Athens is a city in Greece. National Historical Museum. More information about Athens

Athens is the cradle of our civilization, the birthplace of philosophers and democracy, a repository of ruined columns and armless statues, ancient jugs and coins. Ancient traditions and modernity harmoniously intertwine here. History buffs and those who want to soak up the warm sea in Athens will be greeted warmly and hospitably - in Greek.

Athens (Αθήνα) - legendary city, named after the wise warrior goddess - Pallas Athena. It stands on the plain of Attica, near the Saronic Gulf, between three mountain ranges: Parnit, Penteli and Hymett. The Acropolis and Lycabettus hills rise above the city.

IN antique time Athens was the center of ancient Greek civilization. Today's capital of Greece is a huge metropolis, the center of world history, a symbol of the Olympic idea. Athens is a center of science, culture, art, developed trade. The lively rhythm of modern life exists here in parallel with the grandeur of ancient monuments and the mysteries of ancient legends.

The myth of the patroness of the city

One of the ancient Greek myths tells. A long time ago, the king of Attica was Kekrops (half-man, half-snake). He had to choose the patron of the city. The wise son of the goddess Gaia decided that he should be the one who would bring the city the most useful and valuable gift. Immediately, Poseidon, the brother of Zeus, appeared before the people, and plunged his trident into the rock of the Acropolis. At the site of impact, a huge fountain shot up into the sky, but the water in it was sea salt. Then Pallas Athena appeared, who grew a wonderful olive tree on a stone and presented it to the people. The king and his people rejoiced, and the wise Athena became the patroness of the city.

Highlights in the history of Athens

The area on which Athens stands has been inhabited since the Neolithic. The exact date of the birth of the city is unknown. From ancient times to the Middle Ages, Athens dominated Hellas, where the foundations of world democracy arose and developed. In the Middle Ages, the city experienced a decline, became part of Byzantium, was under the yoke of Ottoman Empire. In 1833, Athens received the status of the capital of the new kingdom of Greece. A beautiful city was built near the ancient ruins. The traditions of the Olympic Games have been revived. By the end of the 20th century, Athens had become a beautiful and distinctive metropolis worthy of the title of modern capital.

Itinerary for 2 days in Athens

Hill of Philopappou

Monument to Philopappos

Areopagus

Olympeion

Roman Agora

Syntagma Square

Syntagma metro station

National Archaeological Museum

Panathinaikos

Lycabettus

To get a full impression of Greece and ancient culture, you can only visit Athens. I suggest a one day itinerary. You will see the most interesting and significant places of the Greek capital.

Hill of Philopappou

Below is the prison of Socrates (Η Φυλακή του Σωκράτη). It is assumed that Socrates was in it for "corrupting the youth of Athens with his radical statements." He was sentenced to death penalty and he was forced to take poison.

At the entrance to the park from Dionisiou Areopagite Street, there is a small church of St. Demetrius.

From the side of Arokintou street, it is in the west of the hill, we see the Dora Strato Theater (θέατρο Δόρα Στράτου). It hosts performances of folk Greek dances in the summer.

How to get there: go to the Singrou Fix station (Sigrou-Fix, Greek ΣΤ.ΣΥΓΓΡΟΥ-ΦΙΞ), metro red line; walk along Drakou street; Continue up the path up the hill.

Acropolis

The symbol of Athens, the heart of Hellas is the Acropolis of Athens (Ακρόπολη Αθηνών). From this sacred hill began the Hellenic capital, and indeed the whole Greek civilization. architectural complex The Acropolis attracts all the guests of the Greek capital. Beautiful ancient temples, founded under Pericles, stand in ruins here. This is where our path lies.

2. Hecatompedon

4. Statue of Athena Promachos

7. Eleusinion
8. Bravroneion
9. Halkoteka
10. Pandroseion
11. Arrephorion
12. Athenian altar
13. Sanctuary of Zeus Polyeas
14. Sanctuary of Pandion
15. Odeon of Herodes Atticus
16. Stoa of Eumenes

19. Odeon of Pericles
20. Temenos of Dionysus
21. Sanctuary of Aglaura

IN archaeological zone The Acropolis is entered from the southern slope: here you can see the ruins of the huge ancient theater of Dionysus (Θέατρο του Διονύσου) with the surviving rows of spectator seats and the stage. Ritual festivities - dionysias - took place on this site; pathetic masterpieces of Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes were played out. passage between stone rows places now become part of hiking trail surrounding the Acropolis.

Another "theatrical" monument of the Acropolis was intended for musical performances - the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Ωδείο Ηρώδου του Αττικού). Its rebuilt ruins now host the annual Athens Festival of the world's finest troupes.

Between the two ancient theaters is the standing Eumenes (Στοά Ευμένους) - a covered two-story colonnade built in the 2nd century BC. BC. Standing served the theatrical public for walks.

Behind the colonnade are the ruins of a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. Asklepieion (Ἀσκληπιεῖον; Asklepieion) was built after the terrible Athenian cholera epidemic (V century BC).

We will go to the gentle top of the Acropolis through the Propylaea (Προπύλαια) – the monumental front passage to the Acropolis, built by Mnesicles (V century BC). In antiquity, the pavilions of the Pinakothek and the Hadrian Library adjoined the building.

To the right of the entrance is the reconstructed temple of Nike Apteros (Ναός Αθηνάς Νίκης), also called the temple of Athena Nike, built to commemorate the triumph of the ancient Greek army over the Persians in the 5th century BC. BC. Inside was a statue of a wingless goddess so that she could never leave Athens.

Next to the Parthenon, in the sacred part of the Acropolis, stands the Erechtheion (Ἐρέχθειον) - a temple dedicated to Athena, Poseidon and King Erechtheus, built on the site of the mythological contest between Athena and Poseidon. It is said that on its northern portico there are marks left by the trident of the god of the seas himself. The columns of the temple are made in the form of sculptures of young women (caryatids).

The entrance ticket to the Acropolis is €12. It is valid for 4 days, you get a bonus free entry to the theater of Dionysus, the Roman Agora, the Ancient Greek Agora, the temple of Zeus, the library of Hadrian and Ceramics, the cemetery of ancient Athens. For children and teenagers under 18 years old - admission is free.

