Who lived in Athens. Old lower town

Athens (Greece) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Athens with descriptions, guides and maps.

Athens city (Greece)

Public transport in Athens includes the metro, commuter trains, trams, trolleybuses and buses. A single ticket is valid for all types of transport. The metro has three lines: M1 (green) - connects the port and northern suburbs through the city center, M2 (red) - connects western and southern Athens, M3 (blue) - connects the southwestern suburbs with the northern suburbs and the airport.

Attractions

The most famous landmark of Athens is the sacred hill - the Acropolis. Here are the amazing ancient ruins of ancient temples that symbolize the heyday of Greek civilization.

The Acropolis is 156 meters high and visible from almost everywhere. In ancient times, there was a royal palace, majestic temples to the gods, religious objects and numerous sculptures here. Most of the main structures of the Acropolis were built during the reign of Pericles (5th century BC) during the heyday of Athens.

The most famous landmark of the Acropolis is the magnificent Parthenon, which, despite time, is one of the best preserved ancient Greek structures in Athens. The Parthenon is considered the largest temple of the classical period of Ancient Greece and is dedicated to Aphrodite. It was completed in 438 BC. The temple is famous for its monumental Doric columns and was decorated with numerous sculptures.

Among the ancient ruins of the Acropolis, the Temple of Nike Apteros, built in 427-424 BC, stands out. and dedicated to Athena the Victorious, the propylaea (the main entrance formed by columns and porticoes), the Erechtheion, a temple built between 421-406 BC. and dedicated to Athena, Poseidon and King Erechtheus.

All structures and ruins of the Acropolis:

1. Hecatompedon.
2. Statue of Athena Promachos.
3. Propylaea.
4. Eleusinion.
5. Bravronion.
6. Chalcotheca.
7. Pandroseion.
8. Arreforion.
9. Athens altar.
10. Sanctuary of Zeus Polyaeus.
11. Sanctuary of Pandion.
12. Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
13. Eumenes standing.
14. Asklepion.
15. Odeon of Pericles.
16. Temenos of Dionysus.
17. Sanctuary of Aglavra.

300 meters away is the Acropolis Museum, which is one of the most important modern buildings in Athens and is built of steel, glass and concrete. Priceless finds and antiquities that were found here during excavations are stored here.

An archaeological path leads from the Acropolis to the city, along which you can see other antiquities of Athens that date back to different periods and cultures. So, at the foot of the hill, there are the ruins of Olympion, a temple dedicated to Zeus. It was the largest building in Ancient Greece. It began to be built in the 6th century BC. and finished only in the 2nd century AD. under the Roman Emperor Hadrian. More than a hundred huge marble columns once supported the grand sanctuary. Only 15 of them have survived to this day.

The Theater of Dionysus is located on the south side of the Acropolis and is considered the oldest structure of its type in Greece. Many of the most famous ancient Greek comedies and tragedies were presented on this stage. The theater, originally built as a temple, dates back to the 6th century BC. It was dedicated to Dionysus, the god of fun and wine, and could accommodate 17,000 people.

The ancient Agora was a market and a center Everyday life in ancient Athens. Most of the surviving ruins are from the Roman period and date back to the 1st century AD. The agora was surrounded by colonnades and columns. It also hosted sporting events and theatrical performances. To the east is the 12-meter tall Wind Tower.

An excellent view of the Agora opens from the northern wall of the Acropolis.

Arch of Hadrian

Hadrian's Arch was built in 131 AD. and symbolizes the entrance to the ancient city. Not far from the western slope of the Acropolis is the Pnyx Hill. Here the citizens of Athens could exercise their democratic rights. To the southwest of the Athenian Acropolis is the Philopappos Hill, which was known as the Hill of the Muses and preserves several ancient ruins. There is also a tiny 12th-century Byzantine chapel with 18th-century frescoes.

The core of the historical center of Athens is the Plaka district, located on east side Acropolis. This area has been inhabited since ancient times. Now it is a labyrinth of narrow, flower-filled, picturesque streets lined with traditional 19th-century houses. Plaka is famous for its provincial atmosphere (sometimes you can’t even believe that this is the center of a bustling metropolis), cute restaurants and historical churches.

From Plaka, the Athenian streets will lead to Monastiraki Square, which is one of the central squares of old Athens with narrow streets and small buildings. A traditional market (Yousouroum) is held in the square. Monastiraki is a popular shopping area with over 2,000 different shops.

Anafiotika is another atmospheric village quarter of Athens, located north of the Acropolis. Here tourists can enjoy traditional Greek food and a stroll through the winding Cycladic-style streets. Anafiotika was built in the 60s of the 19th century.

Herodes' Odeon is an ancient Roman theater built in the 2nd century AD. on steep slopes Acropolis by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife. The theater seated 6,000 spectators and was restored in the 1950s.

The Olympic Stadium was built in the 19th century for the first modern Olympics. It seats 50,000 spectators and is the largest sports facility made entirely of marble. The first stadium on this site was built in the 3rd century BC. and rebuilt in 144. In ancient times, the stadium hosted a religious festival dedicated to the goddess Athena every four years.

The Church of Our Lady of Kapnicarea is a magnificent example of 11th-century Byzantine architecture. The church is located on one of the central streets of Athens - Ermou.

The Church of the Holy Apostles is a 10th-century religious building on the site of the ancient Agora, built in typical Byzantine style. The inside of the dome is decorated with original frescoes. A significant part of the ancient iconostasis from the 11th century has also been preserved.

Syntagmatos Square is the central square of modern Athens. The Presidential Guard in national costumes stands in front of the Greek Parliament building. The change of guard takes place in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. daily.

• The National Archaeological Museum is one of the largest museums in Greece, which has one of the largest exhibitions of Antiquity in the world. The 8,000 square meter building contains 11,000 exhibits.
• Byzantine Museum - more than 25,000 exhibits, representing a treasure trove of religious artifacts from the Byzantine period, as well as works of early Christian, medieval and post-Byzantine art.
• Museum of Cycladic Art - ancient artifacts found in the Cycladic Islands and Cyprus.

Athens is a city named after Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom and just war. Geographical location: Central Greece, Attica Peninsula. Modern Athens is the cultural and economic administrative center of Greece, home to more than 750,000 inhabitants (2003).

Even in ancient times, Athens was the largest city-state in Attica, whose heritage has great importance in modern world. Ancient Athens is the birthplace of democracy, various directions of philosophy and the art of theater. According to historians, the first records date back to 1600-1200. before. AD (Mycenaean era). Archaeological research in Athens began in the 30s of the 19th century and was inconsistent, and only in the 70-80s. excavations took a systematic approach. During the research, many historical values ​​were discovered.

Sights of Athens

Acropolis and Parthenon

The main attractions of Athens are the Acropolis and the Parthenon, which are located on a 156-meter rocky hill. In ancient times, these places were used for the construction of temples dedicated to the great Greek gods, and also confirmed the status of Athens as a beautiful city , center of culture and art. Today, the Acropolis and Parthenon are a must-see for millions of tourists who come to Athens.

Theater of Dionysus

The orchestra of the Theater of Dionysus gave premieres of works by Aristophanes, Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides. Finding this ancient building is not at all difficult: the theater is located on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis hill.

