Athens is known for its beautiful monuments and stunning architecture, the remnants of which gives visitors a glimpse into the foundation of ancient Greece. Through continued restoration and renovation, many of these foundations have been preserved, making Athens a unique city where the ancient past and modern-day seamlessly blend together.
While there are important pieces of architecture scattered throughout the city, here are some of the fundamental landmarks any traveler should visit while in
Greece.
Temple< strong> of Olympian Zeus
Construction of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, a legendary piece of Athens architecture, began in the 6th century BC but wasn't finished until the 2nd century AD. Work was abandoned during the period of Greek democracy because classical Greeks believed building on such a scale symbolized arrogance and equality with the Gods. The temple was built as a place to worship the Greek God Zeus, and inside was a large ivory and gold statue of him. This piece of ancient Athens architecture was likely brought down by an earthquake in the medieval period. Most of the remnants were taken away and used as building material. Of the 104 original columns, only 15 are still standing today.
Acropolis Hill
The Acropolis Hill, called the Sacred Rock, is one of the most famous monuments in Europe and is considered a symbol of the city of Athens. Three important pieces of Athens architecture were erected on this site during the Greek Classical Period: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Nike.
Construction of The Parthenon began in 447 BC under Pericles and was completed in 432 BC. It was built for the Greek goddess Athena. The central part of the Parthenon, the cella, held a gold and ivory statue of the goddess.
The Erechtheion was built between 420 and 406 BC. It housed the cult of Athena Polias, Protectress of the City. The eastern portion of this important bit of Athens architecture was dedicated to Athena Polias, and the western portion was dedicated to Poseidon. It is said to be the place where Poseidon left his trident marks in a rock during a battle with Athena.
Construction for The Temple of Nike began in 427 BC and was completed three years later, though sculptors continued work until 410 BC. This is the smallest temple on Acropolis Hill, but is first visible from The Propylaea, the grand entrance to Acropolis Hill. Restoration of this site began after the liberation of Athens from the Turks and still continues today.
Syntagma Square and the Parliament Building
Syntagma Square, also known as Constitution Square, forms the heart of Athens. Here one can find shade trees, benches and fountains to spend a lazy day people-watching or just basking in the hot Greek sun. It is a major hub for public transportation, with access to the metro, tram, bus station and trolley. Besides housing stunning pieces of Athens architecture, many of the city's greatest museums are clustered here as well.
Syntagma Square is also home to The Parliament Building. This piece of Athens architecture was built between 1836 and 1840. It was originally intended as a palace for Otho, the first King of Greece. In the early 20th century, the building was damaged by fire and was subsequently abandoned by the royal family. It was remodeled in 1930 to house the Hellenic Parliament and in 1935, the National Assembly. To this day, the Parliament building serves as the seat of the Hellenic Parliament and is also home to offices, the National Assembly room, archives and the office of the president of the Assembly. Everyday at 6 p.m., visitors can watch the changing of the guard in front of the tomb of the unknown soldier at this site.
Hadrain's Arch
Hadrian's Arch was originally the gate to the city of Athens. This piece of Athens architecture linked the old city of Athens to the newer Roman section built by Hadrian. It was built in 131 AD with two inscriptions written on the arch, one on each side. On the side facing the old city and the Acropolis, it reads, “This is Athens, the city of Theseus.” The second inscription, facing the new city, reads, “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus.” Hadrian was a critical figure in Greek history because he improved eastern Greece by constructing roads, temples and aqueducts. Though born in Rome, Hadrian was nicknamed Graeculus or The Greekling because of his appreciation of Hellenic culture.
Theatre of Dionysos
The Theatre of Dionysos is located in the center of Athens. It was constructed out of timber in 600 BC, after the first Festival of Dionysia of Athens, a large religious festival in honor of the god Dionysos. The major event of the festival was the performance of tragedies and comedies. This theater seats almost 20,000 people. It is an example of how theaters were central to Athens architecture, showing their importance in ancient Greek culture.
