Mount Pelion and the Pelion Peninsula, (Thessaly Greece)

PELION / PILO/PILIO/PELIO/PILION

The verdant Pelion peninsula with its snow capped mountain, great stretches of sandy beaches and green blue seas, is situated in the prefecture of Magnesia in Thessaly, Central Greece.

Scattered across the Peninsula are around 70 villages, from the famous mountainous villages of Tsagarada, Portaria and Zagora, to the beautiful coastal resorts of Kala Nera, Milina and Platanias and can be toured year round.

Its beaches are spread around the Pagasitic Gulf and Aegean Sea and are good for bathing, watersports or simply lazing. Summer is relatively cooler, especially in the mountains whilst in winter; it becomes a good destination for skiing

Ski Centre of Mount Pelion
Agriolefkes on Mount Pelion (2km from the mountainous village of Hania, 12km from the village of Portaria, and 27km from the city of Volos) is one of the first ski centres to operate in Greece The four slopes of "Thetis", "Falconera", "Panorama" and the "Amateurs" slope all combine to make a total length of 5000m. The centre is very popular during the winter months and apart from skiing, other winter activities include snowboarding and mountain artillery ski. The centre provides other facilities such as a cafeteria, parking as well as accommodation. However for a better choice in accommodation the nearby villages of Hania, Portaria and Makrinitsa should be explored.

Beaches in Pelion Greece:
With both the Aegean Sea on the eastern coast and the Pagsitic Gulf on the southern part of the peninsula it offers some great sand and white pebble beaches and ‘Blue Flag’ coastal resorts.

For more information on Pelion Beaches






Popular Beaches on the Pagasitic Gulf:

1. Kato Lehonia Beach More information;
2. Kala Nera Beach: ‘Blue Flag,’ More information Hotels and Accommodation in Kala Nera;
3. Boufa Beach: the largest and the most popular beach in Pelion situated between the villages of Kala Nera and Afissos
4. Afissos Beach: soft sand beaches. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Afissos

Popular Beach on the Aegean Sea:

1. Mikro Beach: one of the most beautiful and very popular during summer. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Mikro;
2. Kastri Beach: very popular with windsurfers. More information
3. Paltsi (Agios Konstantinos) Beach: More information Hotels and Accommodation in Paltsi;
4. Potistika Beach: can be good for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Potistika;
5. Milopotamos Beach ( Tsagarada ): More information Hotels and Accommodation in Tsagarada;
6. Fakistra Beach ( Tsagarada ): The beach is surrounded by large rocks and greenery; Papa Nero Beach: a lovely sandy one, where the mountains stretch down to the sea. More information;
7. Agios Ioannis Beach: popular holiday resort in Pelion. More information Hotels and Accommodation in Agios Ioannis;
8. Agioi Saranta Beach: More information;
9. Horefto Beach: lush suuroundings and a tranquil environment More information

Main City, Volos:
The capital city of the region of Magnesia is built at the foot of the mountain of Pelion. The ancient city "Dimitrias", established in the 3rd century BC by the Macedonian king "Dimitrios the Sieger", is situated a little further from modern day Volos. Of the important sites, the most important are The Athanassakeion Archaeological Museum and the archaeological sites of Sesklo, Dimini and Fthiotides Thives. More Information on Volos

Museums and Archaeological sites in Pelion Greece

1. The Athanassakeion Archaeological Museum, Volos, is the most important museum in the region. The Museum houses a selection of interesting artefacts and various objects of antiquity. Visitors to the museum will also see a great collection from the Paleolithic and Neolithic Age. The collections include a collection of Neolithic figurines, clay models and vases. Gold Jewellery and coins from both Thessaly and other parts of the ancient Greek world are also on display.
   Address: 1 Athanasaki Street in Volos. Telephone ( +30 ) 24210 25285. Opening hours for the museum are Tuesday-Sunday: 08.30-15.00. The museum is closed on Mondays. Contact the museum to confirm that opening times if you are planning a visit, as they are subject to change.


2. The Museum of Art Folklore - Makrinitsa, Pelion


3. The Greek Museum (Old school of "Rigas”) - Zagora, Pelion
   
4. The Aggelinis Museum - Horto, Pelion


5. The Old Library - Milies, Pelion

Archaeological Sites around Pelion:

There are several ancient archaeological sites around Volos and Pelion including those of Dimini (Neolithic & a very important Mycenaean Settlement, later identified as ancient Iolkos, the city of Jason), Sesklo (one of the main Neolithic Settlements in Greece, as well as of Europe) and Fthiotides Thebes (Late Roman to Early Christian years).

We found the following very interesting Travel Routes on AroundPelion.com

1. Travel Route 1 - Starting from Afissos village, and passing through various villages ending at Trikeri village. The Complete Travel Route 1
   
2. Travel Route 2 - Starting from Afissos village, and passing through various villages ending at Platania village. The Complete Travel Route 2


3. Travel Route 3 - Starting and returning to Afissos village, passing through Milies, Vizitsa and Ano Lehonia. The Complete Travel Route 3
   
4. Travel Route 4 - Starting and returning to Afissos village, passing through Tsagarada, Makrinitsa and Volos. The Complete Travel Route - 4

Suggested Links for more info on Pelion
More Information on Travelling to Pelion; More Information on Travelling around Pelion
Pelion Hotels Accommodation; Camping in Pelion Greece; Photo Gallery

Sacred Delphi - Sanctuary and Oracle of Apollo (Central Greece)

A designated UNESCO World Heritage site is located in central Greece, amidst a stunning landscape. Site of the Sanctuary and Oracle of Apollo, it was the most important sacred site of Ancient Greece.

