Sculptures outside the Corfu Museum in Greece.
Corfu Museums
Crystal clear azure ocean waters are
famous in Corfu. Unique architecture here is a star point of visiting.
Much of the architecture takes cues from Venetian-Roman styling. Due to
its strong historical connection with Europe, this was among the first
Greek islands to open to tourism. Paleokastritsa, Sidari, Kassiopi and
Acharavi are nice tourist areas on the northern side of the island,
while the inland is dotted with lovely villages and many attractions.
Apart from the wonderful beaches, the highlight of the island is the Old
Town with a characteristic Venetian style. There are dozens of churches
and museums in Corfu which highlight the history of the area with
architecture, artifacts, texts, and more. Achilleion is a fairy palace
built among cypresses and myrtles by the Empress Elisabeth of Austria,
who wished to escape from the Austrian court. In Corfu you can also
visit the historically significant City Hall or see Mon Repos
palace. Mon Repos Palace is situated on top of Analipsis hill in the
area of Kanoni. The remains of the ancient town of Corfu, which have
been found opposite to the palace, make archaeologists believe that Mon
Repos was built right on the site where the ancient city of Corfu used
to be. The palace is surrounded by magnificent park where thousands of
tourists visit each year.
Panoramic view on Meteora in Trikala, Greece.
Meteora
Many people come here and claim that being
in Meteora is like being on another planet entirely. Rock pillars shoot
up into the sky (up to 1200 ft) from the otherwise flat landscape.
Monasteries here are perched delicately atop high cliffs where monks and
nuns worship. There were originally 24 monasteries, but only six have
stood the test of time. The six monasteries are built on natural
sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of
Thessaly. Access to the monasteries was originally (and deliberately)
difficult, requiring either long ladders lashed together or large nets
used to haul up both goods and people, but now thousands of tourists
visit each year. The rock pillars were formed approximately 60 million
years ago by earthquakes and weathering. This is a very popular hiking
spot for those who want to see the monasteries while also getting
exercise. Architecture here compliments the dramatic landscapes. Meteora
is a massive historical site and on the UNESCO list. The
summer months can be brutally hot, while winter months are very
cold. Visit here in the early summer, spring or late summer as
temperatures drop.
Crypt is the vaulted tunnel leading into the Olympia Stadion, Olympia, Greece.
Olympia
If the name sounds familiar, that is
because the Olympics started here. The archeological sites here are all
full of the ancient Greek history. Ilia is home to Mt. Kronion, the most
sacred spot in all of Olympia. The Olympics are an important part of
world history, and visiting here will allow to see just how it all
began. In the 10th century B.C., Olympia became the top place for the
worship of Zeus. The Altis (the sanctuary to the gods) has one of the
highest concentrations of masterpieces from the ancient Greek world. In
addition to temples, there are the ruins of all the stadiums built for
the Olympics, which were held in Olympia every four years beginning in
776 B.C. The Temple of Zeus was the largest and most important building
at Olympia and was one of the largest Doric temples in Greece. The
statue of Zeus within the temple was by Pheidias (who had worked on the
Parthenon and its statue of Athena) and was a solid gold and ivory
representation of Zeus seated on a throne. It is was regarded as one of
the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Athens
Athens is a major historical site with an urban vibe. All of the top tourist spots are located in Athens.
In this city travelers can find:
-The Acropolis-The Parthenon
-The Agora
-National Archeological Museum
-Syntagma Square
-The Plaka
-Cape Souniou
-The Temple of Poseidon
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient
citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and
contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural
and historic significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The
Parthenon is the one of the most significant structures in the world.
Built in 440 BC, the architectural features and size of this ancient
temple is a must-see. The Agora was the open-air market of Athens, and
remains of the most visited sites in Greece today. In addition to being a
place where people gathered to buy and sell goods, it was also a place
where people assembled to discuss important topics: business, politics,
current events, or the nature of the universe and the divine. Syntagma
Square (also known as Constitution Square) is the city center of Athens
and all areas meet back at this central location. It has a long and
storied history through war, rebuilds, and democracy. Pláka is the old
historical neighborhood of Athens, situated around the slopes of the
Acropolis, and features labyrinthine streets and neoclassical
architecture. Cape Sounion is noted as the site of ruins of an ancient
Greek temple of Poseidon, the ‘god of the sea’ in classical mythology.
The remains are perched high on a hill, surrounded on three sides by the
sea.
A look inside the Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos, Greece.
Cave of the Apocalypse
This sacred grotto in Patmos, Greece
is the ancient place where St. John had visions and is located halfway
up the mountain on the island. These visions led to the Book of
Revelation. Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse on foot through the
historic trail that bridges Skala and Patmos Island. Inside the cave is a
sacred site; a foundation of the Christian tradition, the rock is
ragged with three small fissures which symbolize the Holy Trinity, and
the voice of God was heard and dictated to Saint John the text of the
Revelation. The cave entrance is decorated with a mosaic and inside
you’ll find a small grotto. There are also writings about the visions in
the cave area.
Visiting Greece is a historical journey
through early human history. There are dozens of important sites to see.
Spend your time at each one, but be sure to balance your schedule to
include as many as possible. A longer vacation may be beneficial to
enjoy more of the historical places in Greece.
Scenic view in Rhodes Island, Greece.
Rhodes Island
This is an island in Greece
that is known for it’s beautiful shores that are part of the Aegean
Sea. Historically relevant sites are scattered throughout this island
including Temple of Apollo, Acropolis of Rhodes, and Acropolis of
Lindos. Additionally, Rhodes has a vibrant nightlife with clubs and
restaurants. You can museum stroll by day and go clubbing at night. The
Colossus of Rhodes was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World. This giant bronze statue was documented as once standing
at the harbor. It was completed in 280 BC and destroyed in an earthquake
in 224 BC. No trace of the statue remains today. Rhodes Greece is the
largest and most popular island of Dodecanese. With 300 days of sunshine
per year, Rhodes Island is mostly famous for the romantic Old Town. The
Old Town is among the best-preserved Medieval Towns of Europe, with
strong walls, an impressive castle, paved paths and elegant stone
mansions. The Acropolis of Lindos is overlooking the picturesque village
and dates from the Hellenistic period.
Temple of Apollo in Corinth, Greece.
Corinth the Ancient City
Visiting the ancient city of Corinth is a
short 48 mile trip from Athens. This coastal city was home to the
Corinthians, who were some of the best problem solvers in ancient Greece
as they solved complicated issues such as population growth, money
exchange, and schooling. It was a wealthy locale that controlled sea
trade in the area. It holds religious and spiritual significance –
Apostle Paul was known to live here. Temples of Apollo, Aphrodite and
Octavia are also located in Corinth. The Temple of Apollo, especially,
is regarded as a prime example of Doric architecture. The remains of
other temples, villas, a theatre, shops, public baths, pottery
factories, a gymnasium, a large triumphal arch, and other buildings dot
the site, which since 1896 has been extensively excavated. Corinth was
also famous for its pottery, and you can see a comprehensive collection
of Corinthian pottery showing all stages of development. The Temple of
Aphrodite has little remaining, while the Temple of Octavia, dedicated
to Emperor Augustus’ sister, has barely a foundation remaining after
centuries of earthquakes. The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth
contains a number of artifacts of religious interest, including
inscriptions of Gallio and Erastus, both mentioned in religious texts.
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