Athens is the historical capital of Europe, with a long history, dating from the first settlement in the Neolithic age. In the 5th Century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”) – the culmination of Athens’ long, fascinating history – the city’s values and civilization acquired a universal significance. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the modern Greek state and in two centuries since it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.
A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites (“archaeological park”), reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.
Program(I.D 14419):
The tour begins at the House of the Greek Parliament, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and watch the changing of the guards. Then you will continue passing by National Garden, St. Paul’s Church - Catholic Cathedral, Schlieman’s House (Nomismatic Museum), Academy, University of Athens , National Library, Old Parliament, and Russian Orthodox Church. Your tour continues to the PANATHINAIKO STADIUM cradle of the first Olympic Games took place in 1896 (short stop). Pass by Zappion (Conference and Exhibition Hall) and by Roman Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arc.
Continue with a pleasant short walk , in order to visit the new ACROPOLIS museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of every day life, statues from archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze will impress you. Then you will enter the Acropolis from the south slope so as to avoid the crowds and also to visit the Dionysus sanctuary and Dionysus Theatre built in the 5th century BC. Your guide will give you a detailed explanation of the glorious monuments of the Acropolis such as, the Parthenon, the Erectheion, the Propylaia, the Nike Temple and the surrounding monuments such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Observatory as well as the Philopappos.
After your guided tour in Acropolis you will pass by Mars and Pnyx Hill and you will enter the Ancient Agora where you will see The Attalos Gallery and finally the Temple of Hephaestus, this temple is smaller than the Parthenon, but in its beauty and perfection, he may well compete with the Parthenon.
