Most alluring landmarks of Athens

Athens is the largest and the capital city of Greece. It is the city with majestic history, sacred places, edifices, and amazing locations. The ancient civilization flourished in Athens and is considered among the world’s oldest cities. It is the birthplace of democracy. This place is famous for archaeological wonders and is a place of two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Acropolis and Daphni Monastery. If you ever have a chance to visit Athens then do not forget to visit the following major landmarks.

Acropolis
Acropolis of Athens is the most important landmark in not just Athens but also in Greece. It is a sacred site situated in the sacred hill of Athens. Acropolis of Athens contains temples built in the 5th century BC. These temples are dedicated to goddess Athena. The site is now a tourist attraction for its beauty, holiness, and wonderment. Acropolis is located on rocky elevation which is around 156m tall. The site contains various buildings including Propylaea, Athena Nike Temple, Parthenon, and Erechtheion. You can also find Acropolis museum built at the bottom of Acropolis.

Parthenon
Parthenon is a temple created in honor of the Athena Parthenos who was the patroness of Athens. The temple is built in the form of surrounding columns. Its materials, pediments, and roof are painted in red, gold, and blue colors. The temple contains twelve meter tall statue of Athena Parthenos. This statue has been made up of ivory and gold and constructed on wooden frame. If you visit Acropolis then you must visit this temple.

Olympia
Olympia is a sanctuary to worship Zeus and is now athletic and religious center in Greece. It is from here that the Olympic games of 776 BC originated. In those days winners of various games including running, boxing, jumping, and wrestling were awarded with olive wreaths for their powerful athletics. Olympia also contains temples, monuments, sanctuaries, and treasuries. If you have a chance to visit Athens then do not forget to visit this marvelous landmark.

Rhodes
Rhodes is the capital city of Dodecanese. This city was planned by Hippodamus of Miletus in 5 BC. The place was later fortified. The palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes is an important landmark and has now become a museum. Other famous landmarks in Rhodes include Orthodox Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady of the Castle, and the Hospital of the Knights.

Daphni Monastery
Daphni Monastery is an 11th century Byzantine monastery located in Athens. This monastery was founded in 6th century BC. Daphni Monastery is a great masterpiece of Byzantine Empire and is famous for its lovely interior mosaic. It is now a museum and a world heritage site.

Benaki Museum
Benaki Museum is an extraordinary museum that has diverse collection of Greek artifacts. This museum provides an overview of the art and culture of Greece from the beginning of the civilization to modern world. You will find exclusive collections that are spread over several floors of Benaki building. In the first room you will find artifacts from Neolithic period. The following rooms possess collection of classical period. You will also find Byzantine art in the form of paintings and mosaic. The collections in a number of rooms are especially targeted at traditional Greek culture. In the last set of rooms you will find weapons.