INTRODUCING ATHENS Today’s visitors to Greece have the opportunity to trace the “fingerprints” of Greek history from the Paleolithic Era to the Roman Period in the hundreds of archaeological sites, as well as in the archaeological museums and collections that are scattered throughout the country. Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC - the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history - the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm. A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3 kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (archaeological park), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape. City and sea have long been imbedded into the history of the city of Athens since the days of the Twelve Olympian Gods. According to ancient Greek myth, Athena, the goddess of wisdom fought with Poseidon, god of the sea, for the title of patron of the city by each offering a gift to the Athenians. The natives chose Athena’ s olive tree over Poseidon’s salt- water spring, hence the name Athens. Parthenon CULTURE Traces of a centuries-old and important history is etched in every corner of Greek land: findings from thePrehistoric and Archaic Periods, unique works from Classical, Hellenistic, Medieval and Byzantine monuments; creations from folk art cultures, traces from the passing eons of other civilizations and different religions, that coexist with current creations, constructions and modern works of art. Greece is a true paradise for cultural tourism, a large journey into history and art. Educational excursions, theatrical productions, festivals, pilgrimages, visits to archaeological sites, monuments and museums, excursions to study the natural environment, folk art and culture – these are just a few of the many things that Greece has to offer in the cultural tourism sector. Whoever really wants to understand Greece, its history and its people, he will find an unrivalled cultural experience through traveling into the area and chronological period of Greek culture. GASTRONOMY Don’t leave without trying some street food (perfect to keep you going as you sightsee). For example: Koulouri (sesame seed bread), Tyropita (cheese pie) Spanakopita (spinach pie); souvlaki, gyro for lunch; and for a snack: Kastana (roasted chestnuts) in the winter and Kalaboki (grilled corn on the cob) in the summer and autumn. Street Food Athens is dotted with many charming and charismatic street vendor and, like in many big cities, they add an additional local flavor and aroma. In the fall and winter seasons, the streets of Athens are filled with carts roasting chestnuts and corn on the cob as well as dried nuts. Warm sesame and raisin bread twists are two staples of Athenian street-food enjoyed year round, especially for breakfast. WHAT TO SEE? THE ACROPOLIS THE NEW ACROPOLIS MUSEUM The sacred rock of the Acropolis and its most recognized Years in the making, this museum and its creative use monument, the Parthenon, have withstood the test of of natural Greek light is the new gem of Athens and has time. Apart from this, also impressive are the Propylaea, been heralded as a masterpiece in itself. The permanent the temple of the Athene Nike and the Erechtheion, while collections present finds and artifacts from the sacred you must not skip a visit to the Museum, located close hill of the Acropolis, while smaller «vignette» temporary to the Parthenon. Moreover, from the rock you have an exhibits offer insight on the whole. The cafe and museum impressive view of the city. shops are quite popular and are a must to visit as well. To offer visitors and natives an aesthetically, environmentally and culturally improved Athens, they decided to make The Unification of Archaeological Sites, the plan that beautified the area surrounding the Acropolis transforming it into a large archeological park or open-air archeological museum. The park covers an area of approximately 4 km in length. Highlights of the sites along the way are: the Acropolis, The Ancient and Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Arch, the Ancient Temple of Olympian Zeus, The Theatre of Dionysos and Philopappou Hill. Furthermore, the park integrated monuments of the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine period, areas of green including the National Garden, Zappeion, and the traditional neighbourhoods of the historical Centre of Athens namely, Plaka, Anafiotika, Thisio, Psirri, Metaxourgeio, Makriyanni and Koukaki. NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM One of the richest museums of ancient Greek art in the world, its collections span cultures that flourished in Greece from the prehistoric age and beyond. A