GREECE INTERESTING PLACES

Greece is the most richest country in southern Europe in the remains of ancient heritages of culture and ideas. Many ancient architecture can still be seen in the cities such as Athens, Sparta, Olympia and others. The history of athlete can not be separated from the history of Greece, a country neighboring with the stronghold of Islam, and the birth place of Christianity Jerusalem. In the history Greece was ever as one of the biggest emporium under Alexander the Great parallel with the emporium of Mongol, Rome, and Catherine de Great of Russia. The land of Greece and its archipelago is where the world first modern life was born. It was almost at the same era some centers of world's culture were known such as Egypt, Rome, Mesopotamia and Indian. The Greece and Rome are the inspirator of modern Europe, India is for Asia while Mesopotamia and Egypt did not continue their influence to Africa. Many experts thought that between Egypt and the Mesopotamia was reciprocally influenced each other or one way influence. The Greece and Roman have the concept of human potency while india bigger part of their experts rest their thought to invisible or unsensible factor, yet after this thought reached China and Japan reason and practical life incorporated. It is believed that the cultural heritages of Greece and Rome have become the basis of modern West.

Seen from history among the earliest developed cultures of the world can be quoted as the following:
Egyptian started around 3.000 years B.C,
Mesopotamia ( Now Iraq ) started 4.500 years B.C.,
Greece ( Menoa people on Crete island ) started 3.000 years B.C.,
Indian ( now Pakistany Sindh province ) started 3.000 years B.C.,
Roman started 2.000 years B.C.,

The history of Greece continues although politically might some changes, and externally got some trouble such as invasions by other kingdoms. As a long democratic states Greece has a great number of ancient traces of cultures which are interesting not only for study but for common people as a tourist. Some of the ancient greatness of Greece city states can still be seen today. Among those ancient heritages what are the most popular as the interesting place to visit by tourists, below are mentioned some of them.

Acropolis, is the site of ancient city located in the middle of modern Athens which was constructed in 6th century BC with the style known as Dorian column made in lime stone, known also as Doric order with the concept of simplicity, strength, and solidity. Formerly Acropolis was temple for the proctor of the city called Athena Polias. Most other temples buildings were built during the golden age of Athens under the leader of Pericles in 460 - 430 BC, although in 490 BC the temple was damaged by the kingdom of Persia. The extension and construction continued in later times.

In 437 BC a new gate was constructed known as propylaea with column made of pentelec marble. The colonnades has two wings, one as picture gallery. South of propylaea is the Ionic temple of Athena Nike, built at the same time. The style has the concept of slenderness and grace. The construction of other temple in the complex was interrupted by the war on the island of Peloponessos and finished between 421 - 415 BC, during which were also constructed other temples at least 7 temples. During Hellenistic period and Roman period the building in the area of Acropolis were repaired from damages of aging and occasional wars. monuments for foreign kings also erected such as Attalos II, the king of Attalid, and the king of Eumenes II. later the monuments were dedicated to Roman emperor such as Augustus or Claudius. In 3rd century the wall of acropolis was repaired as it was threatened by the invasion of Herulia During the period of Byzantine the Parthenon was changed into Church, and dedicated to Virgin Mary. under the Duchy of Athens acropolis was used as city's administrative center and Parthenon as cathedral, and a large tower was added which was demolished in 19th century. Under Ottoman conquest the Parthenon was used in 17th century as army garrison head quarter. During the siege by Venetian colonnades of Parthenon largely destroyed, which has been restored. Every 4 years the Athenians held a festival called the panathenaea that giving rival to olympic games.

Temple of Delphi, was built before the Greece city states were born and associated with the worship of Goddess of the sea such as Gea, Themis, Demeter and Poseidon. The temple stands on the slope of mount Pamasos, overlooking the gulf of Corinth and a valley grown by olives and cyprus trees. The complex of Delphi or town of Delphi is on a cliff with beautiful views which was in the past difficult to reach from the valley below. A myth tells that Delphi is considered the center of the world, a place where heaven and earth met, a place where man close to god. Also a meeting place of 2 eagles release by Zeus and sent in opposite directions, and where they met later, the center of the world.

At the end of the mycenaean era Apollo, the son of Zeus replaced the previous god of the sea and Apollo become the guardian of the oracle, oracle is the spirit of Delphi with the center of Apollo. it is said that oracle is a spiritual experience with Apollo where man asked for advises on worldly maters, and the questions being asked are channeled by a phytia or a priestess who act as medium to the god.

There is also a large theatre place built in 4th century, and a stadium for chariot races. This stadium was renovated by Herod Atticus which is considered one of the best preserved ancient heritage of Greece. A sacred way leads to the temple passing through ancient treasures and monuments was in the past lined with statues and gifts given by the city states in tribute to Apollo as thanks for winning the wars. At archaeological museum are preserved many artifacts from the side of Delphi including bronze statue of charioteer one of the most beautiful art piece in the world.

At the place below the ruins of Delphi are the temple of Pronaea Athena,known also as marmaria, and the round temple of Tholos. outside the area is a gymnasium usedto train the athletes who would compete in phythian games, held every 4 years to commemorate Apollo's victory over Phyton.

Mystras City on Peloponnessos, was found in 13th century during the occupation of Peloponnessons by Prankish people under the leader of Frank William de Villehardouin. it was built as a fortress or resistance against any possible invasion to the island. It's palace is surrounded by strong wall to protect also from any invasion and continued to protect the palace until 400 years later. The Prankish was defeated again by the Byzantine Greece in 1259. During the period of Byzantine changing the fall of Constantinople of Ottoman empire churches were build and more then 200 houses were also erected. and the city had the population number of 25.000 persons after the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and Mystras become the center of Byzantine empire until it was felt to the Turks in 1460. It is mentioned that during this time the city had 40.000 inhabitants. In 1687 the city was subdued by Venetian ( Italy ) under Morosini who blew up Parthenon at Acropolis. Under the colonization the city become the center of silk industry.