acropolisandherodion.jpg THE ODEION OF HERODES ATTICUS The Herodeion as it is called by modern Greeks, was built in AD161 by Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes, an important figure of his time. He was a teacher and philosopher who had inherited a great fortune from his father. When his wife Rigilla died, he built this roofed Odeion for musical performances to honour her memory. The ancient Greeks used to give music and recital concerts there. Today the Athens Festival takes place at the Odeion every summer, but the Herodeion's splendour is best admired during a morning stroll on your way to the Acropolis. athensstili.jpg According to the traveller Pausanias, the temple of Olympian Zeus was founded by Deucalion, one of the mythical ancestors of the Greeks. Around 515 B.C., the Peisistratids, one of the dynasties of tyrants (absolute rulers) of ancient Athens, endeavoured to replace the old temple with a new, more impressive one. But tyranny was abolished and the construction was halted. The construction of he temple was resumed by the Roman architect Decimus Cossutius employed by Antiochos IV Epiphanes, King of Syria. When Antiochos died in 163 B.C. the temple was once more abandoned without a roof and pediments, and it was finally completed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 131. erechtheion1.jpg herodeionandparth1.jpg kerameikos1.jpg The ancient Kerameikos was on he north-west fringes of ancient Athens and extended both inside and outside the walls which now traverse the site of the excavations. In the centre of the site, very close to each other, can be seen the two most famous gates of ancient Athens, the Dipylon and the Sacred Gate. The area around these gates was the most ancient and largest cemetery known in Attica. It was also the burial site of the citizens honoured by the city of Athens. Kerameikos, according to the traveller Pausanias, was named after Kerames, a hero of the deme of Kerameis. But most probably the name is due to a settlement of potters on the banks of the Eridanos river. (Kerameikos: ceramic or having to do with ceramics or ceramists). The ancient demos of Kerameikes included an area much larger than the one excavated. It is believed that it streched from the northwest limits of the Agora to the grove named after the hero Academos. kolonaki1.jpg THE TRENDIEST One of the things you must do when you are in Athens is have a cup of coffee in one of the coffee shops in Kolonaki Square. To have spent a few hours eating, drinking and just chatting in one of this square's coffee shops, is a prerequisite for trendy Athenians and foreign visitors alike. Kolonaki also offers some of the best shopping in town, some of the best organised and biggest kiosks (periptera) in the city and some very interesting walks around its busy streets. monastiraki1.jpg omonia1.jpg OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY This is the square that prides itself in being "open" 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Unlike Syntagma, which acquired the habit of late nightlife in recent years, Omonia has remained wide awake for as far back as Athenians can remember. It has been going on for so long that by now it has become a tradition. On Saturday nights Athenians buy their Sunday papers from the square's stands and kiosks, before going home to sleep. Omonia Is the oldest central square of the modern city of Athens. One cannot claim to have been to the Greek capital if one has not visited Omonia even once, to get a glimpse of its life, its crowds and its ...noise. Today you will find all the major fast food shops here too and all the foreign press you may care to buy in the square's kiosks. Stadiou, Patision, Panepistimiou, Tritis Septemvriou, Piraeos, Athenas and Ayiou Konstantinou Streets end in or start from Omonia. When you decide to go to or leave Omonia, do not forget the railway. You will find the station right under the Square, and it is the quickest means of transport. parth_1.jpg parthfront.jpg parthnike.jpg plaka1.jpg plaka plaka2.jpg a Thespidos st. plaka3.jpg Just outside the eastern side of the Roman Agora, you will come across an octagonal monument. This is Andronikos Kyristes' clock, built during the 1st century B.C., which housed an hydraulic clock. Each of its eight sides was decorated with representations of the eight winds. That is why the monument was nicknamed Aerides (winds). politechnio.jpg In Panepistimiou Street there are three buildings, which were built at approximately the same time, in the decades after Independence. They were designed by the Hansen brothers, two famous Danish architects who lived in Greece at the time. THE UNIVERSITY (1839 - 1864) The Athens University was designed by the elder brother, Hans Christian Hansen and its construction began in 1839. Notice the graceful fountain in its courtyard, its circular staircase and the colourful frescos of classical subjects, which adorn the walls behind a row of columns in its porch. The frescos were painted by the Bavarian Karl Rahl. THE ACADEMY (1859 - 1887) The Academy of Athens is flanked by two wings decorated with friezes and a pair of tall columns adorned by statues of Apollo and Athena. It was designed by the younger brother Theofil Hansen. The statues are the work of the sculptor L. Drosis and the painted decorations were again done by Karl Rahl. The Academy is considered the finest example of the Greek order in architecture. THE NATIONAL LIBRARY (1887 - 1902) Yet another wonderful building, designed by the younger brother Theofil Hansen. It is the largest library in the country housing thousands of books in all languages. Theofil Hansen first started designing this simple, stately building in 1858 and concluded it in 1884. sintagma1.jpg It is, together with Omonia Square, one of the two points of reference of the city. So, do not be surprised if you keep hearing the word Syntagma (which means Constitution), when you ask for directions in Athens. Plaka, the Acropolis, the Cathedral of Athens, the National Garden , the Byzantine church of Kapnikarea, Ermou Street ( one of the main commercial streets of the city), even Kolonaki Square, are all near Syntagma. The House of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the spectacular changing of the guard takes place every hour, are actually in it. Syntagma Square is the centre of all activity. The buildings surrounding the square itself house hotels, Greek and foreign banks, ministries and airline offices. Some of the trendiest bars and night clubs, which are open only during wintertime, are to be found here too. The square never sleeps. In its kiosks, you will find all manner of things, ranging from aspirin to Greek souvenirs, as well as the major foreign newspapers and magazines. THE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT It overlooks Syntagma Square and was originally built as a palace for King Otto, the first King of Greece and Queen Amalia. Its construction took six years, from 1836 - 1842. The second King of Greece, King Georgios, also lived in this palace. But during his reign two serious fires destroyed the building to the extend that it was judged unfit for royal occupation. It was 1924 that the government decided to house the Greek Parliament in the building. Renovation work finished in 1934. The interior of the building was redesigned by the architect A. Kriezis. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in the front of the building, was built in 1929 - 1930. This monument where Greek officials and visiting dignitaries lay wreaths on major holidays, is guarded day and night by a pair of elite soldiers called Evzones. The changing of the guard every hour offers onlookers a very spectacular event. You can visit the Parliament House, which keeps precious national treasures like the First Greek Constitution and many valuable paintings. Also worth visiting is the Parliament's large library. thision1.jpg THE THESEION - HEPHAISTEION Despite its name, it was not a temple dedicated to Theseus but to the god Hephaistos and the goddess Athena. Situated at the western edge of the Agora, it is today the best preserved temple of ancient times. Built in 449 B.C., it housed the statues of Hephaistos and Athena sculpted by Alkamenes. zappeion1.jpg THE ZAPPEION The Zappeion is the small park area between the National Garden and the Olympieion. In it you will see the handsome Zappeion Megaron, designed by the architect Theofil Hansen and built in 1874-1888. In recent years this "Congress and Exhibition Hall", has witnessed some of the most important moments in this country's modern history: European leaders' summits, election day results and important political announcements. It also houses important art exhibitions and occasionaly concerts are given here.