Today we visited the archaeological site of Delphi. Delphi is definitely one of the most amazing archaeological sites to which I have ever been. It is not the biggest. Olympia and the Athens Acropolis are probably bigger, and both of them are very impressive. I think what I found so awe-inspiring about Delphi was not just the ruins, which are impressive, but also the setting. It is nestled into the mountains, and it reminds me of Machu Picchu. As an engineer, I haven’t stop being impressed with the construction of these sites, and at Delphi, I found the Polygonal Wall to be just amazing. Polygonal Wall is built of carved stones set on top each other without any mortar.
Tag Archives: history
Greece: Athens Turkish Baths
I visited the Turkish Baths in Plaka today. I found out about them in Lonely Planet. I don’t think many tourists visit them because when I walked in around 8:30 the man at the desk looked surprised to see a visitor and had to turn on the lights in the place. The baths are really well restored 17th-century public bathhouse and a remnant of the Ottoman times. The only criticism I have is that more signage as to what you are looking at would have been really nice. They had pictures projected onto some of the walls that did help a little.
Greece: Olympia
Today we visited the ancient site of Olympia where the original Olympic games were held. The site is huge, and they are still uncovering it. The gymnasium is only partially uncovered with something like 80% still left to dig up. There were two different areas where people were working to uncover remains while I was there. There were so many structures that I got confused at times what was what structure. Then of course there also pieces lying around in what I am sure is some logical method to the archaeologists, but to most of us, it looks like column, foundation, or undetermined piece of stone lying about everywhere with no clue as to which building it belongs. Then there is the stadium, which is unmistakable as it is a huge open area surrounded by sloped grassy areas, where I like most people, felt the need to traverse the distance just to say I walked across the ancient Olympic Stadium. Many others raced each other down the length of it. The entire site is just really neat to explore. I also really started examining the limestone that was used to make the structures. Some of the stone has eroded enough that I could examine the shells in it. Other limestone was being eroded by plants, lichen, and moss, who clearly had no respect for the history of the stone.
Greece: Mycenae
Today we visited Mycenae, which includes both the Treasury of Atreus and Mycenae Acropolis. The Mycenaean civilization dates back to the 15th to 12th century B.C. The architecture is impressive and unique and includes the triangle structure as a predecessor to the arch. The Treasury looks like a giant beehive from the inside and is just amazing to stand inside. The Lion Gate is possibly the most impressive and certainly (to my untrained eye) the most unique structure at the Acropolis.
Greece: Nafplion
Our final stop of the day was Nafplion. It is a cute little town in the Peloponnese and was the first capital of the First Hellenic Republic and of the Kingdom of Greece after the Greek revolution from the Ottoman Empire. The view of the water and surrounding mountains is just beautiful. It also has views of the Palamidi castle and the Bourtzi that was used to guard the city from sea attack.
Greece: Epidaurus
After visiting the Corinth Canal, we stopped at Epidaurus to see the ancient Theater of Epidaurus and also the Sanctuary of Asklepios. The shrine of Asklepios, the god of medicine, became a site where ancient people came to seek healing or to ask for healing of other. The site also contains the fourth century theater, which is still in absolutely amazing condition. The acoustics of the theater are just astounding.
Greece: Corinth Canal
I’m an engineer. If there is a canal, dam, bridge, or whatever engineering marvel anywhere around, I have to see it. Luckily, our tour group had the Corinth Canal on the itinerary. The Roman Emperor Nero originally tried to build a canal to link the Aegean Sea with the Gulf of Corinth, but it was too difficult, so back then, they just dragged ships across the isthmus. I wouldn’t want to do the dragging. The Corinth Canal was started in 1881. No locks, just a canal, but wow, what a cut.
Cape Sounion
Acropolis
I have now joined my tour group, and so my last full day in Athens was a bit of a save the best for last, in that the morning was spent at the Acropolis. It is such an amazing feat of ancient engineering. It is currently, and has been for a while, being restored through modern engineering. It was weird to see such ancient structures surrounded by modern structures like scaffolding and cranes, or really it was a juxtaposition I guess. It makes me wonder about the work conditions back then versus now. I think we already know a bit about the work conditions back then, but it still amazes me what they accomplished. The hill that the Acropolis is on is essentially solid rock, so they certainly picked the correct foundation on which to build the structures. I am still in awe though after having seen it.
Athens Day 4: Agora Ruins
I took a different route through Plaka to visit more sites, and I ended up climbing partially up the Acropolis hill and winding through a little neighborhood filled with cute little adobe-like houses that I associate with the Greek islands. Then I visited the Roman Agora, Ancient Agora, and Hadrian’s Library. The rest of the day was spent wandering through the National Gardens.