Athens in the Rain

The tale of a long awaited trip to Greece and her isles follows. If you are not into Greek mythology, enjoy the pictures;-)

While the world is flat and shrinking, beaming oneself to a far away place has not yet been perfected. Therefore, it was close to 24 hours of travel by the time Athens was reached – and the stomach was growling! So, the taverna across the street from our hotel was calling even though it was 10PM! And, as you can see, the tavern was hopping (even with families with young children) as the typical dinner hour for the Greeks is 10! By the way, this became a ‘go to’ over the next four days as they had excellent lemon chicken and the best pasta with xinomizithrol cheese (can’t wait to try to find this cheese in AZ!).

The best little restaurant – the food was delicious, inexpensive and there was great people watching opportunities.

As the title of this post implies – there was a lot of rain the four days in Athens. So – when it rains head inside to a museum, and Athens has the fabulous Acropolis Museum. The greeter here is the Owl – the sacred bird of Athena, symbol of the Goddess and emblem of Athens. This sculpture was dedicated on the Acropolis in the early 5th century BC.

One of the first pieces spotted in the Acropolis Museum was this owl.

The museum sits at the base of the Acropolis facing the south side of the Parthenon so that as one views the artifiacts they can be envisioned on the hill in their original home.

Our lunch view of the Parthenon from the museum cafe.

The highlight of the museum is on the top floor where a life-size replica of the frieze that wrapped all the way around the outside of the Parthenon has been created. The relief panels depict the Great Panathenaic, the procession held every four years in which citizens climbed up to the Parthenon to celebrate the birth of their city. The original marble panels owned by the museum are displayed in the exact place where they would have originally been. Replicas are displayed for those panels recovered but on display in other museums (the British Museum, Paris Louvre and in Copenhagen). Blank spaces represent panels that are forever lost;-( Here one will also find a fabulous film detailing the building of the Parthenon, its many uses over the years and the many attempts at bombing and destroying the structure.

Men on horseback, gods, chariots, musicians, warriors and much more are all part of the grand parade.

Now – Greek mythology on Nike! In Greek literature Nike is described as both an attribute and attendant to the Gods Zeus and Athena. Nike as an attendant was a goddess who personified victory in any field including art, music, war and athletics. She was often portrayed winged – perhaps with a swoosh on her sandal;-)!!!

Nike adjusting her sandal and making sure the swoosh is showing!!

The museum sits atop more ruins, which can be viewed from both inside the museum and wandering below.

On going excavations below the museum.

Another day of rain made a decision to head to Delphi instead of a tour of the Acropolis. A 2 hour drive north into the mountains for more lessons. The archaeological site of Delphi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving where the oracle of Apollo spoke and where he declared the site to be “the navel of the world”. Delphi in the 6th century BC was indeed the religious center and symbol of unity of the ancient Greek world.

View from our lunch spot Near Delphi with the Gulf of Corinth in the background.

The area was inhabited from 1500-1100BC, with remains of the period in the museum. The development of the sanctuary and oracle began in the 8th century BC. The fame and prestige spread throughout the then known world and pilgrims came to the site to receive an oracle from the priestess of Apollo. There are many religious thoughts and myths about the site and there are remnants of many buildings. After viewing artifacts in the museum one can walk through the Temple of Apollo, the marketplace, the theater and the athletic stadium. So hard to believe these structures have been here for 4,000 years!

This large sculpture would originally been mounted atop a column with the Delphi complex.

Depiction of wealthy patrons of the Temple of Apollo would have been mounted on the temple structure.

The color in these shields are still visible because this piece was buried since BC times.

A two thousand year old vessel used for sipping warm beverages.

Small sculpture of flutist missing one of his two flutes.

The Charioteer.

Remnants of the marketplace.

Many of these scripted stones within the site.

Note the two olive branch crowns, used to signify athletic victory, etched in the stone.

Remaining columns in the Temple of Apollo.

Theatre seating.

View from the top of the theatre.

The athletic stadium.

The Athenian Treasury.

Finally, what one comes to Athens for – the Acropolis (high city). The most important ancient site in the Western world is built atop a hill overlooking modern Athens. Here, the Athenian ruler Pericles spared no expense transforming the site into a complex of lavishly decorated temples to honor he city’s patron goddess, Athena. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, Propylaea and Temple of Athena Nike survive in remarkably good condition. In addition, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theater of Dionysus can be viewed on the way up the hill and fantastic views of the city of Athens and many other sites can be viewed from the ‘high city’.

One enters through The Monumental Entrance.

The north face of the Parthenon.

The East face and most important. Something older than us!

The Erechtheum.

The Six Virgin Sisters.

The Temple of Athena Nike.

Our traveling companions, Rheta and Tom, above the Odeon.

There are so many more sights to see in and around Athens. At the Syntagma Square (in front of the Parliament) there is the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, there is a walk thru the Plaka and the ancient agora and wonderful old churches, tavernas for lunches and drinks and general sights.