Museums and Archaeological sites in Greece
Below you will find information about some of the most popular attractions and sites in the city of Athens.
ANCIENT AGORA
The ancient Agora was the city centre and the main point of community in ancient Athens. It is also home to the best-preserved Doric temple in all of Greece, the Hephaistion, which was built in the 5th Century BC.
The Stoa of Attalos, which was built by Attalos II, King of Pergamon in the 2nd Century BC, was a token of gratitude to the city of Athens.
Today, the Stoa of Attalos serves as the Ancient Agora Museum, after it was reconstructed by the American School of Classical Studies in the 1950's.
Inside the museum are displays of pottery and other objects of everyday life, which were excavated from the site, such as a small piece of a library rulebook and also a machine that was used to selection officials.
Location/Entrances: Adriannou Street 24, Monastiraki | Apostoulou Pavlou,
Thission | Descending from the Acropolis on Agios Apostoli.
Tel: 310 321 0185
Entrance Fee: 4 Euro
ACROPOLIS / PARTHENON
Probably the most visited and important site in all of Greece, the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis is one site that every visitor to Greece should visit.
There are several buildings as well as the Parthenon on top of the Acropolis, which were designed by Iktinos in the Pericles Era ( The Golden Years of Athens ) in the 5th Century BC.
The greatest sculptors in ancient Athens all worked on the Parthenon under the guidance of Pheidias, the greatest sculptor of all.
Incidentally, there are no straight lines in the construction of the Parthenon, despite the apparent symmetry. All of the floors columns and freezes, narrow slightly to create a visual harmony. During a good sunset, the temple seems to let off a golden coloured glow. This is because the temple is built of a marble that also contains some iron.
The other smaller buildings on the Acropolis are also of significant interest. The Temple of Athena Nike, which was actually destroyed in 1686 by the Turks but subsequently rebuilt is a prime example.
The Erechtheio, which is located on the far side of the Sacred Walk from the Parthenon, is where Athena is said to have brought forth the first olive tree.
The Acropolis Museum houses an impressive collection of finds from the Acropolis and Parthenon. Among the many pieces that are on display are 5 of the original 6 caryatids that were salvaged from the Erechteion.
There are plans however, for a new museum to be constructed in the hope that Britain might return back to their birthplace the original Parthenon marbles, which were taken by Lord Elgin.
Be warned that there is no shade at all on the Acropolis except inside the Acropolis museum. During the hot summer months, take a hat for protection, and also something to drink. The marble steps leading up to the Parthenon, and the ground around many monuments are very slippery and it is best to wear comfortable shoes with a good grip. High-heeled shoes are not a good idea.
Location: Dionyssiou Areopagithou, Athens
Tel: 310 321 4172
Fee: 5.90 Euro (which includes a ticket to the Acropolis Museum)
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The National Archaeological Museum is the most important museum in Greece, and is home to the largest collection of Greek art in the world. Under the supervision of the German architect Ernst Ziller in 1889, the construction of the neoclassical building was completed.
The museum has collections of work that highlight every period of ancient Greek civilisation, from the Neolithic to Roman times. There are so many displays and collections of objects that you should really allow yourself at least half a day for your visit to the museum. Some of the highlights in the museum are treasures from Mycenae including a gold mask thought to be that of Agamemnon, and a huge stunning bronze statue of Poseidon poised to throw his trident.
Location: Octovnou 28 and Patission 44
Tel: 310 821 7717
Fee: 6 Euros
TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS
Sitauted right in the centre of Athens is the largest temple of antiquity, the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
The temple was not completed until 132 AD under Emperor Hadrian, even though in the 6th Century BC the Peisistratids chose this site for a huge temple.
Hadrian also erected a huge statue of Zeus. However, today only 15 of the 104 original marble columns remain. In 1852 one of the columns crashed dramatically down, and its remains have been left exactly where it fell.
Location: Vas.Olgas Street 1, Athens
Fee: 2 Euro
HADRIAN'S ARCH
Literally next door the to the Temple Of Olympian Zeus you will find Hadrian's Arch. This arch was built at roughly the same time as the Temple Of Olympian Zeus. On the arch itself are some interesting inscriptions.
