Athens: in the heart of Greece

Athens: in the heart of Greece
 Athens considered to be the cradle of Western civilization. The oldest capital of Europe stands on eight hills. The most attractive for tourists is the Acropolis, the heart of the city. Its popularity is understandable.
 On the sacred mountain - Acropolis - you can see the ceremonial gate Propylaea and several temples: the Parthenon, built in honor of Athena, the patron saint of the city, Erehteon dedicated to her the same and Poseidon, and Temple of Nike. It is best to view these masterpieces in the morning while the sun is not very active. Admission ticket entitles you to visit the Temple of Zeus and the Athenian Agora.

In the evening you can get to the metro station and walk up to the observation deck of Mount Likavitos on foot or by cable car. With a height of 277 meters offering a panoramic view of the Aegean Sea, Athens and the Parthenon night. At the top are cozy cafes and restaurants.

The scene of the ancient theater at the Odeon still remembers premieres of plays by Sophocles, Aristophanes, Euripides, Aeschylus and. Odeon and is now serving a scenic area. Here Maria Callas gave concerts and played Bolshoi Ballet.

Temple of Olympian Zeus, that a kilometer from the central square of Athens, dated to 515 BC According to legend, it was built on the site of the sanctuary mythical Deucalion, the forefather of the Greek people. Temple of Hephaestus built about a hundred years, and he is better preserved. Perhaps the youngest can be regarded as the temple of Apollo - 320 BC

In taverns you can taste traditional food: salad with fresh vegetables, meat casserole, mussels with cheese sauce, kebabs or Greek ouzo, the traditional strong drink.

Amazingly rich exposition collected in the Benaki Museum. The most ancient artifacts related to the 5th century BC There are engravings, paintings, bronzes, rare textiles, dresses, etc. In two rooms of the museum recreates the interior of the Greek mansion from the 18th century, and a rooftop bar. Worth a visit and multinational Archaeological Museum, the largest in Greece. The most important of the 20 thousand exhibits considered a bronze statue of Poseidon, perfectly preserved relief depicting Demeter, golden mask of Agamemnon and others.

Shopping in Athens can be considered successful if you get to buy leather goods, pottery, decorated in the antique style, cosmetics based on olive oil. All of this is sold in abundance on the Monastiraki Square. Be sure to bargain, the Greeks love it. You can organize a trip through a travel agency or independently.

Tags: the heart of the city, a trip, Greece, Athens, Acropolis