Temple of Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympion) is located in the very center of Athens. In Ancient Greece it was the largest temple. Due to its location, Olympion is clearly visible from the Acropolis.
Working hours: Tue – Sun: 8:30 – 15:00. Mon: closed

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum, which has collected a huge collection of exhibits within its walls, is located in the center of Athens. The exhibition is so extensive that you will have to spend several hours exploring it. For the convenience of visitors, the halls in the museum are arranged in chronological order: from the Mycenaean period and the Cycladic culture, covering the ancient period, to the present day.
Working hours:
Summer: Mon: 12.30 – 19.00; Tue – Fri: 8.00 – 19.00; Sat, Sun: 8.30 – 15.00
Winter: Mon: 10.30-17.00; Tue – Fri: 8.00 – 19.00; Sat, Sun: 8.30 – 15.00

One of the most fascinating places when visiting Athens is the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, which was a landmark for sailors in ancient times. Cape Sounion is known for its beautiful sunsets that paint the sky an amazing bright red. You can get to this place by renting a car or by taking the Athens-Sounio intercity bus. And don’t forget to make a wish at sunset at the foot of the temple, they say that it will definitely come true.

While vacationing in Greece, numerous tourists flock to Athens to enjoy a wide range of excursion programs. You can book an excursion directly from the tour operator or find a private guide. Some of the most attractive excursions are a visit to the Acropolis and the old city, a sightseeing tour of Athens, an excursion to Argolis from Athens, Athens at night. A huge number of excursions will not leave even the most fastidious tourist indifferent - everyone will find the most interesting and educational for themselves.

Athens Hotels

Like any other metropolis, Athens has a huge number of hotels in various price categories. You can find either a completely budget option for accommodation or choose a luxurious five-star hotel for your holiday in Athens, located right on the seashore. Moreover, according to research from the Hotels.com portal, they are recognized as the most affordable in Europe. The average cost of living is no more than 2,500 rubles per day per person.

Ancient Athens was a polis of ancient Greece and one of the important cities ancient world generally. The borders of Ancient Athens included most of today's Attica.

The rise of Western civilization began more than 2,500 years ago in Attica, a small Greek state and, in particular, in ancient Athens.

At the beginning of the 5th century BC. Athens was practically destroyed.

The Acropolis, one of the most famous historical monuments in the world, was the religious and political center of the city in ancient times. But 480 B.C. the buildings of the Acropolis were burned to the ground by a 300,000-strong Persian army that invaded the city, under the leadership of the formidable and famous king Xerxes.

The Athenians abandoned the city and the Persians occupied Athens. It seemed that this was the end for Ancient Athens, but over the next 50 years, the city became the cultural capital of the entire Greek world and the cradle of modern Western science and philosophy. The Acropolis was brilliantly rebuilt and by 430 BC. it was decorated with the most beautiful monuments in the world, with the most important Parthenon, the Temple of Virgin Athena.

How did the ancient city of Athens rise from the ashes and become one of the largest cities in ancient times?

Who were the leaders, architects and artists who made the unique history of ancient Athens?

Golden Age of Athens

After a brilliant victory over the Persians and their retreat from Athens, a leader came to power in Ancient Athens and made his city a cultural and military force in the Greek world. The name of the outstanding statesman was Pericles, he not only carried out democratic reforms, but also strengthened the army and built some of the most remarkable monuments of all time. Pericles was in power for 30 years, he made a greater contribution to the development of Athenian democracy. The Citadel, which was completely destroyed by the Persians, was restored. The main building was the Parthenon, but other temples were built, which became masterpieces of world art.

Pericles brought the city into the “golden age” and made the name of Athens immortal. This was the century of great artists such as the sculptor Phidias, great philosophers such as Socrates and Plato, famous theater-goers such as Sophocles and Euripides, who laid the foundations of tragedy, comedy and drama.

Pericles died in 429 BC. after the plague, which cost the lives of many inhabitants of Athens. But his achievements remain unsurpassed. Athens at that time was the crown of a dynamic society, and the time of his reign is usually called the “golden age of Pericles.”

Greece is a country with magnificent landscapes. The ancient Greeks believed that gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings lived in forests, mountains and water. They believed in the absolute power of the gods, who could help or harm them. Religious festivals took place throughout the year, during which people made sacrifices to the gods.

The first people appeared on the territory of Greece at the beginning of the Bronze Age, who migrated from the vast territory of Eurasia. The first Greeks were warlike tribes, they constantly fought with each other in order to occupy richer and more fertile places. The first settlements were mostly primitive rural communities. Between 1500 and 1200 BC. There was a population explosion, which led to high cultural and technological achievements. Palaces and temples rose up everywhere, some of the remains of which we can still see today.

This created a suitable background for legends and myths: the poems of Homer, the myths about the “Argonauts” and the “labors of Hercules”. Some have long been considered legends, like the Trojan War, recorded by Homer. However, in 1870, the German archaeologist Schliemann discovered the ruins of Troy. The city was indeed destroyed by the war, which lasted for a long time.

In areas of Attica, an intense human presence was found during the Neolithic era. Ancient Attica was inhabited by the Ionians, one of the main ancient Greek tribes that settled in southern Greece at the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. In Attica, a special Ionic dialect gradually developed, which became the language of literature and art in ancient times. With the arrival of the Dorians, at the end of the 2nd millennium (about 1100 BC), the Ionians defended their borders, Attica was one of the few places in Greece that the Dorians failed to capture.

Modern Athens

The city of Athens lives and prospers to this day. The modern city is centered around the Citadel and includes various ruins from ancient times, proving that this place once reached the pinnacle of its development, influencing the entire European culture.

A city of about 5 million people lives with memories of a world that was lost. In many places we observe different historical periods of Athens, some buildings and buildings still keep the secrets of the ancient Hellenes.

Until now, as in ancient times, the magnificent Acropolis with beautiful temples proudly towers over the city.

Ancient Athens

The archaeological study of Athens began in the 30s of the 19th century, but excavations became systematic only with the formation of the French, German and English archaeological schools in Athens in the 70s and 80s. Literary sources and archaeological material that have survived to this day help to reconstruct the history of the Athenian polis. The main literary source on the history of Athens during the period of state formation is Aristotle’s “The Athenian Polity” (4th century BC).

Formation of the Athenian state

Theseus fights the Minotaur

According to Athenian tradition, the polis arose as a result of the so-called synoicism - the unification of isolated clan communities of Attica around the Athenian Acropolis (where, back in the Mycenaean era, there was a fortified settlement and a “palace” in the 16th - 13th centuries BC). Ancient Greek legend attributes the implementation of synoicism to the semi-mythical king Theseus, the son of Aegeus (according to tradition, around the 13th century BC; in reality, the process of synoicism took place over several centuries from the beginning of the 1st millennium BC). Theseus is credited with introducing the ancient system of the Athenian community, dividing its population into eupatrides, geomores and demiurges. Gradually, large land plots were concentrated in the hands of the tribal aristocracy (that is, the eupatrides), and most of the free population (small landowners) became dependent on it; Debt bondage grew. Insolvent debtors were responsible to creditors not only with their property, but also with their personal freedom and the freedom of their family members. Debt bondage served as one of the sources of slavery, which was already gaining significant development. Along with slaves and freemen, there was an intermediate layer in Athens - the so-called metics - personally free, but deprived of political and some economic rights. The old division of the demos into phyles, phratries and clans was also preserved. Athens was governed by nine archons, who were annually elected from among the aristocrats, and the Areopagus - a council of elders, which was replenished by archons who had already served their term of office.

First reforms. Age of Solon

With the growth of property inequality, socio-economic contradictions deepened and the struggle between the clan aristocracy and the demos intensified, seeking equal rights, redistribution of land, cancellation of debts and the abolition of debt bondage. In the middle of the 7th century BC. e aristocrat Quilon made an unsuccessful attempt to seize power. Around 621 BC That is, under Archon Draco, legislative customs were first recorded, which somewhat limited the arbitrariness of aristocratic judges. In 594-593 BC. That is, under the pressure of the demos, Solon carried out reforms: they significantly changed the entire structure of the socio-political life of Athens, as a result of which debt bondage was destroyed, the sale of citizens into slavery for debts was henceforth prohibited, land debts (which weighed heavily on small farmers) were canceled, ​ ​freedom of will, which contributed to the development of private property; a new one was established government agency- Council of Four Hundred, carried out a number of activities that encouraged crafts and trade. Solon is also credited with dividing all citizens by property qualification into 4 categories, belonging to which now began to determine their rights and obligations to the state. Solon also reformed the Attic calendar by introducing the octaetheride system. However, the socio-political struggle did not stop. Both the peasants, who had not achieved the redistribution of land, and the clan nobility, who had lost their former privileged position, were dissatisfied with the reforms.

