Athens - Cradle of Civilization

A June 2008 trip to Athens by akakd

Parthenon Photo - The Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece

Quote: Athens: the Cradle of Civilization; where the first democracy was born; home to Aristotle, Euclid, Homer, Plato, & Socrates.

13 Photos

National Archaeological Museum

Attraction | "One of the Great Archaeological Museums"

Quote:

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens (Greek: Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο) is considered one of the great archaeological museums, containing a wide range of Greek antiquity artifacts. Having been to the island of Delos, I was fascinated by the Portrait Head from Delos. The eyes of the bust are piercing. My other favorite was the sculpture of Aphrodite, Pan, & Eros.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 1, 2008

National Archaeological Museum
44 Patission St
Athens, Greece 106 82
+30 210 821 7717

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Constitution Square

Attraction | "Blood, Tears, and Turkish Rule"

Quote:

In Constitution Square is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,w/ guards posted on either side. The Greek flag flying above is blue and white stripes with a cross in the corner.The blue represents sky and sea, the white stands for independence, and the cross is for the Greek Orthodox Church. On the half hour, the guards pay tribute to the Unknown Soldier. On the hour is the Changing of the Guard. Guards wear distinctive, symbolic uniforms. Their red caps represent the blood that was shed, the black tassels symbolize the tears of the mothers, and the 368 pleats in their skirts stand for the 368 years of Turkish rule.Position yourself front and center for some great photographs, but be...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 31, 2008

Constitution Square
Syntagma Square
Athens, Greece

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Lord Byron Sculpture

Attraction | "What is Lord Byron doing in Greece???"

Quote:

Located next to the National Gardens, Zappeion Gardens is home to a sculpture of Lord Byron. But what is the British Poet, Lord Byron, doing in Greece? Good question. I didn't know prior to traveling to Athens that Lord Byron traveled to Greece to fight against the Ottoman Empire in the Greek War of Independence. My understanding is that Lord Byron helped
finance the freedom fighters in order to gain Greek’s freedom from the Turks. For this, Greeks revere him as a national hero.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 31, 2008

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Hadrian's Arch

Attraction | "See the Acropolis through Hadrian's Arch"

Quote:

Hadrian's Arch is named for the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The arch is located near the Acropolis and just in front of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Standing between the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch, you can get a great photo of the Acropolis and Parthenon through the Arch.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 31, 2008

Hadrian's Arch
Amalias Avenue (off Vassilissis Olgas Avenue)
Athens, Greece 105 57
not applicable

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Temple of Olympian Zeus

Attraction | "Get in Free to the Temple of Olympian Zeus"

Quote:

The Temple of Olympian Zeus was the largest temple in antiquity, taking 700 years to complete. Only 14 of the 104 columns remain. Check your ticket to the Acropolis/Parthenon. It may very well include a free visit inside the Temple of Zeus complex.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 31, 2008

Temple of Olympian Zeus
Vassilissis Olgas Avenue
Athens, Greece 105 57
+30 210 922 6330

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The Acropolis of Athens

Attraction | "A Visit to Athens is Incomplete Without the Acropolis"

Quote:

Hiking up to the top of the Acropolis seems, at first glance, a daunting task, but the climb was actually pretty gradual. While the Parthenon is indeed impressive, my favorite structure on the Acropolis was the Porch of the Karyatids, sometimes spelled Caryatids, also known as the Porch of the Maidens.
(For those who don't know, a caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar.) Lovely.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 31, 2008

The Acropolis of Athens
Dionysiou Areopagitou St.
Athens, Greece
+30 210 32 14172