We were up early to avoid the crowd at the Acropolis of Athens. We had walked from our hotel which is located at the Athinas Street. We only planned to go up to Acropolis of Athens, as I thought it would take most of our day. We managed to check out also the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, it was covered anyway by the 12euros ticket we purchased for admission to twelve archaeological sites of Acropolis. Currently, the ticket increased to 20euros. You could check this site for more info.
Thought of taking photos while walking. It was very early, the shopping areas were, apparently, quiet and empty.
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| Church of Panagia Kapnikarea |
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| Collage Cafe- Restaurant |
Average meal cost: 3 to 11 euros
Kapnikareas 3, 105 63, Athens Attica, Greece
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| arch of Hadrian's gate from accross |
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| Arch of Hadrian's gate from accross |
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| Arch of Hadrian overlooking the Acropolis of Athens, Greece |
Arch of Hadrian was made of Pentelic marble but of lower grade to compare with what was use for the Parthenon and other notable structures. It is a monumental gateway or Roman triumphal arch spanned from the center of Athens to the eastern side where the Temple of Olympian Zeus was built.
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| The Temple of Olympian Zeus |
The temple of Olympian Zeus is a Greek-Roman temple in the center of Athens. Construction begun in the 6th century BC and completed in the 2nd century AD under the reign of Emperor Hadrian of Rome.
At present, all you could see at this archaeological site is the ruins of the temple. It is clearly seen from the Acropolis of Athens and like the latter, it has the magnificent golden view at night. Apparently, the temple is made of the fine marble quarried from Mount Pentelus.
The temple originally have 104 Corinthian column, each 17 meters high. 48 columns stood in triple rows under the pediments and 56 in double rows at the sides. Only 15 columns are standing at present with the corinthian capitals still in place: 13 at the south-east corner and 2 in the south-west corner.
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| view of the Acropolis of Athens from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, Greece |
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| view of the Acropolis of Athens from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, Greece |
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| view of the Acropolis of Athens from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, Greece |
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| view of the Acropolis of Athens (farther right) from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, Greece |
History of the Temple of Olympian Zeus
1. It was initiated by Pisistratus in 515 BC but the work was held when Pisistratus son, Hippias was overthrown in 510 BC2. It was further left unfinished during the Greek Democary. As per Aristotle, the temple was an example of how tyrannies focus more on the great works and left no time and energy to rebel.
3. Construction resumed during the Macedonian domination of Greece, under the Hellenistic king, Antiochos IV of Syria. The king hired the Roman architect Cossutius to design the largest temple in the known world. The columns and entablature of the then Corinthian order temple were erected. But when the king died in 164 BC, the work was stopped again.
4. Roman rule in 86 BC, General Sulla took two columns from the unfinished temple and brought to Rome beautify the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill. These columns influenced the Corinthian style in Rome.
5..Hadrian, a great admirer of Greek culture finally brought it to completion in the 2nd century AD, between 124 and 131.
6. Additional buildings were completed afterwards:
a) a rectangular precint wall was built around the temple
b) Roman baths were added to the site,
c) Hadrian's arch, monumental arch 18m high, set at the entrance
d) Temple of Zeus Panhellenios was built to the south of the main temple (132 CE)
e) The temple of Kronos and Rhea were added in 150 CE
f) Buildings above were enclosed within the main complex, Valerian Wall, between 256 and 260 CE
g) In 450 CE, The Basilica Olympion was built along the northern side of the original precint wall.
7. The temple suffered over the centuries and was said to have been destroyed by an earthquake during the medieval period. The materials were re-used in other buildings.
8. The Olympian was excavated in 1889 to 1896 by Francis Penrose of the British School in Athens.
9. Further work had been done in 1922 by the German archaeologists, Gabriel Welter.
10. In 1960, Greek archaeologist led by Loannes Travlos continued the work.
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| view of the Acropolis of Athens (farther right) from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens, Greece |
We did not stay long at this site, not much to see but a must see. Materials used to this temple are rare, quarried from Mount Pentelus. See for yourself the origin of the ancient Corinthian capital. Our next stop was the famous Acropolis of Athens. Please check out the separate post.
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| remaining corinthian columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus still in place. |
Below were the photos taken after we had descended from Acropolis of Athens, Greece. We did not visit the other archaeological sites, temperature was a bit high. We were famished, looking forward for a great lunch in Plaka district.
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| Phone booth in Ahtens, Greece |
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| City bus tour, Athens, Greece |
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| entrance to the Acropolis Museum |
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| archaeological site below the entrance of the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece |
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| lunch at Plakiotissa, Athens, Greece |
located at Dion Areopagtou Plate 7
Plaka, Athens, Greece
Food was nice and the service was efficient. I like the Pita bread. I noticed most of the dishes are seasoned with oregano. I now add oregano when I cook fried rice at home and to some fish dish.
I have ordered the grilled shrimp with side veggies.
My youngest did not want to try other menu. She kept on ordering burger and fries which I kept on reminding her not healthy.
My husband always wanted to try meat, checking if it is better from the previous he had tried.
The specialty in Greece and to most in the Middle East countries, Kebab. My eldest ordered this.
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| Pita bread |
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| lunch at Plakiotissa, Athens, Greece |
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| doves at Syntagma square, Athens, Greece |
H & M at Ermou Street. Before we went to the airport for our flight to Santorini, my eldest spent few hours walking around the high-traffic shopping area at Ermou street, The three of us stayed at Syntagma square.
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| Syntagma square |
On top of the square is the used to be King's Palace. It is now the Parliament Building. This is where the Athenians go and complain when they do not like the law passed by the government.
Syntagma Square is a well known place, not only in Athens but in Greece. It is an open park and well maintained. The park is the favourite hang out of most of the locals. If you are visiting Athens, this is one of the must to see.
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| doves at Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece |
At Athens airport waiting for our flight to Santorini via RyanAir. The flight took only half an hour boarded on a small plane. Before we took off, the steward was very busy squeezing the hand carry bags under the seats. We arrived Santorini around midnight.
continued to Santorini Sunset Sailing, Greece
continued from Acropolis of Athens, Greece.
The separate post for Erechtheion is still under construction
Related Posts:
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| Athens, Greece |
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| Acropolis of Ahtens, Greece |
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Propylaea
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Parthenon
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Check out the places we had visited in Asia
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| Japan trip 2014 |
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Hong Kong
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See Also:
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Swiss Transport Museum
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Chopsuey Recipe
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Cycling in Singapore
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Resort World Sentosa
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Family World Travel
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