Early Greece World Heritage Sites
Greek Heritage Sites
For those who are interested in the romance of Greek Mythology, ancient Greece and temples of the Gods, what could be better than to take a tour around the classical Greece heritage sites of the Parthanon, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Meteora, ancient Olympia and Delphi? A feast for the lovers of archaeology, spectacular architecture and romantic legends of times past.
Greek Mythology
I can still remember as a student having to read some of the most famous of the legends of Greek Mythology and must admit that it all seemed a bit dry and dusty, but oddly enough, some of the names and the old legends still remain in my memory. The legend of Pandora's Box, the clash of the Titans. the abduction of Persephone by the God of the underworld, the wax wings of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and Medusa whose head was covered with venomous snakes instead of hair. Fascinating Greek names that are difficult to pronounce and even more difficult to remember, but somehow leave a distant desire to know more about the legends. It is interesting to note how frequently some of those legends have given birth to language we use today.
Protected by UNESCO
Today, there are many of the old sites of temples, monasteries and well-known geographical sites that are protected by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, and they form the major visits of one of these guided tours of ancient Greece.
The Parthenon
The world-renowned place to visit in Athens is the Acropolis with the stunning Parthenon at its peak overlooking the blue Aegean Sea. A former temple dedicated to the Goddess Athena, the Parthenon's sculptures are considered to be some of the key decorative points of classical Greek architecture of the period. It was built in the 5th century BC to celebrate the victory over the Persian invaders and served as the Treasury. It is arguably the most well-known landmark of Greece.
Mycenae
Near Nafplio, the archaeological ruins of the city of Mycenae (also of Tiryns) are a remarkable example of how advanced the people of the time were in building and construction with creative thinking. These two cities are inextricably linked with Homer's two books that were obligatory reading when I was a student - the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Epidaurus
Based in the Peloponnese region, the Sanctuary is a vast site. The main monuments are the temple of Asklepios, the Tholos and the Theatre. Known as the Sanctuary of Askelepios, it is the earliest known organized sanatorium and is significant for its association with the history of medicine. The Sanctuary developed into the most important centre for therapeutic medicine in the world, at a time when belief in divine healing was changing towards the science of medicine.
Meteora
The Greek work 'Meteora' means 'suspended in the air' or 'in the heavens above' - an apt description of this stunning group of eastern orthodox monasteries constructed at the very top of enormous rocks 300 metres high with breathtaking views over the surrounding valleys below. Once 24 monasteries were active here, now only 6 remain with nuns and monks continuing their religion inside these byzantine marvels. A spectacular landscape to discover, outstanding architecture and beauty, combined with religious and cultural significance.
Ancient Olympia
An ancient site on the Peloponnese peninsula, this was the site of the original Olympic Games in the 8th century BC. The ruins include athlete's training areas, a stadium and temples to the Greek Gods of Hera and Zeus. The Olympics were held every four years until the 4th century AD. In 1894 the games were resurrected to promote international peace and athletic excellence.
Delphi
Delphi was an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the God Apollo, built in the 8th century BC. The legendary tale here is that Apollo's priestess, Pythia, could foretell the future. She would advise the Greeks on colonization, religion, power, and mythological prophecies. Delphi was seen as the centre of the world and became a major power in the development of the Greek world
Other tours in Greece
After indulging in the history and fascinating architecture of this ancient country, a tour of Greece would not be complete without discovering the tastes of Greek culinary delights, taking a ferry to visit some of the Greek islands, sailing the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, cycling around different islands or relaxing on the white sands of beautiful beaches.