Sights in Athens
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Acropolis
The magnificent Acropolis defines and dominates Athens. Unlike other cities where the main attractions are on the outskirts of town, the sacred rock on which the ancient Greek temples were built rises spectacularly above the centre of the city. The main entrance is from Dionysiou Areopagitou near the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, or from Theorias if you’re coming from Plaka (there’s another entrance near the Kanellopoulos Museum). Large bags must be left at the main entrance cloakroom.
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Kanellopoulos Museum
The imposing 1884 mansion on the northern slope of the Acropolis houses the Kanellopoulos family’s extensive collection, donated to the state in 1976. After a major refurbishment and expansion, it was due to open in late 2008. The collection includes jewellery, clay-and-stone vases and figurines, weapons, Byzantine icons, bronzes and objets d’art dating from every period of Greek history.
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Athens Municipal Art Gallery
The municipality’s rich collection includes more than 2300 works from leading 19th- and 20th-century Greek artists, including works from the acclaimed ‘30s generation, as well as a fine collection of engravings.
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Plaka & Anafiotika
The historic neighbourhood under the Acropolis retains its charm despite being overrun by tourists in summer. Head beyond the tourist drag, however, and you'll find the Anafiotika quarter, one of the most picturesque and quiet pockets of the city. In this village-like labyrinth of quiet, narrow, windy streets, bougainvillea cascade over whitewashed Cycladic-style cube houses while bright pots of colour decorate the balconies and rooftops.
Apart from the forever-reclining cats, washing hanging in the breeze is often the only evidence of habitation. The houses were built by tradesmen from the small island of Anafi, brought in to build the king's palace during the renovation…
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Temple of Olympian Zeus
The colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus (or Olympeion) is the largest in Greece and took more than 700 years to build. Fifteen of the original 104 massive (17m-high) Corinthian columns survive, along with the one that toppled over in a gale in 1852. Peisistratos began building the temple in the 6th century BC on the western bank of the Ilissos River, at the site of a smaller temple (590–560 BC) dedicated to the cult of Olympian Zeus (its foundations can be seen on the site), but construction stalled due to lack of funds. A succession of leaders tried to finish the job, making adjustments along the way, which explains inconsistencies in the temple. Hadrian finally finished…
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Statue of Athena Promachos
Along the Panathenaic Way, which cuts across the middle of the Acropolis, you will see the foundations of pedestals for the statues that once lined the path, including one that held Pheidias' 9m-high statue of Athena Promachos (promachos means 'champion'). Symbolising Athenian invincibility against the Persians, the helmeted goddess held a shield in her left hand and a spear in her right. The statue was carted off to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in AD 426.
By 1204 it had lost its spear, so the hand appeared to be gesturing. This led the inhabitants to believe that the statue had beckoned the crusaders to the city, so they smashed it to pieces.
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Theatre of Dionysos
The original 6th-century timber theatre was built on the site of the Festival of the Great Dionysia. During Athens’ golden age, the theatre hosted productions of the works of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. Reconstructed in stone and marble between 342 and 326 BC, the theatre had seating for more than 17,000 spectators (spread over 64 tiers, of which only about 20 tiers survive) and an altar to Dionysos in the orchestra pit. The Pentelic marble thrones on the lower levels were for dignitaries and priests – including a grand one in the centre for the Priest of Dionysos, identifiable by the lions’ paws, satyrs and griffins carved on the back.
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Panathenaic Stadium
The first modern Olympic Games, in 1896, were held in the imposing Panathenaic (or Panathenian) marble stadium, on the site of the original 4th-century BC stadium built for Panathenaic athletic contests. The Romans held gladiatorial contests where thousands of wild animals were slaughtered and it was later rebuilt by Herodes Atticus for the Panathenaic Festival in AD 144. The stadium was completely restored for the 1896 Olympics and for the 2004 Games. The stadium, which is known as the Kalimarmaron (meaning ‘beautiful marble’), made a stunning backdrop to the archery competition and the marathon finish. Public access is limited, but it is a site to behold.
