Our first day in Athens

Hello from Athens. This summer, together with my friend Joanna,  we will explore Greece. We started the day with a very long walk around the Acropolis, visited a very interesting museum and participated in a political demonstration.  Sunday in this Orthodox country begins with a liturgy in one of their many churches.

The views of the Acropolis are from the Filoppapou Hill. On top of the hill there is a monument of Filoppapou, built between AD 114 and 116 in honour of Julius Antiochus Filopappos, a prominent Roman consul and benefactor of the city of Athens.

It is recommended to visit the new Museum of Acropolis before visiting the hill itself. The museum gives a very good overview of the history of this sacred place and of the archaeological excavations that have been done there starting in the nineteenth century. The visual link between the Parthenon sculptures exhibited in the Museum and the monument from which they originated is achieved through the transparent, glass outer walls of the Parthenon Gallery.

Greeks opposed to the recent deal with Macedonia over its name clashed with police in the capital, Athens, and in Thessaloniki on Sunday. (Source: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/in-pictures-greeks-name-protesters-scuffle-with-police-in-athens-thessaloniki-07-02-2018 )

We left the place before the clashes with the police.

The demonstration was in front of the Presidential Mansion where the regular changing of guards takes place every hour.