Tag Archives: archaeological sites

Athens, Greece: A Living Museum

Athens was once the center of civilization….the pulse of the world and believed to be the center of the universe.   Today it is a living museum, full of archaeological sites and artifacts.  A city steeped in history and a love for philosophy and science.  In Athens, you can walk in the footsteps of countrymen who have made an impact on the world in areas such as medicine, architecture and mathematics.   Over the years, Athens was a city to conquer and has suffered a few setbacks, but this ancient civilization, even today, has always managed to forge ahead.

DSC_0800 - Syntagma Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Our first stop on our tour of Athens was Mars Hill.  Traveling by bus from the airport, we passed  a few sites which our guide pointed out, starting with Syntagma Square.  Located northeast of the Plaka, a popular city neighborhood, the square stands in front of the neoclassical Parliament building.

Also referred to as Plateia Syntagmatos, this beautiful courtyard was once a part of the Royal Palace of Greece’s first king, King Otto I.  Organized demonstrations took place here leading to the country’s historic constitution of 1843 in which they gained independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Today, the Evzone Guards, an elite unit of the Greek military perform the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The uniforms of the guards have historical significance.   The pompoms on the shoes go back to the ancient Mycenaeans.  The 400 pleats in the winter skirts resemble the number years that the Greeks were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.

At five minutes before each hour, the guard changes, providing a presentation of the crossing of the guard.  On Sundays at 11AM, visitors can witness a full crossing of the guard ceremony complete with marching band.DSC_0824, Temple of Olympian Zeus

Taking a right from the Parliament building we came upon the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch.  The Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion), measuring 360 feet by 145 feet when it was completed, towered 56 feet high.  Construction began during the rule of Peisistratos and was completed by Hadrian, the Roman Emperor in 131 AD, taking over 700 years to complete.

Only 15 of the original 104 Corinthian columns remain. The structure once displayed colossal statues of  both Zeus and Hadrian.  DSC_0875 - Hadrian's Arch

Close to the area of Lysicratu is Hadrian’s Arch which was once a dazzling white structure topped with Corinthian columns.  The arch was built in 131 AD by the Roman Emperor, Hadrian who is also credited for completing the temple.  On the arch side facing the traffic (west) is an inscription, “This is Athens, ancient city of Theseus” and on the east, “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus”.   The east side was a gateway to Roman structures which included the Temple of Olympian Zeus,  also completed by Hadrian.  It represents the division between Classical Greece and the Roman Province.

DSC_0848, Church of Agios Eleftherios

The Church of Agios Eleftherios was once a meeting place for the archbishops of Athens when the Ottomans prohibited them from meeting in the church within the Parthenon.  Known as the “old cathedral”, this place of worship has been around since the 13th century.

DSC_0921 - Panathenaic Stadium

In the district of Pangratti is the Panathanaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro, “beautiful marble”), the “stadium of the first modern Olympic games”.  It has since been refurbished through funding by Evangelis Zappas and George Averof.

DSC_0918, George Averoff Statue, Athens, Greece

There is a statue of George in the square near the stadium.

DSC_0928, Hiking up Mars Hill

Known as the Areopagus, Ares’s Hill as well as Mars Hill, this amazing climb provides impressive views of historic Athens as well as a remarkable vantage point to photograph the Acropolis.  This location is most popularly known as the place where the apostle Paul shared his Christian faith with local Greek intellectuals.

DSC_0927 - Mars Hill View

A panoramic View from Mars Hill, from left to right, are structures such as Ancient Agora and Thissio Park.  The Plaka would be located towards the center and the Acropolis to the right.  Tickets to the Acropolis are also valid for visiting the Greek and Roman Agoras, Hadrian’s Library, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Theatre of Dionysos and the Kerameikos Cemetery.

IMG_1429, Amazing View from the Acropolis

From Mars Hill, the Temple of Hephaestos, is the most intact Doric temple in Greece.   It is dedicated to the god of iron workers, blacksmiths, those that worked with fire who created items such as tools, statues, jewelry and armor.  It was transformed into a Christian church, the Chapel of St. George (of the dragon) which may have helped in keeping the temple in its current state.

