Our next day back in Athens was my birthday and we spent the day at the Acropolis and the new Acropolis Museum. Not a bad way to turn 30!
The massive entrance, the Propylaea.
When you zoom in it looks like no one else is there. If only.
The Parthenon, as it is meant to be viewed, from an angle.
Our group, marveling at the fact that there are no straight lines on the building.
View of Athens from the hill.
The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient theater. It has been restored and is once again a venue for concerts.
The Theater of Dionysus.
The Erechtheion, my favorite building of the group.
Caryatids on the Erechtheion.
We of course had to recreate the Caryatids. This drew quite an audience.
Ongoing restoration and conservation in the Erechtheion.
Beautiful architectural details.
Among its many functions, the Erechtheion commemorates a contest between Athena and Poseidon for control of the city. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident (of which the mark is still visible apparently, although we couldn't find it), causing a stream of salt water to burst forth. Athena caused an olive tree to grow, and was deemed the winner.
Athena's olive tree.
Looking back towards the Propylaea. It's amazing how much of a construction site the complex is.
The Temple of Athena Nike was unfortunately covered entirely in scaffolding and blocked off :(
View into the Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Delicious Greek salad for lunch.
I have no pictures of the Acropolis museum because photography is not allowed, which is ridiculous since everything inside is marble and therefore cannot be harmed by photos. I understand that some museums ban photos so that you are forced to by postcards of the artworks in their shop, but these weren't even available. Anyway, in the subway near the museum we happened upon a replica of the Parthenon pediment sculptures, and so we happily joined the drama.
Later at night (just about midnight) we saw the taxis lining up in preparation for the major strike the next day.
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