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Hephaisteion

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    • TravelerMaschallah - Tour 2022/23
      Day 234

      Athen 😡

      April 22, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Heute ist es auch mir passiert, beim Austeigen aus der Metro wurde mir mein Portmonee geklaut. Es war in einer Seitentasche der Hose. Perso, Führerschein, Ec-Karte, Geld weg.

      Die sind mit einer Gruppe unterwegs gewesen und haben beim Aussteigen gedrängelt. Als wir aus der Metrostation raus wollten habe ich es gemerkt. Sofort die Ec-Karte sperren lassen.
      Danach hat uns ein Polizist erst zur Falschen Polizeiwache geschickt. Von da mussten wir zur Touristenpolizei zurück in die Innenstadt. Dort einen Zettel ausgefüllt. Vielleicht wird das Portmonee ja gefunden, dann rufen Sie mich an.

      Echt doof.

      Zum Glück ist Ann nichts geklaut worden, so konnten wir Geld abheben und noch etwas durch die Stadt laufen, obwohl Begeisterung kam da nicht mehr auf. Zumindest sind wir noch ins Hard Rock Cafe und haben dort gegessen und uns einen Pin geholt.

      Zur Ablenkung ging es noch ins Museum of Illusions.      Read more

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    • Nadine und DominikGriechenland 01.04. - 16.04.23
      Day 15

      Der Tempel des Hephaistos

      April 15, 2023 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

      Von der Stoa des Attalos ging’s einmal durch das gesamte Areal zum Tempel des Hephaistos, der sehr mächtig über der Agora thront. Der Marmortempel, der den Hügel im Westen krönt, ist das beeindruckendste religiöse Gebäude auf der Agora. Im Volksmund ist er als Theseustempel (Thisseion) bekannt. Die meisten Gelehrten sind sich jedoch einig, dass er Hephaistos geweiht war, dem Gott des Feuers und der Schmiede. Er ist der am besten erhaltene antike griechische Tempel, weil er in eine christliche Kirche umgewandelt wurde und nicht als Steinbruch für Baumaterialien diente. Der Tempel wurde bereits 420 v. Chr. fertiggestellt. Beeindruckend, dass dieser trotzdem noch so gut erhalten ist! Imposanter Anblick und tolle Fotokulisse!Read more

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    • Beth VogelzangThe Ancient History Tour
      1
      Day 22

      Temple of Hephaestus

      May 29, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      From wandering the Acropolis, we entered the lower grounds heading to the Temple of Hephaestus. This building was where a 500 strong council gathered to meet. Outside, a sculpture of Emperor Hadrian sat, in full regalia.

      Helen and I climbed what the boy’s affectionately named Backpacker’s Rock, but was actually called Areopagus Hill. This huge rock was where the Apostle Paul apparently delivered a sermon when he came to Athens. It’s quite a treacherous climb due to the granite being worn smooth from the millions of people who have climbed it over the Millennia.

      We then moved to a little church, dated 1000 AD, John took a thinking pose, before entering to light a candle to ensure our safe travels (at least, that’s what we think he was doing...)

      From there, we found a stunning spot for a beer break, and downed a few pints, as the day was warm, and we were getting a bit weary. Lots of laughs were had. Refreshed, off we went, wandering through the Plaka area, of restaurants, stall and shops. There was a stunning little sweet shop that took the fancy of Helen and I...

      After 18000 steps, we headed back to our apartment, to shower and ready to hunt and gather for dinner, and by that, I mean find a great restaurant.

      We had sent our scout Paul ahead, and he managed to find “Smile - the Family Restaurant”. We were sceptical, but we were tired and very hungry. What a gem, Paul redeemed his notorious restaurant seeking skills. We ordered the mixed grill (“for two”) with grilled kalamari, and grilled whole sea bream, and Greek salads. Suffice to say, we were absolutely stuffed and the food was amazing. We finished off with a dessert of Greek Yoghurt, with chocolate and mint (think Arnott mint slice biscuit, though John suggested toothpaste was closer haha). We explained the art of a flat white (and they succeeded well, and in return, they convinced us to try Metaxa, a Greek brandy, somewhat reminiscent of cough syrup! We laughed and then meandered around the corner to our apartment, and collapsed in to bed.      Read more

    • TravelerJust Travelous
      1
      Day 13

      Ruins of Ancient Greece

      October 4, 2017 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

      We continued our mega tourist day with a walk though the Ancient Agora. The word agora means public space and this space is huge; we could of easily spent an entire day in this space. The space was originally a residential and burial area but by the early 6th Century BC it was redesigned into a public space. This space has been continually excavated by archaeologists since 1931. However it had been previously excavated over the years dating back to 1859. So as you can imagine there is a lot to be seen.