From Mars Hill, we were now ready to explore oneof the most magnificent temples of Greek architecture, The Acropolis.

Have you visited the spectacular city of Athens?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for reading about my day in Athens and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Syntagma Square
Athens 105, 57, Greece

Temple of Olympian Zeus
Athens 105, 57, Greece

Hadrian’s Arch
Athens 105, 57, Greece

Church of Agios Eleftherios
Acharnon 384, Athina 111 43, Greece

Panathanaic Stadium
Vasileos Konstantinou Anevue (opposite the statue of Myron Discobolus)
Athens, 116 35, Greece

Areopagus
Theorias 21, Athina 105 55, Greece

Ancient Agora
Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55, Greece

Thissio Park
Apostolou Pavlou, Athina 105 55, Greece

Hadrian’s Library
?, Areos 3, Athina 105 55, Greece

Theatre of Dionysos
The Acropolis
Mitseon 25, Athina 117 42, Greece

Kerameikos Cemetery
Ermou 148, Athina 105 53, Greece

Temple of Hephaestos
Athens 105 55, Greece

Chapel of St. George
Thrasillou 18, Athina 105 58, Greece

Acropolis
Athens 105 58, Greece

Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athina 105 55, Greece

Where to Stay:

AVA Hotel and Suites
9-11 Lyssikratous Street, Plaka,
Athens, Attiki, 105 51  Greece
Telephone:  +30 21 00325 9000

Where to Eat: 

2Mazi Restaurant
48 Nikis Street, Plaka
Athens, Attiki, 105 51  Greece

What to Eat:

    • Baklava is layers of phyllo dough filled with nuts, spices and sweetened with honey
    • Greek Salad
    • Greek Wine from Santorini is unique as the grapes are grown in volcanic ash
    • Gyros
    • Lamb
    • Local Olives
    • Mashed Fava Beans (Fava me Koukia)
    • Moussaka is an eggplant or potato based pie with meat and cheese
    • Pomegranates
    • Saganaki is a phyllo pastry stuffed with cheese and covered in honey
    • Souvlaki are meat kabobs made from lamb, beef or chicken
    • Spanikopita is a phyllo pastry filled with spinach, cheese, and sometimes onion
    • Tomato Fritters made with tomatoes and onion, they are spiced either with oregano and peppermint then deep-fried
    • Tzatziki is a yogurt based sauce with bits of garlic, onion, cucumbers, olive oil and lemon. Pita bread is usually served with this dish for dipping.

What to Read: 

  • The Odyssey, by Homer
  • The King Must Die, by Mary Renault
  • Little Infamies, by Panos Karnezis
  • My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell
  • Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Conjecture, by Apostolos Doxiadis
  • Freedem and Death, by Nikos Kazantzakis
  • The Dark Labyrinth, by Lawrence Durrell
  • The Names, by Don DeLillo
  • Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 Greek Myths by Lucy Coats and Anthony Lewis

Photo Guide for Athens, Greece:

  • Acropolis
  • Temple of Olympian Zeus
  • Ancient Agora
  • Dromeas “Running Man” Sculpture
  • Changing of the Guard (Evzones)
  • Panatheniac Stadium
  • Anafiotika Neighborhood
  • Mount Lycabettus
  • Lake Vouliagmeni
  • Pentelikion Waterfall

The Petrified Forest National Park is a Scientific Phenomenon

Looking out into the Petrified Forest

Located in northeastern Arizona, the Petrified Forest National Park hosts over 800,000 visitors each year.  Words cannot explain this surreal environment where scattered logs cover 170 square miles. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect on my visit, but what I witnessed was truly an interesting phenomenon.

Throughout the park, fragments of wood seem to have been strewn about for no apparent reason. At first glance, it seems impossible to understand exactly what took place here but scientists seem to have an explanation.  They believe that the area was once abundant with trees which had become fossilized and learned that there were other fossils to be found.  Paleontologists have been studying this area unearthing such fossils as large amphibians, phytosaurs (reptiles), Buettneria (amphibians) and early dinosaurs.

And if the geology of the park is not fascinating enough, there is also evidence of human life with over 600 archaeological sites and petroglyphs.  The petroglyphs are dated between 650 to 2000 years old.