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Tower of the Winds
The well-preserved Tower of the Winds was built in the 1st century BC by a Syrian astronomer named Andronicus. The octagonal monument of Pentelic marble is an ingenious construction that functioned as a sundial, weather vane, water clock and compass. Each side represents a point of the compass, and has a relief of a figure floating through the air, which depicts the wind associated with that particular point. Beneath each of the reliefs are the faint markings of sundials.
The weather vane, which disappeared long ago, was a bronze Triton that revolved on top of the tower. The Turks allowed dervishes to use the tower.
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Temple of Hephaestus
The Temple of Hephaestus on the western edge of the Agora was surrounded by foundries and metalwork shops, and was dedicated to Hephaestus, god of the forge. It was one of the first buildings of Pericles' rebuilding programme and is the best preserved Doric temple in Greece. Built in 449 BC by Ictinus, one of the architects of the Parthenon, it has 34 columns and a frieze on the eastern side depicting nine of the Twelve Labours of Heracles.
In AD 1300 it was converted into the Church of Agios Georgios. The last service held here was on 13 December 1834 in honour of King Otho's arrival in Athens.
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Athens Cathedral & Little Metropolis
The ornate 1862 Athens Cathedral on Plateia Mitropoleos (Mitropoleos Sq) is the seat of the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of Athens. However, far more significant, both historically and architecturally, is the small 12th-century church next to the cathedral, known as the Little Metropolis. Its official double-barrelled name – it’s dedicated to two saints – is Church of Panagia Gorgeopikoos (Virgin Swift to Hear) and Agios Eleftherios. The cruciform-style marble church was built on the ruins of an ancient temple and made using reliefs and pieces of ancient and early-Christian monuments.
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Roman Agora
The city’s civic centre under Roman rule was moved to this partly excavated site, where you can see the foundations of several structures, including a 1st-century, 68-seat public latrine to the right of the entry, and a propylon (entrance) at the southeastern corner. The well-preserved Gate of Athena Archegetis, flanked by four Doric columns, was erected in the 1st century AD and financed by Julius Caesar. The Fethiye Djami mosque on the northern side of the Agora is one of the city’s few surviving reminders of Ottoman times. Predating the Agora is the fascinating Tower of the Winds.
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Lykavittos Hill
A funicular rail car (which leaves from the corner of Aristippou and Ploutarhou) takes you up to cool breezes and superb views on the summit of Lykavittos. Summer concerts are held at the open-air theatre on the northern side. There are two cannons just below on the western side of the hill that fire salutes on special occasions. Regular church services are held at the Chapel of Agios Georgios, the most important being on 23 April, the day of the patron saint, St George, and Good Friday, when there is a moving candlelight procession along the hill.
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Hadrian's Arch
Hadrian's Arch is a lofty monument of Pentelic marble that stands where busy Leoforos Vasilissis Olgas and Leoforos Vasilissis Amalias meet. It was erected by Hadrian in AD 132, probably to commemorate the consecration of the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The inscriptions show that it was also intended as a dividing point between the ancient city and the Roman city.
The northwest frieze bears the inscription 'This is Athens, the Ancient City of Theseus', while the southeast frieze states 'This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus'.
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Athens Olympic Complex
Athens' newest landmark is the massive Athens Olympic Complex. The showpiece stadium where the main action took place in 2004 is crowned by the striking glass and steel roof designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The vast complex includes numerous stadiums and futuristic design elements, such as the shimmering Wall of Nations.
You can only visit on an organised tour - minimum 15 people. If you are travelling independently, you can send a request to join another tour by fax or email.
