An amazing country is Greece. Reviews of tourists coming here from all over the world, invariably remain enthusiastic. We invite you to get acquainted with the main attractions of this country. There are many of them here, and most of them are connected, of course, with the history of such a unique state as Ancient Greece. Tourist feedback has allowed us to highlight the sights that are of most interest today.
Vacation in Greece in summer: weather conditions
The weather is an important factor to consider when planning your trip. Greece is warm all year round. Beach lovers from May to October are waiting for numerous resorts in Greece. Reviews of tourists about the rest here are only positive. All this time, weather conditions allow you to enjoy swimming in the sea.
In general, the climate of this country is quite pleasant all year round, but it can be too hot in summer. Greece is very attractive for a beach holiday in June. Reviews of tourists confirm that the weather at this time is warm (average air temperature is 30 ° C, water - 23 ° C). hottest periodstarts from July and lasts until mid-August. Not everyone may like Greece in July. Reviews of tourists, however, are different: the heat does not bother someone. However, it should be noted that the air temperature averages 35 ° C at this time. But the water will warm up to 26 ° C! Greece has the same temperature conditions in August.
Reviews of tourists who saw with their own eyes the unique architectural monuments of this country are always enthusiastic. Even hot weather does not affect this, because, admiring them, you forget about everything. We present to your attention the monuments of Ancient Greece, which will definitely impress you.
Acropolis of Athens
Each policy had its own acropolis, but none of them surpassed the Athenian one in scale. The capital of Greece is unthinkable without it. It is rightfully considered the hallmark of Athens, as well as a real mecca for tourists coming here from all over the world.
Initially, the imperial palace was located on the hill of the Acropolis. And in the 7th century BC. e. The foundation of the first temple, the Parthenon, was laid. Its main decoration was a statue of Athena made of gold and ivory, which was taken to Constantinople in the 5th century BC. e., where it burned down during the fire.
Erechteinon is no less grandiose. This is where the olive branch was kept. In the temple, in addition, there are sculptures of Caryatids - six beauties that replace the columns of the temple, as well as many friezes and mosaics, preserved in places.
The temple of the goddess Nike also stands out from the rest. And very close is the theater of Dionysus, which stagedcomedies and dramas by Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus and Aristophanes.
Dionysus Theater
For the first time, the tragedies of Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus, the comedies of Menander and Aristophanes were shown on the stage of this theater. It is located in the open air and is the oldest theater in the world, built in the 5th century BC. e.
It was originally made of wood. Various celebrations were held here. It hosted performances twice a year - during the Great and Lesser Dionysia. During the Great, theatrical competitions were also held. 3 playwrights competed, each of whom staged 3 tragedies and 1 satyr drama. Comedy writers also competed. Didascalia, special inscriptions, recorded the results.
Only in 330 B. C. e. the stage and rows of this theater became stone. It consisted at that time of 67 rows. They simultaneously accommodated up to 17 thousand spectators, which was half of Athens. Stone benches rose to the foundation of the Acropolis. Today, the remains of the last rows can still be seen.
The theater was also rebuilt by the Romans, who used it for gladiatorial and circus performances. It was then that the high side closing the 1st row appeared.
Acropolis in Lindos
Greece is famous not only for the Acropolis of Athens. Reviews of tourists who visited this country make it possible to consider the Lindos Acropolis as a very attractive and interesting place. Lindos is a city with 3000 years of history. In addition to the acropolis, the ruins of an early Christian church, as well as the walls of a knight'scastle. It is best to go here in the morning or in the late afternoon, taking a supply of water with you. The fact is that it is difficult to hide from the strong sun in this ancient city.
In order to see all its attractions, you should go from the gates of Lindos to the top of the city. The path is quite long, however, it can be overcome on a donkey. The road leading to the acropolis is very beautiful. Along the way, you will encounter stone fountains, as well as white houses and taverns where you can try Greek cuisine.
The Acropolis is the second largest after the Athenian. It is known for the fact that the ruins of a building built in the 2nd century BC are still preserved here. e. ancient temple, as well as the Pythean stadium and the amphitheater of oratory. The ruins are scattered throughout Mount Smith.
Tourists love the acropolis. They are photographed with great pleasure on the steps of the amphitheater, at the ancient oratory and in the stadium.
Mount Olympus
Today there are many who want to climb one of the peaks of Olympus. There are only 4 of them: Skoglio (2912 meters), Mitikas (2918 meters), Stephanie (2905 meters) and Skala (2866 meters). By the way, Stephanie's Peak is also called the throne of Zeus. Apparently, this is where this god once set up his office.
All Olympic trails are marked, so it's impossible to go wrong with the direction. At the same time, it is not necessary to climb on foot, since Olympus is surrounded by a serpentine highway. You can alsouse the lifts.
