Postcards from Athens, Greece

The Changing of the Greek Guard
Every Sunday, at 11am, there is a formal changing of the guard in Syntagma Square, Athens. The traditionally dressed Evzones, or Presidential Guards, are a ceremonial infantry unit that guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion.

The Parthenon on the Hill
I arrived into the metropolis very late afternoon, but had time to appreciate the view from the rooftop restaurant …(iPhone12Pro)

Sunset over Athens
… before the sun came down over the sprawling city of Athens. (iPhone12Pro)

Parliament House
The next morning, phone and map in hand, I set off for a walk up the road, and found myself at the austere Neoclassical Parliament House on Syntagma (Constitution) Square. Built between 1836 and 1842, it was originally the palace of the King of Greece. (iPhone12Pro)

The Rooftops of Athens
I was back at my hotel in time for breakfast on the rooftop, and enjoyed some clear morning views. Unfortunately, the lack of smoking prohibition meant that my neighbour, six inches away from my table, was puffing away on a foul-smelling local cigarette. (iPhone12Pro)

The Erechtheion and Athens
The next day, my new group and I had an early-morning tour of the Acropolis (see: On the Acropolis).

Temple of Olympian Zeus
On our way through the centre of the city, we stopped at the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Originally started in the 6th century BCE, it was finally finished under the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century CE. It fell into disuse after being pillaged in 267 CE, and was mostly hidden by scaffolding during our visit. (iPhone12Pro)

The Olympieion
At one time, this was the largest temple in Greece, but it is hard now to get a sense of its former glory.

Digging at the Temple
Archaeologists perform painstaking excavation works under the supervision of the Ephorate of Antiquities.

Fallen Corinthian Column
Once, the temple included 104 colossal columns of fine marble.

Flags in the Stadium
Our next stop was at the Panathenaic Stadium, built entirely of marble in 330-329 BCE. It was the site of the first Modern Olympics in 1896 and is still in use today.

Statue of Archbishop Damaskinos by Greek Sculptor Fanis Sakellariou
Damaskinos Papandreou (1891 – 1949) was the archbishop of Athens and All Greece from 1941 until his death in 1949. He was also the Prime Minister of Greece for a time.

Holy Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
This magnificent three-aisled basilica was begun in 1842 and finished 20 years later. It was largely built from marble recovered from 72 demolished churches around Athens.

Athens Street
One of the joys of travel has to be the unique shopping experience! I had a wonderful time exploring the shops in the Plaka neighborhood. It has been described as a village within the city (see: Athens: the Plaka).

Flag On The Hill
Plaka sits under the rocky outcrop that houses the Acropolis.

A Local Hero
In a public square nearby, a statue pays tribute to Yannis Makriyannis (1797-1864), a military officer who participated in the liberation war of Greece against Ottoman Empire.

Arch of Hadrian
Our last stop before we drive out of the city towards Meteora (see: A Walk through Ancient Monasteries) was at Hadrian’s Gate, an 18m (59 ft) monumental gateway built in 131 CE.

The Pigeon
A week later I was back on the Athens hotel rooftop fighting a pigeon for my morning toast. (iPhone12Pro)

Carrying the Standard
There was already a crowd in Syntagma Square when I arrived for the Sunday morning changing of the guard.

Fancy Sleeves and Bayonets
Every element of the distinctive Evzone uniform has a meaning tied to Greece’s modern history and national identity. The red Pharion (cap) they wear symbolises the blood spilled by the warriors during the liberation struggles, and the black silk tassel represents tears for the losses endured.

Stepping Out
The Fustanella, the kilt, is made of 30 meters of white fabric with 400 pleats, which represent the number of years of Turkish occupation. The Fermeli (vest) is beautifully hand-embroidered with cultural designs in white or gilt thread.

National Police Officer

Stepping Out
The uniform of the Cretans, with its blue breeches and white leather boots, is worn for parades and official ceremonies. (iPhone12Pro)

Pom Poms
Traditionally, the large black tassel on the tsarouhi (shoe) concealed blades that could be used in close-range combat. (iPhone12Pro)

Officer Marching
The uniform of the officers more closely resembles the dress worn by klephts – the brigands and/or freedom fighters who battled against the Ottoman occupiers. Officers are armed with a pála, a kilij-style curved scimitar. (iPhone12Pro)

Street Musicians
Evening in the cobbled streets near our hotel are charming – and a little cooler than the wickedly hot days.

In the Streets of Monastiraki
We are headed to the Monastiraki district for alfresco dining across from the Museum of Modern Greek Culture and evening views up to that ever-present Acropolis. (iPhone12Pro)

Night Lights on The Acropolis
Back at the hotel after dark, I snuck up to the now-quiet rooftop for one last look at that incredible monument on the hill. (iPhone12Pro)