City Photos News Greece/Athens

Old and new Athens

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 02:37:47 +0000

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympeion) was an enormous structure, the largest temple in Greece, exceeding even the Parthenon in size. Work began on this vast edifice in 515 BC during the reign of the tyrant Peisistratos, who initiated the building work to gain public favor. Although begun in the 6th century BC, it was not completed until the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD (some 650 years after the project had begun). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods it was the largest temple in Greece. The 104 columns, each 17 meters (56 feet) high, of the temple were made of Pentelic marble. Only 15 of the Corinthian columns remain standing to give a sense of the enormous size of the temple which would have been approximately 96 x 40 meters (315 x 130 feet) in size. After the construction of the temple of Zeus, the Athenians honored Hadrian by building an arched gateway in the northwest corner of the sanctuary in 131 AD. The arch, also built of Pentelic marble, bears two inscriptions. The one on the side facing the Acropolis (west facade) reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus" while the other, on the side facing the sanctuary and the extension of the city by Hadrian, reads "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". The temple's glory was short lived, as it fell into disuse after being pillaged in a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD. It was probably never repaired and was reduced to ruins thereafter. In the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple was extensively quarried for building materials to supply building projects elsewhere in the city. Despite this, substantial remains remain visible today and it continues to be a major tourist attraction. Note: at the time the photo was taken, a few stray dogs lived on the site and in the park nearby. They don't like other visitor dogs and may bite. It appears to be a general problem for Athens, and perhaps for Greece in general..
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Olympeion, The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 02:37:40 +0000

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympeion) was an enormous structure, the largest temple in Greece, exceeding even the Parthenon in size. Work began on this vast edifice in 515 BC during the reign of the tyrant Peisistratos, who initiated the building work to gain public favor. Although begun in the 6th century BC, it was not completed until the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD (some 650 years after the project had begun). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods it was the largest temple in Greece. The 104 columns, each 17 meters (56 feet) high, of the temple were made of Pentelic marble. Only 15 of the Corinthian columns remain standing to give a sense of the enormous size of the temple which would have been approximately 96 x 40 meters (315 x 130 feet) in size. After the construction of the temple of Zeus, the Athenians honored Hadrian by building an arched gateway in the northwest corner of the sanctuary in 131 AD. The arch, also built of Pentelic marble, bears two inscriptions. The one on the side facing the Acropolis (west facade) reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus" while the other, on the side facing the sanctuary and the extension of the city by Hadrian, reads "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". The temple's glory was short lived, as it fell into disuse after being pillaged in a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD. It was probably never repaired and was reduced to ruins thereafter. In the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple was extensively quarried for building materials to supply building projects elsewhere in the city. Despite this, substantial remains remain visible today and it continues to be a major tourist attraction. Note: at the time the photo was taken, a few stray dogs were living on the site and in the park nearby. They don't like other visitor dogs and may bite. It appears to be a general problem for Athens, and perhaps for Greece in general..
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Olympeion, The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 02:26:03 +0000

The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympeion) was an enormous structure, the largest temple in Greece, exceeding even the Parthenon in size. Work began on this vast edifice in 515 BC during the reign of the tyrant Peisistratos, who initiated the building work to gain public favor. Although begun in the 6th century BC, it was not completed until the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD (some 650 years after the project had begun). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods it was the largest temple in Greece. The 104 columns, each 17 meters (56 feet) high, of the temple were made of Pentelic marble. Only 15 of the Corinthian columns remain standing to give a sense of the enormous size of the temple which would have been approximately 96 x 40 meters (315 x 130 feet) in size. After the construction of the temple of Zeus, the Athenians honored Hadrian by building an arched gateway in the northwest corner of the sanctuary in 131 AD. The arch, also built of Pentelic marble, bears two inscriptions. The one on the side facing the Acropolis (west facade) reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus" while the other, on the side facing the sanctuary and the extension of the city by Hadrian, reads "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". The temple's glory was short lived, as it fell into disuse after being pillaged in a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD. It was probably never repaired and was reduced to ruins thereafter. In the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple was extensively quarried for building materials to supply building projects elsewhere in the city. Despite this, substantial remains remain visible today and it continues to be a major tourist attraction. Note: at the time the photo was taken, a few stray dogs live on the site and in the park nearby. They don't like other visitor dogs and may bite. It appears to be a general problem for Athens, and perhaps for Greece in general. .
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Olympeion, The Temple of Olympian Zeus

