The acropolis museum and ancient agora

Posted On: Oct 9th, 2015 at 19:17

Greece
Day nine: Athens
The second day in Athens was spent in the acropolis museum and the agora below the acropolis.
The museum is nicely decorated and has some incredible statues, but most of the interesting items are not allowed to be photographed.
The agora is amazing. The temple of Hephaestus is one of the only complete temples left in the world and you really get a feel of their use and power when walking around it. Unlike so many temples, which only have a few columns standing, the temple of Hephaestus has its inner walls intact and also the entrance is open for all to see. Physically walking inside the temple is not allowed but, nonetheless, standing outside and looking in is enough to get a real feel of the place.
The scene-stealer though, for me, is the Stoa of Attalos. Completely rebuilt using whatever blocks were left and then new materials to finish the job, the stoa is an astonishing trip back into history. A stoa is basically a covered walkway. I’ve often thought that they had several purposes – a walkway, a place to meet and talk and, most importantly, a respite from the heat. Visiting the stoa was a chance to put the latter idea to the test and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. The air funnelling through the stoa was nothing more than blissful and the design is such that the effect is something like a wind tunnel. Very clever engineering indeed.
The next port of call was the Roman agora, just across the road from the ancient agora.
My last stop of the day was the massive Hadrian’s Library. Although the gates were literally being closed when I arrived, I made some excellent photos from the vantage point of the paths around it which are set at a higher level.
I was, by this time, absolutely shattered and starting to feel the tiredness from what has been an absolutely manic, but utterly worthwhile, trip. Still, one more day to go. What will be the final stop?

Incredible statue of the head of Fulvia Plautilla. She was the only wife of the Emperor Caracalla. When her father was charged with treason she was exiled and then assassinated. Her death was ordered by her husband whose reign was often brutal. The detail of female statues especially is something I find very beautiful. The way the hair is accurately portrayed with bands shows the style of hair in those days, right down to the few strands sticking out across the cheek, as can be seen here

The amazing Temple of Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the god of metalworking, sculptors, artisans and all craftsmen

The stunning stoa of Attalos, built sometime around 150 BC. The stoa was reconstructed in the 1950s.

The Roman agora

The library of Hadrian