My Travels

The panathenaic stadium or Kallimarmaro is a multi purpose stadium in Athens, Greece and is one of the major historic sights of the capital. It can also be said that it is the only stadium in the world to have been constructed entirely in marble. It is located on the site of an ancient stadium and was given the green light to be be constructed by the orator Lykourgos who was in charge of the finances of Athens at the time, for which it was to be used primarily for the panathenaic games. This stadium was then commissioned to be reconstructed of marble by the Athenian Roman senator Herodes Atticus and has a capacity of 50,000 seats. The first modern Olympic Games were hosted here in 1896 and 4 out of the 9 sports were contested at this venue. The host nation Greece triumphed at these games by winning 10 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze- 45 medals in total, with the United States finishing second.

Hadrian’s Library is of a typical Roman architectural style by having only one entrance with a propylon of Corinthian order, a tall surrounding wall with protruding niches at it’s sides, an inner courtyard surrounded with columns and an oblong pool in the centre. The library itself was situated on the eastern side where books were kept. Adjoining rooms were used for reading and the corners were used as lecture halls. This building was seriously ruined by the Herulian invasion of 267 and restored in AD 407-412 by Herculius.

The ancient agora was initially used for commercial, assembly or residential purposes. It is situated to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded southwards of the Areopagus Hill and to the west of another hill known as market hill.

The stoa of Attalos was a portico structure built from Pentelic marble and limestone, and can be located in the Ancient Agora in Athens. It takes it’s name from King Attalos II of Pergamon who reigned between 159 BC and 138 BC. The current building was reconstructed between the years of 1952 and 1956.

Close up of the Arch of Hadrian.

The arch of Hadrian is a gateway in some aspects resembles a Roman triumphal arch. It’s construction is said to be in celebration of the arrival of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The arch is located close by to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and only a few meters southeast of the Acropolis.

The temple of Olympian Zeus was formally known as a colossal temple which is situated at the centre of Athens. It’s construction started in the 6th century BC during the rule of an Athenian who did not like Zeus, but it’s construction wasn’t finished until the reign by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. A significant amount of the temple remains to be seen today especially the 16 giant columns.

The temple of Hephaestus is a well preserved Greek temple and to this day remains standing originally as it was built. It is Doric in style and can be found at the north west of the Ancient Agora.

The theatre of Dionysus is a major theatre in the capital of Greece which can be found at the foot of the Acropolis, and is dedicated to the Greek god Dionysus (god of fertility and wine) which it takes it’s name from. The theatre has a capacity of 17,000 and is said to have excellent acoustics.

The Herodes Atticus amphitheatre is a stone structure located to the southwest of the Acropolis in Athens. It was used as a concert venue with a capacity of 5,000, and is the main venue for the Athens festival which takes place from May until October.

The Propylaea is a structure that forms the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens, or an entrance to a temple in general.

The Erechtheion is an Ancient Greek temple which resides on the north side on top of the Acropolis, and is dedicated to both the Greek goddess Athena and Greek god Poseidon. On the south side of the Erechtheion there are six sculptured figures known as the Caryatids that act as supporting columns.

My favourite photos of the Parthenon in Athens which I was lucky to visit last year in October with my late Mum and is now the last holidays I’ll ever have with her. A bit of info about this iconic structure. The Parthenon is formally a temple that sits a top of the Acropolis hill in Athens, Greece and is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena- which is where the city takes it’s name from. Construction of this iconic building started in 447 BC when the Athenian Empire was at the strength of it’s power, and was completed in 438 BC but the decorative details of the building continued until 432 BC. The Parthenon is an enduring icon of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy, the Western civilisation, and one of the globe’s greatest cultural monuments. It is seen as a fundamental celebration of Hellenic victories over Persian invaders and as a thanksgiving gift to the gods by the Athenian people who constructed it.

Day spent at the local park on another beautiful Summer days back in 2017. Made a change to have good weather as we don’t always have days like this, especially to get out and go for long walks round nice spots.

Photos from a lovely walk down by the canal on a hot day last year. It is a nice spot if you just want to get out of the house and clear your mind.

Captured the prettiest spots round my hometown on a beautiful Summers day last year.

More photos from Mouldon Hill Country Park.