Various landmarks are spread all over Greece, ranging from fortresses and ancient monuments, to palaces and whole islands. Greece is a place with great history and many sites that will travel you into time. Here are the 10 most amazing ancient sites in Greece waiting for you to discover them!
The Parthenon
An icon of western civilization and a symbol of Ancient Greece, the temple of Parthenon is one of the most well-known surviving buildings of antiquity. With unique architectural features, this worldwide known monument is a peripteral octostyle Doric temple with Ionic elements. Overlooking the city of Athens from the top of the Acropolis, it was built during the 5th century BC and was dedicated to the maiden goddess Athena.
The Acropolis of Athens
Rising 500 feet above sea level, obvious, easily accessible and with springs close to its base, the Sacred Rock was an ideal choice of citadel and sanctuary from the earliest times. Standing proud for centuries, the Acropolis of Athens is the symbol of the city and the connection between the present and the glorious past. The ancient citadel contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance, dating from the prehistoric period up to the ancient times.
Delphi
Set within a most spectacular landscape formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades at the foot of Mount Parnassos, the sanctuary of Delphi was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre for the Hellenic world. A major site for the worship of the god Apollo , the famous Delphic oracle was regarded as the most trustworthy and important oracle in the classical Greek world between the sixth and fourth centuries BC.
Ancient Olympia
Surrounded by lush greenery at the southwest foot of Mount Kronos, Olympia is the birthplace of the most important athletic mega-event of all times, the Olympic Games, which were held every four years to honor Zeus. The area of Ancient Olympia is a religious and athletic centre and excavations brought to light the ancient stadium as well as buildings, temples, and many other valuable objects. It is considered to be one of the most important and celebrated sanctuary of Ancient Greece.
Delos
Located just a few miles away from the cosmopolitan Mykonos, this blindingly white marble isle was considered by the ancient Greeks to be one of the holiest of sanctuaries, the centre point around which the other Cycladic islands circled. Birthplace of Artemis and Apollo, Delos is an ark of history and the only island in the world that hosts so many monumental antiquities. As a result, the entire island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important mythological, historical and archaeological sites in Greece.
Epidaurus Theater
Situated within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is still hosting Greek dramas today. Marveled for its exceptional acoustics and fine structure, it is regarded as the best preserved ancient theatre in Greece and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Knossos
Imposing, grand and complex, Knossos, is the ancient Minoan palace and surrounding city on the island of Crete. It is considered to be the centre of the well-known and prosperous Minoan civilization and its legendary king Minoas. Multistoried buildings, paved yards, multi-gates, skylights, elegant and joyful frescoes on the walls and various artifacts were brought to light after the excavations in the 1900s. Knossos is a place of beauty, wonder and myth as the palace is associated with the Greek myths of Theseus and the Minotaur as well as the famed ancient architect Dedalos and his son Ikaros.
Mycenae
A fortified city of the late Bronze Age located between two hills on the Argolid plain of Peloponnese, the archaeological site of Mycenae is the acropolis of the well-known Mycenaean civilization. The citadel was constructed using the Cyclopean stonework style, with huge entrances made with large stones and it was administrative headquarters for the rulers.
Phaistos
Wealthy, powerful, magnificent and one of the finest and most typical of Minoan palaces, the ancient citadel of Phaistos is a Bronze Age archaeological site in southern Crete. Archaeological finds from the palace are exhibited at the Museum of Heraklion, such as the famous disc of Phaistos with a unique sophisticated hieroglyphic script.
Vergina tomb
Excavations in the foothills of Mt. Pieria brought to light one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Greece, the site of the Vergina Tomb. It is thought to be the Royal Tombs of the first capital of ancient kingdom of Macedonia, called Aigai and the site is protected by UNESCO as world cultural heritage.
read also:
Athens for children: top 7 family activity ideas in the city
Things to do in Athens: Walking tour around the city centre
Day trips from Athens
A visit to historic Lindos village in Rhodes
Ancient Thera and Akrotiri – The Pompeii of the Aegean in Santorini
A visit to the Archaeological sites in Kefalonia
