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The Zappeion Gardens

on July 06, 2013

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Athens Center

Location: Athens, Greece

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Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus or Olympeion is a colossal ruined temple in the center of Athens, at the foot of the Acropolis. Construction began in the 515 B.C. under the rule of Peisistratos the Young who was seeking to build the largest temple in the world. The temple was finished in 124/125 A.D. under the rule of Hadrian. Its glory was short lived as it was pillaged during a barbarian invasion in the 3rd Century A.D. and never restored since. In the following centuries the temple was quarried and parts of it were used as building material. The Temple was composed of some 104 Corinthian columns, 17 meters high, of which only 15 remain standing. Hadrian had erected a huge statue of Zeus in gold and ivory but nothing has remained to this day.

The Porch of the Caryatids

Sometimes called the Porch of the Maidens, the South side of the Erechteion is where the Caryatids (women from Karyai served as models hence the name) are located. These are the famous statues/columns of maidens wearing gowns that are flowing in the wind. On site you will get to see replicas while most of the originals are situated in the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the Acropolis (one of the caryatids is currently in the British Museum in London as it was appropriated by Lord Elgin along with the Parthenon marbles).

The Filopapou Monument

The Pnyx

The Pnyx is a hill in central Athens (the capital of Greece) facing the Acropolis. As early as 507 B.C. Athenians would gather in their popular assemblies forging the future of the city of Athens. It is one of the best vantage points to admire the Acropolis and take some wonderful pictures. The surrounding area is very green, and is the perfect place to take a breather after having been to the nearby archaeological site(s). It is in its way quite awe inspiring as you imagine the Athenians debating in front of thousands of their fellow citizens creating the first democratic process.

Monastiraki Square

The Monastiraki square is situated in the historic part of town called Monastiraki at the foot of the Acropolis. It is easily accessible by Metro, and features a Mosque, relic of the Ottoman occupations, the Pantanassa church and the entrance to the flea market. It is usually bustling with life...

The Sygrou Park

The beautiful Alsos Sygrou, as it is called in Greek, is situated between Marousi and Kifisia and covers a surface of some 95 hectares. It is riddled with small roads and narrow paths and you will need to go there quite a few times to explore it in full. An invigorating oasis of green just on the outskirts of Athens. You will also notice that there is quite a bit of agricultural activity as the land originally owned by the Sygrou family was meant to be used for the training of farmers and gardeners.

Views out of the Ymittos Mountain

Of Street Art in Psirri

Walking around the Psirri area this afternoon, I came across some amazing Street Art.

The Museum of Paleontology and Geology

The Museum of Paleontology and Geology is situated next to the Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment of the University of Athens and houses a collection of specimens of the geology, fossil fauna and flora of the mainland and the islands of Greece. The museum's collection of fossils has been split into four distinct groups: invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, and micropaleontological remains and the most important fossils are on exhibit for the public. The fossils from Greece range in time from 290 million years before present time to only about 4.4 thousands years ago. The oldest Greek fossils are trilobites and brachiopods from the Permian deposits of Chios. There are also some foreign fossils and casts on display, mainly of large reptiles, to complement the exhibition. For more details check the site: http://emuseums.cc.uoa.gr/~emusweb/paleontology/

Views of the Acropolis

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The Zappeion Gardens

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