Athenian democracy

The era of Peisistratus and Cleisthenes

Around 560 BC e. A political revolution took place in Athens: the tyranny of Pisistratus was established, who pursued a policy in the interests of the peasantry and the trade and craft layers of the demos against the clan nobility. Under him, Athens achieved great foreign policy successes: it extended its influence to a number of islands of the Aegean Sea, and strengthened itself on both banks of the Hellespont. Athens grew and was decorated with new buildings and statues. A water supply system has been built in the city. During the reign of Pisistratus and his sons, the best poets were invited to the court. After the death of Peisistratus 527 BC. e. power passed to his sons Hippias and Hipparchus, but as in all of Greece, tyranny in Athens turned out to be short-lived: Hipparchus was killed by conspirators, and Hippias was overthrown in 510 BC. e. An attempt by the tribal nobility to seize power caused in 508 BC. e. revolt of the demos led by Cleisthenes. The victory was consolidated by reforms: the previous 4 clan phylas were replaced by 10 new ones, built on a territorial basis. New governing bodies were created: the Council of Five Hundred and the Board of 10 Strategists. As a result of Cleisthenes' reforms, the last vestiges of the tribal system were destroyed, and the process of formation of the state as an apparatus of domination by the slave-owning class was completed.

Greco-Persian Wars

In the Greco-Persian wars (500-449 BC) Athens played a leading role. They were one of the few Greek city states that supported the uprising of the Ionian cities, won a brilliant victory over the Persians at Marathon (490 BC) (see Battle of Marathon), and were one of the first to join the defensive alliance of the Greek states. The Battle of Salamis (480 BC), which became a turning point in the war, took place precisely on the initiative of the Athenians and, above all, thanks to them and the strategist Themistocles, ended in the complete defeat of the Persian fleet. No less significant was the role of Athens in 479 BC. e. in the battle of Plataea and Cape Mycale. In subsequent years, Athens, which headed the Delian League (soon actually turned into the Athenian naval power - the Athenian Arche), took the leadership of military operations entirely into its own hands.

At this time, Athens entered a period of greatest growth. Piraeus (the harbor of Athens) became a crossing point for trade routes of many countries of the ancient world. On the basis of developed crafts, trade and navigation, in an atmosphere of intense struggle between the oligarchic (headed by Aristides, then Cimon) and democratic (headed by Themistocles, later Ephialtes and Pericles) groups in Athens, the most progressive state system for that time of the ancient slave-owning democracy - the Athenian Democracy - was established. , which reached its peak during the reign of Pericles (strategist in 444/443 - 429 BC). Supreme power passed to the People's Assembly, all other bodies were subordinate to them, legal proceedings were carried out in a jury court - heliei - elected from citizens by lot. For the performance of public duties after election, a reward was established from the treasury, which opened up a real opportunity for political activity for low-income citizens. A theorikon was also established - issuing money to citizens to visit the theater. The increased costs of all this were covered by a tax - foros, which the allied cities that were part of the arche had to pay regularly.

Athenian hegemony

In the second half of the 5th century BC. e marks the period of greatest cultural flowering of Athens - the so-called golden age of pericles. Outstanding scientists, artists and poets lived and worked in Athens, in particular the historian Herodotus, the philosopher Anaxagoras, the sculptor Phidias, the poets Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and the satirist Aristophanes. The political and judicial eloquence of the Athenians was imitated by the orators of all Greek cities. The language of the Athenian writers - the Attic dialect - became widespread and literary language all Hellenes. Huge construction was carried out in Athens: according to the Hippodamian system, Piraeus was rebuilt and connected by so-called long walls with city fortifications into a single defensive fortification; construction of the main structures that made up the ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis, a masterpiece of world architecture, was completed. The Parthenon Temple (built in 447-438 BC by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates), statues by Phidias and other works of Athenian fine art of the 5th century served as models for many generations of artists in subsequent centuries.

Peloponnesian War. Under Macedonian rule

Plan of Athens at its peak - around 430 BC. e., on the eve of the Peloponnesian War

However, the “golden age” did not last long. Wellbeing Athenian citizens was based not only on the exploitation of slaves, but also on the exploitation of the population of allied cities, which gave rise to constant conflicts within the Athenian arche. These conflicts were aggravated by the unbridled desire of Athens to expand the sphere of its political and economic dominance, which led to clashes with other groups of Greek city-states, in which the oligarchic order had an advantage - the Peloponnesian League, led by Sparta. Ultimately, the contradictions between these groups led to the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) that was disastrous for all of Greece - biggest war in the history of ancient Greece. Having suffered defeat in it, Athens had forever lost its leading position in Greece. In the first half of the 4th century BC. e. Athens managed to improve its position from time to time and even achieve success. So, during the Corinthian War 395-387 BC. Athens, largely supported by Persian subsidies, managed to revive its fleet and restore the fortifications around the city (dug up under the terms of the capitulation of 404 BC). In 378-377 BC. The Athenian Maritime Union, which did not last long, was revived, albeit in a narrowed form. After the defeat at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. e. As part of the anti-Macedonian coalition led by the Athenian politician Demosthenes, Athens, like the rest of the Greek city-states, had to submit to the hegemony of Macedonia.

Hellenistic era

During the Hellenistic period, when Greece became an arena of struggle between the major Hellenistic states, the position of Athens changed several times. There were short periods when they managed to achieve relative independence; in other cases, Macedonian garrisons were introduced into Athens. In 146 BC e., sharing the fate of all of Greece, Athens fell under the rule of Rome; being in the position of an ally city (civitas foederata), they enjoyed only fictitious freedom. In 88 BC e. Athens joined the anti-Roman movement raised by the Pontic king Mithridates VI Eupator. In 86 BC e. Cornelius Sulla's army took the city by storm and plundered it. Out of respect for the powerful past of Athens, Sulla preserved their fictitious freedom. In 27 BC e. after the formation of the Roman province of Achaia, Athens became part of it. From the 3rd century AD BC, when Balkan Greece began to be invaded by barbarians, Athens fell into complete decline.

Planning and architecture

Hills

Areopagus Hill, modern Athens

• Areopagus, that is, the hill of Ares - west of the Acropolis, gave its name to the highest judicial and governmental council of Ancient Athens, which held its meetings on the hillside.
• Nymphaeion, that is, the hill of the nymphs, is southwest of the Areopagus.
• Pnyx is a semicircular hill southwest of the Areopagus. Meetings of the ekklesia were originally held here, which were later moved to the Theater of Dionysus.
• Museion, that is, the Hill of Museus or Muses, now known as the Hill of Philopappou - south of the Pnyx and Areopagus.
• Akropolis Hill.

Acropolis

Initially, the city occupied only the upper area of ​​the steep hill of the Acropolis, accessible only from the west, which simultaneously served as a fortress, political and religious center, and the core of the entire city. According to legend, the Pelasgians leveled the top of the hill, surrounded it with walls and built an outer fortification on the western side with 9 gates located one after another. The ancient kings of Attica and their wives lived inside the castle. Here rose ancient temple, dedicated to Pallas Athena, along with whom Poseidon and Erechtheus were also revered (hence the temple dedicated to him was called Erechtheion).