On one side it reads, "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus".
On the other it reads, "This is the city of Hadran and not of Theseus".
Standing on the Acropolis side of the arch meant you were in Ancient Athens,
and standing on the other side symbolised being in the Modern Roman city
of Athens.
LYKABETTOS HILL
The highest hill in Athens, crowned on top with the small chapel of Agios Georgios and the famous bell tower, which was donated by Queen Olga.
The views here are stunning, giving you a panoramic view of all of Athens, as far as the eye can see. On a clear day you can even see the island of Aegina to the south.
There are several ways to the top of the hill. Walking is one option, but this can be difficult especially during the hot summer months. The other and easiest way is via the funicular, which take you on a steep ascent upwards. The funicular is open until 10pm, so you can head up to the top and watch both the sun setting, and the moon rising.
On the far side below the summit is the open-air Lykabettos Theatre, where many concerts are often held. There is a cafe / taverna at the top where you sit back and enjoy a drink or something to eat, while you gaze down at the sprawling city of Athens beneath you.
Location: Funicular is at Aristippou and Ploutarchou.
Fee: Free access - Funicular fee - One way - 1.50 Euro / return 3.00 Euro
PANATHINAIKON STADIUM
This stadium actually stands on the site on the ancient stadium that was built in the 4th Century BC by Lycurgus. It was rebuilt in 144 AD by Herod Atticus, but subsequently became ruins and was turned into a wheat field. In 1896, it was again rebuilt, based on the original plans to capture the spirit of that time, and was used for the first modern Olympic Games in the same year.
The white marble rows of seats can hold over 60,000. After the success of the Greek atheletes in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, it was used a home welcoming celebration, with music and lavish fireworks. This year, it will again take part in the 2004 Olympic Games being used as the end of the Marathon race.
Location: Leoforos Adrhittou
Fee: There is no entrance fee for this sight.
THE NATIONAL GARDENS
Under the direction of Queen Amalia, wife of the first King of Greece, Otto, the National Gardens, or Royal Gardens as they are also known, were created. The gardens offer a retreat from the noisy and busy streets of Athens, and once inside, you can easily forget that you are in the centre of Athens.
The huge trees offer shade from the hot summer sun, and walks through the tree-lined park are a relaxing treat. There are small cafes inside, and a children's play area.
There is also a small Botanical Museum and Zoo. Towards the south end of the Garden is Zappeion, a large dominating building that was built in the late 19th Century, and though originally intended as an exhibition hall, is now used as a conference centre.
Fee: Free admission
SYNTAGMA SQUARE (Constitution Square)
This square is one that every visitor to Athens will stop by at. It is literally one of the main centre points of Athens, with the other being Omonia Square.
Here the Sytagma Metro station is where many visitors to Athens as well as local people will arrive in the centre.
Across the main road in front of the square is the Greek Parliament Building, where you will see the traditional Greek Soilders guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soilder.
The changing of the guards here is one of the most popular tourist attractions. With the impressive fountains and moderate shade, Syntagma Square is a great place for relaxing as well as an ideal meeting place.
With close proximaty to the Acropolis, the National Gardens, and the Kolonaki district, Syntagma Square is one of the main places from which the rest of Athens is easily accessible.
CHURCHES & MONASTERIES IN GREECE
Scattered all over Greece and the Greek islands are a huge number of various churches and monasteries. From small chapels, to huge monasteries, such as those found in Meteora, there is much to see and do for those interested in religious tours and holidays in Greece.
Wherever you find yourself in Greece, you will easily come across various churches and monasteries that are found in all areas of the country.
Below are a few websites for churches and monasteries that are worth visiting
whilst you are on holiday in Greece.
Church of Agia
Marina - Kissos Pelion
Church of Panagia
Lihada - Evia Greece
Church of Koimisi
Theotokou - Paleo Faliro - Athens Greece
Holy Monastery of Saint John the Forerunner - Larissa Greece
