Athens

Athens Greece is one of the oldest cities in the world and the cradle of democracy.
It has a rich history that spans over 3,000 years and makes it an ideal destination for sightseeing.
The city was named after Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and Zeus's daughter. She was the guardian of the city and the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis was built in her honor.
Athens traces its origins to the Mycenaean era, but it reached its zenith in the 5th century BC. This era is known as the Golden Age of Pericles, the Athenian leader who endowed the city with splendor and power.
Since the 8th century BC, Athens was evolving into a significant city-state for Greece, focusing on culture and naval strength.
In the 5th century BC, major political and architectural achievements were made, such as the Acropolis, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion, and the Ancient Agora, and successful wars were fought to secure new economic resources.
However, after the Peloponnesian War and the defeat by the Spartans, the city-state began to decline.
In the 2nd century BC, it was conquered by the Romans and regained some of its former glory, but in the Byzantine period, it was often attacked by northern invaders and deteriorated again.
Athens became the official capital of Greece in 1834, following King Otto's decree.
At that time, Greece had just emerged from a long struggle for independence, the modern Greek state had been established and the people wanted a symbol to link modern Greece to the glorious ancient times. This is why this city was chosen as the capital and reform plans were initiated.
European architects were invited to the country and rebuild the capital.
Impressive Neoclassical buildings were erected, such as the Greek Parliament, the University and the Academy of Athens.
All these Ancient, Byzantine and Neoclassical attractions make Athens a wonderful town to visit.
The Olympic Games of 2004 enhanced the image of the town, with better transportation facilities and the renovation of old buildings.
Although the city center may seem chaotic and unappealing at first, there are many places of historical beauty to explore, such as Plaka, Monastiraki, and Thissio.
A visit to the Acropolis and the New Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, and the Roman Agora is essential for any trip.
Athens is also very convenient for walking, as all the sights are close to each other. It is also a great place to travel with children.