Sunday we visited The Biggie. The Acropolis!
We arranged for a small-group guided tour and it was absolutely fantastic. Our guide was highly educated; he studied archeology and art history. He took us up and around the Acropolis as well as the Acropolis Museum. We learned so much!
I feel silly posting photos; there are much better photos out there. But tourists are compelled to take photos, aren't we? It proves we were actually there, gosh darn it, experiencing the wonders of the world.
So, here ya go.
The Theater of Dionisis. This is the oldest theater in the world, dating to the 6th century BC. It had a seating capacity of 25,000.
It was humbling to stand there.
The hospital, which dates to 419-18 BC.
Looking down on the Odeum of Herodes Atticus (161 AD; renovated in 1950). Performances are still presented here, individually and during the Athens Epidaurus Festival, though the odium recently shut down for a three-year renovation project. It would be thrilling to see a performance there!
See? We were actually at the Parthenon!
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| Our excellent guide Stavros in the foreground |
The story goes that Athena and Poseidon had a contest for patronage of the area. Gifts were offered as enticement. Poseidon stuck his trident in the ground and offered sea water as his gift. Athena struck her sword in the earth and up popped an olive tree.
The citizens had no problem deciding which gift would be most useful and who should be chosen as patron god of Athens.
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| Athena's olive tree |
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| The west face of the parthenon |
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| Can't get enough of the views of these ladies |
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| More proof! |
Stavros took us inside the museum and gave us a really good tour. I learned a lot about a lot.
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| The ladies are waiting for their sister, who was kidnapped to Great Britain. There's an empty space ready for her. |
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