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A Day in Athens

By: Cityseeker
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Technopolis

The industrial installations of a former gas factory have been transformed by the Municipality of Athens into one of the city's major cultural venues. The construction of this complex started in 1862 in order to provide street lights to the city and to supply households and factories with energy. The gradual replacement of gas by electricity finally led to the closure of Gazi, as the Athenians call the factory, and its transformation into an arts venue. Numerous exhibitions are held here, including some large-scale art installations. The Gazi complex also hosts concerts, readings and other cultural activities.

Pireos Street 100, Athens, Greece, 11854
Ancient Agora of Athens

Translating into ‘marketplace’ in modern-day Greek, the Agora was just that – a vast expanse at the foothills of the Acropolis where bygone communities met, debated, and thrived in commerce for several millennia. Its yawning stretch reveals a rich heritage excavated since 1931 by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Dotting the landscape like long-lost pieces of a jigsaw are ruins of numerous structures and buildings throughout Grecian history. Whether it is the 5th-century shrine to Aphrodite, the spectacular Altar of the Twelve Gods dedicated to Olympian deities, or the deeply ancient Stoa of Zeus, the Agora promises a stunning journey back in time. Few, however, can match the majestic form of the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the most gloriously preserved remnants of the Classical Era, located at the northwestern end of the Agora. Visitors can also find an array of archaeological finds dating back to the 7th Century BCE, proudly displayed at the Museum of the Ancient Agora within the Stoa of Attalos.

Adrianou 24, Athens, Greece, 10555
Acropolis of Athens

Perched atop the crest of a rocky promontory, the Acropolis of Athens is a stunning spectacle of Greek Antiquity, and is counted among the most significant architectural complexes ever built. At the centerpiece of this ancient citadel is the abode of Goddess Athena – the remarkable Parthenon, which became the paragon of classical Greek architecture. Scattered across the rest of this legendary religious complex are several other monumental remnants of the world's first democracy, a sea of historic structures that were stupendously planned and constructed by statesman Pericles of Athens. The Propylaea forms an arresting gateway to the Acropolis of Athens, while the Temple of Erechtheion on the complex's north side pays ode to Poseidon and Athena. The Ionic Temple of Athena Nike rests on the southwest corner of the Acropolis and dates back to 420 BCE. A stoic symbol of victory, this temple stands as a treasured link to the ancient world.

Theorias, Athens, Greece, 10558
Pnyx, Arios Pagos and Philopappou Hills

Three hills located west of the Acropolis have played a major role in the history of Athens. Next to the entrance of the Acropolis stands Arios Pagos, the seat of the court of ancient Athens. This is where the apostle Paul preached to the Athenians. Further to the west is Pnyx, the birthplace of democracy. It served as the world's first assembly point during the 5th century BCE. It is now the site of a sound and light show running each night from April to October. Philopappou is the tallest of these three hills. On the hilltop stands the Philopappos Monument—a marble tower built in the 2nd century CE.

Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, Athens, Greece, 10558
Theatre of Dionysus

South of the Acropolis stands the world's oldest theater. Theatre of Dionysus was constructed in the 6th Century BCE and rebuilt in the 4th Century BCE. All the works of the great ancient dramatists Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were first performed at this location during the 5th Century BCE. Walking uphill towards the Acropolis, you will come across the Eumenes Arcade (constructed in the 2nd Century BCE) and the Asklepios Temple. Further to the west is the Odeon of Herod Atticus, a Roman theater still used for concerts and performances.

Mitsaion 25, Athens, Greece, 11742
National Archaeological Museum

Dating back to 1889, this majestic building houses one of the world's greatest museums. The Cycladic idols, the tall Kouros statues and the splendid classical sculptures stand out for their beauty. Among the most popular exhibits is the 3,600 year old gold mask of Agamemnon. There is even an ancient device from the first century BCE, which is considered to be the world's oldest computer. A section of the museum also contains exhibits from Ancient Egypt.

Oktovriou 44, Athens, Greece, 10682
Museum of Cycladic Art

Among the most unusual forms of art around are the prehistoric idols found on the Cycladic Islands. These strange-looking statues dating back to the 4th and 3rd millennium BCE are of an almost extra-terrestrial beauty. Splendid samples of this art form can be found at the Nicholas P. Goulandris Foundation, Museum of Cycladic Art. The museum also includes a collection of ancient art dating from the 2nd millennium BCE to the 4th Century CE with sculptures, pottery, jewelery, coins and other items. Reproductions of Cycladic idols can be bought at the museum shop.

Neophytou Douka 4, Athens, Greece, 10674
Benaki Museum

Eight thousand years of Greek history come alive. Enjoy prehistoric works of art, rare manuscripts, Byzantine icons, historic weapons and paintings. The greatest attraction is the reconstructions of 18th- and 19th-century living. The museum also features a Childhood and Toy Department (with 15,000 historic games and children's items from around the world), a Chinese Art Department (with ceramics as old as 4000 years) and a Coptic Art Department where displays include rare textiles from Egypt. A museum shop and a roof garden with a restaurant are available to visitors.

Koumpari Street 1, @ Vas Sofias Avenue, Athens, Greece, 10674
Byzantine Museum

A former ducal residence (dating back to 1848) houses the Byzantine Museum of Athens. Its collection shows how Greek art evolved from the 4th to the 19th Century. Standing out for their beauty and craftsmanship are the works of religious art. These include a great number of icons, wall paintings, reliefs and statues. In addition to these, clothes, coins, mosaics, jewelery, manuscripts, wood carvings and many other items are on display. Copies of these exhibits can be bought at the museum shop.

Vas Sofias Avenue 22, Athens, Greece, 10675
Hellenic Cosmos

Virtual reality technology is employed at Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Center in order to recreate scenes from antiquity. Visitors can walk through several virtual reality presentations which will take them back to cities of the Ancient World. They could choose to visit the majestic Zeus Temple in Ancient Olympia or else a Byzantine palace. Visitors can also look around exhibitions or stop by the museum shop or relax at the Internet café. Call or visit the website for show schedules.

Pireos Street 254, Athens, Greece, 17778
Koutouki Cave

Koutouki Cave is located on the eastern slope of Mount Ymittos, outside the town of Peania. It was discovered by accident several years ago, when a goat fell into the cave through a hole in its roof. The shepherd climbed in to rescue the animal and discovered one of Europe's most beautiful caves. Nowadays, visitors can enter the cave through a tunnel to admire the impressive stalagmites and stalactites. A guided tour of the cave starts every 30 minutes. It can be reached from the city center by car in an hour.

Mount Ymittos, Peania, Greece, 19002
Lake Vouliagmeni

This tiny lake, surrounded by steep rocks, is located near the sea. Its depth remains a mystery as several divers have drowned in it over the years while attempting to explore the underwater tunnel system. However, most people go to Vouliagmeni for less dangerous pursuits. The sulfurous thermal water of the lake is used for curative baths against rheumatic, spinal, gynecological, neurological and skin problems. For this purpose, hydrotherapy is offered from May to October. The temperature of the water never drops below 21 degrees centigrade so it is also used by bathers during the winter. There are showers and changing cabins as well as a cafeteria and restaurant.

Leoforos Poseidonos, Vouliagmeni, Greece, 16671
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