The golden age of Pericles was also a golden age for the Acropolis of Athens. First of all, Pericles instructed the architect Ictinus to build a new, more magnificent Temple of the Virgin Athena - the Parthenon, on the site of the old Hekatompedon (Temple of Chaste Athena) destroyed by the Persians. Its splendor was enhanced by the numerous statues with which, under the leadership of Phidias, the temple was decorated, both outside and inside. Immediately after the completion of the Parthenon, which served as the treasury of the gods and for the celebration of the Panathenaia, in 438 BC. e. Pericles commissioned the architect Mnesicles to build a new magnificent gate at the entrance to the acropolis - Propylaea (437-432 BC). A staircase of marble slabs, winding, led along the western slope of the hill to the portico, which consisted of 6 Doric columns, the spaces between which symmetrically decreased on both sides.

Agora

Part of the population, subject to the owners of the fortress (acropolis), eventually settled at the foot of the hill, mainly on its southern and southeastern side. It was here that the most ancient sanctuaries of the city were located, in particular dedicated to Olympian Zeus, Apollo, Dionysus. Then settlements appeared along the slopes that stretch west of the Acropolis. The lower city expanded even more when, due to the unification of the various parts into which Attica was divided in ancient times into one political whole (tradition attributes this to Theseus), Athens became the capital of the united state. Gradually, over the following centuries, the city was also settled on the northern side of the Acropolis. It was predominantly home to artisans, namely members of the respected and numerous class of potters in Athens, hence a significant quarter of the city east of the Acropolis was called the Ceramics (that is, the potters' quarter).

Finally, in the era of Peisistratus and his sons, an altar to the 12 gods was built in the southern part of the new Agora (market), which was located at the northwestern foot of the Acropolis. Moreover, from the Agora the distances of all areas connected by roads to the city were measured. Peisistratus also began construction in the lower city of the colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus east of the Acropolis, and on the highest point of the Acropolis hill - the Temple of Chaste Athena (Hecatompedon).

Gates

Among the main entrance gates of Athens were:

• in the west: Dipylon Gate, leading from the center of the Keramik district to the Academy. The gate was considered sacred because the sacred Elefsinian Way began from it. Knight's Gate were located between the Hill of the Nymphs and the Pnyx. Piraeus Gate- between Pnyx and Museion, led to a road between long walls, which in turn led to Piraeus. The Miletus Gate is so named because it led to the deme of Miletus within Athens (not to be confused with the polis of Miletus).
• in the south: the gate of the dead was located near Museion Hill. The road to Faliron began from the Itonia Gate on the banks of the Ilissos River.
• in the east: the Diochara gate led to the Lyceum. The Diomean Gate received this name because it led to the demo of Diomeus, as well as the hill of Kinosargus.
• in the north: the Acarnian gate led to the deme Acarneus.

Districts

Temple of Olympian Zeus, today

• Inner Keramik, or "Potters' Quarter".
• Dem Miletus is in the western part of the city, south of the Inner Ceramics.
• Dem Hippias Kolonos was considered the most aristocratic among all the demes of the polis of Ancient Athens.
• Dem Scambonide in the northern part of the city and east of the Inner Ceramics.
• Kollitos - the southern district of the city, lay south of the Acropolis.
• Koele is a district in the southwest of the city.
• Limna - a district east of the deme of Miletus and the district of Kollitos, occupied the territory between the Acropolis and the Ilissos River.
• Diomea is a district in the eastern part of the city, next to the Diomea Gate and Kinosarg.
• Agre is a region south of Diomea.

Suburb

• Outer Keramik was located northwest of the city and was considered the best suburb of Athens. Athenians who died in the war were buried here, and at the far end of the area there was an Academy at a distance of 6 stadia from the city.
• Kinosarg was located east of the city, opposite the Ilissos River, bordered by the Diomean Gate and the gymnasium dedicated to Hercules, where the cynic Antisthenes taught.
• The Lyceum was located east of the city. In this area there was a gymnasium dedicated to Apollo of Lycaeum, famous for the fact that Aristotle taught his students there.

Streets

Among the most important streets of Athens were:

• Piraeus Street, which led from the Piraeus Gate to the Athenian Agora.
• The Panathenaic Way led from the Dipylon Gate through the agora to the Acropolis of Athens. A solemn procession took place along the Panathenaic route during the Panathenaic holidays.
• Tripod Street was located east of the Acropolis.

Public buildings

• Temples. Of these, the most important had Olympion, or the Temple of Olympian Zeus, located southeast of the Acropolis, near the Ilissos River and the Callirhoe Fountain. Other temples in Athens include: Temple of Hephaestus - located west of the agora; Temple of Ares - in the north of the agora; The Metroon, or temple of the Mother of the Gods, is on the western side of the agora. In addition to these main ones, there were many smaller temples in all areas of the city.
• The boleftherion was erected in the western part of the agora.
• Tholos is a rounded building near Boleftherion, built in 470 BC. e Cimon, who was elected to the Council of Five Hundred. In Tholos, the council members ate and also made sacrifices.

Panathinaikos Stadium, modern view

• Stoas - open colonnades, were used by the Athenians as a resting place in the heat of the day, there were several of them in Athens.
• Theaters. The very first theater in Athens was the Theater of Dionysus on the southeastern slope of the Acropolis; for a long time it remained the largest theater of the Athenian state. In addition, there was an Odeon for participation in vocal competitions and the performance of instrumental music.
• The Panathinaikos Stadium was located on the banks of the Ilissos River in the Agra region and hosted the sporting events of the Panathenaic Festivals. The Panathinaikos Stadium hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Sources

• Buzeskul V.P., Aristotle’s Athenian polity as a source for the history of the political system of Athens until the end of the 5th century, Har., 1995;
• Zhebeleva S. A., From the history of Athens (229-31 BC), St. Petersburg. 1898;
• Kolobova K. M., The ancient city of Athens and its monuments, L., 1961;
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This is a special city: no other European capital can boast of such a historical and cultural heritage. It is rightly called the cradle of democracy and Western civilization. Life in Athens still revolves around the witness of its birth and prosperity - the Acropolis, one of the seven hills surrounding the city, which rises above it like a stone ship with the ancient Parthenon on its deck.

Video: Athens

Basic moments

Athens has been the capital of modern Greece since the 1830s, the time when an independent state was proclaimed. Since then, the city has experienced an unprecedented rise. In 1923, the number of residents here doubled almost overnight as a result of a population exchange with Turkey.

Due to the rapid post-war economic growth and the real boom that followed Greece's accession to the European Union in 1981, the suburb took over the entire historical part of the city. Athens has become an octopus city: it is estimated that its population is about 4 million inhabitants, 750,000 of whom live within the city's official boundaries.

The new dynamic city was greatly transformed by the 2004 Olympic Games. Years of grandiose work have modernized and beautified the city. A new airport opened its doors, new metro lines were launched, and museums were updated.

Of course, pollution problems environment and overpopulation remains, and rarely does anyone fall in love with Athens at first sight... But one cannot help but succumb to the charm of this amazing mixture of antiquity generated by contrasts holy city and capitals of the 21st century. Athens also owes its uniqueness to numerous neighborhoods that have an inimitable character: traditional Plaka, industrial Gazi, Monastraki experiencing a new dawn with its flea markets, shopping Psirri entering the markets, working Omonia, business Syntagma, bourgeois Kolonaki... not to mention Piraeus, which is essentially an independent city.

Sights of Athens

It is the small plateau on which the Acropolis is located (4 ha), rising 100 m above the plain of Attica and modern city, Athens owes its destiny. The city was born here, grew up, and met its historical glory. No matter how damaged and unfinished the Acropolis may be, it still holds up quite confidently to this day and fully retains the status of one of the greatest wonders of the world, once awarded to it by UNESCO. Its name means " high city", from Greek asgo (“high”, “sublime”) and polis ("city"). It also means "citadel", which, in fact, was the Acropolis in the Bronze Age and later, in the Mycenaean era.

