We are starting our Road Scholar trip with a walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens where the Parthenon is located. The site is only a few blocks from our hotel. The weather is perfect-mid 70s predicted for today.
Daily agenda, posted the previous day highlighting the activities and timing for the day.
A really old house we past on our short walk from the hotel to the acropolis.
The Parthenon is positioned on the top of a very defensible hill. We are on a walkway below it.
Niki, our tour leader, periodically stopped to explain what we were seeing and its history.
Ready to attack the steps and walkway that will lead us to the top of the hill.
Local period dressed guard.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a theater that lies below the Parthenon. It was built in 161CE and can hold 5000 people.
Another view of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
View of the city and distant waters of the Aegean Sea.
First, a bit of clarification. An acropolis is a fortification, usually the top of a hill with fairly steep walls to protect it. All Greek cities cities would have an acropolis. The residences of the royalty and temples used for religious purposes were located there. They became the center for community interaction. In this case the famous Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess, Athena, dominates the site. There are several other smaller temples at the same location.we will be visiting them all as part of our walk.
Athena was the goddess of wisdom, warfare and handicrafts. Athena is the daughter of Zeus and is the patron goddess of Athens. The story of her birth is a bit of a stretch and I leave it to you to research it!
Even though we were in Athens after the tourist season there were still a lot of people visiting the Acropolis when we were there. I would hate to have been there mid-summer when the temperatures would have been 95 degrees with corresponding humidity and a lot more people! We are finding that the tourist seasons have been extended beyond the old normal times obviously to avoid the stifling crowds and weather.
Approaching the entrance to the Acropolis complex. Note the crowds we had to deal with!
Entering the west gate of the Acropolis.
There are multiple signs like this describing what you are seeing. They are very helpful.
The small temple dedicated to Athena Nike, located at the edge of the Acropolis.
The famous Parthenon, built in only 9 years, starting in 447BCE.
The Parthenon from the opposite side. It was a temple, a Catholic Church, a mosque, a munitions dump and treasury during its existence.
Close up of the upper portion of the temple.
She seemed really out of place,wearing a glittery dress and shoes. I suspect she was an “influencer” making a posting.
The temple of Erechtheion, dedicated to Athena and Erechtheus, a mythical king of Athens.
This is known as the porch of the maidens.
Note the white color on some of the columns. This is what the marble originally looked like; it changes color as it ages.
Details on one of the columns.
Pieces of the puzzle. It baffles me that they can somehow figure out how this puzzle goes together.
Areopagus, a rock cropping near Parthenon, where supposedly St.Paul spoke.
Theatre of Dionysus, built in the mid to late 6century BCE. It could seat 25,000 people.
After several hours wandering around the top of the Acropolis we descended and went to visit the relatively new (2009) Acropolis museum, where all the artifacts found on/around the Acropolis are on display. It is a very impressive exhibit and certainly worthy of more time than we had to explore it. It covers the era from the Greek Bronze Age to the Romans and Byzantine era. The museum is actually built on top of ancient Roman and Byzantine ruins, some of which can be seen by the transparent glass floors in the museum.
A Roman soldier headed to his post?
The new Acropolis Musem that contains artifacts from the acropolis.
Ancient ruins outside the museum.
Acropolis around 1200BCE. It was a fortress.
Acropolis at 480BCE.
Model of what the Acropolis looked like in 15th century CE.
The Acropolis was further protected by a wall at the base of the hill.
Entrance walkway to Acropolis museum.
Pottery dating back to 500 BCE. Impressed with how ornate they were back then.
4th century BCE carving.
Ancient Roman ruins lie beneath the floor of the museum.
The original statues of the maidens.
Large area with statues. For some reason we were not allowed to take photos in this particular area.
The owl was a symbol of Athena.
Great view of the Acropolis from the museum.
Model of the Parthénon.
Recreation of the life sized statues that appeared at the upper levels of The Parthenon.
Replicas of some of the statues that adorned the upper levels of The Parthenon.
This was a fascinating area where the Parthenon walls were reproduced and artifacts put on display. The metal poles represent the stone columns.
A Lego model of the Acropolis! 110,000 blocks were used!
A late lunch was at a nearby Greek restaurant where we started sampling the variety of Greek dishes we will be having over the next week. The rest of the afternoon was “free time” and we were on our own for dinner this night. In anticipation of that I sought out a local restaurant that offered not only traditional Greek food, but Greek music and dancing. It was a small place in the Plaka (old town) area of Athens where the streets are narrow and winding with little or no traffic. It seemed like a perfect place to absorb some Greek culture.
Our lunch restaurant. Did not find out how it got its name.
Cold eggplant and vegetable salad.
A warm cheesy appetizer.
Had to take a picture of the waiter who handles all these plates at one time. I count 8!
The very busy night scene at the restaurant, Geros Tou Moria , we chose for our dinner because it offered music and dancing.
Our local musicians. Across the way (same restaurant) there was another group playing. There was music everywhere.
Two male dancers performed some Greek folk dances.
Local beer.
After the big lunch a bowl of vegetable soup sounded good. It was excellent.
Well, maybe some souvlaki would taste good.
The Plaka was “hopping” this night.
Group picture of us in plaka after dinner. It was crowded!
The first (of many) gelato encounters we will be making this trip!
Beautiful display, even better tasting!
The Plaka (old town) area of Athens at night.
The Acropolis is surrounded by a large pedestrian walkway that is nicely lit at night.
The Acropolis at night.
Niki posted a daily agenda the evening before so we knew the game plan for the day.
Tomorrow afternoon we will be boarding our ship and beginning our week long cruise through the Greek islands.
