ATHENS: MODERNIZING HISTORY
Capital city of Greece, Athens, a place dominated with its 5th century BC landmarks is a heady mix of modern and historical times. Wandering beauties like monuments, stadiums, temples, Greek coffee and the post-Olympic feels of Athens makes you wanna drag your soul all the way there.
- Acropolis Museum
Built on the concepts: light, movement and tectonic and programmatic element. Lying at the foot of the Acropolis’ southern slope, this architectural beasty is something you can’t overlook. The museum composes with it’s crowning glory, the top-floor Parthenon Gallery, bathed in natural light lies the Archaic Gallery and then you have the Plexiglas floor. If that wasn’t enough you can munch some popcorn and gain knowledge on the history of the Acropolis while watching a movie they showcase in the museum.
2. Parthenon
Parthenon is the perfect example of the glory of Ancient Greece. Also called the TEMPLE OF ATHENA is a peripteral octastyle Doric temple with ionic architectural features. Meaning ‘Virgin’s Apartment’ is dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the Goddess that personifies the power and prestige of the city. The Parthenon was build replacing an older temple of Athena, which historians call the Pre-Parthenon or Older Parthenon. Constructed completely with Pentelic marble and the roof from wood, it took its workers 15 years to build it.
3. Keramikos
The area took its name from the city square or dēmos of the Kerameis (potters). The clay on the banks of River Iridanos was something that attracted potters, which is why it was originally a settlement for the potters. Now a lush, peaceful site with a small but excellent museum containing remarkable stelae(stone slabs) and sculptures, a good collection of vases and terracotta figurines.
4. Acropolis
Visible from almost everywhere within the city stands tall the Acropolis the most significant ancient site in the western world. The world-heritage listed site had monuments and and sanctuaries of Pentelic marble shimmering white in the afternoon sun, while at night they stand amazingly well-lighted above the city. This grandiose piece is history will not let you down.
5. Filopappou Hill
Also called The Hill of the Muses, south-west of the Acropolis and is now known as Philopappou Hill. The hill top-view includes an eye level view of the Acropolis and an astounding view of the Parthenon.
6. Panathenaic Stadium
Also known as Kallimarmaro(beautiful marble), is a multi-purpose stadium. There are seats for 70,000 spectators, a running track and a central area for field events. It’s mainly used for concert and public events, and the annual Athens marathon finishes here.
Some more sites worth visiting are:
- Erechtheion
2. Theater of Dionysos
3. Monastiraki Flea Market
4. Tailor made
All travel and no food could be harmful for your body. Being in Athens gives you the pleasure of an amazing food spree.
1. Mani-Mani
With their standout dishes the ravioli with Swiss chard, chervil and cheese, and the tangy Mani sausage with orange is the a famous Greek and regional Mani cuisine restaurant. That’s not all, the best part about this restaurant is that you can order almost all dishes as half portions (at half price)! Which gives you a chance to treat your palette with a lot of choices.
2. Nancy’s Sweet Home
The famous dessert cafe of the choir is worth the trip. With their extra decadent cakes swimming in melted chocolate and giant dollops of traditionally flavored ice cream they will sweep you off your feet. Here the locals would suggest the kunefe, a sweet cheese pastry served with a heap of mastic-flavored ice-cream.
Some more suggestions for dinning:
- Mazi
2. Café Abyssinia
Athens with it’s flourishing fertile stomping grounds of creatives is changing the course of Greece. You better be prepared to be amazed.
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Keerti Barua/Travart blogs
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