In 2003, the signing of the Treaty of Accession of 10 new European Union members, took place in the Stoa of Attalos. The Acropolis, with the Parthenon; Agora; Arch of Hadrian; Areopagus; Kerameikos; Lysicrates monument; Philopappos monument; Pnyx; Temple of Hephaestus; Temple of Olympian Zeus; Tower of the Winds; Athenians Ancient and medieval periods The Muses Hill located to the south-west of the famous Acropolis is popularly referred to as the Philopappou Hill. In antiquity, Kerameikos was part of the ancient city of Athens, and the place that the Athenians used to bury their dead. It was renovated in the ’50s, and since then it operates every summer, with a plethora of musical and theatrical performances. The most important sights in the Ancient Agora are: Stoa of Attalos and the Temple of Hephaestus. It operated continuously from the 9, The excavation started in 1870 and continues until today. Pack a pair of comfortable shoes, because climbing the hill can get a little difficult, a bottle of water, and on a sunny day, your hat. It was hosting the Panathenaic Athletic contests. The views from the top out over the city of Athens can be stunning. It is a very important archaeological site, close to other major ones, without many visitors. The Greek capital is one of the most ancient cities in the whole world, and as a result, there is a huge number of ancient sites in Athens, that you can visit. Footsteps of Cultural and Religious Inheritance, The Greek capital is one of the most ancient cities in the whole world, and as a result, there is a huge number of ancient sites in, Under the Acropolis hill, the theater of Herodes Atticus stands proudly since the Roman times. It was built during Pericles rebuilding program. It is located on the south-eastern slope of the Acropolis. After passing through the Propylaia, or gateway, guests can walk the hilltop and enjoy the great marble facades that have … It was used for hosting the renowned Panathenaic Games, to honor goddess Athena, the protector of the city. Sadly, it has suffered many damages during the Byzantine years, the Ottoman rule and the first stages of the Greek state. If you enjoy ancient Greek ideals, history, architecture, and art, Greece will enchant you. It’s the birthplace of the Greek drama, and as a result of the art of drama as we know it today. A visit to Athens will take you on a beautiful journey through the ages and you will discover the magnificent architecture of Athens. O ne of the most recognisable sights anywhere in the world, the Acropolis symbolises Greece, its ancient history, its gods and its contribution to civilisation. The most characteristic monument of Ancient Greek architecture is the Parthenon, on the Acropolis Hill, also known as the sacred rock. As the name suggests, these buildings are a classic example of neoclassical architecture which makes them the most famous buildings in Athens. Delphi is one of the most important ancient sites in Greece. Make your own itinerary and get ready to immerse yourself in a time far away from now, when Athens was at the center of the ancient world. Moreover, many of the performances of the Athens-Epidaurus festival are held there. The Agora houses several fascinating sites, including the stunning fifth century BC Temple of Hephaestus. It was dedicated to Hephaestus, the god of the forge, hence the reason why the temple used to be in the center of numerous metalwork shops and foundries. From timeworn cities, imposing citadels, sacred sanctuaries, and massive theatres, here are some of the best ancient sites in Greece (and by best I really mean my personal favourites, the ancient Greek sites that impressed me the most!) Only the most acclaimed Greek and foreign artists get to perform in this theater. The Monument of Lysicrates is located on Lysicrates Square in Plaka and it was erected by the choregos (sponsor) Lysicrates to commemorate the first prize in one of the performances he had sponsored. It is dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods. Aerial, exterior and interior views of the Acropolis Museum and its many impressive displays of ancient Greek art and architecture. However, the islands have their share of excavated antiquities and museums of their own. You can reach the sacred rock of the Acropolis only by foot. The Panathenaic (Roman) Stadium was built in the 4th century BC. Plan your trip with our expert reviews of the best things to see and do, plus day trip ideas. "It is famous for its splendid ancient gate mostly kept from the ancient temple, the amazing wall paintings of saints and whole important scenes from Christianity, the faux marble technique and using the … The construction started as early as the 6. Of course, there are more, but I tried to choose the most significant and impressive ones, that even the locals choose to visit. Built in the mid 5th century BCE in order to house the gigantic statue of Athena and to advertise to the world the glory of Athens, it still stands majestically on the city’s acropolis. Its relief decoration represents the god of winds, hence the name of the tower. The truth is that even we, the locals, have not visited them all; that’s how many they are. Ancient Agora is the birthplace of democracy. The original Stoa was built by King Attalos II in 159 BC and used to be the shelter of expensive shops for wealthy Athenians customers. Despite its central location, this site is one of the greenest places in Athens. Where to eat? On one side, it was the inhabited area, while on the other, the cemetery. The temple was built in the 5th century BC, with marble from Mount Penteli, and was designed by Iktinos, one of the most acclaimed architectures at the time. In the area of the Ancient Agora, there is the temple of Hephaestus, dedicated to the god of fire and all the artisans. Where to stay? Without having any type of protection and while being in open space through the centuries, it is peculiarly well-preserved. Modern architecture in Athens flourished during two periods, between 1930 and 1940, and between 1950 and 1975. This place is the busiest spot in Athens it houses a University, library and the Academy of Athens. Very little is left of his greatness today since only 17 columns are still standing. Sometimes, they are in the most famous places, while others are hidden throughout the city. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It was built in the 1st century by astronomer Andronicus and was used as a sundial, a weather vane, a water clock, and even a compass. In this theater, the festival of the Great Dionysia was held; a festival dedicated to god Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. It was a big, open-space market surrounded by colonnades. One of the most important places in ancient Athens. 9. Governor Lycourgos ordered the remake of the stadium with marble in 329 BC. Its other name in Greek is Kallimarmaro which means made by fine marble. Architects: Four top Greek architects (Emmanouil Vourekas, Prokopis Vassiliadis, Spyros Staikos and Antonis Georgiades) worked on its construction from 1958-1963. But we know time is limited, so we will break down the different eras, thematic groups, and history of ancient Greece. It has a facade of 28 m high and 2,4 m width. What many people don’t realize, however, is that Athens has been through several different eras that followed from the time of “Ancient Greece”. Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? Ancient Athens Landmarks Many visitors are aware of Greece’s ancient past, and are excited to visit the most famous archaeological sites in Athens, like the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum. The Temple of Olympian Zeus took 700 years to be built and is the larger that was ever created. The construction started as early as the 6th century BC, only to finish in the 2nd century AD, thanks to Emperor Hadrian. The Acropolis of Athens It is located at the end of Amalias Avenue. On top of this list I could only place the one and only Acropolis. Greek architecture used in temples and monuments was very elaborate and precise. The Acropolis, Athens. It also has an ancient history. In 2004, Athens hosted the Olympic Games again, and Kallimarmaro was used for hosting events. 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