Athens: The Cradle of Western Civilization

During our trip to Loutraki, we had the wonderful opportunity to explore Athens, Greece’s vibrant capital and largest city. Athens is known as the birthplace of democracy and is considered the cradle of Western civilization and culture. The city is full of fascinating archaeological sites, yet it’s also a bustling metropolis with over four million people. There’s so much to see and do that you could easily spend days enjoying everything Athens has to offer.

Our guide shared an interesting perspective on modern Athens, describing it as having three distinct “faces.”

The first "face" is its historical charm, where you can wander beneath the Acropolis and visit the charming neighborhood of Plaka, which is popular with tourists.

The second “face” is central Athens, where locals go about their daily lives, and there are few tourists.

However, the third "face", around Omonia Square, is a bit more concerning. This area is known for issues such as drug use and pickpocketing. The central fountain looks nice, but Omonia Square is still considered a less safe part of Athens. However, every city has its darker side, and Athens is no exception.

Overall, Athens is a city full of history, life, and stories waiting to be discovered.

Acropolis of Athens

When most people think of Athens, the Acropolis is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The Acropolis, known as the Holy Rock, was the city’s religious center and served as a powerful symbol of ancient Greek culture. Interestingly, it was dedicated entirely to the gods, so it wasn’t a place where people lived.

The story of Athens gained momentum after the famous Battle of Salamis. In this battle, the Greek fleet cleverly navigated the narrow straits of the Saronic Gulf and managed to outsmart the Persian fleet.

One of the key figures in this period was Pericles, an inspiring military leader, statesman, and orator who strongly supported the arts, literature, and science. He dreamed of making Athens the cultural and religious center of the ancient world. Pericles wanted the Acropolis to become the religious center of all Greece, one that would shine brighter than other sacred places such as the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia and the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi. While his vision of making Athens the capital of all Greece didn’t quite happen, it still became the spiritual and philosophical center of its time.

The Acropolis and the Greek goddess Athena

Greek temples were not meant to be entered. When the doors of the Parthenon were opened, the ancient Greeks prayed to the goddess Athena with their hands raised toward the sky. Athena was said to have been born from Zeus’s head. The supreme god had a headache, so Hephaestus struck his head with a hammer, resulting in the birth of Athena, the goddess of wisdom.

Why did the Greeks pray to Athena and dedicate temples to her on the Acropolis? According to mythology, the god who reached the Acropolis first would become the city’s patron deity. Poseidon and Athena arrived simultaneously, so the Greeks decided to choose the one who offered the better gift. Poseidon offered a saltwater spring, while Athena offered an olive tree. Since the olive tree was more useful to them, they chose Athena as the patron goddess of the city.

The Acropolis features many monuments, including the most famous: the Propylaea, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.

Entrance to the Acropolis – Propylaea or Propylaia

Propylaea is a grand ceremonial gateway to the Acropolis of Athens. It consists of a library in the southwest wing and the Pinacotheca, the world's first art gallery, in the northwest wing.

Entrance to the Acropolis - Propylaea

Propylaea is decorated with Doric columns ("male" columns - without any sculptural decoration) on the outside and Ionic columns (more elegant "female" columns) on the inside.

Entrance to the Acropolis - Propylaea

Propylaea from the inside

From the Propylaea, you can see a bare marble hill known as the Areopagus Hill, or Mars Hill, where the apostle Paul addressed the people.

The Areopagus Hill or Mars Hill

Three significant temples

Three significant temples were constructed during the Classical period (450–330 BC) on the foundations of earlier ones: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion (notable for its iconic Caryatids), and the Temple of Athena Nike. The remains of earlier temples are not visible today, as they were destroyed by the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars. Each of these temples is dedicated to different aspects of the goddess Athena.

The Parthenon

The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, built in the fifth century BC. It is regarded as the most perfect ancient Greek temple and serves as a monumental tribute to the city itself.

Parthenon

Parthenon

Parthenon

The Erechtheion Temple

Next to the Parthenon lies the Erechtheion, famous for its columns shaped like female figures known as Caryatids. These Caryatids are said to represent young women brought to Greece from Caria, an ancient region in southwestern Anatolia.

Many talented architects contributed to the Erechtheion, but the most well-known among them was Phidias, who also played a key role in overseeing the construction of the Acropolis. However, he was later accused of stealing gold intended for the temple and fled to Olympia, where he created the statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Erechtheion

Erechtheion

Erechtheion

The Temple of Athena Nike

The Temple of Athena Nike, dedicated to the goddess of victory, is the smallest temple on the Acropolis. It is situated on the southwest corner at the edge of a high cliff.

The Temple of Athena Nike

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

On the southwest slope of the Acropolis, you can find the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a stone Roman theatre built in AD 161 and restored in 1950. This impressive venue has a capacity of about five thousand seats and continues to host concerts and cultural events today.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus - a stone Roman theatre

The Parthenon should be the tallest

Interestingly, the Greek Parliament passed a law stating that no building in Athens can be taller than the Parthenon. The reason for this regulation is to ensure that all residents of the city can see the Acropolis. 😊

TIP:

!!!😊Bring a hat on sunny days and visit the Acropolis in the morning when it is less crowded.

The Plaka

Plaka is the oldest part of Athens, located at the base of the Acropolis. Its narrow streets, colorful facades, archaeological remains, historic churches, and traditional restaurants and souvenir shops make it a fascinating area to explore.

Plaka

Plaka

Plaka

At the end of Plaka, you can see the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens. Construction began on Christmas Day, 1842, with the cornerstone laid by King Otto and Queen Amalia.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens

Syntagma Square, the Greek Parliament, and Changing of the Guard

Syntagma Square, also known as Constitution Square, is the main square of Athens, connecting the city's most important streets and boulevards.

Syntagma Square

The head of the square is the Greek Parliament building, which attracts tourists not only for its architecture but also for the famous "Changing of the Guard."

Greek Parliament

Changing of the Guard

The Evzones are a ceremonial unit responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every hour, visitors can watch the changing of the guard in front of the Parliament building in Syntagma Square. The guards wear traditional Greek uniforms and remain composed and motionless despite the crowd.

Interestingly, our guide explained that each shoe, known as a tsarouchi, worn by the Evzones can weigh up to 3 kg (6.6 pounds) and symbolizes strength and masculinity.

Changing of the Guard

Changing of the Guard

Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium, also known as Kallimarmaro (“beautiful marble”), is one of Athens’ most significant historical landmarks. It dates back over 2,500 years to 566 BC and has a seating capacity of 50,000. In ancient times, it hosted the Panathenaic Games, a religious and athletic festival held every four years in honor of the goddess Athena.

The hill near the stadium is named after the hero messenger Pheidippides, who ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Athenian victory. Upon arrival, he reportedly exclaimed, “Rejoice, we conquer!” and then collapsed.

Throughout its history, the stadium underwent several transformations and eventually hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble and is still used today for cultural events.

The Panathenaic Stadium

The Academy of Athens 

The Academy of Athens is Greece’s national academy and the highest research institution in the country. It was established in 1926 and traces its inspiration back to the ancient Academy of Plato.

The Academy of Athens

There are so many amazing places to see in Athens, and it really depends on how much time you have. We only had one day, but we made the most of it.😊