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 02:25:57 +0000

(Parthenon in the Acropolis of Athens is on the background hill). The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympeion) was an enormous structure, the largest temple in Greece, exceeding even the Parthenon in size. Work began on this vast edifice in 515 BC during the reign of the tyrant Peisistratos, who initiated the building work to gain public favor. Although begun in the 6th century BC, it was not completed until the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD (some 650 years after the project had begun). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods it was the largest temple in Greece. The 104 columns, each 17 meters (56 feet) high, of the temple were made of Pentelic marble. Only 15 of the Corinthian columns remain standing to give a sense of the enormous size of the temple which would have been approximately 96 x 40 meters (315 x 130 feet) in size. After the construction of the temple of Zeus, the Athenians honored Hadrian by building an arched gateway in the northwest corner of the sanctuary in 131 AD. The arch, also built of Pentelic marble, bears two inscriptions. The one on the side facing the Acropolis (west facade) reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus" while the other, on the side facing the sanctuary and the extension of the city by Hadrian, reads "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". The temple's glory was short lived, as it fell into disuse after being pillaged in a barbarian invasion in the 3rd century AD. It was probably never repaired and was reduced to ruins thereafter. In the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire, the temple was extensively quarried for building materials to supply building projects elsewhere in the city. Despite this, substantial remains remain visible today and it continues to be a major tourist attraction. .
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Changing of Evzone Guards at Greek Parliament Building

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 02:01:53 +0000

The Evzones, or Evzoni, is the name of several historical elite light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Today, it refers to the members of the Proedriki Froura (Presidential Guard), an elite ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Hellenic Parliament and the Presidential Mansion. The Evzones are also known, colloquially, as Tsoliades. The name Evzone is first found in Homer, meaning the "well-girt" men, implying an elite status. The unit is famous around the world for its unique traditional uniform, which has evolved from the outfits worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman (Turkish) occupation of Greece. In 1833, the uniform of the Evzones (as in all infantry companies of the line battalions) was in the much-maligned Bavarian style, complete with pants, tailcoats and shako, distinguished only by green braid and plumes. In 1837, a new uniform was created based on the traditional fustanella style worn by the klephts, armatoli, and many of the famous fighters of the Greek War of Independence. At first, it was only issued to the native light infantry battalions, but its popularity led to its adoption as the official uniform of the Evzones in 1867. After a few minor changes over the years, it became the familiar uniform seen today. The basic elements of the uniform are: * The phareon, a scarlet garrison cap with a long black tassel. * A woolen fustanella kilt. * A cotton undershirt. * White woolen stockings. * Black-tasseled knee garters (kaltsodetes). * Red "tsarouhi" leather clogs with a black pompon. * A leather cartridge belt and a M1 Garand semi-automatic battle rifle, with bayonet. The basic color of the winter uniform tunic is navy blue and closely resembles the service uniform worn until 1910, while the summer uniform tunic is light khaki, and similar in design to the field uniform adopted by the Evzone regiments after that date. The full-dress uniform, which derives from the traditional uniform of south-mainland Greece (Sterea Hellas), is worn on Sunday, on important national holidays, at the reception of foreign dignitaries and other special occasions. It has a white, bell-sleeved shirt and a white fustanella with 400 pleats (commemorating the 400 years of Ottoman occupation) with the addition of a fancy gold-brocade waistcoat. Members of the guard can also sometimes be seen in a royal blue and red uniform based on the traditional male costume of Crete, or in the black traditional habit once worn by the Greeks of Pontus. The officers are armed with a sabre instead of a rifle. The phareon is similar to the fez adopted by the Ottomans which were the main enemies of the evzones. The uniforms of officers are distinguished from those of enlisted men by the substitution of red buskins for the stockings, and blue garters, their fustanella kilts are also longer (below the knee, as opposed to mid-thigh) than those of the enlisted Evzones. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evzones.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Changing of Evzone Guards at Greek Parliament Building

