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Thursday, September 19, 2024

Greece: Athens

The Acropolis!

The Acropolis

I highly recommend taking a tour of the Acropolis to really appreciate its history. Our guide explained many of the structures as we climbed up. 

On the way up we saw the ruins of the oldest theater in the world, older than the Colosseum in Rome!

Construction began on the Greek Theatre of Dionysus around the middle of the 6th century BC and the theater was used to it fullest extent by the 4th century BC when it had a capacity of up to 25,000.

Theatre of Dionysus

A little further up we saw another theater that was smaller and completed by the Romans in AD 161. It's still in use today for concerts. 

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

We had stunning views of Athens!

Athens, Greece

Once we reached the top, we entered through the Propylaia. This ceremonial gateway to the Acropolis is a classic Greek Doric architecture.

The Propylaia

Look at this beautiful ancient Greek lonic temple, the Erechtheion, which was dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The Erechtheion

Finally, the Parthenon! 

The Parthenon

This temple, also dedicated to the goddess Athena, continues to stand as a symbol of Ancient Greece, democracy, and Western civilization.

The Parthenon

We will be spending the rest of September exploring Greece on a Greek Island cruise! Stay tuned!