Although seemingly barren, the park is also home to a number of protected mammals which include bobcats, coyotes, black-tailed jackrabbits, prairie dogs, foxes, squirrels, mule deer and pronghorn as well as deer mice.

000 Petrified Forest

I suppose the biggest question is, how did the wood become petrified.  Most of the explanations that I found in my research were way above my head, so I am making an attempt to explain it in laymen’s terms.  Throughout the area there were river channels in the park.  Trees that grew up near the channels, fell down, and ended up in the water.  Over time and on several occasions, residue that contained volcanic ash would bury these trees.  The water would dissolve the silica (silicon dioxide, a chemical) from the ash and would end up inside of the logs.  From here, the silica would form quartz crystals that would replace the living parts of the inside of the tree.  Some of this material would also remain on the outer layer of the tree, giving it its fossilized exterior.  Other substances, such as iron oxide would combine with the silica to create the various colors that appear in the petrified wood.

In addition to learning more about the Petrified Forest, there are many activities available for visitors in the park to include hiking and backpacking,  photography, sightseeing and driving through the park. There are seven hiking trails that range from a half a mile to close to three miles in length.  The trails are named Agate House, Blue Mesa, Crystal Forest, Giant Logs, Long Logs, Painted Desert Rim and Puerco Pueblo.

While humans are the major threat to the park, there are strict rules and warnings for the removal of petrified wood.  It is estimated by the park service that approximately “12 short tons of the fossil wood is stolen from the Petrified Forest each year”.  It would be a shame for future generations to miss out on such an interesting site, but lucky for us, the park was designated a National Park in 1962.

Have you visited the Petrified Forest?  What did you think of it?  I would love to hear about your experience in the comments section below!  Many Thanks and Happy Travels!

To further plan your visit to Petrified Forest National Park,  visit their website at https://www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm.  It is open every day of the year with the exception of Christmas, but has a variation in its schedule depending on the time that you visit.  Information about the Painted Desert is available at this website as well.

What to See and What to Do:

Petrified Forest
1 Main Street
Petrified Forest, AZ  86031

  • Admission Fee:  Petrified Forest Entrance fees:  $20 for auto seven-day pass; $10 per person arriving by bike; $15 flat fee for motorcycle; annual pass is $40.
  • Hours:  The park is open daily with the exception of Christmas Day.  From September 15 – April 13:  8AM to 5PM; from April 14 to May 11:  7AM to 7PM; from May 12 to August 3: from 7AM to 7:30PM; from August 4 to August 31: from 7AM to 7PM and from September 1 to September 14:  from 7AM to 6PM.
  • Amenities:  Museum and bookstore
  • Length of Visit:  2 – 3 hours
  • Scenic View:  Photograph the colorful desert and petrified forest during the golden hours for spectacular photos
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Bring water and sunscreen as the site is in the middle of the desert.  Check out the petroglyphs and eight of the sites that are located on the National Register and don’t forget to make a stop at the Visitor’s Center for souvenirs, exhibits and other amenities.  A schedule of tours is also available at the Visitor’s Center.  You can easily find Petrified Forest National Park along I-40. Don’t forget that your entrance fee also includes the Painted Desert!

Where to Stay:

La Posada Hotel & Gardens
303 E. 2nd Street (Route 66)
Winslow, AZ  86047
Telephone:  928 289 4366

Where to Eat:

Fred Harvey Diner
1 Main Street
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ  86028

Order the Navajo taco….it is huge!

What to Eat: 

  • Avocado Fries are sliced avocados dipped in spiced bread crumbs and deep fried.
  • Chiltepin Peppers….very hot!
  • Cholla, a cactus found in the area, that is boiled and the gooey acid is removed to eat directly or added to salsas.
  • Cochinitos are a puffy, doughy cookie usually found in the shape of a pig.  This light dessert is seasoned with molasses and cinnamon.
  • Prickly Pear Cactus which is made into a candy and a sweet syrup
  • Sonoran Hot Dog, popular in Phoenix and Tucson, this Mexican creation is topped with beans, onions, and tomatoes along with mayonnaise and mustard.
  • Tamales!

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