Rhodian Fortress
Greece has many masterpieces of ancient architecture to offer its guests. Reviews of tourists - lovers of history - are especially enthusiastic. Many of them admire the Rhodes fortress. It was built back in the Middle Ages to protect the capital of the island, the city of Rhodes, from invaders. Its total length is 4 km, it is the longest fortress in Europe. Tourists wishing to be in the central part of the city must pass through 11 gates. The knights of the Middle Ages erected this fortress on the site of the ancient acropolis. The fortress was impregnable - cannonballs did not take it, they only left potholes. On the lawns, by the way, you can still meet large nuclei. Notable, besides the fortress, is the Palace of the Grand Master. In this old house, the floor is decorated with an interesting mosaic, and its walls look out onto the city embankment.
Temple of Olympian Zeus
The construction of this temple, the most imposing building in the ancient world, began at the initiative of Pisistratus, the ruler of Athens, long before our era. This lord had ambitious plans: the building was bound to outshine all the wonders of the world that existed at that time, including the famous Temple of Artemis. Peisistratus' dream, in general, came true, but only after his death.
Emperor Hadrian completed this project. The Athenian Agora from his hand acquired more than one masterpiece of architecture. However, time proved merciless. Only lasted 3 centuriestemple of Zeus (and it was built over 6 centuries). This masterpiece of architecture was destroyed by an earthquake.
Today, only ruins remain of the once great temple. But they are also very impressive. The corner of the room, which consisted of 14 columns, is clearly visible. A little further away stands another column, and the last, the 16th, is littered. The Temple of Zeus in the original consisted of more than a hundred Corinthian 17-meter columns, which were located along the perimeter of the building in several rows. The width and length of the room were 40 and 96 m, respectively.
Not much is known about the interior of this temple. It is believed that a huge statue of Zeus occupied almost the entire area of the hall. It was made of ivory and gold. Not far from the temple was the Arch of Hadrian, which was the gate to the new quarters of the city.
Knossos Palace
It is interesting to visit not only the mainland of the country, but also the islands of Greece. The reviews of tourists who visited the island of Crete make it one of the most attractive. One of the most impressive architectural monuments of Crete is the Palace of Knossos. Travel brochures, souvenirs and postcards of this island are decorated with its image.
There are two periods of existence of this palace. The first - 2000-1700 BC. e. It is called the early palace period. It was at this time that it was erected, and then, in 1700 BC. e., this palace was destroyed by an earthquake. On the site of the ruins, the Minoans subsequently erected a new one, and it is this masterpiece of the late palace period of architecture that you can now admire. The Minoans at the height of civilization (1700-1450 BC) achieved remarkable skill in architecture, engineering and painting. The Palace of Knossos is a clear evidence of this.
This is the largest of all the palaces built by the Minoans. Its area is 130x180 m. The palace includes more than 1000 halls and rooms for various purposes. It was, in essence, not just the residence of the highest dignitaries and the king, but the economic and administrative center around which the city of Knossos was located.
The palace of Knossos - the labyrinth of the Minotaur?
It is the Palace of Knossos that is often considered the labyrinth of the Minotaur, in which a terrible monster with a bull's head and a human body lived, devouring people and instilling fear in the local population. Indeed, the palace is huge, and its layout is very intricate. On the walls there is a labros - a sign of a labyrinth. This is probably why this hypothesis arose.
Lake Vulizmeni
However, the palace of Knossos is by no means the end of sights located on the island of Crete (Greece). Reviews of tourists who visited it allow us to highlight a number of other interesting places. For example, Lake Voulizmeni, located in the center of Agios Nikolaos. The most recognizable view of this city is a small narrow strait that connects Lake Voulizmeni with the bay. Boats and boats line up in rows along its banks, creating picturesque scenery for numerous cafes located near the lintel.
A beautiful legend is associated with this lake. It, according to her, has no bottom. Of course, the lake has it, just itit is very difficult to find: it is very deep for its small size, and there is a thick layer of silt below. The depth of the lake, with a diameter of 135 m, is about 65 m.
According to another, more beautiful legend, the goddess Athena bathed in it. Alas, today you will not advise anyone to swim in this lake: it is very littered. True, a diving tower has been preserved here since ancient times, and sometimes there are people who want to try it out. However, the water is still very dirty.
Samaria Gorge
Greece is rightfully proud of this place. Reviews of tourists, photographs of the Samaria Gorge attract more and more visitors here, contributing to the prosperity of the tourism industry of the economy of this country. And this is not surprising - this gorge is the largest in Europe. It stretched for 18 km. This gorge is located in the region of Chania, in the southwest of Crete. Its name comes from the village of Samaria. In combination, the gorge is also a national park with rich fauna and flora. Up to 450 species of plants grow here. The village of Samaria is a classic of the architecture of the island of Crete. There are well-preserved old houses in which the guards of the park live. But the inhabitants left their places in the 60s of the last century.
Tours to Greece provide a unique opportunity to touch the history. The reviews of tourists who have visited this country allow us to recommend it as a great place to relax.
