Athens for a Cultural Trip

Athens for a Cultural Trip

Athens is a metropolis that eternally possesses global respect. In ancient times, it was the city of the Gods, of wisdom, the source of an enormous culture. The crossroad of myths, the mother of Democracy, the spring of aesthetics and harmony. In her spirit were founded philosophy, modern science, drama, art, and even politics.

Stand in almost any part of Athens and do a 360-degree sweep: you'll sense the layers of legend, culture, art, and conflict that, throughout many centuries, created the oldest capital of Europe and the heart of the civilized world.

Athens constitutes a synopsis of a few thousand years. Even today, it is nothing like it was in the 19th Century. It's a city that was never enslaved for long, always remembering that it has been, is, and will always be the cradle of democracy. Athens sees itself rightly as the birthplace of philosophy - the values that underlie western civilization. As visitors wander around its parks and roads, they discern the eclectic mix of architecture and are reminded that this is a city that has reinvented itself many times over.

Cultural tourists will find that their cup runneth over in this megalopolis. All of Athens makes up an enormous outdoor museum and, for many, the most important in the world. Archaeological sites, theaters, churches, monuments, and its Neoclassical & modern architecture are testaments to just this fact.

Ancient theaters form a unique category of a monument, both as an architectural concept and as regards their connections to the origins of dramatic art. It is widely theorized that Greece has the most of these styles of theaters worldwide. Some form individual elements of wider archaeological sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Greeks have always been fascinated by religion and therefore draws in those of spiritual interest. Regardless of how many or how heroic were the gods of ancient Greece, people believed in a divine power. Their need was then refocussed on Christianity and, since its early years, became the foundation of everyday life. One need look no further for evidence that the astonishing amount of churches found in Athens - which over time have become monuments worth visiting.

Every museum in Athens acts as a time machine. In one exhibit after the other, you can reassemble a millennia-old puzzle before your eyes and retell fascinating tales to stoke the imagination. Most importantly, conventional museums exist to uphold the firm dogma of Greeks to take care of their cultural heritage. Hellenic foundations sponsored by private investors also support this belief through a variety of projects and venues.

Moreover, the city is filled with festivals, art galleries, and contemporary cultural events that reach their zenith during the summer months when the Athens & Epidaurus Festival is in full swing. Bringing with it a series of Greek and foreign productions of classic and experimental theater, music, dance, concert, and opera that take over the capital.

Scratch the surface and you'll understand the Athenian miracle - that it is constantly evolving and, ultimately, surviving, thanks to its spirit, people, and fated role in history. Thus, immersing oneself is the culture of Athens is essentially unavoidable!



Helpful notes:

  • Over 40% of the population lives in the capital Athens.
  • Greek has been spoken for more that 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest languages in Europe.
  • Thousands of English words come from the Greek language.