Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Odeon of Herodes Atticus HISTORIC SITE
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( 210 324 1807; www.greekfestival.gr for Athens Festival) The path continues west from the
Asclepion to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, built in AD 161 by wealthy Roman Herodes
Atticus in memory of his wife Regilla. It was excavated in 1857-58 and completely re-
stored between 1950 and 1961. Performances of drama, music and dance are held here
during the Athens Festival.
PANATHENIAC PROCESSION
The biggest event in ancient Athens was the Panathenaic Procession, the climax of
the Panathenaia Festival held to venerate the goddess Athena. Colourful scenes of
the Procession are depicted in the 160m-long Parthenon frieze in the Acropolis
Museum.
There were actually two festivals. The Lesser Panathenaic Festival took place an-
nually on Athena's birthday, but the Great Panathenaic Festival was held on every
fourth anniversary of the goddess' birth.
The Great Panathenaic Festival began with dancing, followed by athletic, dramat-
ic and musical contests. On the final day, the Panathenaic Procession began at
Keramikos, led by men carrying animals sacrificed to Athena, followed by maidens
carryingrhytons(horn-shaped drinking vessels) and musicians playing a fanfare
for the girls of noble birth who held aloft the sacredpeplos(a glorious saffron-col-
oured shawl). The Panathenaic Way, which cuts across the middle of the Acropolis,
was the route taken by the procession. Thepeploswas placed on the statue of
Athena Polias in the Erechtheion in the festival's grand finale.
Panagia Hrysospiliotissa HISTORIC SITE
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Above the Theatre of Dionysos, an indistinct rock-strewn path leads to a grotto in the
cliff face. In 320 BC Thrasyllos turned the grotto into a temple dedicated to Dionysos.
The tiny Panagia Hrysospiliotissa (Chapel of Our Lady of the Cavern) is now a poignant
little place with old pictures and icons on the walls. Above the chapel are two Ionic
columns, the remains of Thrasyllos' temple. It is closed to visitors except on its name
day, 15 August.
Acropolis Museum MUSEUM
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