Day 2, Acropolis and Plaka

A view of the Acropolis from the north.
The temple in the center is Erechtheion.
Parthenon is behind Erechtheion and is only partially visible.
People lived on the Acropolis as early as 5,000 B.C.

Parthenon - under restoration and roped off. This is the west side.
As in all Greek temples, the east side is the official entrance to the temple.

Erechtheion, built on the part of the Acropolis held most sacred. It was here Poseidon
struck the ground with his trident and a horse sprang forth, symbol of strength and fortitude,
and that Athena produced the olive tree, symbol of peace and prosperity.
Athena was the victor in this competition thus became the guardian of citizens of Athens.
The green tree you see in the picture is supposedly the olive tree planted by Athena,
or is at the spot where Athena planted the first olive tree.

The much-photographed Caryatides, the 6 maiden columns in the south porch of the Erechtheion.
What you see are plaster casts. Four of the originals are in the Acropolis museum,
one of the originals is in the British museum in London, and one was severely damaged.

Close up of the olive tree supposedly planted by Goddess Athena.
 

Theater of Dionysus, built into the southern slop of the Acropolis.
This ancient Greek theater could seat as many as 17,000 in simple stone benches.

The newer Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a Roman stone theater built in 161 AD.

Propylaia, or Propylaea, the ancient monumental gateway to the Acropolis.
Still under restoration. (The man waving a white cap is our team leader, Menelaos.)

Part of our souvlaki lunch at O Thanasis near Monastiraki Sq.
(From left to right) Chicken Souvlaki, lamb and beef Shish Kebab, Pork Souvlaki.

Thanasis has a very large outdoor seating area.

Bread vendor.

In the evening we went searching for a restaurant with views to the Acropolis.
This is Diodos, at 19 Adrianou, with a very pleasant outdoor seating area.
The small building in the background high above the rock is the Erechtheion.

Our chatty waiter introduced us to the owner. The owner took this photo.
After dark, the Erechtheion lit up in the background like a pearl.

The floodlit Erechtheion viewed from the street in front of Diodos restaurant.

Night scene at Adrianou Street, a few doors up from Diodos.
At 10pm we were ready to go back to the hotel, but locals seemed to have just arrived.

A street near Monastiraki Square.
Each restaurant sets their own outdoor tables, the tables seem to occupy the whole street.

A small eatery selling Gyro on pita bread.

Night scene of Syntagma Square, the center of Athens.