The capital of Greece took its name from the
goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. This is
where democracy was born. This is where that marvel of architecture,
the Parthenon, was created.
This
is where art became inseparable from life, and this is where
Pericles gave the funerary speech, that monument of the spoken
word.
Athens the symbol of freedom, art, and democracy
in the conscience of the civilized world.
In Athens memory never fades. Wherever you
stand, wherever you turn, the city's long and rich history will
be alive in front of you.
In the center of town are two hills, the Acropolis
with the monuments from the Age of Pericles, and Lycabettus
with the picturesque chapel of Ai Giorgis.
Athens
today is a modern city, alive and on the go. Modern, but romantic
as well, with busy streets and squares, shop windows a riot of
colors, as well as little alleys in quiet, peaceful neighborhoods
such as Plaka and Mets.
In the countless shops, the visitor will find
whatever he may need. In the tavernas and restaurants he can
enjoy any taste sensation, in the night clubs, discos and bars
he can drink and dance the night away. Because in Athens, the
fun never stops before daylight.
Archeological Sites
* Acropolis (tel: 3236665)
* Areopagus (NW of Acropolis)
* Ancient Agora, (below the Acropolis, tel: 3210185)
* Hadrian's Library, (near the Roman Forum)
* Keramikos Cemetery, (148 Ermou)
* Philopappus or Muses Hill (opposite the Acropolis)
* Lysicrates Monument or Diogenes' Lantern, (corner of Lyssicratous
& Vyronos str., Plaka)
* Pnyx (small hill opposite the Areopagus)
* Hadrian's Arch (corner of Vassilissis Olgas & Amalias str.)
* Roman Market (east of the start of Aiolou str.)
* Clock of Andronikos Kyrrhestes or Tower of the Winds (outside
the west gate of the Roman Market)
Museums and Galleries
* Acropolis (tel: 3210219)
* Anthropological - Ethnological (47 Mikras Assias, Goudi tel:
7771193)
* Ancient Agora (Stoa of Attalus, south slope of the Acropolis,
24 Adrianou, Thissiou Sq. tel: 3210185)
* Vorre (modem art) (4 Diadochou Konstantinou, Paiania, tel:
6644771)
* Byzantine (22 Vassilissis Sofias, tel: 7211027)
* Byzantine Art, Loverdou (58 Akadimias) Private collection of
Byzantine and postByzantine art
* Goulandris, (natural history) (13 Levidou, Kifissia, tel: 8015870)
* National Archaeological (1 Tositsa and Patission, tel: 8217717)
* National Gallery (50 Vassileos Konstantinou Ave.,tel: 7211010)
* Greek Folk Art (17 Kydathinaion, tel: 3213018)
* Greek Folk Musical Instruments (1-3 Diogenous, Plaka, tel:
3256198)
* Epigraphic, (1 Tositsa, tel: 8217637)
* Zoological (Athens University, University City - Panepistimioupoli,
tel: 7243244)
* Theatrical (Municipal Cultural Centre, 50 Akadimias, tel: 3629430)
* Goulandris Museum of Cycladic and Archaic Greek Art (4 Neofytou
Douka, tel: 7228321)
* Holy Icons (Archbishopric, 21 Filotheis, tel: 3237654)
* Historic and Ethnological (Old Parliament, Stadiou & Kolokotroni
Sq., tel: 3237617)
* Kanellopoulos (Theorias & Panos, Plaka, tel: 3212313) Private
collection
* Kerameikos (148 Ermou, tel: 3463552)
* Folk Art Collection of the Centre of Research and Greek Popular
Art (129 Syngrou Ave.)
* Benaki Museum (Vassilissis Sofias & Koumbari, tel: 3611617)
* Numismatic (1 Tositsa, tel: 8226798)
* Shells (14 Pindou, Moschato, tel: 9412393) Private collection
* War (Vassilissis Sofias & Rizari, tel: 7290543)
* City of Athens (7 Paparrigopoulou & Klathmonos Sq., tel:
3246164)
* Municipal Cultural Centre (50 Akadimias, tel: 3621601)
* Gennadius Library Collection (61 Souidias)
* Planetarium, Eugenidis Foundation (387 Syngrou Ave., Amfithea,
tel: 9411181)
* Postal (Panathinaikou Sq., 5 Stadiou & 2 Fokianou)
* Trains (301 Liossion, tel: 5246580)
Byzantine Monuments
* Agii Apostoli (within the Ancient Agora
south the Stoa of Attalos)
* Agios Eleftherios (next to the Cathedral, Mitropoleos str.)
* Agii Theodori (Klathmonos Sq.)
* Kapnikarea (in the middle of Ermou str.)
* Dafni Monastery (10 km west of Athens at the corner of Iera
Odos & Kavalas Ave.)
* Kaisariani Monastery (7 km SE of Athens on Mt. Hymettus)
Artistic Events
* Herod Atticus Odeum from June to
September, includes productions of ancient plays, opera, music
and dance. Greek and foreign groups and artists of international
renown participate. Information : Athens Festival, tel: 3221459
* Athens Concert Hall Grand orchestras and solists, tel:
7282333.
* Sound and Light tel:3221459.
* Dora Stratou's folk dancing group Filopapou Theatre,
tel: 3244395.
Where to Shop
At shopping centers in downtown Athens and the suburbs, in the
commercial areas of Athens, such as Syntagma, Kolonaki, Ermou,
Omonia, Monastiraki and Plaka, where you will find folk art shops
as well. Sales occur twice a year, in Augast and February.
Useful Telephone Numbers
* Police: 100
* Emergency Medical Assistance: 176
* First Aid Center: 166
* Poison Treatment Center: 7793777
* ELPA Tourist Information Service: 174
* ELPA Road Assistance: 104
* Fire Department: 199
* Tourist Police (GNTO): 171
* Announcements On Telephone Calls Abroad: 161
* Information On Calling Abroad: 162
* Instructions for International Calls: 169
* Telephoned Telegrams Abroad: 165
* Directory Assistance Athens-Piraeus-Suburbs: 131
* Directory Assistance Rest of Greece: 132
* General Information Service (OTE): 134
* Wake up & Message Service: 182
* Accident Hospital - KAT: 8014411
* GNTO Offices: 3223111/9
* Greek Railways Organization (Ticket Office): 5222491
* Greek Coach Services (100 Kifissou st.): 5124910
* Greek Coach Services (260 Liossion st.): 5124910
Information Courtesy of Agean
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