The Honeymooners: Athens, Greece Sights

This week I will be doing a honeymoon series on Athens, Greece. If you are looking for a great place to escape on your honeymoon, Athens is a really great place to visit.

Athens, is a city of architectural splendor and historical importance. It was named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena. Legend says that when the city was being named many gods and goddesses were vying for the honor. It came down to Athena and the god of the sea, Poseidon. Each made an offering to the Greek citizens. Poseidon struck the rock of the Acropolis with his trident which sprang water, a symbol of naval power. Athena planted a seed from which grew an olive tree, a symbol of the fruits of peace and prosperity. The citizens chose peace, named the city Athens, and constructed a great temple, Parthenon in honor of the goddess. Almost 2,000 years later, this massive structure is only one of a plethora of ancient ruins throughout the city. Ruins which reveal some of mankind's earliest accomplishments.

(Parthenon at The Acropolis)

SIGHTS IN ATHENS The most famous landmark in Greece is the Acropolis. A hill whose monuments have dominated the city for almost 3 millenia. In it's earliest days the Acropolis was home to royalty, as well as a source of shelter to Athenian citizens in times of war. Later, there was a new focus. The Acropolis became the city's main point of reference artistically, culturally, experientially speaking. And monuments started being erected up there in order to honor the gods. The temple is in ruins as a result of battle. In order to restore Parthenon to it's original splendor, you will find scaffolding covering the structure as craftsmen work painstakingly, using original techniques and with almost the very same tools as the artisans of the past, nearly 2,500 years ago.

(Agora)

At the base of the Acropolis is the Agora, which literally means in Greek, the place of gathering. The Agora of Athens was the heart of Athenian life in ancient times. People gathered here to talk politics, gossip, even read engravings on wooden slabs, which served as Athenian newspapers. But visiting monuments isn't the only way to experience Athens. There are museums, shopping and dining. Tune in tomorrow for more on beautiful, historic Athens, Greece.