Athens flourished once more as its activities and trade advanced. Meanwhile, its inhabitants experienced both wealth and poverty simultaneously.
Solon took steps to counterbalance this imbalance by dividing his people into ten tribes, expanding the senate from forty members to fifty members and initiating democracy by setting up an ekklesia that made decisions by simple majority vote.
The Acropolis
The Acropolis stands as a towering symbol of ancient Athens. Home to important cultural and historic landmarks like the Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike, its significance cannot be understated.
The Parthenon stands as the centerpiece of the Acropolis. A massive Doric temple that contains an immense statue of Athena, its grandeur symbolises Athenians during Pericles’ Golden Age in the 5th Century BCE.
Pericles’ desire to revitalize his city led to an enormous building project that involved architect Callicrates, engineer Ictinus, and sculptor Phidias assisting him. Work was not completed until after the Peloponnesian War had concluded in 449 BCE but remains one of Greece’s crowning achievements.
At the time, it was considered to be one of the finest examples of classical architecture, serving as an icon for beauty and harmony. Today, its influence can still be felt, having inspired many notable works of art and literature.
The Acropolis also contains other temples dedicated to Athena Nike and Poseidon – the latter was dedicated to both. Athenians who founded their city favored Athena as she symbolized it for them and provided rich offerings such as marble korai and horsemen sculptures as well as bronze and terracotta statuettes as votive offerings.
The Erechtheion features a frieze with rows of figures in Ionic style depicting scenes from mythology and history. On its eastern side are metopes depicting Olympus gathering its gods together while its southern side shows Centauromachy (the battle of mythical centaurs against Lapiths).
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Greek:, also referred to as Herodion) is an ancient theatre located in Athens, Greece. Constructed by Athenian rhetorician and Roman senator Herodes Atticus as a tribute to Regilla after her death, its name adds further dimension and meaning to its stunning stone and marble structure.
This semicircular structure can seat around 5,000 people, boasting an elegantly sculpted facade and interior richly decorated with columns, arches, and niches. This theater represents Roman culture as opposed to its more archaic-influenced predecessor, the Theater of Dionysus; consequently it stands as an important monument of Greek civilization.
For centuries, Athens theatre was an integral part of cultural life and served as a venue for dramatic, comedic, and musical performances. However, over time its condition deteriorated significantly until in 1950 it underwent major refurbishment efforts that reinstated its former glory.
Since 1875, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus has become a favorite venue for theatrical performances and concerts, playing host to legendary artists like Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hatzidakis as well as international stars like Maria Callas and Nana Mouskouri.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus should be at the top of your itinerary when visiting Athens. With its captivating architecture and rich history, this truly magnificent piece of human creativity and art stands as a testimony to our creative past and culture. If you get lucky enough to attend one of their performances you’ll experience something truly unforgettable – connecting to past moments through music and culture will bring this historical landmark alive in an extraordinary experience!
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square in Athens’ central district has long been one of the city’s most visited locations for locals and visitors alike, initially known as Palace Square before becoming more widely recognized after King Otto was forced by revolutionaries to grant a constitution and therefore gave rise to its current name, Syntagma (which means constitution).
This lovely square features small fountains and shady trees, creating the ideal setting to enjoy coffee or lunch in the shade. Visitors can also view the Greek Parliament building and an impressive aristocratic palace which once served as the king’s residence – be sure to witness its changing of guard every hour outside Tomb of Unknown Soldier.
Syntagma Square offers more than restaurants and cafes; it also contains two of Athens Plaza Hotel Grande Bretagne as well as Zacharatos Cafe-Patisserie which has long been a gathering spot for politicians and intellectuals.
The Square is also well connected to other key areas in Athens, including Plaka, Monastiraki and Psiri. Furthermore, it’s only a short walk from both Metro stations and bus stops.