How to get there: go to Acropoli station, metro red line. You can walk from Monastiraki and Thissio stations.

Near the western slope of the Acropolis stands a low rocky hill Pnyx (Πνὐξ) - a place of crowded gatherings of the ancient Hellenes. On the plateau of this semicircular hill with a stone platform, starting from 507 BC. e., Athenian citizens gathered and held ecclesias. This is the first democratic body of power in the history of mankind. During the excavations of the 20th century, a sanctuary and an altar of Zeus were found on the Pnyx.

Let's continue our walk through the most comfortable area of ​​Plaka (Πλάκα). Narrow streets, taverns and atmospheric cafes, colorful residents. The houses are 2-3 hundred years old, but they were built on antique foundations.

Let's take a look at the oldest street in Athens - Hadrian.

Ermou (Οδός Ερμού) is a busy pedestrian street in Athens leading to Syntagma Square. On it you can occasionally buy something from clothes. But I advise you not to waste time, because you will not find anything exclusive and inexpensive.
By the way, boutiques of luxury brands are located at the beginning of the street, and then there are shops of democratic brands (Zara, Marks & Spencer, etc.).

Syntagma metro station (Σταθμός Συντάγματος) looks like a small archaeological museum. As soon as you get out of the subway car, unique finds, covered with glass, appear in front of you. Among them are ancient burials and a fragment of an old Athenian water pipe. Artifacts were found when the subway was being laid in 2004.

You can see ancient exhibits at Akropolis, Monastiraki stations, but it is more interesting at Syntagma.

Archaeological Museum

From the Panathenaic Stadium we will go along Anapafseos Street, at the end of which is the First Athenian Cemetery (Πρώτο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών), founded in 1837. This is an open-air museum, the burial place of the local elite. Every tomb is a work of art. The mausoleum of the famous archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann and his family is impressive.

On the territory of the cemetery one Catholic Church and two Orthodox.

It's supper time. Let's go to the Funky Gourmet restaurant. Prices, of course, are not democratic here, and the place is not romantic, but they feed you - you will lick your fingers!

Address: 13 Paramithias Street. Metro station - Metaxourgio (red line).

Lycabettus

Faliron

Athens beaches stretch for many kilometers along the city and its environs. The most crowded is Faliron, a free recreation area with a sandy shore. For family vacation Faliron is not suitable: the coast and the water here are not clean.

Lutsa

In the eastern part of the city there is a sandy beach called Lutsa. It is preferred by the Athenian youth: for a large number of round-the-clock entertainment venues, taverns and surf clubs.

Alimos

One of the most visited is Alimos beach on the southern outskirts of the city. It's clean here Sandy shore and excellent, by Athenian standards, infrastructure: there are many cafes and taverns, there are showers, umbrellas and sun loungers, children's entertainment.

Votsalakia Campos

The most comfortable beaches include Votsalakia Campos - a fully equipped recreation complex with a court, volleyball courts, and an outdoor pool. The beach here is sandy with pebbles.

Bay of Glyfada

A great place for a family vacation is Glyfada Bay, located in the suburbs, at a distance of 16 km from the capital's center. This is a wide long strip of golden sand in the middle of a picturesque mountainous wooded area. Everything is installed on the sandy paid beaches of Glyfada necessary equipment and attractions, water sports activities are offered, restaurants and clubs are open, lifeguards are on duty. The beaches of Glyfada are marked with the Blue Flag.

The beaches of Voula

The beaches of Voula, which is located 18 km south of Athens, are famous for their clean sandy bottom. A cozy, well-equipped coastal area is surrounded by a pine grove. There is a sports and training center for all ages.

The resort area of ​​Vulyameni

IN resort area Vouliameni includes two sandy beaches on the sea coast (Kavuri and Attiki-Akti), luxury resort Asteria-Volymenis with a complex of beaches, thermal lake Voulyameni, on the banks of which there is a cozy place to relax.

Kokkino-Limanaki beach

Connoisseurs of pristine natural beauty choose Kokkino-Limanaki beach near the port of Rafina. There is an amazing turquoise sea, pure golden sand and picturesque red rocks of the cliffs.

Akti Varkiza beach

And 27 km to the east is Varkiza Bay. Here is a beautiful free beach Akti Varkiza with sports fields, a children's area, attractions and many eateries. There is a yacht club near the beach.

More distant from the capital, the surroundings are the sandy beaches of Porto Rafti with famous fish taverns and Chinyas - a favorite place for surfers; beach areas of the town of Vavron and famous resort on Cape Sounion - near the ruins of the ancient temple of Poseidon.

Transport in Athens

Public transport runs in the city: buses, trams, trolleybuses, metro and commuter trains. Quickly and conveniently get to the desired point by metro. A single ticket for all modes of transport.

Single fare for 70 min. — €1.20;
ticket for 24 hours - €4.

Buy tickets at the box office, vending machines at metro stations and tram stops. Be sure to validate your ticket.

How to get from the airport to the center of Athens

Athenian international Airport"Eleftherios Venizelos" is located 27 km from the center. You can get from the airport to the center by public transport: by metro, express bus or taxi.

Metro

The easiest and most convenient way is to take the subway. To get to the Aerodromio metro station (blue line), you need to exit the arrivals hall through the second exit, cross the road and follow the signs - TO TRAINS (to trains).

Buy your metro ticket from a vending machine or ticket office. Cost — €8; round-trip — €14. Drive 40 minutes. Interval 30 minutes.

See the map of the Athens metro.

On buses

Express buses run from the airport to the center: No. X95 runs from Syntagma Square every 20 minutes; No. X96 - from the port of Piraeus; X93 - districts of Kifissia; X97 - from Daphne.

The cost of a bus ticket is €5. Tickets can be bought from the driver or at the metro ticket office.

Taxi

An alternative to public transport is a taxi. On it you will reach directly to the right place without transfers. A trip to Athens will cost from €35 and take a maximum of 40 minutes.

