Seven Must-Do Sights of Athens, Greece
Beth Walz, Basecamp Manager, Adventure Woman
With the Winter Olympics fresh on our minds it is a great time to visit Greece – the birthplace of the games. Greece is a treasure-trove of wonderful antiquities and awe-inspiring ruins. The majestic city of Athens is filled with an unrivaled amount history and art. Try our Seven ‘Must-Do’ sights as a starting point.
1. The Agora: This is where Socrates spoke and St. Paul preached his sermons. As early as the 6th century BC this ancient marketplace was the bustling city center of Athens. The heyday of Agora lasted for over 1200 years and if these was could talk it would speak volumes. Sit on the grassy lawns and try to imagine the sounds of the past.
2. Fliopappos Hill: This rocky hill is known for it’s inspirational powers. Often referred to as the “Hill of Muses” this slope was a ‘Mecca’ for poets and dreamers. Today, it is visited by curious tourists, and on the first day of Lent; a multitude of carefree and colorful kite flyers.
3. The Temple of Zeus: This is home to not only the Temple of Zeus, but the Temple of Kronos and Rhea, the Temple of Apollo Delphinos, the Law Court at Delphinon, and Hadrian’s Arch, among others. In other words it is a visual cornucopia of wonders. Construction began in 515 BC and lasted almost 700 years.
4. The Acropolis: See, our current (March 3, 2010) edition of Adventure Howl.
5. National Archaeological Museum: This museum houses the greatest and most significant collection of antiquities from the magnificent ancient cultures. See the Bronze collection, the vase collection and the Egyptian wing for starters. A world-class museum not to be missed.
6. The Roman Forum & Tower of Winds: After the Agora became old news the Romans built this unforgettable forum for commerce and conversation. The Tower was the focal point with a water clock fed with water from the acropolis.
7. The Kerameikos: It may sound morbid but this cemetery is worth the visit. It is rich in statuary, elaborate tombs, and history. Behind these walls lurk not only the remains of nobleman and great warriors, but memories of prostitutes and shady financial deals.
As always, if you go, let Adventure Woman know. Please send us a photo of you wearing your Adventure Woman shirt in Athens and we’ll post it on AdventureWoman.com on Adventure N Around. Submit@AdventureWoman.com
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