Hello people!
Another trip, and another unique and extraordinary new travel experience. This time we travel back in time, far away, to the cradle of Western civilization, from which we have been nourished by great philosophers, playwrights, architects, sculptors, politicians and warriors. It is Greece, also the origin of the Olympic Games, which we continue to celebrate.
So much of Greece is present in our current lives, and part of that ancient and monumental Greece is still present there, and we travel to the capital, the city of Athens, to discover first-hand the historical and archeological place par excellence: the Acropolis.
We are approaching the Acropolis up there, and we can see some elements, especially the most famous one, the fantastic temple of the Parthenon. At the time I went, unfortunately, it was under restoration with some scaffolding, but even so, it has not lost its majesty, and we are looking forward to being there.
We arrive and find ourselves in front of the Parthenon, in front of its imposing fluted Doric marble columns, which stand with all the dignity that history has given them. We look from all perspectives and at the details of the frieze, and of the area without a top, everything is impressive.
And from above, if we look down a little, we discover more great structures from thousands of years ago. One of them is the semicircular theatres, due to the acoustics, where the first great theatrical works of humanity were performed. Of course, there is one of them on the Acropolis, right next to it, which we can see from inside and also from the top, admiring its entire layout and all the views.
And one of the monumental complexes that I like the most is this one, the Erechtheion, another temple that stands out and is easily recognized by the caryatids, which are the columns with the human form of a woman. This is one of the things that I remember most from my Art History classes at high school, and so I was able to see them up close afterwards, an artistical marvel.
There is more to see throughout the complex, there are other areas, where we find columns and statues, also other buildings, with ancient domes still painted, and other areas under excavation. Other sites such as the very well preserved museum, where we find thousands of pieces, those famous Greek sculptures of human bodies, many without heads... and in the distance we see other small temples always with their characteristic columns that we like so much. While we continue exploring.
We continue to be amazed, looking everywhere, in front, above, to the sides and below. We enjoy so much history condensed in an extraordinary space and also the views from the Acropolis.
Up close again, ruins of the ancient theatre, further on we see more temples, like the Temple of Apollo now in the city park, whose very tall columns can be distinguished, those that remain, surrounded by that eternal great chaotic city that grows and grows while the old remains.
We feel everything around us, many people, much history, much to see... sounds, smells and heat, and also good food, authentic Mediterranean style to be amazed, enjoyed and delighted. Athens, a memorable city that awaits us down there and we are going to visit it soon, in the next post!
