Athens is a vibrant city with an extensive history. As the birthplace of democracy, art, and science it remains an epicenter for cultural expression today.
After Solon’s tyranny ended in 404, the city enjoyed new prosperity; yet its citizens began growing increasingly restive as they demanded greater political participation; women, foreigners and slaves were denied this right.
The Acropolis
The Acropolis has been home to monuments and temples dating back to Neolithic period. Ceramic sherds found there suggest that fortified cities were established during Bronze Age; later Mycenaeans made the hill their palace center; however little remains of their original structures today.
At that time, the Acropolis was revered as an altar to Athena and approached via a one-kilometer peripatos path. On its northern slope was located earlier Athenian cults; while on its southern slope were shrines dedicated to Athena in various forms and qualities including Polias (patron goddess of the city), Parthenos, Pallas, Erechtheion Ergane Promachos Nike.
By the fifth century BCE, Pericles spearheaded an ambitious building program at this site, led by architect Callicrates Iktinos Mnesikles Mnesikles and Phidias who would design and construct buildings such as Parthenon. Votive offerings were lavished on this ancient monument through numerous grand entrances such as Mnesikles’ Propylaia (Gates of Acropolis). Six colossal Caryatid statues supporting its porch are especially noteworthy.
The Ancient Agora
The Agora was a gathering place where citizens could come together to hear civic announcements, muster for military campaigns, discuss politics and engage in political debate. Additionally, it served as a marketplace with its various buildings and stoae offering goods and services of various kinds.
The Theseion (The Oath-Taking Place) served as home for magistrates, while Herald’s Stone (a roughly-worked slab of poros limestone) allowed heralds to proclaim their messages by standing upon it. Meanwhile, The Odeon showcases how integral music and performance played to ancient Athenian culture.
Classical times saw philosophers such as Socrates (l. 469-469 BCE) and Plato (l. 428-427 BCE) reside within its walls; merchants would sell goods such as fruits, clothing, pottery, perfume, incense, purple dye ribbons and wreaths at its stoae market stalls.
One of the more notable stoae was Poikile Stoa, funded by wealthy Athenian alumni Cimon of Athens (ca 510-450 BCE). This two-story building featured shaded walkways leading from double colonnades into 42 shops rented out by the City; Pentelic and blue Hymettian marble were widely used throughout its construction; unfortunately however it was destroyed by Heruli in 267 AD but has been rebuilt between 1953-1956 as the Ancient Agora Museum.
The Plaka
The Plaka is one of the oldest parts of Athens, offering charming historic buildings, jewelry stores, cafes and cafes. Most streets in this neighborhood are closed off to car traffic but it is wise to remain cautious as motorcycles or delivery trucks may appear from time to time.
Platanos Taverna in this neighborhood features authentic Greek food at an excellent value, run by an experienced couple who know exactly how to treat their customers.
The Monument to Lysikrates can be found in the Plaka on Tripodon Street and serves as an exemplary representation of many statues that once lined this square. Donated as a gift by wealthy patrons of Theater of Dionysus plays, its odd-looking form was gifted as a present from its wealthy patrons; featuring a pedestal with Corinthian columns for support, its pedestal also supports Corinthian columns in its tower topped by Corinthian columns reminiscent of Corinthians! Additionally the Plaka houses both Biblioteka Hadriani (formerly used by Archbishop Hadrian), and Capuchan Monastery which once functioned similar to hotels – Chateaubriand stayed there while Lord Byron wrote part of Childe Harold here!
The National Gardens
National Gardens offer an oasis of green in the middle of an otherwise hectic city, offering visitors a relaxing space to stroll and sit under shaded areas. Boasting narrow labyrinth paths, wooden benches and a duck pond where visitors can throw bread to feed the numerous ducks that inhabit it, this garden also houses the Botanical Museum, Spanish Fountain and Cafe for further pleasure.
Queen Amalia first created these gardens as the Royal Palace Gardens in 1836. She introduced the modern concept of Western European landscape gardening into Greece and employed Bavarian horticulturists to assist her with creating this park.
After attending one in Germany, she became particularly inspired by the concept of public gardens as an effective means to bring people together. These gathering spots became a place for locals and visitors alike alike to gather; many current features were added during that decade alone. To honor her memory, the entrance to Leoforos Amalias (Queen Amalia Avenue) was moved near where 12 palms had been planted by Queen Amalia herself and named Leoforos Amalias Avenue).
Today the National Garden offers an impressive variety of plants, trees, shrubs and flowers as well as ancient marble statues and remnants from old buildings. Open daily from sunrise to sunset and easily accessible from downtown at any time through Irodou Attikou Street past traditional Greek soldiers standing guard at Tomb of Unknown Soldier, then crossing Syntagma Square – it makes an excellent day trip.
The Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square serves as the epicenter of modern Athens and serves as home to Greece’s parliament. Additionally, Ermou Street begins here as it runs along it; and during 2010-2012’s Greek debt crisis this square was home to massive political rallies against austerity measures.
At the center of Syntagma Square stands the Greek Parliament, two ministries and other government agencies. Surrounding it are elegant neoclassical buildings dating back to mid 19th century: “Athenian Trilogy”. The square is bordered by Vassileos Georgiou A’ Street, Othonos Street and Filellinon Street with raised marble steps leading up to Amalias Avenue underneath which lies Syntagma metro station; these stairs emerge between outdoor cafes – popular city-center gathering spots – which make an elegant setting.
Syntagma Square offers luxury hotels and shops catering to tourists. Additionally, this square boasts numerous beautiful green spaces like the National Garden (formerly Queen Amalia’s royal garden and playground). There’s also a small fountain in the center of Syntagma Square as well as plenty of shade trees making this an ideal spot to take a rest from sightseeing or relax while sightseeing.
The New Acropolis Museum
The New Acropolis Museum was designed by architect Bernard Tschumi and constructed between 2002 and 2007 on the south slope of Acropolis. It houses stone sculptures and bronze remnants excavated from monuments of Acropolis monuments.
This gallery opens with an impressive ramp resembling the slopes of Acropolis and features archaeological findings found there, followed by displays from Acropolis sanctuaries located there and key buildings such as Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion and Propylaia. Attaining to its high ceiling reveals its final exhibition unit featuring sculptures from Parthenon along with works donated as gifts by Acropolis artists as gifts to city.
The Museum’s architectural design seeks to forge an undisrupted visual link between its exhibits and Acropolis monuments from which they come, via transparent glass facades and galleries, thus reinforcing Greece’s claim for the return of Parthenon Marbles. Furthermore, there is a cafe terrace as well as two 125 sqm shops integrated into its overall design which reinforce this relationship between exhibits and their historic contexts.
The Greek Parliament
Friedrich von Gartner designed and constructed this three-story Neoclassical building in 1843; it once served as a palace for Greek monarchs, and is still sometimes referred to as Palaia Anaktora (Old Palace).
At the time of Greece’s dramatic transition from monarchy to republic in 1922, this building was left vacant by the royal family and used as the location for parliament and Senate meetings. Over time, renovations have taken place on this building to meet modern Greece’s requirements.
Greece’s parliamentary politics are determined by an electoral system which allows any party that gains a plurality of votes (151 seats) to form government. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President of the Republic. Additionally, unlike many countries, members of Parliament do not need to pledge allegiance to any particular political party or swear allegiance to any particular government in order to sit in Parliament.
Debating chamber seating consists of 300 seats organized auditorially with members of parliament arranged into groups according to their political alliance on either the left, right or center side. Voting within parliament is open unless specifically required as secret balloting process.