Today we docked in Piraeus
which is the port for Athens. Our first reaction to Athens was not too positive as its just
masses of concrete apartment blocks, all the same concrete colour and shape and
size just spread over a huge area.
We booked on a tour to the Acropolis and Parthenon and other
monuments which were built 4 to 5 hundred years BC. We trooped out at 830 to what we expected to
be 25 degrees but it ended up be 34degrees, just what we didn’t want with a
hill and 100 steps to climb. The climb
wasn’t too bad, the worst part being the 10,000 other people there! We had 2 hours with a guided commentary then
time on our own to explore and take photos.
The most interesting fact is that the Ottomans had invaded Athens and
the top guy had set up house at the Parthenon and stored all the gunpowder
there, it was hit by lightning, causing a massive explosion anddestroyed just
about everything. The Parthenon, the Propylaea, Temple of Athena Niki
and the Erechthreion are now all roped
off and you cannot wander through them.
There is a massive restoration program underway as the huge columns are
filled with lead which is eroding the marble from the inside. They are removing the lead and replacing with
titanium. Most of the marble staircase
is still intact but extremely slippery.
At the bottom of the Acropolis on the south slope is the Odeon
of Herodes Atticus (concert amphitheatre), originally constructed as a concert
venue in 161AD, it’s partly a ruin now but is still used from May to October
for the Athens Festival and has had the likes of Pavarotti etc performing
there.
The trip down the slippery steps was just as difficult as
there are no hand rails but grateful to get back to the airconditioned
bus. From here we drove around Athens stopping at
Panathinaiko Stadium where the first modern Olympic games were held in 1896. The original structure was rebuilt and is now
the only major stadium made entirely of white marble. We then saw the Parliament building and other
historical sites. Unfortunately most of
them are covered in graffiti with no attempt to clean them up.
Back on board the ship really hot and tired but revived by
happy hour and the sail out of harbour.
My memories of Athens were the heat, too, and everything was always up a hill or two. Definitely not a flat place.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how quickly a cold drink will revive you after a hot day in the Greek sun.
Why are all the older buildings built in marble? Have a look at the hills and mountains ... they are all marble. It was the most available building material.
Keep the blog updates coming. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading what you have been posting.
Lorraine