The Acropolis - the Parthenon and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

A series of random shots in Athens, in addition to the albums on two churches and the changing of the guard. Athens is much changed from when I was stationed there almost 50 years ago. The Acropolis is overrun to the point that a ticket and reservations are required for entry. We used to just walk up the hill....

The Acropolis from Mt Lykobettus

The Acropolis from the southeast near the Panathenaic Stadium

The Propylaea - Entrance/exit to Acropolis

The Parthenon today

The Parthenon - a photograph I took in 1975

Acropolis - Caryatids of the Erechtheion

Acropolis - Caryatids of the Erechtheion

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Philopappou - The Hill of Muses from Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Philopappou - The Hill of Muses Monument. It used to be a great picnic spot and has one of the best views of the Acropolis.

Temple of Hephaestus, Greek god of fire, volcanoes, blacksmithing, and metalworking

National Observatory of Athens

Church of St. George - Mt Lykobettus

Hadrian’s Arch - sometimes called Hadrian's Gate

The Hellenic Parliament and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Presidential Mansion

Academy of Athens - the worlds first university (387 BC)

University of Athens

National Library of Greece

Holy Catholic Cathedral of St Dionysius the Areopagite - patron saint of Athens

Panathenaic Stadium from Mt Lycobettus

Panathenaic Stadium


National Benefactor of Greece George Averoff

Archbishop Damaskinos Papandreou Mitropoleos Square, in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, credited with saving hundreds of Greek Jews during the Nazi occupation. He then served as the Regent of Greece 1946-1948 until the return of the king.

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation

The Holy Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation, popularly known as the Metropolis is the cathedral church of the Archbishopric of Athens and all of Greece. Construction of the cathedral began on Christmas Day, 1842, with the laying of the cornerstone by King Otto and Queen Amalia. A memorial service for Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was held here after his death in the United Kingdom - he was Greek by birth.

Changing of the Guard at the Presidential Mansion

The changing of the guard at the Presidential Mansion in Athens. These soldiers are the elite Evzones, who were a type of light infantry units in the Hellenic Army. Today, they are the members of the Presidential Guard, a ceremonial unit that guards the Greek Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Presidential Mansion in Athens. Each Evzone carries an M1 Garand rifle with a fixed bayonet. The M1 semi-automatic rifle was the service rifle of the US Army during World War II and the Korean War.

Church of Saint Isidore

Entrance to the hillside church - if our guide had not pointed it out, we would not have noticed

The Church of St Isidore, also called the chapel of Agios Isidoros, was built sometime between the 15th and 16th century on the western side of Mount Lycabettus, the highest point in the city. In addition to St Isidore, the church is also dedicated to St Myrope (also known as Holy Martyr Myrope of Chios), St Isidore of Pelusium, and St Gerasimos. The interior of the church is primarily a cave that is the foundation of the structure.

Icon-laden entrance gate

More icons. I can't make out the bottom row, but my best guess on the top is
The Holy Trinity, St George, and the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ.

Bell tower

More icons and steps to the main structure

Interior of the chapel

Another chapel

Main structure

Another chapel

More icons - obvious on the right is Virgin Mary and Child

This is from the previous photo - St Panteleimon

St Jude