Athens Ancient History in a Modern City

Athens Ancient History in a Modern Cityto
Athens is a huge metropolis of over 4 millionAthena. Although still standing, it has suffered a
people,around 40% of the Greek population. It isgreatdeal of damage. Not the least of which
a busy bustlingcity, where present day apartmentoccurred during the
blocks, live side by sidewith the relics and ruins ofTurkish occupation, when it was used to store
one of the greatestcivilizations of the ancientweapons andexplosives which then, surprisingly,
world. An appealing and headymix of southernblew up!
European, Mediterranean and MiddleThe Parliament Building: An impressive building
Easterncultures, as well as the fiery but friendlywhichuntil it burned down in 1910 was a royal
Greektemperament, this is a city where everyresidence. It wasrestored and opened in 1935 as
day is lived to itsfullest!the home of the National
Food is a major highlight in Athens, with theAssembly. It was built by King Otto in1835.
accent firmlyon lamb, seafood and salads. TheRockwave Festival: A large and growing rock
Mediterranean's virtuallyinvented the healthy diet,festival thatlasts for three days every summer
which is now used as a model bymany westernfeaturing around 20 bandsover the course of the
dieticians. The portions are good, the pricesareevent. Different music styles arebeing
cheap and the ouzo (Greek spirit) flows freely atincorporated from trance to rock.
everyrestaurant.National Archaeological Museum: This would be
The main reason that most tourists go to Athensworthvisiting just for the grandeur of the building
of courseis the history. There is over 3,000 yearsitself. Butit also holds one of the best archeological
of historycontained in the relics and buildings ofmuseums to befound anywhere. Among the huge
Athens andcollection of ancient Greekartifacts is what may
Temperatures in Athens can be unbearably hot inbe the first ever computer.
the summerreaching over 40 degrees and aThe Temple of Olympian Zeus: The huge size of
crowded city full of trafficand tourists is not thetheoriginal temple can be appreciated from the
place to be. There is very littlein the way of parkmassiveremaining columns. Originally there were
land in the city. So if you do travel insummer and114 of them. Thetemple was built from 515BC
are in need of a break, then a day trip to oneofonwards and destroyed in the
the islands, some of which are in easy reach, is4th century AD. Prior to its destruction it
theonly real option. Spring and fall are a bettercontained animmense statue of Zeus made from
bet, whenthe climate is more temperate and theivory and gold.
streets andhistorical sights are less busy.The Olympic Stadium: The stadium holds 75,000
Athens is probably the greatest repository ofpeople andwas the heart of the 2004 Athens
ancientartifacts and buildings in the western worldgames with a hugelyimpressive glass and steel
and thesealone are worth a week of anybodiesroof weighing 17,000 tons heldin place (hopefully
holiday. But they arefar from all that Athens hassecurely!) by 2 massive arches.
to offer.Agora: A huge architectural park filled with statues
Athens must seeandruins of temples and buildings including the,
The Acropolis: Not one, but several templesvery wellpreserved 2nd century Temple of
including theHephaistos. The Stoa
Parthenon, surely the most famous of the AthensAttalou a 2nd century BC building, a new build by
landmarks.Greekstandards, contains a collection of ancient
Built in the 5th century BC the temple is dedicatedartifacts.