The Ancient Agora of Athens was the main centre for social and cultural events, along with being the focal point of ancient roads and being directly below the Acropolis. It has been inhabited from around 3000BC but became the public centre of Athens around the 6th Century BC until after the Romans left around 500AD. A must see is the rebuilt Stoa of Attalos with it's excellent historical Museum.

Felicia at Agora

Both of us at Agora - the Hephaisteion in Background

View of Acropolis from Agora

View of Hephaisteion from Agora

Agora Stoa

Ancient Column Bases at Agora

Byzantine Church at Agora

Stoa of Attalos - Rebuilt

Felicia at the Hephaisteion

Ian at the Hephaisteion

Ian at Agora

Felicia at Agora

Ancient 2000BC child's burial chamber found at the Agora site

Hephaisteion

Hephaisteion

The Acropolis is Athens most visible sight, being set on a rocky hill and developed after the Persians sacked Athens in the 5th Century BC. The main buildings on the Acropolis are the Entrance structures of the Propylaea, Temple of Nike, and the Pinacotheca, with the inner buildings of the Parthenon and the Erechtheion being the most prominent. There is an excellent Museum behind the Parthenon to view many of the ancient sculptures and art pieces found at the site. Below the Acropolis is the Ancient Road - Street of Tripods - with access to the Odeon of Herodes, the Odeon of Pericles, the Theater of Dionysos and the Shrine of Asklepios.

Up at the Acropolis

The Parthenon

Erechtheion at Acropolis

Felicia at Erechtheion - Acropolis

Ian at the Parthenon

Looking upto the Acropolis

Erechtheion Maidens

Felicia at Parthenon

Erechtheion at Acropolis

Ancient Roadway at Acropolis

View from Acropolis - Snow in Background

The Acropolis from Areopagus Hill at the Agora

Acropolis from Street of Tripods

Acropolis from Hadrians Arch

Acropolis from Temple of Zeus

Front Facade of the Parthenon

Columns of  the Pinacotheca

Doorway below the Pinacotheca

Felicia below the Acropolis

Ian below the Acropolis

Felicia on the hill below Acropolis

Ian on the hill below Acropolis

Looking up at Acropolis

from temple of Zeus

View of Acropolis from Temple of Zeus

The Temple of Zeus took over 700 years to construct and yet it was never finished, there are now only 14 main columns left standing out of around 120 originally, with one left on the ground after an earthquake toppled it in the 19th Century. It is located in a central area down from the Acropolis, on the other side of the Agora. Hadrian's Arch was erected in Roman times to honor Hadrian and forms part of a wall surrounding the Temple of Zeus. Within the area are remains of Roman baths and housing.

Temple of Zeus and view of Acropolis

Temple of Zeus - main remains

Columns of the Temple

Columns of the Temple

Hadrian's Arch

Felicia at Hadrian's Arch

Ian at Hadrian's Arch

Looking upto the Acropolis

from Temple of Zeus

Hadrian's Library is located in the Plaka Area near the entrance to the Agora. Only a small part of the structure remains standing, with archeological excavations still ongoing. The adjacent mosque is also worth a visit, taking the appearance and architectural form of the Byzantine churches of the age - no minarets as on usual mosques. The Roman Forum is nearby with more structural remains visible, particularly the tower.

Felicia at the Mosque steps looking into Hadrian's Library and upto the Acropolis

Hadrian's Library Site

Old House near the Forum

Athenian House opposite the Forum with Orange Tree

Entrance Structure at Hadrian's Library - the old mosque is in background

View of the Roman Forum Site and Acropolis above

Details of Roman Forum Tower

Ruined House opposite the Forum

Lycabettus Hill is the highest point overlooking the city of Athens, with an old Monastery on top and offering uninterrupted views over Athens and the nearby ancient sites. A Funicular Railway provides access up the hill (along with several walking paths for the energetic).

Lycabettus Hill Monastery

Both of us at the Monastery

View from the Hill - Athens below, snow on the mountains behind.

The Funicular Railway

The old Olympic Stadium for the first modern Olympics of 1896 is easily found, not far from the Temple of Zeus and the National Gardens. It is not open to the public however.

Both of us the Stadium Entrance

Felicia at the Olympic Stadium

Stadium Side View

Olympic Sculpture

Athens Tram Station near Glyfada

Panoramic View of the Stadium

Byzantine Church in Athens

Donut Ladies in Plaka

Athens Deli Shop

Old City Building

Corner Cafe at Agora

The Tram that runs from Athens to Glyfada - scene taken near Temple of Zeus

Felicia and Orange Tree at the Athens Museum

Felicia inside old Byzantine Church

Athenian Architecture

- a nice example

Athenian Architecture

- needs a haircut

Athenian Architecture - House of the Adams Family

Greek Guards - at the City Hall Area

Greek Guards - at the PM's Residence

Changing of the Guards

Ian inside the Athens Tram

Felicia inside the Athens Tram

Glyfada Old Church

Felicia at Glyfada Church

Esplanade Scene near Glyfada

Beach near Glyfada

Headless Athenian Lady

Bust of Zeus

Ancient drinking fountain

Statue of Athena

Athens Archeological Museum

One of the best examples of sculpture from around 600BC - a sphinx head and body.

A funery urn from around 330BC depicting the hostage taking of Helen of Troy, dated to be from Marathon around 250BC - owned by an Athenian family.

This sculpture is one of the finest ever found dated to around 600BC - up close it has fantastic features and colouring.

Grave tomb carving depicting a young mother - circa 300-350BC

Tombstone of a young Warrior who died around time of Alexander the Great 300BC - he was unmarried at time of
death - posing in battlefield advance.

Wall frieze of a family giving offerings to Heracles - circa 250BC

Types of Laurel given to the victorious athletes or artisans in competition - with frieze of a young athletic winner.

Arm of Zues from Statue - this arm piece is approx 2m long - circa 200BC

One of the finest sculptures of Aphrodite

Youth from Antikythera, perhaps Paris, found off the island of Antikythera. Bronze statue of Grecian Athlete prizewinner - circa 340BC
 

First photo of the Horse and Jockey of Artemision - the bronze sculpture was recovered from the sea (in pieces),
circa 140BC.

Jockey and horse from opposite view

Face of Zues