Originally in Delphi the Earth Goddess was venerated (two earlier temples had stood on the site), before the arrival of the cult of Apollo. According to legend, the serpent Python, child of the Greek Goddess Gaia (Earth), was the ancient guardian of Delphi's Castalian Spring before being killed by Apollo. Ancient Greeks considered Delphi, the centre of the world, the place where Zeus’s two eagles met from opposite ends of the earth.

The archaeological site of Ancient Delphi is widespread. The modern visitor follows exactly the "Sacred Way" that was followed by ancient pilgrims. The path begins at the southeast corner and winds its way up the hillside, past ancient treasuries and monuments, to the Temple of Apollo which lies immediately beyond and just above the Delphi Museum.

According to Homer, Apollo himself founded the Oracle of Delphi. Pilgrims included Kings, Generals and individuals of all ranks came to the Oracle of Delphi to ask Apollo's advice on the best course to take in war, politics, love and family.

The famous Oracles were delivered in a small chamber in the Temple of Apollo, which was the sole domain of the Pythia. The Pythia (named for the python slain by Apollo) was a priestess who spoke as a possessed medium for Apollo, the Greek God of Prophecy. Whilst delivering Oracles, the Pythia was said to be in a mild trance and spoke for Apollo in an altered voice and often chanted her cryptic pronouncements, which were then translated, written down and sealed by a priest and given to the inquirer. No copies of any answers have yet been found.

The Oracle only functioned on certain days and under specific circumstances. The oracle of Delphi was abolished in 393 AD by Emperor Theodosius, who made Christianity the official religion of the Byzantine Empire.

Numerous Treasuries were built in the Sanctuary of Apollo to house votive offerings of grateful pilgrims. Out of them The Treasury of the Athenians is one of the most important and impressive buildings

The Sanctuary of Athena is on the lower slopes of Holy Mt. Parnassus, a 10-minute walk past the museum and has the picturesque remains of the famous Tholos - a round structure ringed by 20 slender Doric columns.

The Castalian Spring, located between the two sanctuaries was the source of the chemical vapours, which influenced / inspired the Pythia's oracles and induced the trance like euphoric state. It was perhaps the reason why the site was chosen as the abode of Apollo. Two fountains fed by the sacred spring survive: an ancient (early 6th century BC) fountain house with a marble-lined basin surrounded by benches, and a Roman fountain with niches for votive gifts. In classical times, all pilgrims to Delphi stopped here to ritually bathe before entering the sacred precinct.

The Pythian Games of Delphi were one of the four Pan-Hellenic games, attracting competitors from all over ancient Greece. It began with music and poetry but soon, athletic competitions were added, the best known being a great chariot race. The Theatre of Delphi, just above the Temple of Apollo, with 35 rows of seats and a seating capacity of 5,000 was the venue for the musical contests (song and instrumental music) while The Stadium Of Delphi situated north-west of the theatre, above the sanctuary of Apollo, in the highest part of the ancient city was the venue for the athletic events took place

Other site remains include the Ancient Gymnasium, The Treasury of the Siphnians; The Stoa of the Athenians; The votive offering of Daochos

Archaeological excavations began in earnest around 1900 and the findings are displayed in the on-site Delphi Museum, one of the most important museums in Greece Its rich collections are comprised primarily of architectural sculpture, statues and minor objects donated to the sanctuary. These reflect its religious, political and artistic activities from its early years in the eight century BC to its decline in Late Antiquity.

The star exhibit is the famous 474 BC Charioteer of Delphi, a larger-than-life bronze which originally included a four-horse chariot. It portrays a handsome youth whose delicate eyelashes shade wide enamel-and-stone eyes whilst realistic veins stand out in his hands and feet. It was a gift from the wealthy Sicilian city of Gela to honour its tyrant Polyzalos's chariot victory here.

Today the Festival of Delphi is held each summer (usually in June) and features ancient Greek drama and works inspired by ancient drama. Tickets and schedules are usually available at the European Cultural Center of Delphi's Athens office at 9 Frynihou, Plaka (tel. 210/331-2798), and at the canter’s Delphi office (tel. 22650/82-733), just out of town on the Itea road (set back from the road in a grove of trees). For more Administrative Information regarding contact address & numbers, tickets and site open & closed dates, click on the following link Official Administrative Info

More Information: Official Website of Delphi; Sacred Destinations; Odyssey Adventures; Olympia Greece / Delphi (Interesting Video footage); National Geographic Delphi Oracle; Matt Barrett’s Delphi

How to Reach:
From Athens by Car: You can also easily visit Delphi as a day trip, as it is a scenic 2.5-hour drive northwest from Athens. You take the National Road that goes north to Thebes and then go west, through Livadia to Delphi. For Rent A Car options check Matt Barrett's Reccomendation for Swift;

From Athens by Bus: There are several buses that leave daily for Delphi from Athens. The trip takes about three hours and more information can be obtained at http://www.ktel.org/; Matt Barrett's practical info

From Patras by Bus: There is also a daily bus to and from Patras which is helpful if you are coming from or going to Italy.

There is also a bus to Larissa where you can change for a bus to Meteora.

