Extraordinary Antique Buildings in Athens You Must See
The Acropolis with the Parthenon ©mradisoglou/Flick
Athens is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with many tourist attractions. We would like to present you some extraordinary antique buildings in Athens you must see.
If you visit the city you can’t miss the Akropolis with the Parthenon, which is one of the most famous places in Greece, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the National Archaeological Museum.
You can also take a trip at sunset to Cap Sounion to the Temple of Poseidon which is a unique phenomenon in the world.
Akropolis
The Acropolis was built in the “Golden Century” of Pericles (VI BC) by a brilliant team of architects. Including monumental works, the architectural ensemble of Acropolis palaces and temples gather both Doric and Ionic architectural style. By far the most important monument of Acropolis is the Parthenon, the temple built for Athena Partenos is a breathtaking monument built in Doric style and housed the gold statue of Athena with a height of about 15m statue, which is currently missing.
The Acropolis with the Parthenon ©mradisoglou/Flick
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Although the temple of Olympian Zeus collapsed during an earthquake in the sixth century, the remaining ruins still enable us to imagine the former majesty of this extraordinary antique building. On the foundation of three steps stood 78 pillars, arranged in 6 rows, each column with a height of 10.53 m and diameter of 2.23 m The total height of the temple was 20m. The temple is famous for its statue of Zeus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, made probably in 437-431 BC, by the best sculptor of the time, Pheidias. The statue was impressive both in its proportions, with a height of about 15 meters, and the precious materials of which it was built. Zeus was wearing a crown of olive leaves, sat on a throne of ebony and bronze, adorned with ivory, gold and precious stones, the body of god was made from wood, coated with ivory skin and dress of gold. We know nothing about the fate of this architectural and spiritual wonders of antiquity.
The Temple of Zeus in Athens ©Tilemahos Efthimiadis/Flick
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the post popular museum in Greece and one of the top 10 museums in the world. It was built in neoclassical style in the middle of the 19th century and holds many precious artifacts from different locations in Greece, from the early prehistoric era to the late ancient times, that you must see.
The National Archeological Museum of Athens ©Tilemahos Efthimiadis/Flick
Temple of Poseidon
The construction of the Temple of Poseidon, god of the sea, began in the year 500 BC, but the monument was never finished. The temple and its attractions were destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. The temple of Poseidon that you can visit today was built on the site of the ruins of an other temple.
The Temple of Posseidon in Greece ©jaybergesen/Flick