Book a tour in Athens:

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Age of Athens - two and a half thousand years. The glorious past of the city is now clearly visible: literally from everywhere you can see the ancient Acropolis, towering over the city. Today Athens is a modern metropolis with a population of about four million people. In the twenty-first century, this great city has changed. This was partly due to the 2004 Olympic Games. Now Athens is something more than a repository of antiquities. The city has changed a lot and, contrary to ideas about it as a city with a polluted environment and unbearable traffic, leaves an amazing impression.

The building boom after the end of World War II and the increase in population from 700,000 to 4 million turned into an architectural disaster. However, now the face of the city is changing: new roads, metro are being built, and the expansion of the pedestrian zone in the city center has already saved Athens from painful traffic jams and even reduced the cloud of smog that literally poisons the metropolitan atmosphere. The cleaner air is evident in the reopening of the views that Athens was once famous for, and despite the skyscrapers and fast food establishments, the city manages to retain its unique charm and character.

Oriental bazaars rival fashion boutiques and shops stocked with Armani and Benetton merchandise. The rapid modernization is balanced by a sense of homeliness in the air: any Greek will tell you that Athens is the largest village in the country. No matter how often you come to Athens, what remains of the classical ancient city will attract your attention - first of all, the Parthenon and other monuments of the Acropolis, as well as the updated one, which presents the best collection of antiquities.

Most of the several million visitors who visit Athens every year limit themselves to visiting these monuments, adding to them only an evening in a romantic setting in one of Plaka's tourist taverns. But in doing so, they miss the chance to see the Athens that the Athenians themselves know and love. Even if you looked into the city for a very short time, this does not justify the desire to see in Athens only a cluster of preserved antiquities and museum exhibits. It would also be worth spending some time getting to know the surroundings of the capital, visiting not far from Athens.

For tourists, the most accessible is probably Plaka - an area in which Turkish, neoclassical and Greek island architecture is mixed. Next are interesting museums dedicated to traditional arts and crafts, from ceramics to music. A little further north are bazaars, almost the same as in the Middle East, and an additional reward are cafes, bars, clubs in Psirri and the booming, as well as the National Park and shady and elegant. Not so far from Plaka are the hills - Likabet and Philopappou, from which the whole city is visible at a glance, and the tram runs (in the summer it will take you to the beach). All of the above sights can be seen during.

But most of all visitors are surprised in Athens by the bustling life of the city. The cafe is always crowded, during the day and after midnight, the streets are not empty until three or even four in the morning, bars and clubs attract night owls. There is also a place to eat, so much so that it will be remembered for a long time: there are many traditional taverns, and chic restaurants await discerning gourmets. In summer, cafe tables are taken out on street pavements, club life moves to the beaches, or you can go to the cinema, attend concerts and open-air performances based on works of classical ancient Greek drama. Shoppers are dizzy: lively colorful bazaars and huge retail spaces in the suburbs, called malls in the American manner, and, of course, boutiques filled with the creations of the most fashionable fashion designers.

And very good - and for the price too - public transport, inexpensive taxis, so you will not have any special difficulties with movement. Describing the suburbs of Athens - they and the region as a whole will be discussed in other articles - here attention is paid, first of all, to the monuments of antiquity. The temple of Poseidon in Sounion is most eagerly visited: that wonderful architectural monument is located on a cliff overlooking a cape. The sanctuaries of Ramne (Ramnus), Eleusis (Elefsina) and Vravron, as well as the burial mound at Marathon, which was poured in honor of the great victory, are not so well known and not so often visited.

Hiking enthusiasts may want to climb - the mountains have encircled the city, and it is best to climb Mount Parnita. If it is in the spring, then at the same time you will pick up an armful of a variety of marvelous forest and wildflowers. The beaches of the Attic coast are good enough to attract city-weary Athenians, but if you're going to the islands, familiarity with the local beaches is optional. Getting out of Athens is easy: dozens of ferries and hydrofoils leave daily from the Athens suburban port of Piraeus, and also, less often, from two more Attic ports with ferry berths - Rafina and Lavrion.

A Brief History of Athens (Greece)

Athens is a city where life began over seven thousand years ago. A low rocky hill, which later became the Acropolis of Athens, has attracted people since ancient times as comfortable spot settlements. It rises in the middle of a valley irrigated by the rivers Kephis and Iliss and surrounded by the mountains Hymettes, Penterikon, Parnet and Egalei. The slopes of the hill, whose height is 156 meters above sea level, are impregnable, and therefore it is natural that all these advantages were duly appreciated by the ancient inhabitants of Attica. The Mycenaeans built a palace-fortress on the rock.

Unlike other Mycenaean settlements, during the Dorian invasion (about 1200 BC), Athens was neither abandoned nor sacked, so the Athenians always prided themselves on being "pure" Ionians, without the Dorian "impurity". But the Mycenaean-type state did not survive in Athens. Gradually, the village turned into a polis (ancient city-state) and Cultural Center. The rulers of Athens were the kings - the basilei, who then ceded the power to the tribal nobility - the Eupatrides. People's meetings took place at the Propylae of the Acropolis. To the west rose the rocky hill of Apec, named after the god of war. Here, on a leveled peak, the Areopagus gathered - the council of the elders of the noble families of the city, the Areopagites. Athens in those days remained in the shadow of large and powerful policies, such as and.

Athens grew rich, and the increased prosperity contributed to the rapid growth of arts and crafts, especially pottery. But economic growth increased political tensions: the dissatisfaction of farmers and Athenians grew, who were excluded from public life, but paid taxes and filed on land that went to the landed aristocracy. Only the reorganization of society, which was aimed at the laws of Dracon (his "draconian" code was promulgated in 621 BC) and the election of Solon as ruler (594 BC), who was empowered to carry out radical political and economic reforms.

Solon's reforms provided civil rights to the general population and laid the foundations of a system that eventually developed into Athenian democracy. In the middle of the 6th century BC, Peisistratus seized power. Pisistratus is usually called a tyrant, but this only means that he took power by force: his populist policies won him the loyalty and love of many fellow citizens, he turned out to be a very successful ruler, under which Athens became much more powerful, richer and more influential. His sons Hippias and Hipparchus were not so happy: Hipparchus was killed in 514 BC, after which Hippias tried to establish a dictatorship.