In 2000, the main buildings of the Acropolis were dismantled for reconstruction in accordance with new archaeological knowledge and modern restoration techniques. However, do not be surprised if the reconstruction of some buildings, for example the Parthenon or the Temple of Nike Apteros, is not yet completed; this work takes a lot of effort and time.

Areopagus and the Bele Gate

The entrance to the Acropolis is on the west side, at the Bele Gate, a Roman building from the 3rd century, named after the French archaeologist who discovered it in 1852. From the entrance, steps carved in stone lead to the Areopagus, a stone hill on which judges gathered in ancient times.

The huge staircase that ended the Panathenaic road (dromos), led to this monumental entrance to the Acropolis, marked by six Doric columns. More complex than the Parthenon, which they were meant to complement, the Propylaea ("in front of entrance") were conceived by Pericles and his architect Mnesicles as the grandest secular building ever built in Greece. Works began in 437 BC. and interrupted in 431 by the Peloponnesian War, were never resumed. The central passage, the widest, was once crowned with railings, intended for chariots, and steps led to four other entrances, intended for mere mortals. The northern wing is decorated with images dedicated to Athena by great artists of the past.

This small temple (421 BC), created by the architect Callicrates, built on an earthen embankment to the southwest (on right) from Propylaea. It was in this place, according to legend, that Aegeus waited for his son Theseus, who had gone to fight the Minotaur. Not seeing a white sail on the horizon - a sign of victory - he threw himself into the abyss, considering Theseus dead. From this place there is a magnificent view of Athens and the sea. This building, dwarfed by the size of the Parthenon, was destroyed in 1687 by the Turks, who used its stones to strengthen their own defences. It was first restored shortly after the country's independence, but has recently been dismantled again to be rebuilt with all the subtleties of classical art.

After passing the Propylaea, you will find yourself on the esplanade in front of the Acropolis, topped by the Parthenon itself. It was Pericles who commissioned Phidias, a brilliant sculptor and builder, and his assistants, the architects Ictinus and Callicrates, to build this temple on the site of former sanctuaries destroyed by the Persian conquerors. The work, which began in 447 BC, lasted fifteen years. Using Pentelic marble as a material, the builders managed to create a building with ideal proportions, 69 meters long and 31 meters wide. It is decorated with 46 fluted columns ten meters high, made up of a dozen drums. For the first time in history, each of the four facades of the building was decorated with pediments with painted friezes and sculptures.

In the foreground was a bronze statue of Athena Promachos (“the one that protects”) nine meters high, with a spear and shield - only a few fragments of the pedestal remain from this composition. They say that sailors could see the crest of her helmet and the gilded tip of her spear, sparkling in the sun, as soon as they entered the Saronic Gulf...

Another huge statue of Athena Parthenos, dressed in pure gold, with a face, arms and legs made of Ivory and with the head of Medusa on her chest, was in the sanctuary. This brainchild of Phidias remained in its place for more than a thousand years, but was subsequently taken to Constantinople, where it was later lost.

Becoming the Cathedral of Athens during the Byzantine era, then a mosque under Turkish rule, the Parthenon passed through the centuries without much loss until that fateful day in 1687 when the Venetians bombarded the Acropolis. The Turks set up an ammunition depot in the building, and when a cannonball hit it, wooden roof was destroyed and part of the walls and sculptural decorations collapsed. An even more severe blow to the pride of the Greeks was dealt at the very beginning of the 19th century by the British ambassador Lord Elgin, who received permission from the Turks to excavate the ancient city and took away a huge number of beautiful statues and bas-reliefs of the Parthenon pediment. Now they are in the British Museum, but the Greek government does not lose hope that someday they will return to their homeland.

The last of the sanctuaries built by the ancient Greeks on the Acropolis is located on the other side of the plateau, near the northern wall, on the site of the mythical dispute between Poseidon and Athena over power over the city. Construction lasted fifteen years. The consecration of the Erechtheion took place in 406 BC. An unknown architect was supposed to combine three sanctuaries under one roof (in honor of Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus), having built a temple on a site with significant differences in ground height.

This temple, although smaller in size than the Parthenon, was supposed to be equal to it in magnificence. The north portico is without a doubt a masterpiece of architectural genius, as evidenced by its deep blue marble frieze, coffered ceiling and elegant Ionic columns.

Don't miss the Caryatids - six taller than life-sized statues of young girls supporting the roof of the southern portico. Currently these are only copies. One of the original statues was taken away by the same Lord El-jin, five others were exhibited for a long time in the Small Acropolis Museum (now closed), were transported to the New Acropolis Museum, which opened in June 2009.

Here, do not forget to enjoy the beautiful view of Salamis Bay, located on the western side.

Located on the western side of the Acropolis (161-174), a Roman odeon famous for its acoustics, is open to the public only during the festivities organized as part of the festival in honor of Athena (performances take place almost every day from late May to mid-October). The marble steps of the ancient theater can accommodate up to 5,000 spectators!

The theater located not far from the Odeon, although very ancient, is closely connected with the main episodes of the life of the Greek city. This is a gigantic structure with 17,000 seats, built in V-IV centuries BC, saw the tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides and the comedies of Aristophanes. In fact, it is the cradle of Western theatrical art. Since the 4th century, the city assembly has met here.

New Acropolis Museum

At the foot of the hill (South side) is the New Acropolis Museum, the brainchild of Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi and his Greek colleague Michalis Fotiadis. A new museum built to replace the old Acropolis Museum (near the Parthenon), which became too cramped, opened its doors in June 2009. This ultra-modern building of marble, glass and concrete was built on stilts, as valuable archaeological finds were discovered at the site when construction began. 4,000 artifacts are displayed on 14,000 sq. m is ten times the area of ​​the old museum.

The first floor, already open to the public, houses temporary exhibitions, and its glass floor allows for observation of the ongoing excavations. The second floor houses the permanent collections, which include artifacts found at the Acropolis from the Archaic period of Ancient Greece to the Roman period. But the highlight of the exhibition is the third floor, whose glass windows give visitors a beautiful view of the Parthenon.

Acropolis metro station

Acropolis metro station

In the 1990s, during the construction of the second metro line, important excavations were discovered. Some of them were displayed right at the station (amphoras, pots). Here you can also see a replica of the Parthenon frieze representing Helios as he emerges from the sea, surrounded by Dionysus, Demeter, Kore and an unknown headless figure.

Old lower town

On both sides of the Acropolis stretches the ancient lower city: Greek in the north, around the market square and the ancient district of Kerameikos, Roman in the east on the approach to the Olympion (temple of Zeus) and the Arch of Hadrian. Recently, all the sights can be seen on foot, passing through the labyrinth of streets of Plaka or walking around the Acropolis along big street them. Dionysius the Areopagite.

Agora

Initially, this term meant “meeting”, then it began to be called a place where people did business. The heart of the old town, filled with workshops and stalls, the agora (market Square) was surrounded by many tall buildings: a mint, a library, a council chamber, a court, archives, not to mention countless altars, small temples and monuments.

The first public buildings on this site began to appear in the 4th century BC, during the reign of the tyrant Pisistratus. Some of them were restored, and many were built after the sack of the city by the Persians in 480 BC. The Panathenaic Road, the main artery of the ancient city, crossed the esplanade diagonally, linking the main gate of the city, the Dipylon, with the Acropolis. Cart races took place here, in which even cavalry recruits supposedly took part.

