Historical Destinations Archives

The Site of Ancient Olympia

Posted in K-O

Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center. Here were born the greatest games of ancient Greece, the Olympics, which was held every four years in honor of Zeus, an institution with nationwide radiation and glare from ancient times to today. The origin of the cult and the mythical confrontations that took place in Olympia lost in the mists of time. Olympia is the one of the most historical sites in Greece. Olympia is the site of the first Olympic Games which were held in 776 BC. . In times

Athens, The acropolis

Posted in A-E, Historical Destinations

The Acropolis of Athens is made more visually appealing by the Parthenon but it is not Parthenon alone that makes the Acropolis. There are historical signs that can confuse even the most experienced and veteran archaeologist and it is still undecided since when the architectures on that hill top are there. There are signs to indicate Bronze age structures still stand there and some may be older than that but they are not yet clearly identified from their ruins. To the aura of the Acropolis has been added beauty of Athens and the place is still considered the abode of

The location of the ancient theater of Epidaurus

Posted in A-E, Historical Destinations

At The slope of Mount Kinortio, inside the boundaries of the place of worship, lies the most famous and best preserved ancient theater of Epidaurus, the miracle of Epidaurus, as it was called. It was built according to Pausanias, during the 4th century BC by the architect and sculptor from Argos, Polykleitos the Younger. Other scholars date it at the early 3rd century. However, if this is correct, the theatre cannot be regarded as a work of Polykleitos . Having a circular orchestra a thymeli and 12 rows of 34 seats, it could accommodate up to 6,000 spectators. During the

The location of ancient oracle of Dodona

Posted in A-E, Historical Destinations

The ancient Dodona was one of the important political and religious centers of Ancient Greece since the prehistoric era. The sacred oracle was the oldest and the most beloved of the gods, after Zeus appointed the oracle to himself. The starting point of worship lies in the third millennium BC (First season 2.500 BC copper age) with the worship of the goddess Earth, the Great Mother and it sets with the prevalence of Christianity at the end of the 4th century AD. The oracle is located 22 km. South of Ioannina, on the foothills of the ancient mount Tomaro and

Athens, The Parthenon

Posted in A-E, Historical Destinations

If you’ve been planning a holiday in the wonderful country of Greece, you will definitely want to set some time aside so you can visit and admire the fascinating yet mysterious Parthenon of Athens in Greece Located on the Athenian Acropolis, the Parthenon, built in 447 BC and completed in 438 BC, was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, considered a virgin patron by the lovely people of Athens. This creation was built at the height of power and rule of the Athenian Empire, and is probably considered to be one of the most important structures still standing in preservation

The castle of Monemvasia

Posted in K-O

The name is a compound word derived from the two Greek words Moni (Single) and Emvasis (Entrance). Monemvasia’s nickname is “Gibraltar of the East” because it happens to be out identical to the rock of Gibraltar. In Monemvasia the unique landforms of the rock coexist along with human fortifications. As a floating fortress, it is located right at the route of the trade between East and West. Its names are as many as its masters: Monemvasia, Malvasia, Malvazoui, Little Rock and Gibraltar. In ancient times it was called “Accra Minoa” as described by Pausanias, and it used to join the

The historic town of Messolonghi

Posted in K-O

Messolonghi is a small and picturesque town, situated at the edge of the lagoon of Messolonghi. Its name derives from the Italian word mezzo-laghi (in the middle of the lake). The fist settlers of the place were Dalmatian pirates, who settled there because of the lagoon. It was a safety haven and it had abundant fish production. They lived in huts standing on poles over the water level of the lagoon. The town gradually developed a significant merchant marine fleet. This shipping together with the town itself was extinguished during a revolution in 1770. It was then build again and

The historic City of Athens

Posted in A-E, Historical Destinations

A powerful city state in the classical era, Athens was the birthplace of democracy.Because of its rich history, it is home to several important monuments, archeological sites and works of art that remind us the city’s glorious past. The most recognized monument of ancient Greece and an important landmark of Athens is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to goddess Athena. The temple was constructed in the 5th century BC, and it houses magnificent sculptures widely regarded as some of the finest examples of classical Greek art. Athens is surrounded on three sides by mountains, North, East and West while on

The historic city of Thessaloniki (Salonika)

Posted in P-T

This article is going to be a tour guide of the city of Thessaloniki in which are suggested routes with historical interest. You can find instructive information about the monuments, the archaeological sights and the historical attractions of the city which for years is proclaimed as the ‘’ Cultural Capital of Europe’’. Let’s start this heritage walk in the historic city of Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki, a city of history In 315 BC, Cassander the King of Macedonia, joined up 26 townships in the Thermaikos Gulf, and thus founded a new city for his kingdom which would grow into a large commercial

The location of ancient Delphi

Posted in A-E, Historical Destinations

Worshipers believed that they could hear the voice of the god Apollo, speaking through a priestess. Questioners paid a levy called a pelanos and sacrificed an animal on the altar. The questions were then put to the Pythia by a male priest and she would answer in a trance, perhaps induced by vapors from a crack in the ground under her feet. This is how the Oracle of Delphi operated. It was the most famous place in all Greece for predicting the future, and advising about everything. From a powerful king, to the most humble peasant, everyone wanted an advice