ATHENS, THE CRADLE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION

After celebrating Idlan's birthday, we took a 3.20pm flight to Athens, Greece on 4th Jun 2009. We visited Athens just to realize our dream: to see the birth place of Socrates, Plato,Pythagoras, Aristotle, Alexander the great and other renowned Greek philosophers, scholars and statesmen.

Alexander the Great 356-323 BC

Athens has been widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. This is due to the fact that Athens's cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC had significantly impacted on the rest of the then known European continent.

Influence of Athens on Western Civilization

Going around Athens,we could observe a large number of ancient monuments still stand magnificently in the city. The most famous and conspicuous of all is Parthenon on the Arcopolis, a key landmark of early western civilization.

At the background is Parthenon on the Acropolis

At the entrance of Acropolis. The great pillars were
built around 437-432BC


In front of Parthenon. Restoration work is in progress


Two monumental buildings on Acropolis.
Parthenon (left) and Temple of Athena Nike (right)



The Arch of Hadrian which was built in 131 or 132 AD.
Picture taken from Hop On and Hop Off bus


Temple of Olympian Zeus, taken from the Acropolis

Besides its ancient heritage, Athens is also well known for its bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis. It has an efficient transportation system including a modern Metro ie. a tube or subway system.

Parliament Building at night



University of Athens



The National Archeological Museum,
among the top ten museums in the world.

At underground modern Metro



An efficient transportation system

Athens has also attracted numerous visitors to its famous island resorts and without exception, to its shopping venues, specially around Syntagma, Plaka and Monastiraki which offer jewelry, antiques, paintings, gifts, traditional handcraft and other products at reasonable prices.

Travel to Island Resorts from Marina Alimos?

Syntagma is an excellent shopping area

Traditional products of Greece

I would recommend Athens as a premium place to visit. When you are at Athens don't miss having bird eyes view of this famous city via Hop On and Hop Off bus. Please visit Perthenon on the Acropolis, National Archeological Museum, Syntagma Square and its surroundings for shopping and historical trails.