Greece Adventure Day 2 - Climb The Acropolis Part 3

As we were the few earliest visitors to the Acropolis complex, we took our time viewing this fortified citadel and state sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens. While walking to our next destination we imagined how magnificent it must have been during its glorious days. The many people who have taken the same path we did;  people like Alexander the Great, Plato, and Socrates just to name a few.

Careful steps at this slippery pathway. Perhaps it’s the strain of supporting so many visitors over so many thousands of years.

Moving forward we headed directly to the Parthenon. The temple of Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess Athena, protector of the Ancient city of Athens.

Parthenon is one of the most most famous buildings of the world. It was constructed at the initiative of Pericles, the leading Athenian politician of the 5th century BC.

  

Pediment of the Parthenon.

 

Detail of the metopes at the Parthenon

 

Elaborate Doric column of the Partnenon

 

Feeling just great to be at the Parthenon where it had everything from a temple, treasury, church, and mosque.

  

Found a Parthenon furry friend

 

And a very serious one this friend.....

 

Sprawling Athens from the Parthenon from the lookout point near the Parthenon

 

  A Greek flag at the lookout point

It has weathered time and man as such extra pampering does not hurt.  Restoration works on the Parthenon making progress.

The Parthenon we must say has its aesthetic appeal that emanates from the refinement of many established norms of Greek architecture. There was just so much expectation here and nothing beats being present and seeing how real it is with your very eyes.

 to be continued....

Greece Adventure Day 2 - Climb The Acropolis Part 2

Since we were rather early, getting tickets into the Acropolis was a breeze. Perhaps winter is also not peak time for visit. Tickets were 12Euro for each adult and Nissa got to go in for free. Yeahhh....she belonged to the category of young people, under the age of 18 with show of  Identity Card or passport to confirm the age.

Olives vegetation on the foot of the Acropolis Hill

Entrance to the Acropolis complex -  all of marble.

All excited to go in. There’s so much expectation there, especially when you’ve seen so many photos of the Acropolis and now you are going to see it for for self!

Climb up the final set of stairs

What you'll see on the Acropolis Hill

The Acropolis is a great sanctuary of ancient Athens. It is dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena. It is the most celebrated myths of ancient Athens; all related to its greatest religious festivals and earliest cults.

The history of the Acropolis of Athens is long, with moments when democracy philosophy and art flourished, leading to its creation.

After we climbed the steps emerged a scattering of ruins that lies around.

After climbing the steps you are at the entrance, or the Propylaea, which was completed in 432 just before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian wars.

 

The main architect of Propylaea was Mnesicles. He used Pentelic marble and the design was avant-garde.

Superb architecture

Architectural splendor and engineering marvels

The roof of the Propylaea

If the column could talk.....

Everything that had been visible from a distance was now in front of me - just as seen photographed in the postcards.

Simple breath taking....these unique masterpieces of ancient architecture combine different orders and styles of Classical art in a most innovative manner and have influenced art and culture for many centuries

To be continued.....

Greece Adventure Day 2 - Climb The Acropolis Part 1

The Acropolis in Athens is a MUST see when you visit this city; even if it requires you to get up super early in order to beat the crowd and the striking sun. And that was what we did on our second day in Athens.

We actually slept very early the night before. Still jet lagged and the whole day walk about was enough to wear us down. But the body was still on Malaysian time and by 4am we were already wide awake (and hungry too..heh heh).

We settled for a very early breakfast and left the apartment by 7am. Took the Metro to the Airopoli Station and then walked up to the entrance on the Acropolis Hill.

The Akropoli Station - pretty deserted at 7am

The station is like a museum too. Findings of the ancient Athenians were discovered during the building of the metro station. They are displayed at the station. The Greeks have so much respects for these archaeological finds.

 

Frescoes on the Metro wall. The duo saying from W with Love. The "W" hand sign is the synonym to UW - Madison

The very wide walkway heading up to the Acropolis Hill.

Surprisingly winter in Athens was pretty mild. Temperatures range between 10C in the morning and by midday it got to around 20C. So it was really nice weather for walking.

Abe became a hit with the dogs that morning. Bill told us the day before that dogs in Athens are extra friendly with men who carried bag packs. Perhaps they thought that there was food in there. Many of these dogs were released by their owners. Times are bad and they can't afford to keep these dogs in their homes any longer. So they became strays - but very friendly strays.

He was huge! And he keep trailing Abe for quite some distance.

He was rather fierce. Kept barking at us.

Walking up towards the Acropolis Hill. We passed the garden with many olive trees.

 

These olive trees must have been there for a while

The uphill walkway leading up to the Acropolis Hill. Heavily guarded by the Greek Armed Forces

 

As we walked up we came to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus or the Herodeon. It was built in 161 AD by the Athenian magnate Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife.

This stone theatre structure is located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens.

It was originally a steep-sloped theater with a three-story stone front wall and a wooden roof made of expensive, cedar of Lebanon timber. It was used as a venue for music concerts with a capacity of 5,000.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus - down looking up to the Acropolis Hill

To be continued...

Parting with Bill

The Acropolis was out last walking tour stop. Bill asked us if we wanted to go and do the Acropolis complex after that. I told him that we'll save it for the next day. After the long walk and the uphill climb, we didn't want to push ourselves. 

Climb this we did on another day. The cranking knees couldn't take it no more

Found an empty bench near the Acropolis Hill

Father & dotter bumming as we left the Acropolis Hill

1...2...snap snap

Church of Agia Sophia - an old church near the Acropolis

And at the Acropolis too we parted with Bill our guide. We were grateful that we got him to provide us with interesting information about the places we saw.

Walking with Bill - Part 5 The Off Beaten Track Up The Acropolis

I guess only the locals would be able to negotiate the small streets in Athens and not get lost in the elaborate maze like area. Bill said there are many ways to go up this most popular site in Athens. Tourists by the throngs would take the guided tour routes. He however was going to take us on the off beaten track to the sacred hills. It was a bit exhaustive on the knees the climb was but it was so well worth it.

We walked pass local Athenian houses that were built on the steep hill going up to the Acropolis

 

White washed & blue houses

The climb along the small streets

As we arrived up the hill....and our route down to Plaka

Surprisingly there are many cactus plants in Athens

Greek Orthodox Church at the base of the Acropolis

Greek Orthodox Church at the base of the Acropolis. Many Orthodox churches sport this style of design

Another view of the church

  A beautiful path through some trees before you begin the ascent to the Acropolis.

And finally we were almost at the top

A beautiful site...indeed

 

When you are up there you can see the whole of Athens from every direction.

 

It is really like a concrete jungle as far as the eye can see.

US on the Acropolis Hill

Them...bumming & shooting the Acropolis