6th century B.C.

The law-making work of Solon, ensured order in Athens.  While Peisistratos a nobleman, and an ambitious Athenian, managed to take the Acropolis and become master of the state.   He governed Athens with Solon’s laws (constitution) as his guide.  He built the temple of Olympian Zeus, organized the Pan-Athenian games and made Athens one of the greatest cities of that time.  The fifth century B.C. is the most glorious in Athenian history. In the fifty years 479-431 B.C. which followed the end of the Persian Wars, with victory, Athenian democracy was completed with Pericles’ reforms.  Every citizen was a responsible member of the whole.  Democracy means the state of the demos (people) that is, the majority of the people decide.  The equal rights of the citizens also enabled the arts and letters to flourish.  The contribution of Athens to political and cultural domains from the basis of European civilization.  The phrase the Golden Age of Pericles summarizes the work of this great leader.  Pericles, together with the sculptor Pheidias and the architects Ictinos and Kallicrates, whose happy coexistence performed miracles.  One of the first is the Parthenon.  The Erectheion and the Thissio follow, as well as the gates and a little further the temple of Poseidon at Sounio, the temple of Nemesis at Ramnounda and Aries (Mars) at Acharnes.  The Athens of Pericles is the greatest miracle in the history of the world.
 

In the 4th century B.C. we find great artists, orators, philosophers and generals.  It is the age of Plato, Xenophon, Praxiteles, Demosthenes and Lycurgus.  The Pnyka becomes the cradle of democracy, Plato founds his Academy and Aristophanes raises Greek philosophy to its absolute.

The Macedonians were the first who managed to capture Athens and to unite all the Greeks under their rule.  Alexander the Great, a little later, honoured Athens and sent the shields of victory from the Granicus river to be placed in the Parthenon.

In the time of Alexander’s heirs, Athens sometimes loses and sometimes regains its independence.  But this constant civil rife gave an excuse to the new world power, Rome, to intervene in Greek affairs.  The Romans captured Athens demonstrating an apparent friendship.  Thousands of statues and other works of art were taken from Athens to Rome.

In the middle of the 5th century the building of churches in Athens, begins and many ancient temples are converted to Christian ones.  The destruction of these ancient monuments was in many cases proof of the faith of the newly-converted Christians.

Athens has changed a lot today. It is a city of 5.000.000 inhabitants, modern, with tremendous growth, vibrant and hiding many surprises for the visitor.  Certainly, however, it incites foremost one’s interest as the representation of all periods of Greek history in one place.  The visitor to Athens, among other things, can see the sights and the archaeological remains and mentally travel back to the glorious past of the city.

Worth Seeing

· The Acropolis.  Where the Parthenon dominates, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world because of its history and the high quality of its architecture.  The Acropolis suffered great damage during Venetian and Turkish assaults.
· The Ancient Agora.  Located below the sacred rock of the Acropolis.  Was the public gathering place of old Athens.
· Areios Pagos.  Where the judicial body of the Areios Pagos convened.  In other words, the supreme court of the city. The entire hill was considered sacred and was dedicated to the god Aries.
· The theatre of Dionysus.  Where the art of drama was established.  Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes were first performed there.
· The theatre of Herodius - Atticus.  World-renowned theatre, since it is being used at the present day for musical, dance and theatrical events.
· The ancient site of Keramikos.  Where the ancient cemetery of Athens is located.
· The hill of Philoppapou.  Where the monument of the same name is located.  This place offers a great view of the Acropolis.  Pnyka is also located there, the place where the demos’ (peoples’) church would convene.  In essence, Pnyka is the birthplace of democracy.
· The Roman Agora
· Adrian’s Arch.  On Amalias avenue.

photo: Eleni Grigoriadou

· The Acropolis museum. With priceless works of art.  It is considered one of the most extraodinary in the world.
· The National Archaeological Museum.  On Patission avenue. It includes exhibits from all the periods of Ancient Greek art.
· The Byzantine Museum.  Located on Vassilissis Sofias 22.
· Stoa of Attalus Museum
· The Benaki Museum
· The National Library

photo: Omega Press Zouliatis
 

· The Kallimarmaro Panathenian Stadium.  This is where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.
· Lycabettus hill.  Both during the day and night.

· Syntagma (Constitution) Square.  Where the old palace, now the Parliament, is located.

photo: Omega Press Zouliatis

· The National Garden and Zappio
· Kolonaki.  Old aristocratic Athenian neighbourhood good for shopping and cafes.

· The Attica Metro (Subway).  Among the most state-of-the-art in the world.  The Syntagma station is noteworthy, where numerous archaeological discoveries are exhibited, found during its construction.
· Plaka. The most touristic site of Athens.  The old city.  Picturesque Plaka which preserves the traditional nuances of another time, with cafes, taverns and folk-art shops.
· Byzantine period monuments: The most important monuments preserved to this day are the temple of Agion Theodoron beside Stadiou avenue, Kapnikarea (Ermou ave.), Agiee Apostolee  (11th century), Sotiria Lykodemou (11th century),  Agios Nikolaos Ragavas (11th century).
· Thissio in the afternoon and at night.

photo: Eleni Grigoridaou

The athenian nightlife has many surprises in store.  It’s a city that doesn’t go to sleep early.  You have a choice among quaint taverns with Greek cuisine, fine restaurants, thousands of clubs, bars, cinemas, events, concerts, in areas such as Thissio, Gazi, Psirri, Kolonaki, Glyfada, Kifissia etc.

Hotels in Attica - Athens

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

Tourist police     171
 

Recorded timetables
Ships (from Rafina and Piraeus)   143
Olympic Airways (from Athens)   144
Railway (from Athens)    145
Long-distance buses (from Athens)  142
 

Airport
Eleftherios Venizelos    tel. (+30) 210 3530000
 

Airlines
Olympic Airways    tel. (+30) 210 9666666
      801 11 44444 (toll free domestic calls)
Aegean-Cronus    tel. (+30) 210 9988300
801 11 20000 (toll free domestic calls)
 

KTEL (long distance buses)
KTEL Kifissos station    tel. (+30) 210 5124910-1 (+30) 210 5124914
KTEL Liossion station   tel. (+30) 210 8317153 (+30) 210 8317163

OSE (railway)
Information     tel. (+30) 210 5297777
Larissis station    tel. (+30) 210 5298837 (+30) 210 8237741
Peloponnese station    tel. (+30) 210 5131601

Port authority
Piraeus      tel. (+30) 210 4226000-4 (+30) 210 4593140
Rafina      tel. (+30) 22940 28888 (+30) 22940 22300