. The church was restored in 2007.
i-Tzistarakis Mosque-It is at the center of Abyssinia Square. And at the south corner of the Monastiraki Square there is a domed building with a triple-arched loggia. It was built in the eighteenth century, during the Ottoman occupation as a mosque. It was made out of the column of the Temple of Zeus. After Greece was finally independent in the early nineteenth century, the state confiscated the building and demolished the minaret. Today the building is home to a ceramics museum, an annex of the Museum of Greek Folk Art.
ii-Flea Market- An open air market that is held once a week science 1910, at the nearby Plateia Avissynias.
i-Tzistarakis Mosque-It is at the center of Abyssinia Square. And at the south corner of the Monastiraki Square there is a domed building with a triple-arched loggia. It was built in the eighteenth century, during the Ottoman occupation as a mosque. It was made out of the column of the Temple of Zeus. After Greece was finally independent in the early nineteenth century, the state confiscated the building and demolished the minaret. Today the building is home to a ceramics museum, an annex of the Museum of Greek Folk Art.
ii-Flea Market- An open air market that is held once a week science 1910, at the nearby Plateia Avissynias.
018-PLAKA- Stoned paved Plaka is between Arcopolis Hill and Monastiraki downhill. Plaka is a charming historic district with its restored 19th century neoclassical homes, pedestrianized streets, shops and restaurants, and picturesque ruins from the city's Roman era. The Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. Most of the streets have been closed to automobile traffic. It is like a small Greek village .Modern day Athens was developed around the ancient district of Plaka. There are two main streets -Kydatheneon which is easy to walk from Nikis St./ Constitution Square(Syntagma - main square) and the other, the oldest, Adrianou begins at the Monastiraki flea market and goes to Roman Agora at the site of Hardian’s Library. It is filled with restaurants, jewelry shops, souvenir shops .Here are Children and the Music Museum, Greek Folk Art Museum, Jewish Museum .Lysicrates Monuments, Capuchin Monastry. Monastiraki station is served by both Metro lines 1 and 3, and serves as the best access point for Plaka and Psiri, although walking from Acropoli station on line 2 to Plaka is also a possibility.
019- LYCABETTUS HILL (LYKAVITTOS) - The hill is a popular tourist destination and can be ascended by the Lycabettus Funicular, a funicular railway which climbs the hill from a lower terminus at Kolonaki. The Hill is the highest point of Athens with 910feet high. One can go on foot from Ploutarchou Street and will take about 30 minutes. The funicular from the same place and available at every 30 minutes. On the top of the peak there is a small white washed chapel of Agios Georgios (St.George).
020-OMONOIA SQUARE- The true center of Athens and Greece is the Omonoia square. It’s the zero spot for all distances from Athens to other Greek cities. This square is traffic hub for car drivers and daily commuters. Like the Place de l'Étoile with the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris, the most important streets of Athens radiate from it. Six big streets are directly end at it and another two big streets a few meters further. It is the oldest square in Athens .It is surrounded by hotels and fast food outlets and metro station-Omonoia Station. Omonoia was designed in 1834. Soon after Athens became the capital of Greece.
DAY TOURS OF DELPHI FROM ATHENS- After the Acropolis, Delphi is the most popular archaeological site in the Greece. Delphi in the 6th BC was the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world. It is located 180 kms from Athens. Delphi is most famous site of classical Greece and famous for its theater, temple of Apollo and ruins. Located at the navel of the world and personally blessed by Apollo, Delphi was the holiest site in the world for the ancient Greeks. The landscape of Delphi is breathtaking as it is on the slope of a mountain and one can see the view of the whole valley below all the way to the Gulf of Corinth . The ruins of Ancient Delphi range in date from Mycenean times to the early Christian era and are one of the must-sees in Greece. It is the major site of the most important oracle of the Delphi -god Apollo, Sun of Zeus.
Excavations reveal that Delphi was first inhabited in late Mycenaean times (15th century BC) and that priests from Crete brought the cult of Apollo to central Greece in the 8th century BC. The original name of the sanctuary was Pytho after the snake which Apollo was believed to have killed there. Votive offerings at the site from this period include small clay statues (the earliest), bronze figurines, and richly decorated bronze tripods. The version of Apollo worshipped on the island was Apollo Delphinios - the god in the form of a dolphin and it was from this that the holy city derived its name.