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Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The war memorial known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by the city's famous statuesque evzones, the presidential guards whose uniform of short kilts and pom-pom shoes is based on the attire worn by the klephts (the mountain fighters of the War of Independence). The changing of the guard takes place every hour, while every Sunday at 11:00 the evzones perform an extended changing of the guard ceremony in full ceremonial dress, accompanied by a military band.
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Sacred Gate & Dipylon Gate
Inside the Temple of Hephaestus are the Sacred and Dipylon Gates, where the remains of the city wall is broken by their foundations. The Sacred Gate spanned the Sacred Way and was the one by which pilgrims from Eleusis entered the city during the annual Eleusian procession. The Dipylon Gate was the city's main entrance and where the Panathenaic procession began. It was also the stamping ground of the city's prostitutes, who gathered there to offer their services to jaded travellers.
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Ilias Lalaounis Jewellery Museum
Jewellery and decorative arts inspired by various periods in Greek history showcase the talents of Greece’s renowned jeweller Ilias Lalounis. The museum demonstrates jewellery-making techniques from prehistoric times. The permanent collection includes thematic displays of more than 4000 pieces of jewellery and intricate microsculptures designed by Lalaounis since the 1940s. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and runs cultural programs dedicated to the art.
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Flisvos Marina
For a glimpse at the toys of the privileged class, take a walk around the new Flisvos Marina – Greece’s most prestigious VIP mega-yacht parking lot. More than 200 gleaming luxury boats are berthed at the marina, and the impressive seaside redevelopment includes restaurants, cafés and shops. South from the promenade, you can walk along the waterfront to Alimos seaside resort, along the way unleashing your inner child at one of biggest playgrounds in the Balkans.
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National Art Gallery
Greece’s premiere art gallery showcases its permanent collection of modern Greek art and hosts major international exhibitions. Exploring the country’s art movements, the exhibits include post-Byzantine art and works from the Eptanesian School of secular painters; portraits and historical scenes from the War of Independence and the early years of the Greek state; and leading 20th-century painters. Prize exhibits include three masterpieces by El Greco.
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Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios
To the northeast of the Temple of Hephaestus are the foundations of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, one of the places where Socrates expounded his philosophy. Further north are the foundations of the Stoa of Basileios and the Stoa Poikile (Painted Stoa), both currently inaccessible to the public. The Stoa Poikile was so-called because of its murals, which were painted by the leading artists of the day and depicted mythological and historical battles.
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Foundation for the Hellenic World
If ruins and museums aren't enough insight into the ancient world, you can take a virtual reality trip to Ancient Greece at the futuristic Foundation for the Hellenic World, about 2km from the city centre. The new high-tech Tholos domed virtual reality theatre takes you on an interactive tour of the Ancient Agora while the Kivotos time machine has 3D floor-to-ceiling screens featuring ancient Miletus, Olympia and the world of Greek costumes.
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Parliament
Greece's Parliament was originally the royal palace designed by the Bavarian architect Von Gartner and built between 1836 and 1842. In 1935 it became the seat of the Greek parliament and it was from the palace balcony that the syntagma (constitution) was declared on 3 September 1843. The royal family moved to a new palace, which became the presidential palace upon the abolition of the monarchy in 1974. Only the library is open to the public.
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Planetarium
Athens claims to have the world's largest and most technologically advanced digital Planetarium. The 280-seat planetarium, with a 950-sq-metre hemispherical dome, offers 3D virtual trips to the galaxy, as well as IMAX movies and other high-tech shows about Ancient Greece. There is simultaneous narration in English. The Planetarium is part of the Eugenides Foundation, a progressive scientific and educational institution. Enter from Penteli.
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Erechtheion
Although the Parthenon was the most impressive monument of the Acropolis, it was more of a showpiece than a sanctuary. That role fell to the Erechtheion, built on the part of the Acropolis held most sacred. It was here that Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and where Athena produced the olive tree. Named after Erichthonius, a mythical king of Athens, the temple housed the cults of Athena, Poseidon and Erichthonius.
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