After Berlin I flew to Athens as my family came to visit me and were already waiting for me. I did not do my Erasmus in Athens but at least they came to Greece. Fam arrived a couple of days earlier than me as I decided to spend a couple of days in Berlin first with my boyfriend.
Went to the acropolis the day after I arrived. I told them not to go without me as I wanted to see it as well, otherwise they would need to go there two times. When we left the Airbnb, it was very cold. I put a lot of clothes on to be warm but during the walk to the Acropolis and the day getting warmer, we needed to take some layers off. To do that, I told mama to stand in front of me with a scarf covering me and waiting for the right moment when not that many people are passing by so I could change my pants.
When we arrived to the acropolis, we found out it was off season so we got it cheaper than normal. I did not pay as the museums and historical monuments are free for students. Riin also did not pay for reasons, Marten neither. So only Merli and mother payed but only half price. We left Marten's trolley behind to the trolley lockout place and I took him on my back with the baby bag or whatever it is called. Acropolis was hilly, Marten was heavy and it was warm, so I was sweating quite a lot. But then again, working out and having good time with my nephew :)
Acropolis of Athens is a ancient citadel containing many remains of ancient buildings of great historic and architectural importance. The most known building is the Parthenon. The word acropolis comes from two Greek words put together, akron (highest point)and polis (city).
Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a Roman theater built in memory of Herodes Atticus's wife. It was completed in 161 AD, destroyed and left in ruins by the Heruli in 267 AD and renovated in 1950. The theater was used for music concerts with the capacity of 5000 people.
Propylaea's core is represented by a six-columned Doric facade, both while entering and exiting the Acropolis. The columns are proportioned the same as the Parthenon, but differ in size. The construction began in 437 BC and ended in 432. The gateway was partially destroyed in 1656.
The Propylaea was the entrance to the Acropolis and even tough it was not a structure to protect the acropolis, not all people could enter. Besides the ritually unclean people, runaway slaves and other bezonians were not let inside. Inside the Acropolis, in Parthenon (like in most Greek temples), city treasuries were kept so the security was important.
Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena whom Athenians considered as their patron. Before the Parthenon, there was another temple of Athena, older or pre-Parthenon as the historians call it which was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. The construction of the Parthenon began in 447 BC, was completed in 438 BC and the decorations itself were finished in 432 BC.
The Parthenon is considered the symbol of Ancient Greece and the most important surviving building, its sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art. For Athenians who built the temple (and other monuments at the Acropolis), it was seen as a celebration of victory over the Persian invaders and a thanksgiving to the gods for the victory.
The Parthenon has been converted into a Christian church and a mosque. During the latter Ottoman conquest, the temple was severely damaged after a explosion during a siege, because the temple was used as a city's treasury and storing gunpowder inside. The explosion damaged the temple and its sculptures quite a lot. Since 1975 they have been renovating the Parthenon and it is expected to finish in 2020. Will see about that. Would be very nice to see how it looked back in the day.
Lycabettus hill or mount Lycabettus is the highest peak in Athens with 277 meters. On top you can see 360-degrees all around and there is a restaurant, chapel and theater.
Erechtheion is another temple in the Acropolis dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. Built 421-406 BC.
On the south side are six female figures as columns called "Porch of the Maidens".
Another theatre in Acropolis called Theatre of Dionysus. It was dedicated to Dionysus who was besides the god of wine also a god of plays, and many other things. This one could seat 17 000 people and is considered as the first theatre in the world. It was cut into a cliff of the Acropolis in the fourth century BC.
Arch of Hadrian or Hadrian's gate is a monumental gateway. It was named after a Roman Emperor Hadrian to honor him after many donations to the city.
Athens was chosen to be the place for the first modern Olympic Games as Greece was the birthplace of the Ancient Olympic Games, taking place in Olympia. The first international Olympic games in the modern history were held in Athens in 1896 with 14 nations and 241 male participants. The opening ceremony, athletics and wrestling took place in the Panathenaic Stadium. Besides the two named sports, there were cycling, shooting, swimming, tennis, fencing, gymnastics and weightlifting. Sailing was in the program but it was cancelled. 10 of the 14 participating nations were awarded with a medal. The winners were given a silver medal and the second place got a copper medal. After it was changed to the now-a-days gold-silver-bronze. US won the most gold medals, 11, while Greece won most medals in total, 46. The games had the largest international participation of any sporting event to that date and had a great success. Greece's king at that time wanted the following games to keep happening in Athens but did not until the next Olympic Games in 2004 summer, 108 years later.
The runner statue, also known by its Greek word "Dromeas" for runner, was created in 1988 by Costas Varotsos and placed to Omonia Square. In 1994 it was moved due to the remodeling of the central square for the 2004 Olympics. The statue is more than 12 meters high, weighs 70 tonnes and is made of dark green glass and iron.
Changing of the Presidental Guards, Evzones, happens every full hour, every day. They are protecting the Tomb of the Unknown Solider 24/7 in front of the Hellenic Parliament. On Sundays at 11.00 is the Grand Change, the ceremony with the official customs where all of the guards march with a marching band to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider and police block the street for it. That time is the most crowded as all the people want to see it.
When the two guards had changed themselves in front of the Hellenic parliament, their supervisor came to check on them and tidied their clothes and wrinkles. That was interesting to see hehe. Otherwise ofc it was nice to see how accurately and in pair they step. When they were standing next to their cubicles (as seen from my picture above) and their supervisor done tidying them, people came closer to them to take pictures. The supervisor was still around and told people off when they came too close.
The guards are expressionless and still all the time. The guards have to be at least 1,9 m tall, have stamina and be in excellent physical condition. They are handpicked over those qualities and are trained and proud to serve their country. Being a Evzone is the highest honor for a Greek guard to be selected. The Presidential Guard is the symbol of bravery and freedom honoring the heroes who fought and sacrificed for the land of Greece.
During my stay in Athens, we rented a car and traveled to different cities in Greece - blog posts about this will come soon. In total, I stayed in Athens from 6-11.11.2019.
