Athens - The Top Tourist Attractions
Athens is one of the oldest cities in the world
, the capital of the old Greek Empire, and presently the capital city of modern Greece. More than monuments, Athens is a great city for tourists due to its good weather, great people, impressive culture, and excellent cuisine.The first thing anyone visiting Athens should visit is the famous Acropolis. This impressive building complex is placed directly in the heart of the city on a flat top hill and is visible from anywhere in the city. Among its buildings, the Parthenon is the greatest and usually the most recognized. The Parthenon is a temple that was built to honor the Greek goddess Athena, also known as the Goddess of Wisdom and the patron goddess of the city of Athens. Inside the Parthenon a huge ivory sculpture of the goddess created by the famous Phidias stands
Near the Parthenon temple the remains of the old temple of Goddess Athena can still be visited. Next to remains are a few other temples, shrines and sanctuaries. A journey to these ancient monuments is a journey back in time, when the foundation of today's modern society was born.
Once you have visited the Acropolis you should take some time to visit the different museums of Athens. There are many different museums across the city, that all cover different topics starting with the Ancient Greek Empire and ending with the more modern cultural museums. Here is a list of some of the most exciting museums in Athens to check out.
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the largest and most interesting history museums that is found on the planet. This is the place where most of the artifacts ancient life is exemplified from sculptures to jewelry and from weaponry to Egyptian art.
The Benaki Museum houses items of art and culture starting from prehistoric times and ending with a more modern collection. More than 150.000 items are on display here. Ancient figurines, Islamic and Byzantine art items, and even a collection of Chinese objects are all part of its vast list of artifacts, making it one of the most popular destinations for those who appreciate the value of art.
Another great museum is the Museum of Popular Music Instruments. Here a large collection of musical instruments are on display. Everything from clarinets, drums, violins, bouzoukis, and mandolins can be found here.
Besides museums, Athens is also the home to some of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Whether you want to relax or enjoy a romantic walk, a visit to one of these great gardens is a must. The following is a small list of the most beautiful gardens in Athens.
The National Garden, known formerly as the Royal Garden, is located near the Greek Parliament building. This great park was designed for the Queen Amalia back in 1839 and houses a great variety of Mediterranean plants and flowers, ponds with ducks and swans, a zoo, and a botanical museum. Spread throughout the garden ere are Corinthian columns and marble mosaics.
Another great garden is The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Here more than eleven sections house different plants and birds from different areas around the world, from tropical plants to annual to perennial.
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