Athens, as well as being the cradle of western civilisation, is a lively, throbbing city. There are no obvious outward signs of the economic troubles that beset this country recently but we are tourists after all and cannot see beneath the surface. It is very good to see that tourists are here in great numbers, which must help the economy as they rely so heavily on that trade. Mairi however spoke to a woman lawyer who said that Greece was in great trouble economically and she was feeling destitute. All I can say is that we are grateful to be here in September rather than in July-August at the height of the tourist season and in the searing heat. The temperature now is a pleasant mid to high twenties and quite bearable. As it is, I can walk around only for half a day and leave serious exploring to Andrew.
Hadrian's Arch is the first monument we came across, very near our hotel in the Plaka. The Plaka is one of the oldest Athenian suburbs and it is full of restaurants, people and monuments of stupendous significance in the history of western civilisation. You walk around the streets and you stumble across ancient monuments of varying significance. It is like walking in a living museum.
No visit to Athens is complete without climbing up to the Acropolis where they slug you a hefty 20 Euro to enter. But it is must.
Rebuilt Roman Theatre at the foot of the Acropolis. Concerts are held here and had we known it, we would have made serious attempt to come to the concert of operas held here yesterday evening. Sadly, we did not know.
The Parthenon on the Acropolis. Originally a temple, its construction begun in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the peak of its power and it was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. The Parthenon itself replaced the temple and it is the most important surviving building of classical Greece and generally considered the zenith of the Doric order. It is regarded as an enduring symbol of Athenian democracy, art and civilisation and one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction to ensure stability of the partially ruined structure. From 1800 to 1803 the 7th Earl of Elgin removed some sculptures and these, known as the Elgin Marbles were, in 1816 sold to the British Museum in London. Greece has been committed to the return of the sculptures to Greece.
Temple of Athena.
The four maidens on the side of the temple.
Outside of the Acropolis, is the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, which is the largest temple ever built.
Syntagma Square is modern Athens. Behind me is the Parliament building where the changing of the guards takes place each day hourly on the hour at the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Reunion dinner with the Fitzes, Mairi and Brian, our travelling companions for the next four weeks. We were together on Crete for a fortnight last year on the wonderful Diamond Bridge holiday. It was great to see them again, both looking in blooming good health.
This is the first of many delicious shared meals, none of which will be cooked by any of us. For the next six weeks we will be dining out, sometimes modestly and and at times lavishly, but always with gusto and pleasure.
Lykavittos Hill which Andrew climbed on his own.
The church you can see in the distance, close up.
We were going to go up to Philopappou Hill after the visit to the Acropolis because the views from there across are great for photos but it is our misfortune that President Macron of France is visiting Athens today and many places, including some metro stops and access to Philopappou Hill, were closed for the day. We still have another day in Athens before we fly to Tirana so we will do that tomorrow.
Sounds wonderful! Polygala! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLooks truly spectacular
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