Delphi is also included in many guided tours, ranging from day trips from Athens to extended tours (read mostly Meteora) of Greece.

Nearby Attractions: http://www.greecetravel.com/delphi/arachova.htm

Accommodation: There are several good hotels near the ruins.

Kalavrita - A journey through Vouraikos Gorge, The Cave of the Lakes, Ski Tracks & Greek War Monuments - (Peloponnese, Greece)

You can drive all the way up, but it is highly recommended to take the Vouraikos River, Funicular Railway from the coastal town of Diakofto all the way up to Kalavrita.

Built in 1885 by the Italians, the train traverses around 20 Kms on the narrow gauge tracks through a fine gorge, following the stream bed of River Vouriakos, winds up into the mountains through tunnels, past water-falls, along cliffs and through forests of pine and oleander. The hour long journey is one of the most spectacular train rides in the world. If you plan to take this wonderful journey, it is recommended by the Lonely Planet Guide to get first class tickets as those seats have the best view.

There are numerous Hiking Trails in the area. If you want to hike up the challenging Vouraikos Gorge, then you can alight at the small village of Zachlorou. An hour walk from the village of Zachlorou is the spectacular site of The Holy Monastery of Mega Spileo (“Grand Cave”). Built in a giant cave in 326 AD, it is full of beautiful frescoes, mosaic floors and other treasures. You will also be rewarded with a fantastic view of Mount Chelmos, Mount Petruki and the Ladopotamos River. Many people walk down through the gorge to Diakofto.

Post Zachlorou you arrive in Kalavrita.

Of importance are the following monuments:

• The Monument of the Holocaust of Kalavrita (the Place of Sacrifice): a memorial for the villagers who had been brutally executed by the Nazis. A large white cross stands on top of the Hill of Kappi overlooking the town and massive stone monuments list the names of the dead. The white stones spell out the words "Peace" and "No More War".


• To understand the brutality of the deed and the pathos of those who survived "The Drama of Kalavrita" by Dimitris Kaldiris and a visit to The Municipal Museum of the Holocaust of Kalavrita can be eye opening.


• Just outside town are the The Holy Monastery of Agia Lavra - The first flag of freedom was raised here in March 1821, by Bishop Germanos, indicating the Greeks rebellion against the Turks.


• Across the road on another mountain is The Monument of the Heroes of the Revolution of 1821 which honours the brave souls of the revolution. From here you can enjoy a spectacular view of the whole valley which is surrounded by pine covered mountains.

Around Kalavryta
Kalavrita Ski Center – It is located 14 kms from Kalavrita, complete with modern facilities and recognized as one of the best in Greece.

If you are interested in Greek mythology, an excursion to The Waters of Styx and the Mavroneri Waterfall can be made. This is where Achilles was baptized and achieved immortality, (with the exception of the spot on his heel where his mother held him).

Another place of steeped in mythological references and of great natural beauty is the River Ladonas – Lake Ladonas. Ladonas is one of Ancient Greece’s mythical rivers.

The Holy Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin of Makellaria – famous for its wonder-working icon of the Virgin. It is a work of art from the Byzantine period, admired by all for its particular feature of giving the impression that wherever you stand the Virgin’s eyes follow you.

The Holy Chapel of Panagia Plataniotissa - the small chapel is tucked inside the hollow of a large plane tree, which can hold as many as 20 people.

There are also several archaeological sites scattered throughout the hills and mountains around Kalavrita including the Archaeological Site of the Ancient City of Klitor; Archaeological Site Of Ano Lousoi; Pafsania’s Vine Branch

The Cave of the Lakes – it is located on the way from Kalavrita to Klitoria at an altitude of 827m.The cave is endowed with a unique geomorphologic character not found anywhere else in the world. 13 lakes are arranged in a cascading format at three different levels inside the cave. The cave is fed by snow melts which are canalised through swallow-holes and underground natural channels. Although the existence of the cave has been known since ancient times, its second level was not discovered until 1964. In the lower level (inaccessible) were found human and animal fossils of Paleontological importance, as well as remnants of pottery dating back to the Neolithic and the early Helladic period. In 1981, the cave was opened to the public. The cave covers an area of 20,000 square meters, of which only 1,980 have been explored and 350 have been arranged for tourist visits. The visitor enters the cave through an artificial tunnel which leads directly to the second floor. There is a metal walkway that follows the string of cascading lakes and climbs through the subterranean passageway complete with magnificent multicoloured stalactites and stalagmites. In winter when the snow melts, the cave is transformed into a subterranean river with natural waterfalls. In the summer months, part of the cave dries up revealing a lace-work of stone-basins and dams of up to 4 m in height. The rest of the cave retains water permanently throughout the year in 13 picturesque lakes.Tours are taken through the cave every half hour or so and the guide speaks in English and Greek. The cave is open to the public all year round; facilities include a waiting room and a tourist kiosk. You are not allowed to take pictures, but the postcards they sell at the kiosk are good enough.

Some interesting links on Kalavrita are: Off-Road Outings By Jeep; en.wikipedia.org/Kalavryta; http://www.kalavrita.gr/DynSITE/?lang=en; Matt Barrett's - Kalavrita

How to Reach

• By Car: If you drive from Athens, you take the national road that goes south to Corinth and then you follow the signs for Patra. You turn for Kalavrita in the conjunction of Diakofto. The trip will take about 3 hours.