Syntagma Square in Athens is an attractive tourist spot, yet especially significant to residents of this ancient city. Since antiquity, its importance as a political and cultural gathering spot has only increased with time; indeed, today you can see evidence of economic turmoil through demonstrations taking place there during recent economic turmoil.
The National Gardens
National Gardens offer an oasis of tranquillity within the bustle of Athens’ city life, featuring flowers, ancient trees, shrubbery and small ponds as well as an expansive green lung and botanical garden filled with rare species of plants and trees.
Narrow labyrinth paths and wooden benches create a peaceful ambience within this park, while its small lakes make birdwatching enjoyable. In addition, The National Garden houses a small zoo, Botanical Museum and conservatory – considered to be the country’s first working greenhouse – while offering visitors access to children’s libraries, playgrounds and duck ponds as well as several restaurants and cafes for lunch or refreshments.
The National Garden is an exquisite park situated at the heart of Athens near Syntagma Square and behind Parliament Building. Established by Queen Amalia in 1836 and initially planted by Bavarian horticulturists, today this botanical paradise can be explored at leisure by anyone.
In 1920, the National Garden witnessed a tragic event which would alter both Greece and Turkey history forever. While strolling in the park, King Constantine was bit by a monkey and contracted severe sepsis, eventually succumbing just three weeks after admission to hospital. Subsequently, Eleftherios Venizelos won election and took control of Greece.
Additionally to these attractions, National Gardens also feature a small zoo surrounded by palm trees as well as the Conservatory of Plants and Flora of Athens with its world-famous collection of cacti. Additionally, during warmer months National Gardens play host to various events and performances.
The Temple of Zeus
The Temple of Zeus is an extraordinary sight, featuring 104 Corinthian columns that stand 17 meters tall and 2 meters wide – making them one of the largest columns ever constructed. Unfortunately, only 16 remain standing today; most were used elsewhere during construction or reused elsewhere in other buildings. It’s easy to understand why this attraction has become one of Athens’s top tourist spots – its convenient location directly in front of Olympic Stadium makes it easily accessible via Dionysius Aeropagitou street from which Roman Emperor Hadrian dedicated it in 132 AD during his visit during which time a large gold and ivory statue depicting him both made by Pheidias that had stood outside in Olympia – another popular tourist spot is close behind Olympic Stadium – it just steps from Dionysius Aeropagitou street to lower entrance of Acropolis where Roman Emperor Hadrian set up a copy of Pheidias masterpiece to Olympia by Pheidias himself setting up one even larger statue than itself in front of Olympic Stadium while in front of Olympic Stadium opposite Dionysius Aeropagitou street entrance the Roman Emperor Hadrian dedicated the temple to Zeus Olympios Olympios along with another one dedicated even larger one of himself and set up one more dedicated statue to Pheidias (Olympios street entrance), dedicated it was dedicated to Zeus Olympios to him, dedicating him Olympius Olympios’ masterpiece by Pheidias’ masterpiece by Pheidias himself in front of Dionysius Aeropagitou street entrance). Dionys made his visit dedicated it was dedicated 132 AD during 132AD visit during visit by Roman Emperor Hadrian (D). He installed larger statue of himself when visited him (Han replicarius’s masterpiece at Olympia) than ever imagined before which now bearer hadrian himself later during later than any of course). Hadrian built this temple also by setting up large gold and ivory inllay at Olympia. Hadrian himself with two massive gold/Olympios; Hadrian. ).
Original plans for the temple called for its construction to be an enormous Doric structure. Tyrant Peisistratus began construction of it during the 6th Century BCE but never completed it due to Peisistratus being overthrown and abandoning the project; there were halfhearted efforts made towards finishing it but nothing concrete came of them until Hadrian, Roman emperor in 131 AD completed it 650 years after initial beginning work on it.
The Temple of Zeus is open all year, but spring and autumn are especially excellent times to visit due to mild temperatures and low tourist numbers. Midday sun can become very intense during the summer months; winter provides another good option as crowds are significantly smaller compared with peak summer season visits.