When you visit Greece,
plan to stay in Athens 3 to 4 days. You will want to visit the many museums
and ruins, as well as relax at the many patio restaurants.
Many of the monuments in
Athens were built beginning in 449 BC under Pericles after the Persians
were finally defeated. This was a large scale rebuilding program that vaulted
Athens into its Golden Age. This was also the period in Athen's history
when democracy flourished.
The first place I would visit
is the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. It will provide you with
an overall perspective of Greece. You'll find artifacts and art from all
regions of Greece and all periods in her long history such as the Statue of
Poseidon; Aphrodite, Eros and Pan photo #10; the bust of Augustus; the
mask of Agamemnon and colorful frescoes from Santorini and Tiryns.
The ideal time to visit the
Acropolis is mid afternoon because it provides the ideal conditions for picture
taking. Photos taken in the morning tend to be harsher while those in the
afternoon softer, warmer and fuller. From the Acropolis you'll get a great
view of not only the magnificence of the Parthenon (447-438 BC), the Erechtheion
420 BC but also the surrounding area. Make sure you visit the Acropolis
museum while you are there (photo #7).
Below to the south of the
Acropolis are the Theatre of Dionysos and the Odeion of Herodes Aatticus (photos #5 and
#6). Take a walk through the ancient agora (photo #11). Visit
the museum in the reconstructed Stoa of Attalos. One of the best preserved
temples overlooking the Agora built by Pericles is the Temple of Hephaistos
449-430 BC (photo #8).
Other places worth visiting
are the 3 hills adjacent to the Acropolis: The Areopagus, Pnyx and Filapappou
Hill. They provide you with an excellent panoramic view of the Acropolis
and its surroundings. The Kerameikos is the ancient cemetery for Athens.
You will also want to see the Roman influence on Athens by visiting Hadrian's
Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's library and the Roman forum.
There are also many smaller museums to check out such as the Byzantine
Museum.
Description
of Photos:
1. View of Odeion of Herodes
Atticus and the Parthenon
2. Panoramic view of the
Acropolis and surrounding areas
3. Erechtheion and the Porch
of the Caryatids on the Acropolis
4. Parthenon
5, 6. View of Odeion of
Herodes Atticus
7. Three gods seated Poseidon,
Apollo, Artemis - East Frieze of the Parthenon, Parthenon Museum
8. Temple of Hephaistos,
Ancient Agora
9. Hadrian's Library, Roman
Agora
10. Aphrodite, Eros and
Pan from Delos 2nd Century BC, Athens National Archaeological Museum
11. Ancient Agora