• By Bus: There are several buses that leave daily from Athens to Kalavryta. More information can be obtained at http://www.ktel.org/. There are also special buses during winter for skiers. The buses live early in the morning from Kifissia, Kalimarmaro, Neo Psichiko and Palaio Faliro.


• By Train: There is also a rail service to Kalavrita. You go by the regular train to Diakofto and then you change and take the funicular train up till Kalavrita town. The trip from Diakofto to Kalavrita takes almost an hour. It is considered as an amazing trip especially during spring. You will find more information at http://www.ose.gr/

Accommodation: www.kalavrita-hotels.gr/; /www.web-greece.gr/kalavrita; http://www.greekhotels.gr/peloponnese_hotels/ahaia_hotels/kalavryta_hotels.asp;

Olympia - On the Trail of the Olympic Blaze (Peloponnese, Greece)

The fire of our Olympic Games were first lit here (if not literally). It was the site of the Olympic Games celebrated every four years by the ancient Greeks. The location of the sanctuary of Olympia in a lush region irrigated by two rivers, the Alpheus and the Cladeus, led Pindar to call it the kallistos topos (most beautiful place) of Greece. It was not a town, but only a sanctuary with buildings associated with games and the worship of the gods.

Today the archaeological site is accessed from the north side and runs along the length of the Gymnasium which has not yet been entirely excavated. The sacred precinct was situated at the foot of the Hill of Cronus, bind the site on the north. Outside the sacred precinct were the athletic facilities and visitors accommodations (guest houses baths etc). The southeast section of the site that contained the Hippodrome has been washed away.

More information on History of Olympia click: http://www.olympia-greece.org/history.html

The most important buildings in the site today are:

Prytaneion of Olympia: one of the oldest and most important buildings, it was the administrative centre of the sanctuary's political life and of the Olympic Games. It was the seat of the magistrates, the high officials who oversaw the sacrifices performed monthly to honour the gods. The Prytaneion occupied the north-west corner of the sacred enclosure, directly opposite the gymnasium.

Palaestra of Olympia: It is situated west of the Altis enclosure, near the Kladeos River. Built in the third century BC as part of the gymnasium complex, it was used to practice boxing, wrestling and jumping. At its centre was an open court, forty one metres square, surrounded by a Doric colonnade of 72 columns and laid with fine sand on which the athletes trained.

Temple of Ηera at Olympia: one of the oldest monumental temples in Greece, stands in the north-west corner of the sacred precinct of the Altis, on the south slopes of Kronios hilll. It was dedicated to the Olympian sanctuary by the inhabitants of Skillous, an ancient city of Eleia.

Temple of Zeus at Olympia: standing in the centre, is the largest temple in the Peloponnese, the most important building in the Altis. It was built by the Eleans from the spoils of the Triphylian war and dedicated to Zeus. In this temple was a statue of Zeus made of ivory and gold, the masterpiece of the Athenian sculptor Phidias.

Workshop of Pheidias: West of the sacred enclosure, directly opposite the temple of Zeus, was the workshop of Pheidias where the great sculptor crafted the gigantic statue of Zeus, listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The building was erected in the second half of the fifth century, when Pheidias, after completing the sculptures for the Athenian Acropolis, went to Olympia to work on the statue of Zeus. Excavation finds and potteries date it precisely to 430-420 BC.

Leonidaion: situated at the south-west corner of the sanctuary, outside the sacred precinct of the Altis, was a large and luxurious hostel for distinguished visitors to the Olympic Games. It was built in approximately 330 BC and was remodelled twice during Roman times. A dedicatory inscription partially preserved on the epistyle of the outer Ionic stoa records that the building was erected by Leonidas son of Leotas from Naxos, who was both architect and benefactor.

Ancient stadium of Olympia: Situated east of the sacred Altis enclosure, this was where the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera, were held. Before the sixth century BC the running events were held on a flat area along the treasuries' terrace, east of the great altar of Zeus. A first stadium (Stadium I) was formed in the Archaic period (mid sixth century BC) by levelling the area south of the Kronios hill inside the Altis.

More information on the Archaeological Site click: http://www.olympia-greece.org/site.html
The French began excavations here in 1829. German explorations of 1875-81 threw much light upon the plans of the buildings; they were resumed in 1936, 1952, and 1960-61. Important finds included sculptures from the Temple of Zeus, the Nike of Paeonius, the Hermes of Praxiteles and many bronzes. In total 14,000 objects were recorded.

The finds are displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, one of the most important museums in Greece. The museum's permanent exhibition contains finds from the excavations in the sacred precinct of the Altis dating from prehistoric times to the Early Christian period. Among the many precious exhibits the sculpture collection, for which the museum is most famous, the bronze collection, the richest collection of its type in the world, and the large terracotta collection, are especially noteworthy. The most important artefacts on display includes:

• The sculptured ornaments from the Temple of Zeus
• Hermes of Praxiteles
• Nike of Paionios
• Zeus and Ganymedes
• Bronze breast-plate with incised decoration.
• The Helmet of Miltiades
• Bronze battering-ram
• Bronze horse

More information on the Archaeological Museum of Olympia click: http://www.olympia-greece.org/museum.html

How to Reach:

• From Athens by Car: you take the National Road that goes south through Corinth past Tripoli to Megaloupoli and then you go west, through to Olympia. The trip will take you about 5 hours. Hence its best adviced to plan an overnite stop enroute
• From Athens by Bus: There are several buses that leave daily for Olympia from Athens. More information can be obtained at http://www.ktel.org/
• It is also on the tour bus circuit hence a lot of options are available from Athens

Ancient Sparta

Modern Sparta stands at the same site of ancient Sparta. Situated on the River Eurotas, 225 km from Athens, in the southern part of the Peloponnese, Sparta was the contemporary of other Classical Greek city-states such as Athens, Corinth and Thebes. It was generally referred by the ancient Greeks as Lakedaimon or Lakedaimonia. As per Greek mythology, Lakedaimon was a son of Zeus by the nymph Taygete. He was king of the country which he named after himself, naming the capital after his wife Sparta, the daughter of Eurotas. However historic and archaeological evidence suggests that Sparta was founded during and after the Mycenaean War, in which the Dorian Spartans crossed the Taygetus Mountains and took the territory of Messenia.

Outnumbered by the native population of Messenia the Spartans instituted a military oligarchy under which, the native population of Messenia was relegated to the status of agricultural slavery, or Helots. Above the Helots were the Perioikoi, the traders & merchants of Spartan society. Atop both were the Spartiate who could trace their lineage to the cities original Dorian occupants. They were required to compulsorily serve in the army, could vote and hence were allowed full political rights of the state. Dictated by the same political needs it had a military oligarchy and managed to keep its lineage of kings throughout its existence.

The hierarchy had the two kings (dual monarchy), a counsel of 28 nobles, and the assembly of the Spartiate (composed of Spartan males). The assembly was run democratically and could veto or approve the rulings of the counsel above it. However, beyond the counsel and the assembly, was the Ephorate, a group of five men who practically guided all aspects of Spartan life. Regardless of how odd such a political system may seem, Spartan culture flourished.

Spartans also differed from its classical counterparts from the importance women had in society. Spartan women were taught reading, writing and were expected to be able to protect themselves. A girl's education was equally as brutal as the men's. Many athletic events such as javelin, discus, foot races, and staged battles were held for both sexes. Though Spartan women were expected and driven to produce strong and healthy children their roles were not limited to marriage and procreation. Spartan women had many rights that other Greek women did not have. They could own and control their own property and could also take another husband if their first had been away at war for too long. A woman was expected in times of war to overtake her husband's property, and to guard it against invaders and revolts until her husband returned.

King Leonidas, 300 Spartans & The Battle Of Thermopylae:

Known almost exclusively for its military strength, Sparta rose to military prominence and was recognized as the overall leader of the combined Greek forces during the Greco-Persian Wars. The story of Leonidas, the fifth century Spartan military king whose stand against the invading Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece is one of the enduring tales of Greek heroism, invoked throughout Western history as the epitome of bravery exhibited against overwhelming odds. After the Persian army of Xerxes invaded Greece, the Spartan army prepared to join the armies of the other Greek states and march to face the Persians. When a religious festival delayed the departure of the army, Leonidas bravely led a small force of Greeks, mostly his Spartan royal guard of 300 soldiers, but also Thespian and Thebans, against the much larger Persian army at the pass of Thermopylae (Pillars of Fire) in 480 B.C. There, Leonidas and his men held the pass for three days (their tight phalanx wall and discipline were no match for the Persians) and was defeated only after a Greek traitor revealed to the Persians the existence of a mountain trail that allowed them to outflank and attack the Greeks from the rear. All the Spartans and Thespians died, including Leonidas. However, those three days gave valuable time to the Greek armies to prepare for battle and later to defeat the Persians. However, by 362 BC Sparta's role as the dominant military power in Greece was over and today only ruins remain to sing the glory of the fierce valiant warriors who once dominated the region.

But Sparta still continues to fascinate us.

The main attractions from the excavations include:

The Acropolis: In contrast to other ancient Greek cities, Sparta was not a compact fortified city-state centre with monumental civic and religious buildings. It was a loose collection of smaller villages spaced over a large rural area and 6 low hills. The highest of these served as the site for the Acropolis.

Temple of Athena Chalkioikos: The Sanctuary of Athena Chalkioikos on top of the Acropolis lies north of the theatre. Ulysses is supposed to have installed the statue and called it Athena of the Road when he beat Penelope's lovers in the race. The Temple constructed on the plans of the architect Vathykles from Magnesia, had its interior decorated with bronze sheets and was one of the most important cult sites of the classical town.

In the Hellenistic period the Theatre, Stoa and Agora were built near the Acropolis, but the Temple of Athena and the earlier remains at the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia on the West bank of the Eurotas river are almost the only archaeological remains from Archaic and Classical Sparta.

However no visit to Sparta is complete without a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Sparta and the unique Museum of the Olive and the Greek Olive Oil.

Other nearby sites includes the Archaeological Site of Pellana. Some views suggest that the Archaeological Site of Pellana is the Homeric Lakedaimon where Menelaus and Helen had their palace.

How to Reach

By Bus: From Athens KTEL coaches depart daily from the Bus Station for the Peloponnese, Odos Kifissou 100, for the Sparta bus station at Odos Lykourgou, a street also known as Odos Metropolitou Dafnou and Odos Eurotas. The trip takes about four hours.

