The Acropolis Museum [Part 1]- a high-end design site in the centre of Athens

 The rock of the Acropolis and the Parthenon remain an eternal symbol of the city of Athens. The Greek capital is admired for its preserved monuments, mythology, art and historic architectural systems. Fortunately, the design scene of the city is becoming richer after the inauguration of the New Acropolis Museum in the summer of 2009.

 

 Located in the historic of Makriyianni district, the Museum stands less than 1,000 feet southeast of the Parthenon. The top-floor Parthenon Gallery offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the Acropolis and modern Athens. The Museum is entered from the Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian street, which links it to the Acropolis and other key archeological sites in Athens.

  The museum was designed-build by Bernand Tschumi Architects with an extensive use of glass ensures breathtaking views of the Acropolis, the surrounding historic hills and the modern city of Athens and immediate views of the archaeological excavation that lies below the Museum, visible through large expanses of glass floor. With the benefit of the changing natural light, visitors can discern and discover the delicate surface variations of the sculptures and select the vantage point from which to observe the exhibits.

You can end your visit by having a coffee or lunch, at the cafe-restaurant of the Museum, enjoying the panoramic view of the Parthenon. 

For more information visit the museum's website www.theacropolismuseum.gr

Wondering Around Athens: a walk through the National Garden

 Almost every european city has a large public park in its centre. Athens' public park is the so-called National Garden, a 38 acre green park right behind the Parliament building.
The National Garden was formerly known as the "Royal Garden" because it was commissioned by the first Queen of Greece, Amalia.  It was completed in 1840 and it was actually a private refuge for the Queen and her spouse King Otto.

There are more than 510 species of plants and a variety of animals such as peakocks, ducks, turtles, goats etc. There are also a duck pond and a very small zoo!

Almost 400 species of plants were imported from all over the world!  You can gather a lot of information on the plantation and the history of the National Garden visiting the Botanical Museum near Herodou Attikou Street.  Inside the Garden there is also a Children's Library , a playground and a lot of benches to relax and listen to the bird's singing! An oasis in the centre of the Greek capital!



 Walking around the National Garden you will see a lot of ancient ruins and mosaics. You will also see a lot of statues and busts of governors and poets such as Dionysios Solomos, the poet who wrote the Greek National Anthem.

My thing to do when I visit the Garden is to enjoy a glass of chilled beer at the traditional "Kipos" café.

Don't forget you can stay at the National Garden all day long! It opens every day from sunrise till sunset!!!

Wondering Around Athens [Part 2] Kolonaki Area

 Going down the hill of Lycabettus , one meets Dexameni Square, a large square with a picturesque cafe where  important poets and writers used to relax in the past such as Costas Varnalis and Alexandros Papadiamantis.

Descending the southwestern slope of Lycabettus hill,  there is Kolonaki area which is considered to be one of the most prestigious areas of the Athens. The official name of the Kolonaki Square is Plateia Filikis Etairias which means the "Friendly Society" square, and took its name from the secret 19th-century organization whose purpose was to overthrow the Ottoman rule of Greece and establish an independent Greek state.  
Kolonaki is also one Athens' leading shopping areas with a number of high end brand boutiques such as Dior, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton etc. most of them situated in Voukourestiou Str., also known for its jewellery shops.

This high-end area of the capital  is the choice of every bon-viveur, an eclectic variety of cafes bars and restaurants makes it more alluring than ever to the visitor!
But Kolonaki is not only an area for people watching and coffee sipping!

There are a lot of museums situated in Kolonaki that one can visit such as the Benaki Museum  that houses Greek works of art from the prehistorical to the modern times and the Goulandris Museum of Cycladic Art, one of the most important museums in Greece, with a notable collection of artifacts form the Cycladic Art. Two minutes walk from Kolonaki Sq., across Vasilissis Sofias Avenue there is the Ilisia Manor , that houses the Byzantine Museum and the War Museum of Athens.  

TIPS:  

•  Drink your capuccino in Da Capo Cafe in Kolonaki Square 
• Visit the St Dionysius the Areaopagite church
• Have drinks in Haritos street.
• During the summer, watch a old movie at the "Athinaia" open air cinema   in Haritos street and do not miss the traditional cheese pie during the intermission. 
• Visit the Museum of the History of Greek Costume in Dimokritou str.