Athens - Cradle of Western Civilization
July 22, 2005
South Athens beachfront park
Beulé Gate entrance to Acropolis
Odeum of Herodes Atticus front
Inside of Odeum of Herodes Atticus
Atticus funded many public projects
Propylaia area-gateway to Acropolis
Parthenon, symbol of ancient Greece
Acropolis Archaeological Museum
Demon with three bodies (550 BC)
Acropolis Archaeological Museum
"Kore" female statue (6th cent BC)
Horsemen from Parthenon Frieze
Theater of Dionysus Eleuthereus
View of Athens from Acropolis wall
Parthenon, Temple of Athena
Replaced older temple, began 447 BC
Converted into both church & mosque
Acropolis view of Mt. Likavitos
View of Panathenian Olympic Stadium
View of Olympieion (Zeus Temple)
View of the Plaka from Acropolis
Another view of the Plaka
Erectheion dedicated to Greek hero
Caryatids support Erectheion porch
Dedicated to both Athena & Poseidon
Propylaia area
Hephaistus Temple in Athenian Agora
View of Mars Hill from Propylaia
View of Agora from Mars Hill
Stoa of Attalos from Mars Hill
Our tour group walking to Plaka
Lunch at Greek restaurant in Plaka
Owner recommends lamb souvlaki :-D
Plaka-oldest neighborhood in Athens
Plaka-traditional tourist district
Located north beneath Acropolis
Yspia Café-enjoy cappuccino out...
Crowded streets & crazy traffic :D
View of Acropolis from the Plaka
Tiny Kapnikarea Church, the Plaka
Policewoman directing traffic
Interesting Byzantine style church
Panathenian Olympic Stadium
Stadium site of 1896 Olympic games
Athens picture taken from tour bus
Triumphal Arch of Hadrian (131 AD)
Olympieion took 645 years to finish
Temple of Zeus broken column
Peace & Friendship Olympic Stadium
View of Piraeus harbor from ship
Center of Modern Democracy
THE ACROPOLIS
In my opinion, the Acropolis is one of our planet’s most fascinating places. This 150 meter high limestone plateau was the original Athens. When the city’s population grew to about 250,000, people started moving down to the surrounding areas. The Acropolis was one of 20 finalists under consideration for the recently named New Seven Wonders of the World.
The Acropolis contains:
• The Parthenon, an all-marble temple dedicated to the goddess Athena
• The Erechtheion, a tomb built to honor Erechtheus, a legendary king of Athens that features Caryatids supporting its porch
• Museum of the Acropolis
It also immediately overlooks:
• Odeum of Herodes Atticus (southeast)
• Theater of Dionysus Eleuthereus (south)
• Mars Hill (northwest)
Sights that can be seen in the distance from the Belvedere on the east end:
• Mt. Likavitos
• Panathenian Olympic Stadium
• Olympieion (Zeus Temple)
The Acropolis is in the midst of many extensive repair projects and renovations. Keep an eye on the city on a hill as Athens restores the area, synonymous with modern democracy, to its former glory.
Parthenon, symbol of ancient Greece
Propylaia area being restored
Caryatids support Erectheion porch
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