bronze statue of Poseidon is here as are frescoes from ancient Thira. A comprehensive museum that is often overlooked. Around the Acropolis you can see Olympian Zeus (6th c. B.C.), one of the largest in antiquity and close by Hadrian’s The National Archaeological Museum is the largest Arch (131 A.D.), which forms the symbolic entrance to the museum in Greece and one of the world’s great museums. city. From there, walking along Dionysou Areopaghitou Although its original purpose was to secure all the finds Street (on the south side of the Acropolis) you pass the from the 19th century excavations in and around Athens, ancient Theatre of Dionysos (5th c. B.C.) where most of the it gradually became the central National Archaeological works by Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylos and Aristophanes Museum and was enriched with finds from all over Greece. were performed. Continuing, you will reach the ruins of the Asklepieion (5th c. B.C.) and the Stoa of Eumenes (2th c. Its abundant collections, with more than 20.000 exhibits, B.C.) and from there the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, which provide a panorama of Greek civilisation from the was built in 161 A.D. and is nowadays the venue of the beginnings of Prehistory to Late Antiquity. The museum performances of the Athens Festival. is housed in an imposing neoclassical building built at WHAT TO SEE? the end of the 19th century. The vast exhibition space, the forest path you will encounter Dexameni Square in consisting of numerous galleries on each floor accounting Kolonaki, where you can grab a bite to eat. for a total of 8.000 square metres, houses five large permanent collections. PANATHENAIC STADIUM This must-see monument, opposite Zappeion Gardens, is the stadium that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The stadium, first built in 330 B.C., is made of white marble from the mountain Penteli and has a seating capacity of 45.000 for the concerts and events. Each year the Athens Marathon terminates here. This must-see monument in Pagrati, opposite the ANCIENT AGORA, MONASTIRAKI Zappeion Gardens and beneath the hills of Agra and Ardettus, stands apart from the many in Athens, and, in Its befitting that this monument the center of commercial the world. For starters, it has withheld the test of time, and business life in ancient times would later give rise to and is one of the few ancient stadiums to host significant the buzzing shopping district that surrounds it today. Of international modern sports and cultural events. One course, Monastiraki does not compare to the milieu of the glance at the roster of “performers” and “clients” over Ancient Agora, but it still continues to inspire those who the years is testament to its unique character: from the live, work and visit the area. Panathenaia festival in the 4th century B.C. to the Greek MTV launch concert in 2008. LYCABETTUS HILL At a height of 277 metres (approximately 1,000) feet Lycabettus Hill is perhaps thebest spot in which to get an aerial view of the city. Visible from here is the Acropolis, the port of Pireaus, and the island of Aigina. If a mini-trek up is not appealing, take the cable car to the top (and back down). The entrance is on the corner of Aristippou and Ploutarchou streets. If you decide to walk down WHAT TO SEE? GREEK PARLIAMENT Lysikrates Monument, erected by a wealthy donor of theatrical performances, the Roman Agora with the The Greek Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown famed Tower of the Winds (1st c. B.C.) and Hadrian’s Soldier. Every vacation portfolio should not be without Library (132 A.D.), scores of bigger and smaller churches, a photo alongside the tall, commanding Presidential true masterpieces of Byzantine art and architecture, as Guards, known as evzones or tsoliades. Worth the wait well as remnants of the Ottoman period (Fetihie Mosque, is to witness the changing of the guards, a ten-minute Tzistaraki Mosque, the Turkish Bath near the Tower of ceremonial procedure that takes place every hour on the the Winds, the Muslim Seminary, et al.). There are also hour. The foustanela or skirt that is part of their uniform is some interesting museums (Folk Art, Greek Children’s Art, made up of 400 pleats, each one symbolizing a year that Popular Musical Instruments, Frysira Art Gallery, etc.), Greece was under Turkish rule. lots of picturesque tavernas, cafés, bars, as well as shops selling souvenirs and traditional Greek products. PLAKA Continuing from Plaka you arrive at Monastiraki, a With its undisputable charm, this area is one of the most characteristic area of “old” Athens, with narrow streets frequented by visitors and natives alike.