Today, the agora has hardly survived, with the exception of Theseon (Temple of Hephaestus). This Doric temple in the west of the Acropolis is the best preserved in Greece. It is the owner of a beautiful ensemble of Pentelic marble columns and Parian marble friezes. On each of its sides there is an image of Hercules in the east, Theseus in the north and south, battle scenes (with magnificent centaurs) in the east and west. Dedicated to both Hephaestus, patron of metallurgists, and Organ Athena (To the worker), protector of potters and craftsmen, it dates from the second half of the 5th century BC. This temple probably owes its preservation to its transformation into a church. In the 19th century, it even became a Protestant temple, where the remains of English volunteers and other European philhellenes rested. (Greco-philos) who died during the Revolutionary War.

Below, in the center of the agora, near the entrance to the Odeon of Agrippa, you will see three monumental statues of tritons. In the most elevated part of the area, towards the Acropolis, is the restored small Church of the Holy Apostles (about 1000) in Byzantine style. Inside, the remains of 17th-century frescoes and a marble iconostasis are preserved.

The Portico of Attalus, on the east side of the market square, 120 meters long and 20 meters wide, was reconstructed in the 1950s and is now the Agora Museum. There are some amazing artifacts to see here. For example, a huge Spartan shield made of bronze (425 BC) and, directly opposite, a piece of clerotherium, a stone with a hundred slits, intended for the random selection of jurors. Among the coins on display is a silver tetradrachm depicting an owl, which served as the model for the Greek euro.

Roman agora

In the second half of the 1st century BC. the Romans moved the agora about a hundred meters to the east to create their own central market. After the barbarian invasion of 267, the administrative center of the city took refuge behind the new walls of the decaying Athens. Here, as in the surrounding streets, you can still see many important buildings.

Built in the 11th century BC. The Doric gate of Athena Archegetis is located near the western entrance to the Roman agora. During the reign of Hadrian, a copy of the order regarding the taxation of purchases and sales was placed here for public information. olive oil... On the other side of the square, on the embankment, rises the octagonal Tower of the Winds (Aerids) made of white Pentelic marble. It was built in the 1st century BC. Macedonian astronomer Andronikos and served simultaneously as a weather vane, compass and clepsydra (water clock). Each side is decorated with a frieze depicting one of the eight winds, under which the hands of an ancient sundial can be discerned. On the north side there is a small inactive Fethiye mosque (Conqueror), one of the last witnesses to the occupation of the market square by religious buildings in the Middle Ages and later under Turkish rule.

Two blocks from the Roman agora, near Monastiraki Square, you will find the ruins of Hadrian's Library. Erected during the reign of the builder emperor in the same year as the Olympion (132 BC), this is huge public building with a courtyard surrounded by a hundred columns, it was at one time one of the most luxurious in Athens.

The Keramik quarter, located on the northwestern border of the Greek city, owes its name to the potters who made the famous Attic vases with red figures on a black background here. There was also the largest cemetery of that time, which operated until the 6th century and is partially preserved. The oldest graves date back to the Mycenaean era, but the most beautiful, decorated with steles and funerary monuments, belonged to wealthy Athenians and war heroes from times of tyranny. They are located to the west of the cemetery, in a corner planted with cypress and olive trees. Such displays of vanity were prohibited after the establishment of democracy.

The museum displays the most beautiful examples: sphinxes, kouroses, lions, bulls... Some of them were used in 478 BC. for the hasty construction of new defensive fortifications against the Spartans!

To the west of the agora and the Acropolis rises the Pnyx Hill, the meeting place of the assembly of the inhabitants of Athens (ecclesia). Meetings took place ten times a year from the 6th to the end of the 4th century BC. Famous orators such as Pericles, Themistocles, Demosthenes gave speeches here to their compatriots. Later the assembly moved to a larger square in front of the Theater of Dionysus. From the top of this hill the view of the forested Acropolis is amazing.

Hill of Muses

The most beautiful panorama of the Acropolis and Parthenon still opens from this wooded hill in the southwest of the old center - the mythological bastion of the Athenians in the fight against the Amazons. At the top there is a perfectly preserved tomb monument of Philopappos (or Philoppapu) 12 meters high. It dates from the 2nd century and depicts this "benefactor of Athens" on a cart.

To mark the boundary between the old Greek city and its own Athens, the Roman Emperor Hadrian ordered the erection of a gate facing the Olympion. On one side it was written "Athens, the ancient city of Theseus", and on the other - "The city of Hadrian, not Theseus". Apart from this, both facades are absolutely identical; Striving for unity, they combine the Roman tradition at the bottom and the Greek form of propylae at the top. The 18-meter-high monument was erected thanks to gifts from the people of Athens.

The Temple of Zeus the Olympian, the supreme deity, was the largest in ancient Greece - erected, as legend has it, on the site of the ancient sanctuary of Deucalion, the mythical forefather of the Greek people, who thus thanked Zeus for saving him from the flood. The tyrant Peisistratus supposedly began construction of this gigantic building in 515 BC. in order to keep people busy and prevent a riot. But this time the Greeks overestimated their capabilities: the temple was completed only in the Roman era, in 132 BC. Emperor Hadrian, who got all the glory. The dimensions of the temple were impressive: length - 110 meters, width - 44 meters. Of the 104 Corinthian columns, 17 meters high and 2 meters in diameter, only fifteen have survived; the sixteenth, knocked down by a storm, still lies on the ground. The rest were used for other buildings. They were arranged in double rows of 20 along the length of the building and triple rows of 8 on the sides. The sanctuary contains a giant gold and ivory statue of Zeus and a statue of Emperor Hadrian - both were equally revered in the Roman era.

Nestled in an amphitheater with marble steps near Mount Ardettos, 500 meters east of the Olympion, this stadium was restored in 1896 for the first modern Olympic Games to replace and replace the ancient one built by Lycurgus in 330 BC. In the 2nd century, Hadrian introduced arena gaming, bringing thousands of predators for bestiaries. This is where the 2004 Olympic Games marathon finished.

This is the oldest and most interesting residential quarter of the city. Its labyrinth of streets and staircases, dating back at least three thousand years, extends to the north-eastern slope of the Acropolis. It is mostly pedestrian. The upper part of the quarter is perfect for long walks and admiring the beautiful houses of the 19th century, the walls and courtyards of which are densely covered with burganvilleas and geraniums. Plaka is dotted with ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and at the same time there are many boutiques, restaurants, museums, bars, small nightclubs... It can be either quiet or very lively, it all depends on the place and time.

Churches

Although the towers of the Metropolis, Plaka Cathedral (XIX century), located in the northern part of the quarter, inevitably attracts the eye, lower your eyes to its base and admire the delightful Little Metropolis. This small 12th-century Byzantine church dedicated to St. Eleutrius and Our Lady of Gorgoepikoos (“Coming soon to the assistant!”) was built from antique materials. The outside of its walls are decorated with magnificent geometric bas-reliefs. All the priests of Greece gather on the neighboring street, Agios Filotheis, to shop in specialized stores. On the hills of Plaka is the charming little Byzantine church of Agios Ioannis Theologos (XI century), also worthy of your attention.

This museum in the eastern part of Plaka presents an interesting collection of folk art exhibits. After viewing the embroideries on the ground floor and the funny carnival costumes on the mezzanine, in the Theophilos Room on the second floor you will discover wall paintings, a tribute to this self-taught artist who decorated the houses and shops of his native land. Honoring tradition, he wore fustanella all his life (traditional men's skirt) and died in poverty and oblivion. Only after his death did he receive recognition. Decorations, ornaments and weapons are displayed on the third floor; on the fourth - folk costumes of various provinces of the country.

Neoclassical on the outside, ultra-modern on the inside, this museum dedicated to contemporary art is the only one of its kind in Greece. It alternates between a permanent collection, whose main theme is ordinary people, and temporary exhibitions. Visitors are given the opportunity to look at the great events of the 20th century through the eyes of Greek artists.

