April 4th already!
Despite the recommendation of our host, we decided to drive into Athens to visit the famous Acropolis. Trexie navigated us through the city and to a parking garage near the site. But, Don, the parking god, decided to drive around the neighborhoods for a bit, and in true godly form he found us a free parking space right at the entrance to the site.
We walked along the way to the ticket booth, raving about Don's ability to find the prim
o parking spot. He does this often, on Christmas Eve at the shopping mall, in town going to the theater, at the Legion of Honor for the Van Gough exhibit. He never ceases to amaze me by consistently finding the best parking in crowded situations. Plus, this saved us $25.
Next we approached the ticket booth to buy our expensive, 12 euro, tickets to the site. Special deal for Easter, it's free! Another $50 saved.
The Acropolis and Parthenon are really exceptional. Set high above the huge city of Athens on a high plateau, the majestic Parthenon is huge, and at one time boasted an enormous statue of Athena, 40 feet tall, covered with ivory for her skin and 1/2" thick sheets of gold forming her gown. I would have loved to see this, but it was removed to Constantinople by the Ottomans when they conquered Athens in 426 ad and it disappeared and has never been found.
As we ascended the hill we mounted the marble staircase and passed through the majestic Propylaea, imagining how it must have felt for visitors coming to pay homage to the great goddess. At the top of the stairs we walked along the Panathenaic Way, breathless, not only from the climb but from the stunning beauty of the Parthenon.
The Parthenon has been in a state of renovation for decades now, so of course there was scaffolding and a crane to detract, but it is still amazing. The renovations are intere
sting because great care is being taken to patch in marble replacement pieces milled to match exactly the damaged and missing parts. The same marble that was used in the original construction is being used for the repair project, and eventually it will weather and age and be the same color as the original stone.
The views
of Athens City from the Acropolis are breathtaking. The rocky outcropping rises above the city and the white buildings of modern Athens spread out on all sides of the monument. As we approached the top I sat on a bench and enjoyed the blue sky, sunshine and gorgeous views all around--the Parthenon, shining white in the sun, the city, shining white in the sun, the sea and sky. Even the people-watching was good.
The engineering techniques used in the design of the Parthenon are very interesting. The columns were designed specifically to reduce the illusion of a sagging roofline created by a long flat line. The base of the Parthenon actually arches up in the middle to reduce the sagging effect, and the columns are constructed with a bulge in the middle and tilt slightly inward. The first look at the Parthenon as you mount the marble staircase of the Propylaea is majestic, breathtaking, stunning.
Eventually the photographers were ready and we proceeded around the side
of the Parthenon, imagining how a visitor would be agape at the fabulous temple and awesome statue. We looked down at the theater of Dionysius, which would seat 14,000, and on the other side of the plateau we could look down on the ancient agora. We continued around the Parthenon, enjoying the views and the facades as we strolled. Then we studied the Erechthion with it's 6 statues of the Caryatids, 6 beautiful maidens.
Eventually
we picked our way down the hillside again, down the majestic marble staircase, and out to the real world again. Now we were starving, so we opted for a fancy tourist restaurant with a great view of the Parthenon up on it's hilltop.
After lunch we headed home, tummies and minds full. It was a great day.
Despite the recommendation of our host, we decided to drive into Athens to visit the famous Acropolis. Trexie navigated us through the city and to a parking garage near the site. But, Don, the parking god, decided to drive around the neighborhoods for a bit, and in true godly form he found us a free parking space right at the entrance to the site.
We walked along the way to the ticket booth, raving about Don's ability to find the prim
o parking spot. He does this often, on Christmas Eve at the shopping mall, in town going to the theater, at the Legion of Honor for the Van Gough exhibit. He never ceases to amaze me by consistently finding the best parking in crowded situations. Plus, this saved us $25.Next we approached the ticket booth to buy our expensive, 12 euro, tickets to the site. Special deal for Easter, it's free! Another $50 saved.
The Acropolis and Parthenon are really exceptional. Set high above the huge city of Athens on a high plateau, the majestic Parthenon is huge, and at one time boasted an enormous statue of Athena, 40 feet tall, covered with ivory for her skin and 1/2" thick sheets of gold forming her gown. I would have loved to see this, but it was removed to Constantinople by the Ottomans when they conquered Athens in 426 ad and it disappeared and has never been found.
As we ascended the hill we mounted the marble staircase and passed through the majestic Propylaea, imagining how it must have felt for visitors coming to pay homage to the great goddess. At the top of the stairs we walked along the Panathenaic Way, breathless, not only from the climb but from the stunning beauty of the Parthenon.
The Parthenon has been in a state of renovation for decades now, so of course there was scaffolding and a crane to detract, but it is still amazing. The renovations are intere
sting because great care is being taken to patch in marble replacement pieces milled to match exactly the damaged and missing parts. The same marble that was used in the original construction is being used for the repair project, and eventually it will weather and age and be the same color as the original stone.The views
of Athens City from the Acropolis are breathtaking. The rocky outcropping rises above the city and the white buildings of modern Athens spread out on all sides of the monument. As we approached the top I sat on a bench and enjoyed the blue sky, sunshine and gorgeous views all around--the Parthenon, shining white in the sun, the city, shining white in the sun, the sea and sky. Even the people-watching was good.
The engineering techniques used in the design of the Parthenon are very interesting. The columns were designed specifically to reduce the illusion of a sagging roofline created by a long flat line. The base of the Parthenon actually arches up in the middle to reduce the sagging effect, and the columns are constructed with a bulge in the middle and tilt slightly inward. The first look at the Parthenon as you mount the marble staircase of the Propylaea is majestic, breathtaking, stunning.Eventually the photographers were ready and we proceeded around the side
of the Parthenon, imagining how a visitor would be agape at the fabulous temple and awesome statue. We looked down at the theater of Dionysius, which would seat 14,000, and on the other side of the plateau we could look down on the ancient agora. We continued around the Parthenon, enjoying the views and the facades as we strolled. Then we studied the Erechthion with it's 6 statues of the Caryatids, 6 beautiful maidens.Eventually
we picked our way down the hillside again, down the majestic marble staircase, and out to the real world again. Now we were starving, so we opted for a fancy tourist restaurant with a great view of the Parthenon up on it's hilltop.After lunch we headed home, tummies and minds full. It was a great day.
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