He was very disliked by the people and was overthrown with the help of an army called from Sparta in 510 BC. The new leader Cleisthenes carried out more radical transformations: he introduced a government board of 10 strategists, created territorial phyla instead of tribal ones, and each of them sent fifty representatives to the State Council of Bule. Boulet made decisions on issues discussed in the Assembly. All citizens could participate in the Assembly and it performed the functions of both legislative power and supreme court. The reforms proposed by Cleisthenes formed the basis of Athenian democracy, which lasted almost unchanged until Roman rule.

Around 500 BC, Athens sent a detachment of warriors to Asia Minor to help the Ionian Greeks who rebelled against the Persian Empire, which provoked a retaliatory Persian invasion of Greece. In 490 BC, the Athenians and their allies defeated the vastly superior Persian forces at the Battle of Marathon. In 480 BC, the Persians returned, captured and sacked Athens and left almost the entire city burned to the ground. In the same year, however, the victory in the naval battle at put an end to the struggle between the Greeks and the Persians, while at the same time securing Athens' position as the leading city-state in the Greek world, and Athens was able to unite the cities of the islands. Aegean Sea and central Greece into the Delian League, also called the Athenian Maritime League.

The newfound power gave rise to the so-called classical period, during which Athens reaped the fruits of its success and the triumph of democracy along with the flowering of arts, architecture, literature and philosophy, and the influence of this era on world culture is felt to this day. In the second century BC, power passed to the Romans, who revered Athens as a spiritual source, but made little effort to give the city more brilliance.

Christians and Turks in Athens (Greece)

The emergence of Christianity is, perhaps, the most significant milestone in the process of the long decline of Athens, which lost the glory that the city knew in the classical era. At the end of Roman rule, during which the appearance of the city changed little, Athens lost its role as a link in the Greco-Roman world, and the reason for this was the division of the Roman Empire into East and West and the formation of Byzantium (Constantinople) as the capital of the eastern Byzantine Empire. In this empire, the new Christian attitude very soon overshadowed the ethics developed by Athens, although Neoplatonism was still taught in the philosophical schools of the city.

In 529, these lyceums were closed, and Justinian I, who finished with them, ordered at the same time to re-consecrate the city churches, and all of them, including the Parthenon, became Christian churches. Then Athens almost ceases to be mentioned in chronicles and annals, a hint of a revival was outlined only during the reign of foreign rulers and the Middle Ages: as a result of the Fourth Crusade, Athens with the Peloponnese and a large part of the central one fell into the hands of the Franks. The ducal court was on the Acropolis, and for a whole century Athens returned to the mainstream European life. The power of the Franks, however, had almost no one to rely on, except for the provincial aristocracy.

In 1311, the Frankish troops fought the Catalan mercenaries, who had fortified themselves in Thebes, and were driven into the swamp. The Catalans, who organized their own principality, were replaced by the Florentines, and then for a very short time by the Venetians, until the Turkish Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, appeared in 1456. Athens during the period of Turkish rule was a military settlement with a garrison stationed in it, every now and then (and to considerable damage to the buildings of the classical period) being at the forefront of battles with the Venetians and other Western powers.

Ties with the West were severed, only occasionally French and Italian ambassadors appeared in the Sublime Porte. Occasionally rare travelers or inquisitive painters would visit Athens. During this period, the Greeks enjoyed some degree of self-government, the monasteries of the Jesuits and Capuchins flourished. turned into the residence of the Ottoman ruler, and the Parthenon was turned into a mosque. The areas around the Acropolis returned to the distant past, switched to a partial peasant existence, and the port in Piraeus was forced to be content with servicing a dozen or two fishing boats.

Four hundred years of Ottoman rule ended in 1821, when, together with the inhabitants of dozens of cities in the country, the Athenian Greeks revolted. The rebels occupied the Turkish districts of the lower city - this is the current one - and laid siege to the Acropolis. The Turks retreated, but five years later they returned to re-occupy the Athenian fortifications, the Greek rebels had to withdraw deep into the mainland. When in 1834 the Ottoman garrison left for good, and a new, German, monarchy arose, 5,000 people lived in Athens.

Modern Athens (Greece)

Despite the ancient past and the natural advantages of its location, Athens did not immediately become the capital of modern Greece. This honor initially went to Nafplion in the Peloponnese, the city in which Ioannis Kapodistrias developed plans for the War of Independence, and from where he later led it, and where in 1828 the first meeting of the country's first parliament, the National Assembly, took place. And if I. Kapodistrias had not been killed in 1831, it is quite possible that he would have remained the capital, or maybe it would have been transferred from Nafplion to Corinth or - the cities are better equipped and quite large.

However, after the death of Kapodistrias, the intervention of the Western European "Great Powers" followed, imposing their monarch on the country - Otto, the son of Ludwig I of Bavaria, became him, and in 1834 the capital and the royal court moved to Athens. The rationale for the move was reduced to symbolic and sentimental reasons, because the new capital was of little importance. locality and was on the very edge of the territory of the new state - it had yet to include northern, Macedonia and all the islands, except for those already available and.

In the 19th century, the development of Athens had the character of a gradual and completely manageable process. While archaeologists were ridding the Acropolis of all the architectural layers that the Turks and Franks had adorned it with, the city was gradually being built: the streets intersected at right angles, neoclassical buildings in the Bavarian style appeared. Piraeus managed to turn into a full-fledged port again, because until the beginning of the 19th century, competitors strongly interfered with it - major ports Greece on the islands and. In 1923, at the end of the tragic Greco-Turkish war in Asia Minor, a peace treaty was signed, according to which an “population exchange” took place: the Turks moved to Greece, the Greeks moved to Greece, and nationality was determined solely by religion.

One and a half million Greek Christians from settlements in Asia Minor that existed for many centuries and the Turkic-speaking, but Orthodox population of Anatolia arrived in Greece as refugees. And more than half of this flow settled in Athens, Piraeus and neighboring villages, in one fell swoop changing the face of the capital. The integration of the new settlers and their efforts to survive constituted one of the greatest pages in the history of the city, and this phenomenon itself left deep traces, noticeable to this day. The names of the districts located on both sides of the metro line connecting Athens with Piraeus testify to the longing experienced by the new settlers for the forever lost homeland: Nea Zmirni (New Smyrna), Nea Yonia, Nea Philadelphia - similar names are common for city blocks and streets.

