Top 10 Tourist place in Athens
Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcropping above the city of Athens. It contains the remains of several iconic ancient Greek buildings, the most famous of which is the Parthenon temple. The Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the most important cultural landmarks in Greece.
The Acropolis includes several other ancient buildings such as the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. They were all built during the 5th century BCE, during the Golden Age of Athens, under the leadership of Pericles. The Acropolis has undergone significant restoration work, most notably in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to preserve these ancient structures for future generations. Today it is one of the top tourist attractions in Athens with over 4 million visitors per year.
The Parthenon
The Parthenon is a temple located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It was built in the 5th century BCE, during the Golden Age of Athens, under the leadership of Pericles. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Athena, the patron of Athens. The Parthenon is considered one of the most important surviving examples of ancient Greek architecture, and it is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest cultural landmarks.
The Parthenon is built of white marble and has a distinctive design featuring a series of columns, known as the Doric order, that create a sense of harmony and balance. The temple also has a frieze that runs around the top of the walls, depicting a procession of people and animals. The Parthenon also contains a statue of Athena Parthenos, which is a large sculpture of the goddess in the temple's inner chamber.
Over the centuries the Parthenon had been used for different purposes, such as a Christian church, a mosque, and a warehouse. The temple was severely damaged during the 17th century by a Venetian bombardment during the Morean War. The temple has undergone significant restoration work, most notably in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, to preserve this ancient structure for future generations. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Athens and the world.
The Ancient Agora of Athens
The Ancient Agora of Athens is an open-air archaeological site located in the heart of modern Athens, Greece. It was the center of political, commercial, and social activity in ancient Athens, and it served as a marketplace and a meeting place for the citizens of the city. The Agora was also the site of several important public buildings, such as the Bouleuterion (Council House) and the Tholos (Round Building), as well as several shrines and temples, including the Temple of Hephaestus and the Temple of Ares.
The Ancient Agora was built in the 6th century BCE and was in use until the 5th century CE. It was first excavated in the 19th century and continues to be excavated to this day. The Agora contains some impressive remains of ancient buildings, such as the Stoa of Attalos, which was a covered walkway or portico that served as a marketplace, and the Temple of Hephaestus, which is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples.
The Agora is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination, as it offers a glimpse into the everyday life of ancient Athens and it also provides an interesting contrast with the nearby Acropolis, which was the religious and political center of ancient Athens. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is considered one of the most important cultural landmarks in Greece.
The National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world, and it is considered the premier archaeological museum in Greece. It is located in the center of Athens, and it houses an extensive collection of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, including pottery, sculptures, jewelry, and other objects dating from the Neolithic period to the Roman period.
The museum was founded in 1829, and it has been housed in its current building since 1889. It contains over 11,000 exhibits, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of ancient Greece, with some of the most famous being the Antikythera mechanism, the Mask of Agamemnon, and the Mycenaean treasures. The museum also has an extensive collection of vases, including the famous "Amphora with the Great Panathenaic Procession" and the "Francois Vase", dating back to the 7th century BCE.
The National Archaeological Museum also has a library and a laboratory, which are used for research and conservation of the artifacts in the collection. It is open to the public, and it is considered one of the most visited museums in Athens. It is a must-visit place for anyone interested in ancient Greek and Roman history, art, and culture.
The Theatre of Dionysus
The Theatre of Dionysus is an ancient theater located on the south slope of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It is considered to be the birthplace of Greek tragedy, and it is one of the oldest theaters in the world. The theater was built in the 6th century BCE and was dedicated to Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine and fertility, who was also the patron god of theater.
The theater was initially built of wood and had a capacity of around 17,000 spectators. It was later rebuilt in stone with a capacity of around 25,000 spectators. The theater was used for the performances of tragedies, comedies, and other plays, as well as for religious and political events. The theater was also used for the performances of the famous Dionysia festival, which was held in honor of Dionysus and was one of the most important events in ancient Athens.
The theater is still in use today, and it is a popular tourist destination. It is open to the public, and it offers an interesting glimpse into the history of theater and the role it played in ancient Greek culture. Visitors can also enjoy panoramic views of Athens and the Acropolis from the theater.
The Erechtheion
The Erechtheion is an ancient temple located on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. It was built in the 5th century BCE, during the Golden Age of Athens, under the leadership of Pericles. The temple is dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon, and it is considered one of the most important surviving examples of ancient Greek architecture.
