Today has been exhausting but worth it. We started at 8.00 and walked to the Acropolis. The aim of the early start was to avoid the worst of the crowds but that didnt seem to work. I have been here 3 times before and never seen such congestion. At several narrow points there were queues and hordes of people. Nevertheless our achaeologist guide Rita managed to show us many parts we had missed before and explained its evolution from a Myceanian fortification in 13c BC through the Greek periods to the Roman. It is still so impressive- both the art/architecture and the technology.
We then walked in blazing 34c heat and sun to the Pnyx - an open space on a small hill where democracy was invented.
We had a well earned break for lunch at an old style taverna then conti ued at the New Acropolis Museum - a lovely space with some beautiful statues from archaic to classical. And of course, a whole floor dedicated to the Parthenon sculptures with plaster casts where the BM has the originals. We have come to believe that they should be returned either permanently or on loan as the new gallery would really do them justice.
We only got back to the hotel at 16.45 - almost 9 hours on our feet!Read more
September 11 in Greece ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C