The Wonders of Greece
From its legendary mythologies to its philosophical giants, Greece is big and bold in every way. Ancient Greece is widely considered to be the cornerstone of modern Western thought and the birthplace of democracy. Because of its influence in mathematical and scientific principles, it has long been a dream destination for cultural travellers or fans of Greek mythology wanting to immerse themselves among the beautiful renaissance sculptures and pristine architecture that has made Greece such an icon. Here, we explore some of Greece’s many wonders.
Athens
Athens was chosen for the 2004 Summer Olympics for a reason; the capital of Greece is one of the world’s oldest living cities, and a crucial centre for arts and learning. Its classical heritage is still evident, represented by a number of key striking monuments. Amongst them, the Parthenon is arguably the most famous and beloved piece of architecture. A temple erected in honour of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, its fascinating design has been discovered to approximate the golden ratio and has been deemed as one of the most architecturally sophisticated buildings to have been built. One of the highlights of the parthenon are the metopes; exquisitely sculpted marble panels which form an elaborate wall decoration. It is just one of the many buildings in the UNESCO site of The Acropolis, a flat-topped rock which contains the heart of Athens.
Delphi
Delphi is both a town and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The legendary site of the Delphic oracle, which predicted events like the Trojan War, it caused two Sacred Wars in the fifth and fourth centuries. Present Delphi is hugely sought after for its wealth of important Greek inscriptions and other precious remains, which can be found in the Delphi Archaeological Museum. Some of its highlights include pediments from the temple of Apoll0 and the Charioteer of Delphi, one of the finest examples of ancient bronze statues which was erected to commemorate the victory of a chariot team in the Pythian Games.
Olympia
Travellers can also go to Olympia, the actual site of the ancient Olympics, where the Original Olympic stadium still stands. It is considered a holy place as it hosted the many sporting activities dedicated to Zeus. The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, highly celebrated for its symmetry and refinement, seats up to 15,000 people and is revered for its outstanding acoustics, where spectators are able to catch the slightest sounds even when perched on the far end seats.
Getting There
Cities with direct flights to Athens International Airport includes (but are not limited to):
Amsterdam
Barcelona
Dubai
Istanbul
Paris
Rome
Madrid
Milan
Munich
London
Frankfurt
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