Athens, Greece (May 23-29)
Much has been said and continues to be said of what little concern the Turks had for the Acropolis treasures. Melina Mercouri
Monty has always had the desire to see Greece. I was interested in the history so we added it to this trip. We flew from Rome on a direct flight to Athens and were transferred via taxi to Hotel Hera. The hotel is very near the Acropolis but we didn't know how close until we arrived in our room on the 4th floor.  |
| Hotel Hera |
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| Peacock Terrace Restaurant |
From our balcony we could see the Acropolis shining on the hill. What a view! It's always a little sereal when you travel and view an iconic artifact or building that you have grown up seeing in your history book.  |
| Acropolis by day |
I feel very fortunate to be here and seeing this. It is afternoon and we go to find a meal and see what is nearby. We ate on a terrace restaurant nearby call Wind (appropriate). A lovely day. Next morning we meet up for our tour of the Acropolis. I had asked our hotel concierge about the trip. How steep? Anything I need to watch for? Not steep but a steady increase up the hill. And watch out for slippery marble steps and stones. I have on my walking shoes and we are ready. We stopped first at the Athens Olympic Arena. The first modern Olympics were held here in 1896. We are loaded up on a bus with about 30 others and begin our trek to the top with 6,000 close friends. Yes, slippery with gravel in spots I try to hit to avoid a fall. It winds about half way up like you are trying to get to a ride at a theme park.
There are staff along the way to tell you to keep moving to avoid backups. Most are turning around to take photos of the city as you incline. I am staring at my feet and hoping I don't fall. How would you get an ambulance up here?
While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the site.  |
| Woo Hoo!! |
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| propylaia |
It narrows at the opening called the propylaia where large columns still stand.  |
| Erechtheion |
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| Erechtheion |
The Erechthem was turned into the Governor's private Harem during the Ottoman conquest.  |
| Erechtheion |
As you enter the courtyard, you see the main attraction: the Parthenon. What a sight!  |
| I am really here! |
After the Ottoman conquest of Greece, the Parthenon was used as the garrison headquarters of the Turkish army. The buildings of the Acropolis suffered significant damage during the 1687 siege by the Venetians in the Morean War. The Parthenon, which was being used as a gunpowder magazine, was hit by artillery shot and damaged severely.(1)
You will notice in the photo of the Pantheon shows construction. Due to centuries of decay, destruction, and weathering, the marble stones that were located on the building have been moved to the Acropolis Museum nearby. The restoration project included collection and identification of all stone fragments, even small ones, from the Acropolis and its slopes and the attempt was made to restore as much as possible using reassembled original material (anastylosis), with new marble from Mount Penteli used sparingly. (2) |
| These are the originals that were mounted on the Pantheon |
All restoration was made using titanium dowels and is designed to be completely reversible, in case future experts decide to change things. A combination of cutting-edge modern technology and extensive research and reinvention of ancient techniques have been used.(3)
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| View from the top |
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| Leaving the sight |
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| Acropolis Museum |
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| Acropolis Museum |
It was a long day but very informative and such a great opportunity to see all the history and walking on marble steps where the ancients walked. (1-3 Wikipedia)
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