Esther's photos with the keyword: Athens

The Monument of the Unknown Solidier in Athens, Greece are guarded by the Evzoni, an elite ceremonial guard unit attired in traditional uniform. Their uniform had its orgins in the the clothes worn by the klephts who fought in the Ottoman occupation of Greece. The most striking part of this uniform is the fustanella, a kilt-like garment traditionally worn by Balkan men. The inscriptions in the wall include two quotations by Thucydides, from Pericles' Funeral Oration. Ἀνδρῶν ἐπιφανῶν πᾶσα γῆ τάφος ("For eminent men, every place is (worthy) burial ground") and Μία κλίνη κενὴ φέρεται ἐστρωμένη τῶν ἀφανῶν ("... and one bed is carried empty, made for the unknown ones"). AIMG_3727

Rennovation work being done to the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The Parthenon is a temple on the Acropolis deciated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. It was officially completed in 438 BC but as the photograph indicates, it is getting some touch up work today. AIMG_3764

The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece was built between 447 and 438 BC. It was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and its name comes from Athena Parthenos, or virgin Athena. The lighter coloration of the patches resulting from modern repairs are visible. AIMG_3761

The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece was built between 447 and 438 BC. It was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and its name comes from Athena Parthenos, or virgin Athena. AIMG_3774

The Erechtheion is a Greek temple near the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens Athens, Greece. It was built between 421 and 406 BC. and named after the legendary Greek King, Erichthonius. AIMG_3783

The Erechtheion is a Greek temple near the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens Athens, Greece. It was built between 421 and 406 BC. and named after the legendary Greek King, Erichthonius. "On the south side, there is another large porch with columns, and on the south, the famous "Porch of the Maidens", with six draped female figures (caryatids) as supporting columns, each sculpted in a manner different from the rest and engineered in such a way that their slenderest part, the neck, is capable of supporting the weight of the porch roof while remaining graceful and feminine. The porch was built to conceal the giant 15-ft beam needed to support the southwest corner over the metropolis, after the building was drastically reduced in size and budget following the onset of the Peloponnesian war." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erechtheion AIMG_3791

The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece was built between 447 and 438 BC. It was a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena and its name comes from Athena Parthenos, or virgin Athena. AIMG_3781

The Agios Eleftherios church, also known as Mikri Mitropoli ("little metropolitan church") or Panagia Gorgoepikoos, was built in the 12th Century in Athens, Greece. It is a very small church with dimensions of approximately 25 by 40 feet. AIMG_3818

The Erechtheion is a Greek temple near the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens Athens, Greece. It was built between 421 and 406 BC. and named after the legendary Greek King, Erichthonius. "On the south side, there is another large porch with columns, and on the south, the famous "Porch of the Maidens", with six draped female figures (caryatids) as supporting columns, each sculpted in a manner different from the rest and engineered in such a way that their slenderest part, the neck, is capable of supporting the weight of the porch roof while remaining graceful and feminine. The porch was built to conceal the giant 15-ft beam needed to support the southwest corner over the metropolis, after the building was drastically reduced in size and budget following the onset of the Peloponnesian war." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erechtheion AIMG_3792

The Parthenon, Athens, Greece. "The Parthenon Marbles, forming a part of the collection known as the Elgin Marbles ( /ˈɛlɡɪn/ EL-gin), are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures (mostly by Phidias and his pupils), inscriptions and architectural members that originally were part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, the British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1799–1803, obtained a controversial permit from the Ottoman authorities to remove pieces from the Parthenon. From 1801 to 1812 Elgin's agents removed about half of the surviving sculptures of the Parthenon, as well as architectural members and sculpture from the Propylaea and Erechtheum. The Marbles were transported by sea to Britain. In Britain, the acquisition of the collection was supported by some, while other critics compared Elgin's actions to vandalism or looting. Following a public debate in Parliament and subsequent exoneration of Elgin's actions, the marbles were purchased by the British government in 1816 and placed on display in the British Museum, where they stand now on view in the purpose-built Duveen Gallery. The debate continues as to whether the Marbles should remain in the British Museum or be returned to Athens." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_Marbles AIMG_3797

Greek Priest at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, Athens, Greece AIMG_3805

The sun sets over the islands near Athens, Greece AIMG_3896