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 01:48:10 +0000

It's quite a performance, with legs and arms, that the guards do during a change. (In front of the the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) The Evzones, or Evzoni, is the name of several historical elite light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Today, it refers to the members of the Proedriki Froura (Presidential Guard), an elite ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Hellenic Parliament and the Presidential Mansion. The Evzones are also known, colloquially, as Tsoliades. The name Evzone is first found in Homer, meaning the "well-girt" men, implying an elite status. The unit is famous around the world for its unique traditional uniform, which has evolved from the outfits worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman (Turkish) occupation of Greece. In 1833, the uniform of the Evzones (as in all infantry companies of the line battalions) was in the much-maligned Bavarian style, complete with pants, tailcoats and shako, distinguished only by green braid and plumes. In 1837, a new uniform was created based on the traditional fustanella style worn by the klephts, armatoli, and many of the famous fighters of the Greek War of Independence. At first, it was only issued to the native light infantry battalions, but its popularity led to its adoption as the official uniform of the Evzones in 1867. After a few minor changes over the years, it became the familiar uniform seen today. The basic elements of the uniform are: * The phareon, a scarlet garrison cap with a long black tassel. * A woolen fustanella kilt. * A cotton undershirt. * White woolen stockings. * Black-tasseled knee garters (kaltsodetes). * Red "tsarouhi" leather clogs with a black pompon. * A leather cartridge belt and a M1 Garand semi-automatic battle rifle, with bayonet. The basic color of the winter uniform tunic is navy blue and closely resembles the service uniform worn until 1910, while the summer uniform tunic is light khaki, and similar in design to the field uniform adopted by the Evzone regiments after that date. The full-dress uniform, which derives from the traditional uniform of south-mainland Greece (Sterea Hellas), is worn on Sunday, on important national holidays, at the reception of foreign dignitaries and other special occasions. It has a white, bell-sleeved shirt and a white fustanella with 400 pleats (commemorating the 400 years of Ottoman occupation) with the addition of a fancy gold-brocade waistcoat. Members of the guard can also sometimes be seen in a royal blue and red uniform based on the traditional male costume of Crete, or in the black traditional habit once worn by the Greeks of Pontus. The officers are armed with a sabre instead of a rifle. The phareon is similar to the fez adopted by the Ottomans which were the main enemies of the evzones. The uniforms of officers are distinguished from those of enlisted men by the substitution of red buskins for the stockings, and blue garters, their fustanella kilts are also longer (below the knee, as opposed to mid-thigh) than those of the enlisted Evzones. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evzones.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Changing of Evzone Guards at Greek Parliament Building

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 01:48:01 +0000

It's quite a performance, with legs and arms, that the guards do during a change. (In front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). The Evzones, or Evzoni, is the name of several historical elite light infantry and mountain units of the Greek Army. Today, it refers to the members of the Proedriki Froura (Presidential Guard), an elite ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Hellenic Parliament and the Presidential Mansion. The Evzones are also known, colloquially, as Tsoliades. The name Evzone is first found in Homer, meaning the "well-girt" men, implying an elite status. The unit is famous around the world for its unique traditional uniform, which has evolved from the outfits worn by the klephts who fought the Ottoman (Turkish) occupation of Greece. In 1833, the uniform of the Evzones (as in all infantry companies of the line battalions) was in the much-maligned Bavarian style, complete with pants, tailcoats and shako, distinguished only by green braid and plumes. In 1837, a new uniform was created based on the traditional fustanella style worn by the klephts, armatoli, and many of the famous fighters of the Greek War of Independence. At first, it was only issued to the native light infantry battalions, but its popularity led to its adoption as the official uniform of the Evzones in 1867. After a few minor changes over the years, it became the familiar uniform seen today. The basic elements of the uniform are: * The phareon, a scarlet garrison cap with a long black tassel. * A woolen fustanella kilt. * A cotton undershirt. * White woolen stockings. * Black-tasseled knee garters (kaltsodetes). * Red "tsarouhi" leather clogs with a black pompon. * A leather cartridge belt and a M1 Garand semi-automatic battle rifle, with bayonet. The basic color of the winter uniform tunic is navy blue and closely resembles the service uniform worn until 1910, while the summer uniform tunic is light khaki, and similar in design to the field uniform adopted by the Evzone regiments after that date. The full-dress uniform, which derives from the traditional uniform of south-mainland Greece (Sterea Hellas), is worn on Sunday, on important national holidays, at the reception of foreign dignitaries and other special occasions. It has a white, bell-sleeved shirt and a white fustanella with 400 pleats (commemorating the 400 years of Ottoman occupation) with the addition of a fancy gold-brocade waistcoat. Members of the guard can also sometimes be seen in a royal blue and red uniform based on the traditional male costume of Crete, or in the black traditional habit once worn by the Greeks of Pontus. The officers are armed with a sabre instead of a rifle. The phareon is similar to the fez adopted by the Ottomans which were the main enemies of the evzones. The uniforms of officers are distinguished from those of enlisted men by the substitution of red buskins for the stockings, and blue garters, their fustanella kilts are also longer (below the knee, as opposed to mid-thigh) than those of the enlisted Evzones. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evzones.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Pireaus port, view from the ferry

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:58:41 +0000

Pireaus port, view from the ferry.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Fishing near the port

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:45:52 +0000

Fishing near the port.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Industrial area in Pireaus, near Athens

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:29:06 +0000

Industrial area in Pireaus, near Athens.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Two workers cool-off with a beer after work

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 11:24:24 +0000

In the Athina's port of Pireaus, a well deserved 5 o'clock cool beer for 2 tired workmen.
Athens, Greece, photo by Inga.

Lycabettus Hill

Mon, 22 May 2006 05:57:10 +0000

On the top of this hill (which is higher than the famous Acropolis) is a church, a concert venue (where U2 and the Scorpions played when in Athens) and one of the most spectatcular views of the city.
Athens, Greece, photo by Carolann Quinn.