Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The swank suburbs of
Kifisia
(inland) and
Glyfada
(seaside) have their own shopping,
cafe and nightlife scenes.
The Athens basin is surrounded by mountains, bounded to the north by
Mt Parnitha
,
the northeast by
Mt Pendeli
, the west by
Mt Egaleo
and the east by
Mt Ymittos
. Down-
town Athens is dominated by its much smaller hills.
Athens boasts a large number of fine neoclassical buildings dating from the period
after Independence. Foremost are the celebrated neoclassical trilogy on Panepistimiou,
210 338 2541;
www.nlg.gr
; Panepistimiou 32, Syntagma;
9am-8pm Mon-Thu, 9am-2pm Fri &
Sat;
Panepistimio)
closed to pub-
lic; Panepistimio)
, and
Athens Academy
.
5937;
www.nationalgallery.gr
;
Leoforos Vasileos Konstantinou 50, Kolonaki; Evangelismos)
was
closed for two years' renovation. The
National Sculpture Gallery
(Glyptotheque;
210
770 9855; Army Park, Katehaki; adult/child €3/free;
Katehaki)
, 8km southeast, was slated to
reopen in late 2013.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Acropolis
Acropolis
HISTORIC SITE
( 210 321 0219;
http://odysseus.culture.gr
; adult/concession/child €12/6/free; 8am-8pm,
reduced in low season; Akropoli)
The Acropolis is the most important ancient site in the
Western world. Crowned by the Parthenon, it stands sentinel over Athens, visible from
almost everywhere within the city. Its monuments of Pentelic marble gleam white in the
midday sun and gradually take on a honey hue as the sun sinks, while at night they stand
brilliantly illuminated above the city. A glimpse of this magnificent sight cannot fail to
exalt your spirit.
Inspiring as these monuments are, they are but faded remnants of Pericles' city.
Pericles spared no expense - only the best materials, architects, sculptors and artists were
good enough for a city dedicated to the cult of Athena. The city was a showcase of lav-
ishly coloured colossal buildings and of gargantuan statues, some of bronze, others of
marble plated with gold and encrusted with precious stones.