In 335 BC, after the victory of his troupe in a theater competition, in order to perpetuate this event, the philanthropist Lysicrates ordered the construction of this monument in the form of a rotunda. The Athenians nicknamed it “the lantern of Diogenes.” Initially, there was a bronze prize inside, received from the city authorities. In the 17th century

Anaphiotika

In the highest part of Plaka, on the slopes of the Acropolis, the inhabitants of the Kikpadian island of Anafi recreated their world in miniature. Anafiotika is a block within a block, a real peaceful haven where cars have no access. It consists of several dozen whitewashed houses, surrounded by flowers, with many narrow alleys and secluded passages. Gazebos from grape vines, climbing rose hips, flower pots - life here turns on a pleasant side for you. Anafiotika can be reached from Stratonos Street.

This museum is located in the westernmost part of Plaka, between the Acropolis and the Roman agora, in a beautiful neoclassical building and houses some very quirky and varied collections. (who, however, are united by belonging to Hellenism), transferred to the state by the Kanellopoulos spouses. Among the main exhibits you will see Cycladic figurines and antique gold jewelry.

Museum of Folk Musical Instruments

Located on Diogenes Street, in the western part of Plaka, opposite the entrance to the Roman agora, this museum invites you to explore musical instruments and traditional Greek melodies. You will learn how bouzoukis, lutes, tambouras, guides and other rare samples sound. Concerts are organized in the garden in summer.

Syntagma Square

To the northeast, Plaka is bordered by the huge Syntagma Square, the heart of the business world, an area that was built according to a plan drawn up the day after independence was declared. The green esplanade is surrounded by chic cafes and modern buildings housing the offices of banks, airlines and international companies.

Here is the Great Britain Hotel, the pearl of Athens of the 19th century, the most beautiful palace in the city. On the eastern slope is the Buli Palace, now the parliament. In 1834 it served as the residence of King Otto I and Queen Amalia.

Subway

Thanks to the construction of the metro (1992-1994) under the esplanade, the largest excavations ever carried out in Athens began. Archaeologists have discovered an aqueduct from the era of Pisistratus, a very important road, bronze foundries of the 5th century BC. (period when this place was outside the city walls), cemeteries from the end of the classical era - the beginning of the Roman era, baths and a second aqueduct, also Roman, as well as early Christian ossuaries and part of the Byzantine city. Various archaeological layers have been preserved inside the station in the shape of a transverse cup.

Parliament (Buli Palace)

The name of Syntagma Square evokes the Greek Constitution of 1844, proclaimed from the balcony of this neoclassical palace, seat of parliament since 1935.

In front of the building there is a monument to the Unknown Soldier, who is kept guard by the Evzones (infantry). They wear traditional Greek costumes: a fustanella with 400 folds, symbolizing the number of years spent under the Turkish yoke, woolen socks and red shoes with pom-poms.

The changing of the guard occurs every hour from Monday to Saturday, and once at 10.30 on Sunday. The entire garrison gathers in the square for this beautiful ceremony.

National Garden

Once a palace park, the National Garden is now a quiet oasis with exotic plants and mosaic pools in the heart of the city. There you can see ancient ruins hidden among shady alleys, a small botanical museum located in a pavilion, a zoo and a pleasant kafenion with a large covered gazebo.

To the south is the Zappeion, a neoclassical building built in the 1880s in the form of a rotunda. In 1896, during the first modern Olympic Games, it was the headquarters of the Olympic Committee. Zappeion later became an Exhibition Center.

To the east of the garden, on Herodes Atticus Street, in the middle of the park, is the Presidential Palace, a beautiful Baroque building guarded by two evzones.

Northern neighborhoods and museums

The Gazi quarter in the north-west of the city, which lives up to its name and is predominantly industrial, does not at first make a very pleasant impression. The former gas plant that gave the neighborhood its name is now a huge cultural center .

Just to the east lies the very lively quarter of Psiri, home to wholesalers and blacksmiths - and, for some time now, a growing number of bars, nightlife and trendy restaurants. Its small streets lead to the markets and Omonia Square, the heart of people's Athens. From here you can walk to Syntagma Square along two large streets in a neoclassical frame - Stadiou and Panepistimiou.

Neighborhood Monastiraki

Directly north of the Roman agora is Monastiraki Square, which is crowded with people at any time of the day. Above it rises the dome and portico of the Tsizdaraki mosque (1795), which now houses the Plaka branch of the Folk Art Museum.

The nearby pedestrian streets are filled with souvenir shops, antique shops and ragpickers who gather every Sunday at Abyssinia Square for a giant flea market.

Markets

The Grand Athenas Boulevard, linking Monastiraki with Omonia Square to the north, passes by market pavilions. The "belly of Athens", which is in constant activity from dawn to midday, is divided into two parts: fishmongers in the center and meat traders around.

In front of the building there are sellers of dried fruits, and on the nearby streets there are sellers of hardware, carpets, and poultry.

Archaeological Museum

A few blocks north of Omonia Square, on a huge esplanade lined with cars, is the National Archaeological Museum, home to a fabulous collection of art from the great civilizations of ancient Greece. Don't hesitate to spend half a day here, contemplating the statues, frescoes, vases, cameos, jewelry, coins and other treasures.

The museum's most valuable item is perhaps the gold death mask of Agamemnon, discovered in 1876 at Mycenae by amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann. (hall 4, in the center of the courtyard). In the same room you will see another important Mycenaean object, the Warrior Vase, as well as funerary steles, weapons, rhytons, jewelry and thousands of luxurious objects made of amber, gold and even an ostrich egg shell! Cycladic collection (hall 6) also a must watch.

As you explore the ground floor and move clockwise, you will walk chronologically from the Archaic period, represented by the magnificent kouroi and kora, to the Roman period. Along the way, you will see great masterpieces of art from the classical era, including a bronze statue of Poseidon caught in the sea near the island of Euboea (hall 15), as well as statues of the horseman Artemision on a war horse (hall 21). Tombstones abound, some of them quite impressive. For example, huge lekythos - vases two meters high. It is also worth mentioning the friezes that decorated the temple of Atheia on Aegina, the friezes of the temple of Asclepius (Aesculapius) in Epidaurus and the magnificent marble group of Aphrodite, Pan and Eros in room 30.

On the second floor, collections of ceramics are exhibited: from items from the Geometric era to delightful Attic vases. A separate section is dedicated to the Greek Pompeii - the city of Akrotiri on the island of Santorini, buried in 1450 BC (hall 48).

Panepistimiou

The quarter, located between Omonia and Syntagma squares, gives a clear indication of the grand ambitions of the post-independence period. Definitely belonging to the neoclassical style, the trio consisting of the University, the Academy and the National Library stretches along Panepistimiou Street (or Eleftherios Venizelou) and clearly deserves the attention of city guests.

National History Museum

The museum is located in the former parliament building, at 13 Stadiou Street, near Syntagma Square, and is dedicated to the history of the country since the capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans (1453). The Revolutionary War period is presented in great detail. You can even see the helmet and sword of Lord Byron, the most famous of the Philhellenes!

Founded in 1930 by Antonis Benakis, a member of a prominent Greek family, the museum is located in his former Athens residence. The exhibition consists of collections collected throughout his life. The museum continues to expand and now offers visitors a complete panorama of Greek art, from the prehistoric period to the 20th century.

On the ground floor there are exhibits from the Neolithic period to the Byzantine era, as well as a fine collection of jewelry and antique gold leaf crowns. A large section is dedicated to icons. Second floor (XVI-XIX centuries) covers the period of Turkish occupation, mainly examples of church and secular folk art are exhibited here. The two magnificent 1750s reception halls have been restored, complete with carved wood ceilings and paneling.

