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The capital of Greece is the city of the Olympic
Idea, the city of culture, of science and commerce. A city with ancient
monuments like Acropolis, the inimitable ancient monument and landmark of
Greece, museums, lively tradition districts like Plaka and numerous sights.
These are some of the reasons that make Athens worth visiting.
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The Parthenon which is in the center of Athens,
is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilization
and still remains its international symbol. It was dedicated to Athena Parthenos,
the patron goddess of Athens. It was built between 447 and 432 BC, to plans
of Iktinos and Kalikrates while Pheidias and his pupils had charge of general
constructional supervision and of the decorative carvings.
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| Acropolis represents the ultimate in architectural
and artistic expression of the ancient Athenian spirit, occupies a rock
156m above sea level, which is itself a natural fortress. During the Classical
period (450-330 BC) the most important temples were erected. It acquired
its first temple in the 8th c. BC. Building started on the Parthenon itself,
dedicated to Athena Parthenos, in the early 5th c BC only to be razed by
the Persians in 480. It was rebuilt during Pericles’ rule in just ten years.
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| You can also visit Propylaia which was designed
by the architect Mnesicles and constructed in 437-432 B.C. It consists of
a central structure with two wings. The colonnades along the west and east
sides had a row of Doric columns while two rows of Ionic columns divided
the central corridor into three parts. The walls of the north wing were
decorated with painted panels or wall paintings and that is why it was called
the "Pinakotheke". The ceiling of the Propylaia had coffers with
painted decoration and a perforated sima around the roof. |
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