The Erechtheion is known for its distinctive design, which features a complex combination of architectural styles, including Ionic and Doric elements. The temple also has several unique features, such as the Porch of the Caryatids, which is a porch supported by six sculpted female figures, known as caryatids, and the famous "Salt Cellar" of the Erechtheion, an architectural sculpture that depicts a young girl lifting a heavy basket on her head.
The Erechtheion underwent several renovations over the centuries, and it was used for different purposes, such as a Christian church and a mosque. The temple has undergone significant restoration work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to preserve this ancient structure for future generations. Today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Athens and a popular destination for those interested in ancient Greek architecture and history.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, is an ancient temple located in the center of Athens, Greece. It was built in the 6th century BCE, during the rule of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, in honor of Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology. The temple is considered one of the largest ancient Greek temples ever built, and it was one of the most important religious sites in ancient Athens.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus was built on a massive scale, with 104 massive Corinthian columns, each 17 meters high, surrounding the temple's cella. The temple's cella was dedicated to the statue of Zeus, which was one of the largest statues of the ancient world. The statue was made of gold and ivory, and it was over 13 meters tall. The temple's construction took over 650 years and was not completed until the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.
The temple has been partially destroyed over time, and today only 15 columns remain standing, but it is still an impressive sight. The temple is open to the public, and it offers an interesting glimpse into the religious and architectural history of ancient Athens and the Roman Empire. It's a popular destination for those interested in ancient history and architecture.
The Roman Agora
The Roman Agora is an ancient market place located in the center of Athens, Greece. It was built during the 1st century CE, during the Roman period, and it was the commercial and administrative center of the city during that time. The Roman Agora is located just northwest of the Ancient Agora, which was the commercial and administrative center during the classical period.
The Roman Agora consisted of a rectangular open-air courtyard surrounded by porticos and shops. Some of the most important buildings in the agora were the Gate of Athena Archegetis, the Tower of the Winds, the Stoa of Attalus, and the Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhestes. The Tower of the Winds is one of the best-preserved ancient structures in Athens and it was used as a timekeeper and weathervane.
The Roman Agora was excavated in the 20th century and it is now an open-air archaeological site. It is open to the public, and it offers an interesting glimpse into the everyday life of ancient Athens during the Roman period. Visitors can still see the remains of the shops, porticos, and other structures, and it's a popular spot for those interested in ancient history and architecture.
The Philopappos Monument
The Philopappos Monument, also known as the Monument of Philopappos or the Hill of the Muses, is an ancient monument located on a hill in Athens, Greece. It was built in 114 CE, during the Roman period, in honor of Gaius Julius Antiochus Philopappos, a prince of the Kingdom of Commagene who served as an ally of the Roman Empire. The monument is a tomb and a memorial to Philopappos, who lived in Athens and was a benefactor of the city.
The Philopappos Monument is an impressive structure, consisting of a large, elegant tomb topped by a statue of the prince. The monument is built of white marble and features a combination of architectural styles, including Ionic and Corinthian elements. The tomb is located at the top of a hill, which offers panoramic views of Athens and the surrounding area.
The monument has undergone several renovations over the centuries, and today it is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can climb to the top of the hill to see the monument and enjoy the views of Athens. It is considered an important monument in Athens history and it is an interesting spot for those interested in ancient history, architecture and panoramic view of Athens.
The Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)
The Panathenaic Stadium, also known as the Kallimarmaro, is an ancient stadium located in Athens, Greece. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble, and it is one of the oldest continuously used sports venues in the world. The stadium was originally built in 330 BCE and was rebuilt in marble by the Athenian statesman Lykourgos in 140 AD to host the athletic events of the Panathenaic Games.
The stadium has an elongated U-shape and it is capable of accommodating around 50,000 spectators. The stadium was used for athletic competitions, such as foot races, discus and javelin throwing, and wrestling. The Panathenaic Games were held every 4 years in honor of the goddess Athena, and it was one of the most important events in ancient Athens.
The stadium was abandoned for centuries but it was excavated and restored in the 19th century. Today, it is once again used for sports events, such as track and field competitions, and it is also open to the public as a tourist destination. Visitors can walk around the stadium and imagine the ancient athletes competing in the games. It is considered an important monument of ancient Greek history and culture and it is a popular destination for sports enthusiasts and those interested in ancient history.