At first, these quarters were villages in which immigrants from the same Anatolian town settled, building houses from whatever they had, and it happened that one well or water tap supplied drinking water to two dozen families. The merging of these suburbs with Athens and Piraeus continued until World War II. But the war brought such new worries that all the old ones stepped aside for a while. Athens suffered greatly from the German occupation: in the winter of 1941-1942, according to rough estimates, two thousand people died of starvation every day in the city. And at the end of 1944, when the German occupation ended, the civil war began.

The British soldiers were ordered to fight their recent allies in the Greek Resistance Army EL AS because the army was led by communists. From 1946 to 1949, Athens was an island in the raging sea of ​​war: roads to the north and to the north could only be called passable at a very big stretch. But in the 1950s, after the civil war, the city began to expand rapidly. A program of powerful investments in industry was implemented - the money was invested mainly by Americans who wanted to convince Greece to enter the US sphere of influence, at the same time the capital survived the influx of immigrants from the impoverished villages devastated by the war.

Wastelands between blocks began to be quickly built up, and by the end of the 1960s, Athens turned into Big City. Often new buildings look dull. Old buildings were demolished, with particular force the element of destruction raged in 1967-1974, during the junta. Homeowners instead of demolished buildings built multi-apartment residential buildings up to six floors high. The central streets look like canyons - narrow streets seem to be cut between concrete high-rise buildings. A thriving industry took over the outskirts, and the combined efforts of urban planners and industrialists quickly turned Athens into a polluted megalopolis, suffocating from the poisonous fog descending on it, which is called nephos here.

Since the 1990s, in the course of preparations for the Olympics, measures were finally taken to improve the situation in the city. Although Athens is still far from or in area green spaces and open spaces, but the results of these efforts are already visible. Everything that survived from the urban architectural heritage is being restored, public transport is clean, construction of houses is controlled, new buildings of interesting ultra-modern architecture have appeared (for example, some buildings erected for the Olympics and the unfinished new Acropolis Museum), and the air is not so polluted, like before. It is to be hoped that changes in this direction will continue.

In contact with

The city of Athens (English Athens, Greek Αθήνα) is located in the central part of Greece, is the economic, cultural and administrative center of the country. total area- 412 sq. km. The local population is 650 thousand people (according to unofficial data - 5 million).

Athens is the oldest city in Greece, which was known 3500 years ago, has a very rich history. It can be safely called the cradle of European civilization. The city - got its name in honor of the Goddess of Wisdom - Athena. Athens is a must visit excursion program, regardless of which resort in Greece you are relaxing. Interest is central regions, old town, suburbs and port of Piraeus.

Usually in Athens people go sightseeing, shopping and spending time in entertainment in nightclubs, bars and restaurants. Some relax on the beach in the suburbs. The tourist infrastructure in Athens is very well developed - numerous hotels, shops and entertainment venues are presented in abundance here. lovers active rest sports fields, tennis courts and golf clubs will appeal to you.

Do not forget about shopping. It is better to buy local souvenirs in the Plaka, Ermou and Monastiraki areas, and world brand products in the large shopping centers The Mall, Golden Hall and Athens Heart.

The bulk of the nightlife is located in the areas of Plaka, Kolonaki, Psirri and Tissone. In local bars and restaurants, you can listen to both traditional Greek music and dance to modern rhythms.

Short story

Athens is the cradle of Greek culture. The first settlement appeared on this territory as early as 3000 BC. By 500 B.C. the city became the largest cultural center of the region. This is the birthplace of such outstanding personalities as Plato, Aristotle, Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, Phidias.

But with the flourishing of the Roman Empire, it began to gradually lose its significance after the 3rd century AD. turned into a provincial town.

In 1458, it was captured by the Turks and annexed to the Ottoman Empire.

In 1833, Athens was proclaimed the capital of the Kingdom of Greece. In 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held at the restored Panathinaikos Stadium.

During the Second World War, the city did not receive significant damage. Tourism began to develop in the 1970s, peaking in the late 1990s. Nowadays, for many, a visit to Greece is accompanied by a trip to Athens.

Athens city on the map of Greece and the world

You can buy air tickets as profitably as possible with the help of special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

Airlines flying to Athens:

• Aeroflot,
• aegean Airlines,
• Air Serbia,
• alitalia,
• Pegasus,
• Turkish Airlines,
• Lufthansa and others.

During the tourist season, additional flights are launched, both direct and with one transfer. A lot of offers from European airlines.

From other cities and islands of Greece, you can get to Athens by plane, bus, train and ferry.

The city of Athens is connected to the airport by public transport, at your service: metro, buses, trains, taxis. If you want to be comfortably taken to the hotel, then in advance.

if you have international law, then you can , the airport is the best choice.

Transport

Athens has a developed network of urban public transport, these are: metro, trams, trolleybuses, trains and buses. There are uniform tariffs for all modes of transport, which is very convenient.

1. Metro.

I would especially like to note the subway, which, in addition to its direct function, also serves as a guide to the history of the country. At some stations there are various artifacts found during the laying of the subway. In total, the metro has 3 lines and covers the main areas of the city.

2. Trams.

Tram routes go from the city center to its southern outskirts, up to sea ​​coast. This is the cheapest way to get to the beaches.

3. Buses.

Buses run not only during the day, but even after midnight, when all other transport does not work. True, this does not apply to all routes.

4. Trains.

Electric trains connect the city of Corinth with the airport, passing through the port of Piraeus and Central station capital Cities.

5. Taxi.

If you want to comfortably move around the city, you can take a taxi. All of them work according to the meter, but at night the payment is twice as high as during the day. For trips outside the city, you can pre-order.

6. Car rental.

If you have driver license international standard, it is best to see Athens on. Stock up on a navigator or a map and go on an adventure!

Attractions

Athens has a huge number of ancient sights:

• the hill of the Acropolis with the Parthenon and ancient temples,
• Lycabettus hill with the church of St. George on top,
• tower of the winds,
• theater of Dionysus
• Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Areopagus,
• Standing Attala,
• Odeon of Herodes Atticus,
• athenian agora,
• temple of Hephaestus,
• panathinaikos stadium,
• monastery of Kesariani,
• the first cemetery in Athens.

