Postcard 56 has been sent to Athens!
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| View of Athens |
WHERE
IS ATHENS?
Athens is the
capital and largest city of Greece. It dominates the Attica region and is one
of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400
years, and its earliest human presence starting somewhere between the 11th and
7th millennia BC.
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| Location of Athens |
The ancient city-state of Athens derived its name from
the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena, who the people considered the patron of
the city.
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| Athena |
ATHENS IS FAMOUR FOR…
...being the hometown of classical philosophers like Socatres, Plato, and Aristotle.
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| Socrates |
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| Plato |
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| Aristotle |
...the Acropolis and its art and architecture
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| Acropolis |
...for being home to the original Olympic Games
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| Amphora with a representation of long jumping |
PLACES
TO VISIT
Parthenon
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| The Parthenon in Athens |
More than any other monument, the Parthenon epitomises
the glory of Ancient Greece. Meaning ‘virgin’s apartment’, it's dedicated to
Athena Parthenos, the goddess embodying the power and prestige of the city.
Erechtheion
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| Erechteion |
The Erechtheion was built on the part of the Acropolis held most sacred. It was here that Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and where Athena produced the olive tree. Named after Erechtheus, a mythical king of Athens, the temple housed the cults of Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus. Six larger-than-life maiden columns, the Caryatids, support its southern portico.
Temple
of Poseidon
It was built in 444 BC – at the same time as the
Parthenon – it is constructed of local marble from Agrilesa; its slender
columns, of which 16 remain, are Doric.
It is thought that the temple was built by Iktinos,
the architect of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens’ Ancient Agora.
Parliament
& Changing of the Guard
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| Changing of the Guard in Athens |
In front of the parliament building on PlateiaSyntagmatos, the traditionally costumed evzones (guards) of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier change every hour on the hour. On Sunday at 11am, a whole platoon marches down VasilissisSofias to the tomb, accompanied by a band.
Syntagma
Square
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| Syntagma Square |
It is the central square of Athens. The Square is named after the Constitution that the first King of Greece Otto was obliged to grant, after a popular and military uprising on 3 September 1843.It is located in front of the 19th century Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament since 1934. Syntagma Square is the most important square of modern Athens from both a historical and social point of view, at the epicentre of commercial activity and Greek politics.
National
Gardens
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| National Gardens |
A delightful, shady refuge during summer, the National Gardens were formerly the royal gardens, designed by Queen Amalia. There’s a large children’s playground, a duck pond and a shady cafe.
To find out more about Athens and Greece don’t miss
the video below!
Sources:
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