Athens

April 16, 2024

We arrived in Athens Sunday afternoon for Julie’s work conference and I’ve been playing solo tourist for the week. Had a brief walking tour upon arrival and spent all of Monday doing some intensive sightseeing, including a climb up to the top of the Acropolis. Unfortunately, the iconic Parthenon (shown above) was shrouded in scaffolding. Great sights nevertheless. I also toured the Agora area, the ancient town center and marketplace of Athens, home to many interesting ruins.

Below, The Erechtheion on top of the Acropolis. The statues are called “The Caryatids” and used to possess arms carrying bowls.

Temple of Athena Nike (temple of victory)

The Propylaia - basically the grand entrance at the top of the rock. Pretty stunning place, I must say.

Below is the Odeon of Herodus Atticus - a big theater.

Statue of Papposilenos - from Theater of Dionysus

Theater of Dionysus

A poet . . .

Ceremonial changing of the guard at their tomb of the unknown soldier. At the old parliament building

Perfect Corinthian column at the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Hadrian’s Arch, built by the Roman emperor

Large graffiti art near our hotel. Some of it is pretty cool and it’s all over town

Tzisdarakis Mosque, next to the Agora

Hadrian’s Library next to the Agora

Agora

Stoa of Attalos (housing the Museum of Ancient Agora)

Lots of headless statues . . .

Missing head of one of beforesaid headless statues

Bust of Alexander the Great

Temple of Hephaestus (the most well preserved temple of its kind). The Parthenon, it’s more famous cousin, is falling apart. This is in the Agora

Agii Apostolic Church, built over the Nymphaion fountain house from the 2nd century. (Agora)

View of the central area of the Agora. This was basically the town square of ancient Athens, founded in the 6th century BC. Western civilization started here. Democracy started here. Socrates and Plato spoke to the public here.

The relevance of this place, this pile of rocks, is truly incredible.