5 Jul 2018
Philopappos and the elusive Eptathronon, Tavernas old and new, backstreets and graffiti, new Museums and Exhibitions Hadrian, Technology, Eleusis and latest discoveries from the Antikythera Shipwreck.
Akropolis from Philopappos
Athens continues to develop at an incredible speed, some areas now almost beyond recognition.
Thankfully, ‘development’ means new cash injection, Museums and Exhibitions; but old favourites still exist, surprises pop up around oft-walked corners and places that I know exist still manage to elude!
Ambling through Exharia at night we chance upon a Roman Thermae Column, an unidentified ‘shrine’ behind Thisseo Metro and once again we fail to locate Eptathronos!
Climbing Philopappos one passes shrines, tombs and defensive walls. The vista is breathtaking and a must for those studying topography. One could spend all day here but it’s the perfect place to visit after Sites and most museums close. Always descend via Pnyx.
Love walking up here after most sites close at 3pm. Have a look at our pictures here!
More on Macedonian defences, great topography here too!
Frustrating as it may be having sites close at 3pm, good views may still be had of Kerameikos from the viewing platforms and of course there is the always the archaeology of the Akropoli, Monastiraki and Syntagma Metro Stations to explore.
More new food outlets have appeared on Ermou such as Tzatziki Classic Greek and YUM…ME but atmospheric vintage remains if you look.
Contrasting Street Art represents economic and political frustration with both anger and humour.
Standard favourites are always a joy in the New Akropolis Museum, especially in its Ninth Anniversary Year (plus more Metopes undergoing preservation) with further temporary exhibitions being rolled out.
Following “Samothrace. The mysteries of the great gods” and “Dodona. The oracle of sounds”, the most recent “Eleusis, the Great Mysteries” was a revelation! Video presentation, aerial photography of Site and Sacred Way, stele, statuary, votives – many previously unseen.
If you missed “Eleusis, the Great Mysteries” do check out fascinating artefacts recently on display. Quite the revelation!
For more information, you can read the Greek News Agenda blog and the Acropolis Museum’s.
The National Archaeological Museum offers a longer lasting Exhibition “Hadrian and Athens, Conversing with an Ideal World”, smaller but none the less interesting for that, until November 2018.
Do take a peek inside “Hadrian and Athens, Conversing with an Ideal World“: more info here.
The Discoveries from the Antikythera Shipwreck Exhibition in the beautiful Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation Historical Library, Piraeus has now sadly closed and we felt privileged to have visited. New finds were exhibited (some in freshwater tanks) and linked to the 1976 Jacques -Yves Cousteau expedition. More info on the exhibition here.
The Neo-Classical Building is wonderful too and full of more Nautical History. Do visit should you have a spare hour near the Ferry Terminals.
More permanent (we hope!) is the new-ish Ancient Technology Museum in Kolonaki. A small fee will take you into a world of working automata, demonstrations, musical instruments, science, theatre, hydraulics, wind power, oracles, flying machines and telecommunication!
See – Ancient Technology Museum, Kolonaki. Worth the effort!
We began our stay in the 4* Hotel Ilissos; great standard, 30min walk from Akropolis but noisy rooms at the front! Those at the rear may be a tad smaller but they are quieter and with a Philopappos/Akropolis/Lykabettos view – no contest.
As ever we ‘test drove’ a different Hotel. Hotel Oscar is not within easy walking distance of the centre, but it’s quiet, with a direct line metro stop less than a minute’s walk away and the National Archaeological Museum a mere 30mins. A perfectly serviceable standard 3* Hotel; quiet, with airy corridors, large rooms, rooftop breakfast bar/restaurant, but certainly no frills.
As ever, John discovered an excellent Super Market across the road, enough to suffice the needs of any hungry school party!
Once again, huge thanks to Amoratis Travel and family for their unstinting patience and φιλοξενία!