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.....

Walking with Bill - Part 2

Athens is the capital of Greece and is also largest city in the country. It has a recorded history that goes back 3,400 years. Bill, our guide explained that classical Athens was a center for philosophy, art and learning and considered the cradle of Western civilization and democracy. Today, Athens with its 5 million inhabitants is a modern metropolis that is the financial, political, cultural and economic center for the country.

The name of Athens in Ancient Greek was Athenai (pronounced At-he-na). According to Bill the Greeks believed the city was named for its protectress - the goddess Athena. Before our trip I read a fair bit about Greek mythology and its Olympian Gods and also its heroes and monsters. Zeus (king of all the gods), Aphrodite (goddess of beauty and love), Athena (goddess of wisdom and defense), Poseidon (god of the sea) were my favourite reads. 

From the stadium, we walked towards Herodou Attikou St. According to Bill this is one of the most aristocratic thoroughfares in Athens. The street is home to the Presidential Palace and the Maximos Palace which is the official residence of the Prime Minister. 

Herodou Attikou St is lined with orange trees

Residence of the Prime Minister behind those gates

Police wheels near the PM Residence

Greek Presidential Guards

A very unique kind of march

next...changing of guards ceremony