By Car: it falls on the Corinth -Tripoli, or Patras route
From Athens by Car Take the National Highway that links Athens to Corinth. After you pass the Corinth Channel, you take the Highway to Tripoli. From Tripoli, you go to Sparti. Note that the road to Sparti is not a highway but a rural road. The distance from Athens to Sparta is about 225 km. The whole trip takes about 3 hours and a half.

The Treasure Chest - National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The National Archaeological museum of Athens houses some of the most important artefacts excavated from archaeological locations across Greece, dating from pre history to late antiquity. It has the richest collection of Greek art, representative of all the cultures that flourished in Greece.

The collections can be classified under the following heads:

• Prehistoric collection
• Sculpture Collection
• Bronze collection
• Santorini Collection
• Egyptian Art collection
• Stathatos collection
• Pottery & Small Objects
• Epigraphic Museum
  

For more information visit the link: http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wtsmuseums/natarchmuseum.htm

The major finds housed in the museum includes:
o Antikythera mechanism
o Nestor's Cup from Mycenae enae
o Mask of Agamemnon
o Dipylon Inscription
o Poseidon of Cape Artemision
o Antikythera Ephebe
o Diadumenos
o Marathon Boy
o Kroisos Kouros
o Collection of Kouros and Kore (sculpture)
o Aphrodite of Cnidus
o Pitsa panels
o Daidala
o Theseus Ring
o Wall frescoes from Tiryns and Santorini
o Capitoline Venus
o Rhyton in the shape of a bull head

Neighbourhoods of Athens - Fashionable Kolonaki & breathtaking Lykavittos Hill

Kolonaki

It is Athen’s most fashionable neighbourhood and home to much of the country’s aristocracy. Shopping in Kolonaki can be an experience if money is not an issue. The streets are lined with posh designer outlets (of both national and international fame), gourmet delights, and the regular upscale cafes and bars. It is within easy walking distance from the Syntagma Square. From the National Gardens in Syntagma Square, cross Vassilias Sophias street, continue up the hill from Irodou Atikou past the Benaki Museum, to reach Kolonaki Square.

In Kolonaki you will find the Lykavittos Hill from where a funicular takes you up to some spectacular, unparalleled views of the city. For the energetic, walking can be an option; others may find the ride up in the funicular easier, there is also a third option of taking the taxi up. There is a restaurant with an open terrace that offers an excellent view of Athens. On the back side of the mountain is an outdoor amphitheatre. The back page of the Athens News can update you with who's playing. It's reported to be one of the finest places to see a concert and stalwarts from Leonard Cohen to Peter Gabriel seems to have performed here. There is a also a small, simple & whitewashed chapel that also can be explored.


A visit to this part of the city is worth it for the views alone, especially to catch the last rays of the setting sun. Located in the centre of the city the Lykavittos Hill rises to a height of 910 feet. From the summit you will be rewarded with a captivating view that stretches to the ships in Piraeus, the Aegean Sea, and on a clear day the islands beyond, all the way to the mountains of the Peloponnese.

For more information click on: http://www.athensguide.com/kolonaki.htm

Museums & Galleries (in Kolonaki): There are a few galleries and several museums here out of which the following are noteworthy

The Benaki Museum - The country’s oldest privately owned museum showcasing everything Greek, from ancient Paleolithic and Neolithic relics to Roman& Byzantine and Ottoman artefacts. It also showcases Islamic & Folk Art. For more information click: http://www.benaki.gr/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benaki_Museum;

Museum of Cycladic Art – The museum houses approximately 3 000 objects of Cycladic, Ancient Greek and Cypriot art. It is dedicated to the study and promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean and Cyprus, with special emphasis on Cycladic Art of the 3rd millennium BC. For more information click: http://www.cycladic.gr/; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goulandris_Museum_of_Cycladic_Art

The Byzantine Museum - The 25,000 collections trace the course of Greek art from the 4th to the 19th century. They comprise collections of Byzantine and post-Byzantine ikons, Sculptures, Manuscripts, Wall paintings, Mosaics, Small objects (cloth, coins, pottery, metal objects, silver), Wood carvings, Patterns (anthibola), Bronze Engravings, Lithographs, Old Prints (incunabula). It is one of the most notable musuems in the world for Byzantine Art. For more information click: http://www.byzantinemuseum.gr/

The History Museum of Greek Costume - It houses over 25,000 items featuring displays of Greek regional costumes, ornaments, copies of Minoan, Classical and Byzantine costumes, as well as china dolls dressed in Greek costume. For more information click: http://www.athensinfoguide.com/greekcostume.htm

Accommodation: Kolonaki offers excellent options for luxury hotels often accompanied by views of the Acropolis or Lykavittos Hill. For a more affordable lodging option, renting a studio or apartment in the neighbourhood can be worthwhile, as these are fairly priced and are comfortable enough.

Neighbourhoods of Athens - Gloriously old Plaka & Monastiraki (Flea-Market)

In the shadow of the Acropolis, the Plaka is the oldest section of Athens. It is a gloriously exotic labyrinth of alleys, winding streets and stairs, lined with 19th century neo-classical houses and mansions with beautifully decorated tiled roofs. Plaka district is almost completely pedestrianised and contains the famous flea market around Monastiraki Square, ancient sites and small museums of traditional and popular culture. Everywhere you look in the Plaka there is evidence of some past civilization, Greek, Roman or Ottoman Turkish. Amidst the history is a colourful medley of restaurants, jewellery stores, tourist shops, cafes, musicians, flower sellers, photographers, bead-sellers and people who write name on a grain of rice. But it is not only tourists who favour it, Greeks also hang out here. In Athens, it is the best place to go on a sunny afternoon to sit on one of the many pavement cafes and see the world go by.
There are two main streets: Kydatheneon and Adrianou. Kydatheneon begins at Nikis street, which is one block down from Syntagma Square. Adrianou begins in the Monastiraki flea market but disappears in the Roman Agora before reappearing behind the wall of Hadrian's Library and Plaka Square. Adrianou and Kydatheneon connect about a quarter of a mile up. Once you know these two streets you can wander around and always find your way back.

