Athens
 |
Athens has been a city for well over 3,000 years,
and reached its glorious zenith the best part of five
centuries before the birth of Christ. The legacy
of ancient Greece - and of the leading city-state
of Athens in particular - on democracy, philosophy,
and art is immeasurable.
Remnants of this legacy can still be seen today, most
notably the 2,500 year-old series of buildings on
the Acropolis. Dominating the skyline of Athens,
the Acropolis features the mighty Parthenon temple,
built to celebrate victory over the invading Persians
at Marathon. A triumph of architecture and sculpture,
the Parthenon is justly celebrated as a symbol of
ancient Greek cultural achievement.
Unfortunately, the Parthenon's crowning glory - it's
magnificent sculptural work - was 'sold' by the occupying
Turks to Britain's Lord Elgin in 1801. To get a real
appreciation of this artistic high tide mark you'll
need to visit the British
Museum.
The interesting Acropolis museum in the shadow of
the Parthenon features the remains of an even older
temple from this site, and the Acropolis features
other temples dating from ancient times. The world-famous
Porch of the Caryatids (where statues of women
feature as columns supporting the roof; see picture
above) is a key feature of one.
 |
Lying below the Acropolis are a wealth of ancient
and more recent sites of interest. The Roman Theatre
of Herodes Atticus is still used for outdoor concerts,
and on the other side of the Acropolis is the extensive
Agora (or marketplace). The impressive Tower
of the Winds is nearby, and slightly further afield
is the interesting Kerameikos cemetery and
Sacred Way of the ancient city.
When you've had enough exposure to ancient culture,
the winding lanes of the picturesque Plaka district
below the Acropolis is a great place to engage in
some retail therapy. The historic heart of Athens,
the Plaka is now geared up to serve the (sometimes
questionable) tastes of the tourist hordes. Still,
there are enough good cafes, restaurants, and quality
shops to please the fussiest visitor.
The Plaka and adjacent Monastiriki areas showcase
not only the ancient heritage of Athens, but also
its more recent religious and cultural contributions.
Tiny domed Orthodox churches such as Panagia Gorgoepikoos
and the icon painters of Athens are very visible
signs of a nation where faith is still a key facet
of everyday life.
 |
Athens is also a modern city, with bustling shopping
areas, restaurants, and nightlife. The noise and
(periodic) pollution - not to mention the mad taxi-drivers
- can overwhelm the faint-hearted, but Athens has
enough quiet corners (such as the excellent National
Gardens) and indoor havens of calm (the 'must
see' collection of artefacts at the National Archaeological
Museum) to allow a pleasant escape from the crowds.
Athens is of course a gateway to the magnificent Greek
islands, most typically through the chaotic
ferry port of Piraeus (an easy metro ride from
the centre). A new airport on the outskirts
of Athens (45-60 minutes by taxi) is a huge improvement
on the old facility, and will probably be your introduction
to the city.
The Greeks are also renowned for their simple but
tasty food - souvlakia, moussaka, seafood, Greek
salad, cheese pie, and 101 uses for olives. The
Diogenes Taverna at Lysikratous Square in the
Plaka district is an excellent choice that services
both locals and tourists.
Getting There
British
Airways and Olympic
are the key carriers to Athens. Flight time is approximately
3.5 hours.
More Information
Check out Athens
Guide, Go
Greece, or (for ferry information) the useful
Ferries
portal.
Also visit our Greek
Island guide.
|
