The Athens Hills and its Antiquities
Our Athens’ experience is very remarkable one. If
Athena was real, she had convinced me well that she existed in Greece and that
Greek Mythology was not just a myth, but people were living in this truth as
foundation of their lives. This is what I realized upon seeing all the facts
and ruins in Athens. Everything I had learned from my English Mythology
class and History had revived and kept flashing back what’s written on text are
becoming real this time.
Watch the video here.
The most remarkable thing that moved me was when I saw a pieces of olive fruit and pomegranate fruit offered to goddess Athena. Here is the link for the other Antiquities in Athens.
Areopagus Hill
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| The View from Areopagus Hill |
The uninterrupted view of the city on the top of the Areopagus
Hill is very accessible by steps sculpted into the rock. In nighttime, this
place was the most romantic place we had with my husband. In a cool breeze and
peaceful atmosphere made us loosen up from stress of finishing the tour. It’s
really surprising when He held my hand and grab me closed to him his eyes
caressing me warmly. “ I wish every night would be like this always.” I said
while we both looking at the panoramic view of the city.
This hill was named after Aeoros Pagos or simply the
rock of Ares where he was discharged for the murder of Poseidon’s son
Alirrothios. I just wondered how and what happened to Aeoros after being
acquitted from the crime? Would he still visit this hill, where the first
judicial proceedings had ever happened, or he might avoid this place, where
reminded him about his painful past?
***
Showing Respect in Acropolis Hills
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| The View from Acropolis Hill |
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| Acropolis Hill |
This hill in Greek means the Sacred Rock, the highest
city. There are many Acropolises in Greece, but the Acropolis in Athens is the
well ever known. We started our venture from the temples of patrons (Athena,
Poseidon and Artmedia). At the
entrance while we were climbing the steps, we’ve seen this Propylaea. To our
left was the Pinacotheca and Hellenistic pedestal and on our right was the tiny
temple to Nike Athena or the Athena of Victory, which commemorates the
Athenians victory over Persians. On the opposite side is the Erecthion, where
sits on the most sacred site, where Poseidon and Athena had their contest over
who would be the Patron of the City.
These are very well guarded that no one is allowed to
touch the marbles. Even the heat
of the sun was on us; this never stopped us to complete the acropolis tour. We
stood on an elevated flat form by the flag that helped us to view the islands
of Sardonic Gulf. From there, we could take a good picture with the picturesque
of the city.
Speaking of picture, I think having Parthenon on our
background was the best picture we’ve ever taken from the Acropolis. In fact,
the Parthenon is the most imitated building in the world, and it is very unique
that you couldn’t imagine how the ancient people before could build this
beautiful with out any use of machineries and technologies that we have today.
Now, the Greek people have tried their best despite of the crisis they have to
go through, they are very inspired to rebuild and restored them started since
30 years ago and they continue doing it that may runs another 30 years. This is
how they show their respect to the ancient Greeks.
My advice
to the tourists is we should just behaved according to their policy when you
are on this place, because the guards will surely show disapproval of these
actions by blowing their whistles when they catch you jumping (when taking
pictures) and sitting on the edge. If these Greek people rebuild the place
because they respect the ancient Greece, as a visitor, following their policy
is the best respect we can give.
***
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| Hill of Muses |
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| View from Hill of Muses |
We finished our tour so early since the offices and
museums were opened only until 3 o’clock p.m. We kept on walking across the
Acropolis hill just to climb another breathtaking hill in Athens, the Hill of
Muses, where the monument of Philoppapos was built. It was not difficult for us
because this hill has pathways that indeed very accessible today. Thanks for the
Architect and Thinker Dimitres Pikionis. All we have to do is just to go up no
matter what pathway we took. Finally, we saw the monument made of piling blocks
of Pentelic marble stones with carvings and adorned with the sculptures
Philopappos and his ancestors. Its name was taken from the poet Mousaios, who
lived and was buried there. We were jumping of joy when we got there; we felt
that we did achieve another endeavor. You will surely enjoy the panoramic view
of the city and it surely makes you relax. In fact, Tibi and I had fallen
asleep to nap for 30 minutes, and this place had enjoyed us thoroughly.
Here are also the other hills in Athens that you shouldn't miss when you visit.
Strefi Hill
Pinopoulo's Hill: The highest hill in Athens
The tour had reconnected me to the past back to the Greek Mythology and history. I never felt tired climbing up and down of this stiff, sloppy and rocky hills of Athens. In every step I took upon climbing these hills made me become a new person that I should respect my ancestors remains. Even they are no longer here, protecting these treasures is the best thing we can do to pass on the historical gem to our future generations.
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