I found Matt Barretts website the best for understanding Plaka. Its highly informative and includes all that you need to know about, from Jewellery stores for buying 22k gold; shopping for Olympic paraphernalia; institution called Remember; visited by rock stars, actors, fashion designers and models; to more ordinary information about Cafes and the oldest distillery in Athens. Visit http://www.athensguide.com/plaka.html and it will seem that you have just come back from Plaka

Buying the shiny - Gold: It's not the gold souk of Dubai but it can be interesting for Europe where 22k is not common. If you are looking for craftsmanship, keep an eye out for artist owned jewellery stores. They make their own pieces rather than buying it bulk from a factory. Most of the shops deal with 22K gold in a variety of styles, including ancient Greek designs or exact copies.

Monastiraki: Placed under the shadow of Acropolis it is famous for the flea market and is best in early Sunday mornings before the crowd descends and cafes get overcrowded.
Much of the flea market is but a collection of small shops of which most of them are tourist shops with the same stuff you will find across Plaka. But on Sundays it is a flea market with people selling anything from antiques to useless junk. To reach it from Syntagma walk down Metropolitan street, past the Cathedral and the marble square. This is where Pondrossou Street begins which is the high end section of Monastiraki. From Plaka, near the end of Adrianou Street there is a small square dominated by touristy restaurants and cafes. Walk through it till you reach Hadrian's Wall. Turn right and then left, down the tiny Pondroussou Street. You reach the Monastiraki Flea-Market.

Monuments: Overlooking Monastiraki square, and across the street from the metro station is the restored Turkish Mosque housing the acclaimed collection of ceramics of The Greek Folk Art Museum. Right next door are the large columns and ruins of the Roman Emperor Hadrian's Library and the Roman Agora. The entrance to the Ancient Agora is about half way down the block on the left.

• Mosque of Mehmet the Conqueror: Built to commemorate the visit of Sultan Mehmet around 1458.


• Medrese: Considered a cursed place by the Athenians it was originally a theological school. During the War of Independence the Turks used it as a prison and a tree for hanging Greek prisoners. In 1919 the tree was struck by lightning, the building was later demolished and now only the door remains.
  
• The Roman Agora: Also known as the ‘Market of Caesar and Augustus’ is located on the north side of the Acropolis, and within a short distance of the Greek Agora, with which it was connected by a paved street. An inscription mentions that Julius Caesar and Augustus provided the funds for its construction in the 1st century B.C. The Roman Agora consists of a large, open-air courtyard surrounded by colonnades on all four sides. On the eastern side, there were also a series of shops. On the southern side was a fountain. The main entrance was on the west (Gate of Athena Archegetis), and there was a second entrance on the east, leading up to a public latrine and the ‘Tower of the Winds’. The Roman Agora apparently became the main market of the city, taking over many of the commercial functions of the Greek Agora.


• Tower of the Winds: Also known as the ‘Tower of the Winds’ because of the personifications of the eight winds carved on the eight sides of the building, it is a tall, octagonal building immediately east of the Roman Agora, designed by the famous astronomer (Andronikos of Kyrrhos) as a water clock on the inside, sundial on the outside, and weather vane on the top.


• Monument to Lysikrates: Built in 334 BC by Lysikrates, to commemorate the victory of the annual dramatic festival at the theater of Dionysos


• Library of Hadrian: Built by the Roman emperor Hadrian it is a large, square, walled enclosure with an entrance on the west, located immediately north of the Roman Agora. Inside the complex there was an open air courtyard, with a central pool and garden, surrounded by columns. The eastern end had series of rooms where books were stored and served as reading rooms and lecture halls. Archaeologists note that it was more than a library. It provided the people of Athens with a public square with a garden and pool and a cultural centre that contained works of art, a library, and lecture halls.

Museums & Galleries (in Plaka): There are a few galleries and several museums here out of which the following are noteworthy

• Hellenic Children's Museum: It can be a very enjoyable educational experience for the young. It is a space designed specially to meet the needs and abilities of children and to support the parents and the teachers who contribute to their development.


