Temple of Olympia
Pictures of Greece
Athens
We stayed at the Hotel La Mirage in Omonoia Square, an area of Athens that was later revealed as being virtually the centre of the Red Light District of town. To be fair, it was rather obvious, what with all the kiosks selling porn, and the multitude of women, men, and transsexuals wandering around the place. Before you ask, no I don't have any photos of that particular area of Athens.
Anyway, travelling southwards from Omonoia Square, down Athinas, you soon hit the Monastiraki Square and the Plaka. You can't miss Monastiraki - there's a huge sign for McDonalds and a building site right in front of you as you travel down Athinas. The Plaka is the main tourist shopping area of Athens, and some of it is pedestrianised, although you have to keep an eye and an ear out for the scooters. Ignore the prices on the items that are for sale - you can quite often get a reduction just by appearing interested in buying something. On the northern edge of the Plaka area is Mitropoleos Square, which is occupied by a large church/cathedral (I forget which) with a mural above the entrance.
Outside the church/cathedral, there is an impressive statue of a Greek cleric - I don't know who it is, but he must be important. The square is unfortunately given a 'building site' look by the vast amounts of scaffolding and fenced-off areas, as you can see.
Travelling southwards from Mitropoleos will bring you, by way of a multitude of winding streets, to the foot of the Akropolis. This is the world-famous hill with the Parthenon Temple on top. At the foot of the Akroplis, overlooking the ancient agora (marketplace), you find the Tower of the Winds. This is an octagonal building dedicated to all eight of the winds. Each side bears a frieze depicting a scene from antiquity, presumably involving or concerning whichever wind to whom that face is dedicated.
Steps and (eventually) a sloping path lead you from the Temple of the Winds to the main entrance to the Parthenon complex. Apart from the Parthenon, the summit of the Akropolis also houses the Erechtheum and the Pelargicon, as well as temples to numerous other Gods (the Parthenon itself is dedicated to Athena Promachos). The scale of the site is not really apparent from the modern-day entrance, just below the summit.
I did not venture to the summit of the Akropolis during this visit, as I had visited the site previously. I fully intend to make those pictures available here in due course.
The view from the modern-day entrance to the Akropolis,looking over the ancient agora, is fairly spectacular. The ancient agora site is also open to the public, but sadly not on a Monday, which was the day that I was in Athens. Oh well, I suppose that means I'll have to go back.
The 'mist' that hangs over the city is the famous yellow Athenian smog. Several measures have been put in place by the government to reduce the smog, and I am happy to report that it did not seem anywhere near as severe on my recent sojourn compared to my previous visit.
Travelling down the western slope of the Akropolis takes you through a lightly wooded area that borders on the ancient agora, from where several of the buildings that stand in the agora are visible, such as this temple-like structure. Apparently, it is a fifth century BCE Doric structure known as the Theseion. It is, according to the Michelin guide, one of the best preserved in the Greek world. (Thanks to Dave & Pat for that information.)
At the end of the one path, near to the Plaka area, is this church which, to my untrained eye, appears Byzantine in style.
One other thing worthy of a mention is the absolutely spectacular view from the balcony of my hotel room.