The oracle of Delphi was the a spiritual experience whereby the spirit of Apollo was asked for advice on critical matters relating to people's lives or affairs of state question was asked to the Pythia or priestess who channeled the spirit of the God . As the reputation of the oracle at Delphi grew, the sanctuary began to develop into an international center as Greek city. Without the consensus of the oracle's Pythian priestesses, no moves were maiden Ancient Greece, no wars fought, no festivals held and no king crowned .The rock of Pythias, where the priestess would sit to tell her prophecies .The sanctuary of Delphi fell into Roman hands in 191 B.C, and was stripped of its treasures by General Sylla in 86 B.C. in order to finance his siege of Athens, and three years later Delphi was razed by the Thracian Maedi who -legend has it extinguished the sacred fire which had been burning uninterrupted for centuries. Despite some building revivals by the Romans, the Oracle of Delphi lost its influence over the next few centuries, and its spiritual fire was gradually extinguished as Apollo's worship was replaced by a new religion imported from the East: Christianity.
Pythias-The oracle of Apollo at Delphi was famed throughout the Greek world and even beyond. The oracle - the Pythia or priestess - would answer questions put to her by visitors wishing to be guided in their future actions. The whole process was a lengthy one, usually taking up a whole day and only carried out on specific days of the year. First the priestess would perform various actions of purification such as washing in the nearby Castalian Spring, burning laurel leaves, and drinking holy water. Next an animal - usually a goat - was sacrificed. The party seeking advice would then offer a pelanos - a sort of pie - before being allowed into the inner temple where the priestess resided and gave her pronouncements, possibly in a drug or natural gas-induced state of ecstasy.
There is a sacred Castilian Spring for purification .The site is located on multiple terraces along the slop of Mount Parnassus and includes the Sanctuary of Apollo .The semicircular spur is known as Phaedriades .The layout of Delphi is a unique and were built in modular elements like terrace, temples, treasuries etc. This is a full day trip from Athens and takes about 10 hours and departs at 8.30am.During the tour one will visit-
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE-
Excavations reveal that Delphi was first inhabited in late Mycenaean times (15th century BC) and that priests from Crete brought the cult of Apollo to central Greece in the 8th century BC. The original name of the sanctuary was Pytho after the snake which Apollo was believed to have killed there. Votive offerings at the site from this period include small clay statues (the earliest), bronze figurines, and richly decorated bronze tripods. The version of Apollo worshipped on the island was Apollo Delphinios - the god in the form of a dolphin and it was from this that the holy city derived its name.
The oracle of Delphi was the a spiritual experience whereby the spirit of Apollo was asked for advice on critical matters relating to people's lives or affairs of state question was asked to the Pythia or priestess who channeled the spirit of the God . As the reputation of the oracle at Delphi grew, the sanctuary began to develop into an international center as Greek city. Without the consensus of the oracle's Pythian priestesses, no moves were maiden Ancient Greece, no wars fought, no festivals held and no king crowned .The rock of Pythias, where the priestess would sit to tell her prophecies .The sanctuary of Delphi fell into Roman hands in 191 B.C, and was stripped of its treasures by General Sylla in 86 B.C. in order to finance his siege of Athens, and three years later Delphi was razed by the Thracian Maedi who -legend has it extinguished the sacred fire which had been burning uninterrupted for centuries. Despite some building revivals by the Romans, the Oracle of Delphi lost its influence over the next few centuries, and its spiritual fire was gradually extinguished as Apollo's worship was replaced by a new religion imported from the East: Christianity.
Pythias-The oracle of Apollo at Delphi was famed throughout the Greek world and even beyond. The oracle - the Pythia or priestess - would answer questions put to her by visitors wishing to be guided in their future actions. The whole process was a lengthy one, usually taking up a whole day and only carried out on specific days of the year. First the priestess would perform various actions of purification such as washing in the nearby Castalian Spring, burning laurel leaves, and drinking holy water. Next an animal - usually a goat - was sacrificed. The party seeking advice would then offer a pelanos - a sort of pie - before being allowed into the inner temple where the priestess resided and gave her pronouncements, possibly in a drug or natural gas-induced state of ecstasy.