      The Stoa of Attalos, a trade centre and commercial hub built in approximately 150BC has been restored and now houses an museum focusing on Athenian Democracy. We skipped this however given the lack of signage in the grounds if I was to visit again I might start here to get a better understanding of the area.

      The highlight for me was Temple of Hephaestus which was constructed between 449 - 415BC and is the best preserved building from this time period. While not as grand as the Parthenon, it's completeness gives you an idea of the grandness of ancient Athenian architecture. The building is so well maintained due to it being in use until 1934. It served as a Greek Orthodox church until 1834 until King Otto (the first King of Greece) decreed the building should be used as a museum. In 1934 the use of the building as a museum discontinued and archaeological research on the site began. If you are wondering Hephaestus is the patron god of metal work, craftsmanship and fire.

      The other ruins are interesting too, there are a number of houses that are remarkably well preserved. But I really like the idea that I have now walked the same streets as Socrates did thousands of years ago.

      Nearby is Hadrian's Library, the highlight for me in this area was the statue of Nike (goddess if victory) despite losing her wings, arms and head she was beautiful. Also I love that the religious figurehead for winning, victories and competitiveness was female. Girl Power!

      The Roman Agora was again more ruins, I probably found this area the least interesting out if the three. Mostly like being a combination of it felt like it was more of the same and it wasn't particularly well sign posted so I wasn't sure what I was looking at.

      If I was to do this again I'd look at downloading some sort of audio tour to my phone before visiting any of these sites just so I could have some better context at what I was looking at.      Read more

    • TravelerDan’s Trip to Greece
      Day 2

      Arrival in Athens!

      September 22, 2018 in Greece ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

      A great flight on Lufthansa made things easier to start. Was looking forward to doing the City Walk in the afternoon, but then realized I didn't bring the right electrical adapter or charging cords. Stores were about to close until Monday, so spent the start of my trip worried I wouldn't be able to communicate with Michele for two days! After settling in at the Art Gallery Hotel, the owner sent me by metro to a store that couldn't help, but which sent me to...Monastriaki Square, figuring that everything and anything is available from the vendors. He was right! After getting the cords, I somehow wound my way past the Ancient Agora and to a restaurant with this "historic" view. I collapsed there for a couple of hours, getting my head together and taking it all in, before making it back to the hotel for the night cap of Scotch and another view of the Acropolis. Tomorrow, I'll finally do the City Walk!Read more

    • TravelerDan’s Trip to Greece
      Day 4

      Ancient Agora and The Acropolis

      September 24, 2018 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      An amazing journey back 3000 years! Started at the Ancient Agora, the historical Athenian city square, marketplace, government seat, court, and just about everything else. The first few are pics of the whole, the Stoa, and Temple of Hephaestus. For philosophers, the Agora is most famous as the place that Socrates did his most bothersome work as a gadfly, so much so that they put him to death (!). Later, at dusk, I finally made my way to The Acropolis. Just no way the pictures could do justice to The Acropolis itself or to its views. Here are some pics of the Propylaea (the Gate), Temple of Athena Nike, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Erechtheion with its famous columns, and of course the Parthenon.Read more

    • TravelerGreece-Study Abroad - 2019
      Day 4

      Ancient Agora, Dale

      May 14, 2019 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

      After our morning City Walk and a quick lunch, we met with Dan's UNCC colleague, Dale, who gave us a Socrates-themed tour of the Ancient Agora, where they got to pose with the students at the site of Simon the Shoemaker's shop, where Socrates used to meet with the youngsters!Read more

    • skip's retirement travelGreece
      Day 22

      Ancient Agora of Athens

      November 19, 2021 in Greece ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      This is the place where democracy came to be. The agora was the heart of the city where all activities--commercial, political, social, etc.--were centered.
      The 1st picture looks over the agora from the hill with the Temple of Hephaestus. In the distance on the far side of the agora is the restored Stoa of Attalos. The original had 42 spaces for shops on 2 levels. The 2nd picture is taken from the upper story looking back towards Hephaestus. Today there are museums on both levels of the stoa.
      The 3rd catches a lot of the ruins. The entrance to the Odeon of Agrippa is in the back.
      The 4th and 5th pictures look along the 2 levels of the restored stoa. You can get a sense of scale and see some of the artifacts recovered from the agora
      The last picture is tangentially related to the agora. This is Socrates (who did hang out here) and Confucius (who didn't) in conversation. I would love to see a transcript of such a conversation.      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Hephaisteion

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