Less interesting sections dedicated to the period of awakening of national consciousness and the struggle for independence occupy the two upper floors.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Presented here are mainly the collections of Nicholas Goulandris dedicated to ancient art. The most prominent of these is, without a doubt, on the ground floor. Here you can get acquainted with the legendary Cycladic art; figurines, marble household items and religious objects. Don't miss the plate of doves, carved from a single piece, the extraordinary figurines of a flute player and a bread peddler, and a 1.40 meter high statue, one of two depicting the great patron goddess.

The third floor is dedicated to Greek art from the Bronze Age to the 2nd century BC, the fourth floor displays a collection of Cypriot artifacts, and the fifth floor displays the finest pottery and “Corinthian” bronze shields.

The museum later moved to a magnificent neoclassical villa built in 1895 by the Bavarian architect Ernst Ziller (Staphatos Palace).

The exhibitions housed in the museum cover the period from the fall of the Roman Empire (5th century) before the fall of Constantinople (1453) and successfully illuminate the history of Byzantine culture through an excellent selection of artifacts and reconstructions. The exhibition also highlights the special role of Athens, the center of pagan thought for at least two centuries until the rise of Christianity.

The Coptic art section is worth seeing (especially shoes of the 5th-8th centuries!), the treasure of Mytilene, found in 1951, delightful crossbars and bas-reliefs, collections of icons and frescoes exhibited in the Church of the Episcopia of Eurytania, as well as magnificent manuscripts.

National Pinakothek

Significantly modernized in recent years, the Pinakothek is dedicated to Greek art of the last four centuries. It chronologically presents various movements, from early post-Byzantine painting to the works of modern artists. In particular, you will see three mystical paintings by El Greco, a native of Crete who, along with Velazquez and Goya, was the most famous artist of 16th century Spain.

At the northern end of Vasilissis Sophias Boulevard, the sloping streets of the Kolonaki quarter form a chic enclave famous for its fashion boutiques and art galleries. All morning, and especially after lunch, there is nowhere for an apple to fall on the terraces of the cafes of Filikis Eterias Square.

Mount Lycabettus (Lycabettos)

At the end of Plutarch Street there is a long line of markets leading to an underground cable tunnel with a funicular that takes you to the top of Lycabetus, famous for its beautiful panorama, in a few minutes. Sports fans will prefer the stairs starting from the end of Lucianu Street, a hundred meters to the west (15 minutes rise). The path, bending, leads through cypresses and agaves. At the top, from the porch of the Chapel of St. George, in good weather you can see the islands of the Saronic Gulf and, of course, the Acropolis.

Around Athens

Situated between the sea and the hills, Athens is the ideal starting point to explore the most famous sites of Attica, the peninsula separating the Aegean Sea and the Saronic Gulf.

On weekends everyone goes to the beach. Located right next to the city walls, Glyfada stole the show during the 2004 Olympic Games: it was here that most of the nautical competitions took place. A chic suburb with numerous boutiques and a seaside resort famous for its marinas and golf courses, Glyfada comes alive in the summer with discos and clubs opening along Possidonos Avenue. The beaches here and towards Voula are mostly private, dotted with umbrellas and packed at the end of the week. If you're looking for a quieter spot, head south to Vouliagmeni, a luxurious and expensive port surrounded by greenery. The coast becomes more democratic only after Varkiza, near Cape Sounion.

The sentinel of Athens, holding guard on the top of the rock of the "Cape of Columns" at the extreme point of Mediterranean Attica, the temple of Poseidon forms one of the vertices of the "sacred triangle", a perfect isosceles triangle, the other points of which are the Acropolis and the temple of Aphaia on Aegina. It was said that once, when entering the bay on the way to Piraeus, sailors could see all three buildings at the same time - a pleasure now inaccessible due to the frequent smog that descends over these places. Sanctuary restored during the era of Pericles (444 BC), retained 16 of the 34 Doric columns. Once upon a time, trireme racing was held here, organized by the Athenians in honor of the goddess Athena, to whom the second temple, built on a nearby hill, is dedicated. The place acquires strategic importance: its fortress, now disappeared, made it possible to simultaneously control the silver mines of Lorion and the movement of ships to Athens.

Built on the pine-clad slopes of Mount Hymetos, a few kilometers east of Athens, the 11th-century monastery is quiet at the end of the week when a landing party of picnickers lands nearby. In the central courtyard you will find a church whose walls are covered with frescoes (XVII-XVIII centuries), the dome rests on four antique columns, and at the other end of the monastery there is an amazing fountain with a ram's head, from which water flows, which is said to have miraculous properties.

Marathon

This place, one of the most famous, witnessed the victory of the 10,000-strong Athenian army over the Persian forces three times larger in 490 BC. To deliver the good news, as legend has it, a runner from Marathon ran the 40 km that separated it from Athens - so fast that he died of exhaustion upon arrival. 192 greek hero Those who died in this battle were buried on the mound - this is the only credible evidence of this famous event.

Monastery of Daphne

Situated 10 km west of Athens, on the edge of a highway, the Byzantine monastery of Daphne is famous for its 11th-century mosaics depicting the apostles and the mighty Christ Pantocrator watching over them from the central dome. Having received significant damage from an earthquake in 1999, the building is now closed for restoration.

Pressed on one side by Attica and on the other by the Peloponnese Peninsula, the Saronic Gulf - the gateway of the Corinth Canal - opens the door to Athens. Among the many islands, Aegina is the most interesting and easiest to get to. (1 hour 15 minutes by ferry or 35 minutes by speedboat).

Most of the ships are moored on the western shore, in the beautiful port of Aegina. Few people know that it was the first capital of liberated Greece. Fishermen repair their gear here in front of tourists relaxing on cafe terraces and riding in gigs. The narrow pedestrian street leading from the embankment seems to be created for walking and shopping. At the northern exit, in Colon, at an archaeological site, there are a few ruins of the Temple of Apollo (V century BC). The archaeological museum displays artifacts found nearby: donations, pottery, sculptures and steles.

The rest of the island is divided between pistachio plantations, which are the pride of Aegina, several groves with olive trees and beautiful pine forests, stretching in the east all the way to the seaside resort of Agia Marina, on whose beautiful beaches life is in full swing in the summer.

From there you can easily reach the Temple of Aphaia, built on a promontory visible from both shores. The splendor of this Doric monument, perfectly preserved, allows us to guess the former power of the island, which was once a rival of Athens. Built in 500 BC, it was dedicated to the local goddess Aphaia, daughter of Zeus, who took refuge in these places to escape the persecution of King Minos.

If you have some time, visit the ruins of Paliochora, the former capital of Aegina, built on a hill in the interior of the island. Founded in Antiquity, the town grew up during the High Middle Ages, an era when residents took refuge on mountain tops to escape pirate raids. Until the 19th century, when its inhabitants abandoned it, Paliochora had 365 churches and chapels, of which 28 have survived, and in them you can still see the remains of beautiful frescoes. Just below is the monastery of Agios Nektarios, the largest on the island.

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When is the best time to go to Athens

Spring and late autumn - best time to visit Athens. Summers can be very hot and dry. Winter is sometimes rainy, with few snow days. But at the same time, winter can be an ideal time to visit the city, when it may be fresh, but there are no crowds.

Very often there is smog over the city, the reason for which is the geography of the city - due to the fact that Athens is surrounded by mountains, exhaust and pollution from cars very often linger over the city.

How to get there

How can I get to Athens from the airport? First of all, a direct metro line has been laid from the airport to the city ( of blue color). The final station in the city center is Monastiraki metro station. You can get to the train station in Athens by commuter train. A convenient and comfortable way is to call a taxi. A more economical ground transport is a bus; buses from the airport follow four routes.

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