There is a sacred Castilian Spring for purification .The site is located on multiple terraces along the slop of Mount Parnassus and includes the Sanctuary of Apollo .The semicircular spur is known as Phaedriades .The layout of Delphi is a unique and were built in modular elements like terrace, temples, treasuries etc. This is a full day trip from Athens and takes about 10 hours and departs at 8.30am.During the tour one will visit-
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE-
001-TEMPLE OF APOLLO-Dated 4thBC, the temple was erected on the remains of an earlier temple of the 6th BC. The temple's foundations survive today along with several Doric columns made of porous stone and limestone which is fairly soft material, and have allowed for the temple's advanced decaying. It originally had 6 columns on the front and 15 on the sides, which were stuccoes over. Very little is known about the temple's interior arrangement. Inside was the ADYTON, center of the Delphic oracle and seat of Pythia.
Oracle of Delphi-The famous oracles of Delphi were given in a small chamber in the Temple of Apollo called the Adyton, which only the Pythia could enter. The Pythia (named for the Python slain by Apollo) was a priestess who spoke as a possessed medium for Apollo, the god of prophecy. Usually a middle-aged peasant woman, she was specially selected and trained for her role. She practiced sexual abstinence and fasting before giving oracles. The Oracle only functioned on certain days and under specific circumstances.
Oracle of Delphi-The famous oracles of Delphi were given in a small chamber in the Temple of Apollo called the Adyton, which only the Pythia could enter. The Pythia (named for the Python slain by Apollo) was a priestess who spoke as a possessed medium for Apollo, the god of prophecy. Usually a middle-aged peasant woman, she was specially selected and trained for her role. She practiced sexual abstinence and fasting before giving oracles. The Oracle only functioned on certain days and under specific circumstances.
002-TREASURY OF THE ATHENIANS-A small building with two columns built to house the offering to Apollo. Several dates for its construction have been suggested (with Pausanias mentioning that it was built after the battle of Marathon), but it is widely accepted that it was created sometime between 510 and 480 BCE, a period framed by the founding of the Athenian democracy and the defining battle of Marathon. It remained intact to modern times mainly because it remained in use as a house of pawnbrokers (their names are inscribed on the walls to mark each pawnbroker's place). The building was constructed entirely of Parian marble and had a Doric frieze decorated with 30 metopes. It is measuring 10 x 6 meters.
003-ALTAR OF THE CAHINS-It was the altar in front of temple of Apollo. It is dated to the 5th century BC by the inscription on its cornice. Made entirely of black marble, except for the base and cornice.
004-STOA OF THE ATHENIANS-The inscription on the stylobate indicates that it was built by the Athenians after their naval victory over the Persians in 478 BC, to house their war trophies. The stoa was attached to the existing Polygonal Wall
005-THEATRE -Built in 4thBC.The theater was used mostly for the theatrical performances during the great festivals. The theater at Delphi is build further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo and it presented the seated audience with a spectacular view of the entire sanctuary below and the valley beyond. Its 35 rows can accommodate around five thousand spectators who in ancient times enjoyed plays, poetry readings, and musical events during the various festivals that took place periodically at Delphi. The lower tiers of seats were built during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
006-STADIUM-Here the Pan-Hellenic Pythian Games took place. It was used for chariot race. High up the hill, beyond the sacred way and the Theater the ancient stadium is nested. It was built in the 5th B.C. and it was remodeled several times during the centuries. Its present form was acquired in the 2nd A.D. when Herodus Atticus financed the stone seating and the arched entrance. Its stone seats could sit around 6500 spectators. Its track is 177.55 m long (about 550 ft.), and 25.50 m wide.
007-DELPHI THOLOS-The Tholos is a circular building which was created between 380 and 360 BC at the center of the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia. It is constructed with 20 Doric columns on its exterior diameter which measures 14.76m.The building stands 13.5 meters tall at the center of the Athena Pronaia sanctuary, and its interior columns were of the Corinthian order. It is the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, and the Tholos.
008-THE SACRED WAY-The Sacred Way is the main route through the Sanctuary of Apollo, leading from the gateway uphill 200 meters to the Temple of Apollo. Originally, it was lined with votive monuments and treasuries erected by various Greek cities, reflecting the diversity of the political pattern of ancient Greece.
009-MUSEUM OF DELPHI-The Archaeological Museum of Delphi has the extensive artifacts unearthed during excavations at the Delphi oracle and its vicinity. It is located adjacent to the archaeological site, and it is one of the top must-see museums in Greece. The permanent exhibition covers over a thousand years, from the Mycenaean era to the Greco-Roman times. See bronze Charioteer.