In addition, a huge number of museums introducing the history, culture and rich heritage of Greece.

It will not be possible to see all the interesting places in a short vacation, so you should choose the most interesting ones for you personally.

Resorts and beaches

Do not forget about a beach holiday in Athens. The city itself does not have direct access to the sea, but just a few kilometers from it is coastline With magnificent beaches. Most of the hotels are located here. The Greek elite also likes to relax on the coast, having luxurious mansions and villas.

Climate

The climate in Athens is subtropical. Summer is very hot and dry. May and October are the best times to visit the city with a view sightseeing holiday. At this time, it is not as hot as in summer and the sights are seen in comfort.

If you want to combine excursions with a beach holiday, then it is better to go in the summer. The temperature during this period is +26…+30 degrees. The sea warms up to +26 degrees.

In winter, the thermometer is at +10…+12. Snow is very rare and almost always only at night when it is coldest.

*Weather data provided by Weather 2 Travel.

This truly legendary Greek city is famous all over the world. The capital of ancient and modern Greece in its history has experienced the greatest ups and no less epic falls. Like a Phoenix bird, Athens was reborn after devastating wars, conquests and natural disasters. At the same time, the Greeks managed to preserve part of the historical heritage of the city: today the ruins of the Acropolis and the remains of ancient sculptures are adjacent to fashionable hotels and modern shopping centers. On the Features of the Most Important Greek Polis and will be discussed in today's article.

The history of these glorious places has almost ten thousand years. The exact date of the founding of the city of Athens is unknown, but according to the widespread version, settlements appeared here in 7 thousand BC. They were located in the southern part of Attica, where there are low mountains covering the valley with settlements on three sides.

The founder of Athens is considered the first ruler in the Athenian kingdom - King Kekrop, who was half man, half snake. According to legend, choosing the patron of the city, he asked the gods a simple task: to make a useful gift. Poseidon presented the fountain, but the water in it turned out to be salty and undrinkable. And the goddess Athena gave the new policy a tree with unusual fruits - olives. Kekrop chose a gift from the goddess, after whom the city of Athens was named.

The apogee of Athens' glory was reached in the 5th century BC. Actually from 500 to 300 BC. The whole of Ancient Greece reached the golden age of development, and its capital became the cradle of culture, economics and politics. However, political system Greek country was such that Athens was not so much the capital of Greece as acted as an independent state. Polis remained the most important center of ancient times until the heyday of the Roman Empire.

In the third century AD, Athens loses its former grandeur and becomes a provincial town. Then come the long centuries of constant wars and conquests by foreign troops, leading to the looting, destruction and even burning of Athens. A new round in the history of the city begins only in the 19th century, when the Greeks managed to free themselves from the dictates of the Ottoman Empire.

Since 1833 Athens has been the official capital of Greece. Having achieved independence, the Greek kingdom begins to develop rapidly. King Otto of Bavaria intended to restore the country to its former greatness and restore the prestige of the capital. To do this, architects were called to Athens, who designed several city streets in the neoclassical style and public buildings(including Athens University, National Park, Syntagma Square, etc.). Gradually, the city acquired its former appearance and in 1896 the first modern Olympic Games were held here at the new stadium.

The 20th century is significant for the beginning of archaeological excavations that help restore the heritage of ancient Greece. In the 1920s, the Greeks sign an agreement with the Turks on the exchange of population, as a result of which a wave of immigrants rolls into Athens. Added to this are the successful treaties for the Greeks on the Balkan wars, after the conclusion of which the territory and population of the country, incl. Athens, doubled.

During World War II, the city fell under German occupation, but after the war, it again continues its rapid development. The construction and industrial boom of the mid-20th century, at the beginning of the 21st century, leads to transport and environmental problems. To date, some of them have been successfully solved, which was greatly facilitated by the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Modern Athens is a vibrant city that combines ancient heritage with the vibrant and turbulent life of Europe in the 21st century. There are many nightclubs, brand shops, entertainment centers and tourist hotels here. But above all this, the ancient Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Parthenon and the remains of ancient theaters still rise.

Geographic location

Athens is located in mainland Greece, in the south of the Balkan Peninsula. Polis is located on the central plain of Attica, surrounded by mountains and the Saronic Gulf. Over the years of active development and settlement, the city has come close to these natural boundaries. So further expansion of the urban area is almost impossible.

Greece is southeastern Europe, and Athens is one of the southernmost European cities. But you are unlikely to need a map of European countries, but the plan of the city of Athens is useful to any traveler. The city is very large, so it is quite difficult to move around without a street map.

Population

Everyone knows what a glorious capital Greece has and what the main attractions of Athens are called. But, few people know that the population of the city of Athens is 1/3 of the total population of the country! Just think about it, a third of the population of the state lives in one city.

The number of permanent residents in Athens in 2017 is more than 3.5 million people, while the total number of inhabitants of Greece for the same year is 10.9 million people. At the same time, in metropolitan city there are also migrants and part of the local population registered in other regions. Approximately their number can be estimated at another 500 thousand people. This is the capacious capital of the Greeks.

Climate

Like the rest of the country, Athens is influenced by the Mediterranean climate. It provides a consistently sunny hot summer and a long autumn, in fact smoothly turning into spring. Winter frosts are rare in the region.

The area where Athens is located is characterized by low humidity, so the summer heat is tolerated comfortably. Summer temperatures reach +30°С and higher. Rainy days are most common in autumn, while precipitation is very rare in summer.

How to get to Athens

The Greek capital can be reached by plane, ferry and land transport.

The air harbor of the city is called Eleftherios Venizelos. Arriving at Athens airport, it is very easy to go straight to the city center. A metro line runs from the terminal, and numerous buses and commuter trains depart from the airport to the city.

Port of Piraeus - sea ​​gate in metropolitan Athens. Foreign ships moor here, as well as an endless stream of local ferries of the most diverse capacity. Please note that in winter period, the schedule of ships is often violated by the vagaries of the weather.

You can drive into Athens by car or bus along numerous highways and routes. Distance, travel time and comfort of the route, of course, depends on the starting point of departure.

