The first postcard to Greece is in the mail! Postcard 56 shows one of the most magnificent features of Ourense's Cathedral, the Pórtico do Paraíso (Door of Paradise).
An ESO 3 student, Gema da Rocha, has written and send the card to Athens, the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy.
Click EXPLORING PLACES if you want to learn about Greece's capital city. To read more about The Door of the Paradise, go to DISCOVER OURENSE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
