Once known for smog, traffic and tacky architecture, Athens is a city reformed thanks to fortunes brought by the 2004 Summer Olympics. Spotless parks and streets, an ultra-modern subway, new freeways, an accessible airport and all signs in perfect English make the city easily negotiable. Meriting more than a stopover en route to the islands, sophisticated Athens sites include many pillars of Western history, from the Acropolis to the Temple of Olympian Zeus, as well as treasures in the National Archaeological Museum.
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The Old Olympic Stadium in Athens Greece, built of granite in late 19th century on the site of ancient Athens from the 4th Century; hosted the first modern games in1896.
If you’re in Athens and have an hour or two to spare we would highly recommend this site. It is within moderate walking distance or couple of bus stops from the city centre and a very peaceful place to wander round, soak in some Olympic history and even run round the track or stand atop the podium if you like. The audio tour included and both informative and well planned, guiding you round the stadium at a leisurely pace and to the Olympic museum that includes a flame from every olympics! Views are amazing and we enjoyed our visit very much.
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Through the imposing modern entrance we strolled around for about an hour, admiring the wonderful monuments to the departed. That of Heinrich Schliemann, one of the most famous ever archaeologists, is aptly in the form of a Greek Temple. We recognised many of the names with thoughtful memorials dedicated. Melina Mercouri's reflects the adoration she remains held in by her country. George Averoff, renowned philanthropist and businessman, has one of the most impressive dedications. Portrayed seated atop a multi-level creation in marble, it is a superb monument to such a life. Three Churches are here. At the entrance is the one of Saint Theodore, the largest. Greek Orthodox, it has a lovely façade in pale light azure hues.
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It was interesting to learn that this famous place of scholarship from antiquity was excavated only in 1996 during preparatory works for a new Modern Art Museum. In the lovely early spring afternoon and under cloudless skies of azure it was grand strolling around it. Albeit only a few aspects of foundations are to be seen today, it is still evocative as it has the footsteps of one of the greatest ever philosophers and polymaths. It is also referred to as the Peripatetic School, as it is thought that Aristotle strolled amongst the verdant groves while discussing scholarship with his students.
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