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Acropolis
The Aropolis was dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos. The rock of the Acropolis is in the middle of the Athenian basin. Here see the the best buildings of the Greek Classical age: the Parthenon, the Erectheion, the Temple of Athena Nike. Dionysiou Areopagitou St Athens.
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Ancient Agora
The commercial and civic centre of ancient Greece. Flea market and small museum built on the site of an ancient market which was the meeting place for the political, cultural and financial transactions. This site is located in the middle of Athens near the bottom of the Acropolis hill alongside the streets of Plaka and Monastiraki.
Athens University
The first university founded in 1837 on the northeast side of the Acropolis was called the Othonian University. When it started, it had four departments, Theology, Law, Medicine and Arts. Soon afterwards, the name was changed to National and Capodistrian University of Athens. This is the first university of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Catholic Cathedral
The Agios Dionysios Areopagitis Cathedral was built to celebrate the first convert to the Catholic religion who was later canonized. This beautiful landmark on Panepistimiou Street commemorates the arrival of Apostle Paul to Athens in 52AD. |
Hadrian's Arch
This monumental gateway spanned the road from Athens to the complex of structures that included the temple of Zeus. This arch was believed to be built to celebrate the arrival of Roman Emperor Hadrian. This monument is made of marble which was acquired from Mount Pentelikon.
National Library
The Vallianios National Library has three separate buildings connected by a Doric-style row of columns designed similar to the Temple of Hephaestus. The reading room of this library is surrounded by Ionian-style columns and it also has a glass ceiling! Books are stored in cast iron “shelves” and the way to the reading room is adorned by a curved double staircase in Renaissance style. Overall, this is an attraction worth visiting.
Omonia Square
This square is called Platia Omonias by the locals and is served by the metro. A fountain and a number of trees decorate the square along with a large number of neoclassical buildings within Athinas Street. Many celebrations are held in Omonia Square by the local residents, for example, Greece's victory in the Euro2005 and Eurobasket 2005.
Panathenaic Stadium
The Panathenaic Stadium was the stadium that was used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and made out of marble.Kallimarmaron, as this stadium is knows to the Greeks, is the only stadium in the world constructed using white marble. This stadium was originally built in 566BC and had a seating capacity of 50,000 when it was renovated in 140AD. This was the stadium used for the Olympic games of 1870, 1875 and 1896 (the first modern day Olympic Games) and now can seat about 70,000 spectators. Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue Athens.
Schlieman's House
This mansion has columns of Pentelic marble and paintings all over the interior. It is believed to be built for Heinrich Schliemann who discovered Troy and Mycenaean culture. The name of this building is “Palace of Ilion. There is also a museum at this site which contains collections of coins of Alexander as well as the Corycian Caves.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The still standing massive columns of this ancient site overwhelms the visitors even today. One an also get a view of the Acropolis from this site. Photographers need to go early in the morning to avoid the rush as well. Vassilissis Olgas Avenue, Athens.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded by the Evzones of the Presidential Guard. Evzones are part of the historical elite ceremonial Light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Their uniform includes fustanella, a kilt like garment. They parade in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and allow tourists to take pictures at the time of Changing of the guard ceremony.
Theatre of Herodus Atticus
On this site is located an open air second century theatre which seats about 5000 spectators. This theatre was built by Herodes Atticus; a Greek rhetorician who was born in Marathon, Attica and is currently used for summer festivals and Italian Operas. Herodes also founded Odeon, baths at Thermopylae, an aqueduct in Italy and an exedra at Olympia.
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