The Mother of Western Civilization- Athens

The origin of the great city of Athens dates back to almost 3,000 years. This Greek capital city also happens to be its largest. This presently cosmopolitan metropolis, which forms the economic, political and cultural stronghold of Greece, has had one of the most fascinating pasts behind it. Classical Athens was home to the fathers of political philosophers namely, Plato, Aristotle and Socrates and formed one of the most powerful city-states of ancient civilization as it whole-heartedly embraced the arts, learning and philosophy. Athens is widely acknowledged as the mother of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, owing to the fact that its cultural and political triumphs had a formative impact on the rest of the European continent during the 5th and 4th centuries BC.

The strong influence of the ancient era is widely manifested by many parts of Athens even today. The city is perforated with timeless architectural splendors, like monuments and other works of art. It would be safe to say that the Parthenon on the Acropolis is one of the most significant landmarks that heralded the commencement of early Western civilization. The Roman and Byzantine monuments are also centers that borne out the rich and long historical past of Athens. Athens is home to an extensive variety of Ottoman monuments too. All these historical artifacts speak volumes about the city's strong presence in the pages of history across centuries. Athens has also been the place that marked the entry of Greece into the modern era in the year 1830 with the establishment of the independent Greek state with the induction of the Greek Parliament and the Athens Trilogy, comprising a library, university and academy, all symbolizing modernity. All these factors culminated together to make Athens one of the most rewarding and fascinating tourist destinations in the world. Nowhere else will you be able to witness such historically valuable landmarks signifying the blend of history and modernity. Athens has been a major factor in shaping the world as we see it today.

There are lots of interesting museums and historical sights in the city. The admission to these places is free on Sundays, however it is next to impossible to visit all of them within a day and within the stipulated visiting hours, that is, between 10 am - 4 pm. Apart from the acropolis, the other important landmarks that must be visited while on a trip to Athens are:

The Ancient Agora
Syntagma Square
The Kerameikos
The Temple of Olympian Zeus
Panathianiko Stadium
Lycabettus Hill

Owing to its remarkable history, Athens naturally houses an exquisite selection of museums and galleries. Here are a few that you should not miss out when visiting by any means:

National Archaeological Museum of Athens
Greek National Gallery
National Historical Museum
Numismatic Museum

Apart from its rich heritage sites, Athens is home to regulation cosmopolitan life too. It is this fascinating blend of the past and the present that makes this city truly special. The variety of food and beverages offered by the Athenians is endless and their city life is marked by distinct modern characteristics. Getting around in Athens is more or less child's play, as you will be greeted with a host of public transportation options to choose from. These include the suburban railway, the Athens tram, buses, taxis, bicycles, etc, Athens is also a very walkable city, as it is safe and has fairly easy streets and roads to follow.

This unique Greek city is one of the most unforgettably unique destinations in the world and should invariably feature on every traveler's must-visit list.