• The Music Museum: A 5,000 volume library, it is one of the most important musical collections in Europe. The museum has 167 Greek stringed instruments and an endless selection of all other types of musical instruments. For more information visit: http://www.greecetravel.com/musicmuseum/index.html


• The Greek Folk Art Museum: It’s collections include embroideries, wood carvings, jewellery, and other traditional folk art. The highly acclaimed collection of ceramics is housed in a beautifully renovated former mosque at 1 Areos Street on Monastiriki Square. For more information visit: http://www.athensinfoguide.com/The%20Greek%20Folk%20Art%20Museum


• Frissiras Museum of Contemporary Greek and European Painting: It is a private museum dedicated to modern art in the heart of Plaka. There are some 3,000 paintings and sculptures on display and has works of some of the most renowned Greek artists such as Tsoklis, Moralis, Tetsis, Kessanlis and Psychopedis. European artists represented at the museum include Paladino, Blake and Adami amongst others. For more visit: http://www.frissirasmuseum.com/en/

Athens - Iconic Acropolis, the Evocative Ruins

Standing magnificently above the city these iconic remains are a spectacular sight, offering an in-depth insight into ancient Athens. It is the very symbol of Athenian democracy and the pinnacle of artistic supremacy achieved by Athens in the 5th century BC. Today Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising of several highly distinguished ruins that were built over different historical periods. (Evidence suggests that Acropolis was inhabited from as early as the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, it was continuously used as a cult place or as a residential area or both). The ruins of interest in this archaeological site are:

1. Beule Gate: In the middle of the third century AD the Romans built a more dramatic ramp that guided the visitors towards the entrance of the Acropolis by first passing the arched Roman entrance, in a zigzag fashion. This still remains the access point for the modern world and is named Beule Gate after the French archaeologist who investigated this area in 1852.
2. Temple of Athena Nike: The Classical temple, dedicated to the goddess of victorywas designed by architect Kallikrates and built in 426-421 BC.
3. Propylaia: The monumental gateway leading to the entrance of the Acropolis was designed by the architect Mnesikles and constructed in 437-432 B.C. In ancient times one approached it through an inclining ramp that led visitors straight through the steps in front of the Propylaia. Later, the Romans built a more dramatic ramp that guided the visitors up towards the entrance of the Acropolis in a zigzag fashion.
4. Sanctuary of Brauronian Artemis: Located south of the Propylaia inside the Acropolis and was a shrine dedicated to, Brauronian Artemis, protector of women about to give birth, and who had just given birth. It was founded in the mid-sixth century BC.
5. Statue of Athena Promachos: A gigantic statue of Athena, created by Pheidias, placed strategically so as to be encountered first, as one entered through the Propylaia. The colossal bronze statue is lost, but parts of the marble base remain. According to the preserved inscription, it measured about 30 feet (9 m) high. It depicted Athena standing with her shield, resting upright against her leg, and a spear in her right hand. Historical documentation suggests that it was so gigantic that ships approaching the coast of Attica could see Athena’s spear.
6. Old Temple of Athena: An Archaic temple, often dated to 510/500 BC, was the shrine of Athena Polias, the patron deity of the city of Athens. It was located at the centre of the Acropolis plateau, between the Erechtheion and the Parthenon.
7. The Parthenon: Dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, is the most evocative of all the ruins in Acropolis. It is the one of the finest surviving monuments of ancient Greece, in terms of both conception and execution. Constructed at the initiative of Pericles, it has stood atop the Acropolis for nearly 2,500 yrs and has functioned not only as a Greek temple, but also has been a treasury, a fortress, a church, and a mosque. Today, it is an icon of ancient Greek architectural brilliance and Athenian democracy.
8. Erechtheion: It is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis is notable for it’s elegant and unusual design.
9. Temple of Rome & Augustus: It was erected in the late first century BC east of the Parthenon.
10. The Acropolis Museum: It is an archaeological museum located in the archeological site of Acropolis and houses all the portable objects removed from the Acropolis since 1834. Due to its limited size, the Greek Government decided in the late 1980s to build a new museum.The major finds housed in the museum includes: Parthenon Frieze, Kritios Boy, Caryatids, Blond Kouros's Head of the Acropolis, Kriophoros, Kouros and Kore, Athena Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, Temple of Athena Nike frieze, Metopes of the Parthenon
11. The Belvedere Terrace: At the northeast corner of the Acropolis was laid out for the royal family in the 19th century, and affords a good view of the city looking towards Syantagma Square and the OldPalace.
12. Odeon of Herodes Atticus: Located on the south slope of the Acropolis this stone theatre with a 5,000 spectator capacity, was built in 161AD by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife and was used for staging music concerts.
13. Stoa of Eumenes: It is attributed to Eumenes II (197-159 BC.) and was constructed between the theatre of Dionysos and the Odeion of Herodes Atticus and it ran along the "peripatos", (the ancient road around the Acropolis).
14. Sanctuary of Asclepius or Asclepieion: A healing temple, were pilgrims flocked in the hope of being healed. The Asclepieion located on the southern slopes of the Acropolis of Athens dates to around 420 BC.
15. Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus: Dedicated to Dionysus, (the god of plays & wine) it is the birthplace of Greek tragedy. In Classical Athens, it was the venue for the Greater Dionysia, competitions were held between Greek dramatists as part of the occasion. Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes and Aeschylus had staged their plays as part of the competitions here. An open air theatre with a seating capacity of 17,000 people, built at the foot of the Acropolis of Athens, it surely is much grander than the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The remains of a restored and redesigned Roman version can still be seen at the site today.
16. Odeon of Pericles: Although no longer standing, recent excavations have revealed that it was situated next to the Theatre of Dionysus, on the south slope of the Athenian Acropolis and was constructed between 446-442 BC. The Odeon was used for theatrical performances and poetry readings, and might have accommodated political and philosophical lectures.

For a detailed map of the ruins visit the link: http://www.athensguide.gr/pop/acropolis.html
For more information visit the following link(s): Hellenic Ministry of Culture/ Acropolis; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropolis_of_Athens