The best time of the year to visit Athens is difficult to determine. Spring and summer are the hottest temperatures and the peak season, but the cost of rest is more expensive. In autumn and winter, the demand for recreation is lower, but the weather conditions are worse. However, if you search well, you can find a hot offer and go on vacation in Greece and Athens at a discount. To do this, view the calendar low prices for air tickets and online services for the selection of tours and accommodation.

Athens travel guide

Here, our material about holidays in Athens comes to the equator, and from dry facts and theory, we begin to move on to tourism practice, i.e. walks around the city. Next, we will tell you about the most interesting places in Athens and the unique sights of Greece that have been preserved in the capital city. We will also touch upon the nuances and subtleties of Athens tourism and, of course, we will talk about hotels in Athens.

Sea and beaches in Athens

In the suburbs of the capital there are many coastal villages with well-groomed and equipped coasts. The following local beaches are the most popular with tourists:

• Voula;
• Asteros;
• Faliron;
• Alimas;
• Acti Vouliagmeni.

best time for beach holiday V Greek capital July August. You can get to the coast by public transport. In most cases, it is more convenient to take tram number 3, because lines run along the coastal zone. Bus number 122 runs to Vouliagmeni.

Districts of Athens

The capital Greek policy is divided into seven districts, but tourists are advised to settle only in the center of Athens. It is dictated as developed infrastructure and the proximity of attractions, as well as security issues.

Plaka

The most historically significant area of ​​the city, located at the foot of the Acropolis. Particularly atmospheric in Anafiotika, the western part of Plaka. There are narrow cobbled streets and traditional Greek architecture low white houses give the impression of a truly Ancient Hellas.

Very developed area tourism infrastructure: many cafes, taverns, shops, hotels and entertainment. rich and historical heritage terrain. Here you can get acquainted with ancient monuments, as well as sights from the time of Byzantine and Turkish domination.

Monastiraki

Another oldest district city, closely adjacent to the Acropolis.

Monastiraki is actually a large commercial and historical center of the city. Famous sights are located here: Tower of the Winds, Fethiye Mosque, Hadrian's Library. And what a beautiful panorama opens up to the Acropolis from the local Keramiks (ancient cemetery). There is no other such view of Ancient Hellas in the whole city.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the local market and the myriad of shops on Ermou Street. Lovers of shopping and sales, of course, should settle here.

Thissio

Quiet and peaceful area, actually a park area. Here you can relax from the noisy city bustle and enjoy the coolness of local parks. At the same time, the geographical position of the area allows easy access to the center of Athens, located a few hundred meters to the east.

Thissio also has many places for cultural recreation. In this area you can:

• look at the ruins of the Agora complex;
• take a walk along the pedestrian street named after the Apostle Paul;
• go to Pnyx Hill;
• visit the Athens Conservatory, the Observatory and the Dora Strato Theatre.

And do not forget about local shops, shops, cafes and taverns.

Syntagma

The name of the area was given historical square, which is called none other than the heart of Athens. It is from here that excursions to the historical Plaka and Monastiraki, as well as just walks around the city, originate.

Near Syntagma is the National historical Museum, which is the former parliament building. And on the square itself there is already a modern parliament, which is a kind of attraction of these places. Tourists can see the facade and some rooms of the building, as well as follow the solemn ritual of the changing of the guard.

Syntagma is also famous for its National Park, where you can enjoy the silence and views of nature.

Security in Athens

We have already answered the questions when it is better to go to Athens and where it is better to live in the capital. Now let's talk about how to behave in this huge Greek city.

General rules

The capital of Greece is crowded, and this circumstance sometimes plays into the hands of scammers and robbers. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation, try to always keep an eye on your belongings and follow these small tips:

1. Hold your bags in front, not behind or to the side;
2. Don't put valuables in your back pockets;
3. Do not walk around the city with backpacks (it is easier to steal from the back);
4. Do not wedge into crowds of protesters and demonstrators so that you are not detained by the police.
5. On public transport, be collected and keep your bag in plain sight.

Which areas are best avoided?

Like any major metropolis, Athens is fraught with dangerous quarters and their unreliable inhabitants. There are many beggars, homeless people and thieves on the far streets of the city. In particular, the district of Omonia Square, especially Sofeklos Street, is notorious for Athens. At night, the port streets of Piraeus, the vicinity of the Larissa railway station and Carassaki Square are dangerous for tourists.

Around Athens

In addition to visiting the capital itself, you can also go on a trip to the suburbs. The capital's neighborhoods are distinguished by both natural pearls and their own historical sights. So, here you can see the Averof floating museum, conquer Mount Parnitha, visit the zoological park or take a sea cruise to the island of Aegina or Hydra.

And if you are not afraid of a distance of 70 km, then you should go to Cape Sounion and see the Temple of Poseidon. Even the ruins of the building make a strong impression, and what was here in antiquity is comparable only to the Parthenon.

How to move around the city

It must be said that the transport system of Athens is well developed, but it does not always save you from exhausting traffic jams.

A single ticket is valid for a bus, trolleybus, tram, metro and train within the city limits. For 1.4 euros, you can make a 90-minute trip with transfers to any type of transport. Also on sale are daily tickets for 4, 5 €, and immediately for 5 days a ticket costs 9 €.

Trams

The total length of Athens tram lines is 27 km. The long line runs along the coast, and in the center of it there is a branch to the Syntagma area. There are 3 routes in the city:

• No. 3 Neo-Falira - Voula;
• No. 4 Syntagma - Neo-Falira;
• No. 5 Syntagma - Voula.

The rails are laid along separate streets, so that the Athenian trams are not afraid of citywide traffic jams.

Buses

By bus you can travel not only in the Greek capital, but also in its suburbs. The bus fleet has 1800 cars, and the number of routes reaches 300.

Of the important remarks, we note that in Greece all stops are made only on demand. You need to carefully monitor the road in order to have time to press the "stop" button and get off at your stop. If you are waiting for the bus on the street, then you should wave your hand to make the driver stop.

