So much more elsewhere in Athens and in Piraeus
By no means does the walk through these interesting areas of the city, as we describe it here, show us all of the places of interest in Athens. There are so many more. We will mention just a few, which are decidedly worth the walk; (with the address in brackets), such as the not-to-be-missed Arheologiko Moussio, the Moussio Goulandri Kikladikis Tehnis, the Stiles Olimbiou Dios, the Irodio theatre, the Ethnikos Kipos national park, … The adjacent port of Piraeus has interesting aspects too: the archaeological museum we have already mentioned, the Planodia Agora Pirea (a flea market), the Kastella (a delightful hillock), the harbour of Mikrolimano, …
It is best to omit a visit to the “Arheologiko Moussio” a national archaeological museum, which displays a particularly impressive treasure of Ancient Hellenic art. The museum’s prize pieces include the gold mask of Agamemnon and fresco’s from the Minoic period. Do not confuse this museum with the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, which is also home to some extremely valuable pieces. The “Moussio Goulandri Kikladikis Tehnis” (Neofitou Douka 4) gives a fascinating overview of Cycladic art in the period 4,000 to 5,000 years ago. The Stiles Olimboiu Dios was probably one of the most striking buildings in the city when it was completed shortly after the start of our modern calendar. This temple once contained 104 Corinthian pillars, of which 15 are still standing today.
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Around the year 161 the Mycenaean philosopher Herodes Atticus built a Roman theatre against a slope on the Acropolis. It is still in use today and is known as the “Irodio” or ‘Dionysius Theatre’. The Festival of Athens is held there every year. “Ethnikos Kipos”, the national park, contains an amazing variety of flowers and plants. It also offers plenty of shade and cool air (thanks to a small Roman aqueduct), certainly on days when the temperatures are tropical in other parts of the city. On quieter days this is certainly a park for lazing around in and enjoying.
The Archaeological museum of Piraeus (Arheologiko Moussio) lies close to the ruins of a theatre dating from the 2nd century BC and has a fascinating collection of art objects from along Attic coast, including beautiful bronze statues and grave pillars. Planodia Agora Pirea is probably the largest flea market in Greece; huge crowds throng here every Sunday. For more peace and quiet it is best to visit the Kastella, a hill with a magnificent view of the sea and harbour. It is a pleasure to wander through its colourful, hilly little streets. Mikrolimano is a fine little harbour where many tourists come to enjoy Greek cuisine in its many restaurants.
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