Metro

Another mode of transport with which you do not run the risk of getting into traffic jams. The metro unites all major transport hubs: port, railway station and airport. In total, 3 branches operate in the city:

• No. 1 Piraeus - Kifissia (green);
• No. 2 Antupoli - Elliniko (red);
• No. 3 Agia Marina - Airport (blue).

Note that there are no turnstiles in the Greek metro. But the ticket must be validated and saved for the entire trip, because There are controllers on the routes.

Taxi

Official taxis are yellow checkered cars with a Ταξί sign. Cars can be of different brands, but they are all equipped with meters, which are used to pay for the trip. The main rates are:

• In the city 0.7€ per km;
• Suburb 1, 2€ per km;
• Landing + 1.2 € to the amount of the trip;
• Phone call + 2 € to the amount of the trip.

At night, rates are doubled. When traveling, be careful, because. often there are drivers who want to "earn extra money" on tourists, increasing the bill for the road.

Rent a Car

There are many rental offices in the city, but we would recommend renting a car only for out-of-town trips. There is heavy traffic in Athens, frequent traffic jams and a problem with parking, so a rented car can only become an extra burden. Outside the city, a private car, on the contrary, has an advantage over the inconsistent public transport schedule.

Sights of Athens

The Greek capital is incredibly wealthy unique monuments and cultural recreation facilities.

Museums

There are more than 250 exhibitions with various exhibits in the city. But the most interesting museums are:

• Acropolis;
• Agora;
• Archaeological Museum;
• The ship "Averof";
• Museum of Cycladic Art.

In high season museum expositions open to the public daily.

tourist streets

Churches and temples

Religious buildings in the city are also innumerable. Has survived to this day ancient culture: Acropolis and its many temples. Also in Athens there are many Orthodox churches: Cathedral of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, Monastery of Daphne, Church of St. George. There are also Muslim monuments in the city. A striking example is the Tsisdaraki Mosque.

Excursions

From Athens, you can go on an excursion to any corner of Greece. If you do not want to leave the capital for a long time, then a boat trip to the neighboring islands will be an excellent option.

Recreation and entertainment

In Athens, there is something to do in addition to cultural recreation.

Shopping, shops, souvenirs

There are dozens of shops on Ermu Street, incl. brand boutiques H&M, Zara, Benetton and much more. Here you can buy quality items from European manufacturers.

It is better to buy souvenirs and gifts in small shops and local markets. The original gift will be handmade ceramics or textiles. Prices in Athens are high, but do not forget that the Greeks are always willing to bargain.

Cuisine and restaurants

Metropolitan restaurants offer tourists local cuisine and popular dishes from other countries of the world. There are a lot of cafes and taverns in the city, but if you only need best cuisine for fine dining, we recommend visiting Petrino, Lalloudes, Garbi and To Kofenio.

Clubs and nightlife

At night in the capital, life does not stop bubbling. For the regulars of the dance floors and incendiary parties, the best nightclubs of the city work:

• Villa Mercedes;
• Baronda;
• Venue;

Most establishments maintain a dress code (evening gowns). Entrance to parties is paid, and on average it is about 10 euros per person.

Young tourists in Athens will be no less interesting than adults. Especially if the family settles in a hotel with a playroom, animators and a children's menu.

In the city, children will be entertained by visiting the water park, planetarium, zoo and various attractions. Also, the children do not like to explore the ruins of ancient structures. But here the child must be carefully monitored so that the child does not harm either the ruins or himself.

Popular hotels in Athens

There are more than 2,000 hotels, hotels and apartments of various classes in the Greek capital. It is hardly possible to single out the best accommodation from this list. We can only note those hotels to which tourists express more trust and warm attitude. These are establishments such as:

Holidays in Athens are varied and exciting, not a single tourist will be bored here. It is impossible to remain silent about the shortcomings of the metropolis: crowded, ecological problems, traffic congestion and street hooliganism. But if you take into account the recommendations listed in the material and carefully plan your vacation, the trip will leave only pleasant impressions in your memory. Have a good trip and unforgettable adventures!

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Useful information for tourists about Athens in Greece - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Athens is the capital of Greece and one of the oldest European cities. The city is located in the southern part of the Attica peninsula, in a valley surrounded from the west, east and north by low mountains. From the south it is washed by the waters of the Saronic Gulf.

Athens got its name from Athena, goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology. The history of the city has several millennia. After the classical golden age of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, the city experienced a decline in the Middle Ages. Athens experienced a second birth in 1834 as the capital of independent Greece. It was here in 1896 that the first Olympiad of the Modern Age took place.

Now Athens is a large metropolis with a population of 4.5 million. This is a huge open-air museum of ancient architecture. Finally, simply amazingly beautiful and hospitable city.

The central part of Athens is divided into a number of distinct areas. Behind the Acropolis, which is the core of the ancient city, lies Plaka, the oldest residential area of ​​Athens. Here you can see monuments of the ancient, Byzantine or Turkish period - such as the octagonal Tower of the Winds, the tiny Byzantine church of the Small Metropolis or the elegant stone door of the Turkish religious school - a madrasah, the building of which has not been preserved.

Most of Plaka's old houses have now been converted into tourist shops, cafes, night bars and restaurants. Descending from the Acropolis in a northwestern direction, you come to the Monastiraki area, where craftsmen's shops have been located since medieval times.

Going from here along University Street in a southeast direction, you can go to the center of the modern city, passing the richly decorated buildings of the National Library, the University and the Academy and get to Syntagma (Constitution) Square - the administrative and tourist center Athens. There is a beautiful building of the Old Royal Palace on it, there are hotels, open-air cafes, many banks and institutions. Further east towards the slopes of Lycabettus Hill are Kolonaki Square, a new cultural center including Byzantine Museum, Benaki Museum, National art gallery, the Conservatory and the Concert Hall. To the south are New Royal Palace, the National Park and the Great Panathenaic Stadium, reconstructed for the revived Olympic Games in 1896.

Today's Athens is a modern city with a dizzying pace of life. Modern and at the same time romantic, with busy streets and squares, with bright multi-colored shop windows, but also with secluded alleys, with quiet and secluded neighborhoods such as Plaka and Metz. In the countless stores of the capital, the buyer will find everything he wants; Athenian restaurants and taverns are able to satisfy any order.