On the Road: Lost in the Museums of Athens

TRILOGY OF ATHENS

Back to the city centre, Besides being the home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Acropolis of Athens and the medieval Daphni Monastery, Athens also holds ‘Trilogy of Athens’: Academy of Athens, University of Athens and National Library. It is burning hot in the afternoon when we pass by Panepistimiou Boulevard, still, the flanking pillars sculptured by Leonidas Drosis, Athena, Apollo, Plato and Socrates allure me to explore more of the neoclassical interior design. Luckily, I take a quick view of the marble pillars and sphinx sculpture from the conference hall, just during the short break of an academic meeting session.

University of Athens is the last part of neoclassical Trilogy. The university consists of a group of buildings that shape up of a double ‘T”, with two symmetrical courtyards. The bases of the columns and the capitals of the entrance are the perfect replicas of equivalent found of propylaea of Acropolis.

The third neoclassical building on the left hand side of University of Athens, stands The National Library. It contains three solid parts, one needs to pass through a Doric-Style of column, after climbing monumental curved double Renascence style of staircases, then can enter an Ilion-style columns surrounded reading room. When I visit, the gate of library is closed for the conference session, so I miss my luck to take a peek of the treasure house of knowledge.

NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Athens is also the world centre of archaeological research. Along with national institutions, such as University of Athens and Archaeological Society, there are multiple museums for both enthusiastic or researchers to explore. The National Archaeological Museum is one of the Top Ten museums in the world, as it contains a vast collection of antiquities, metal works, sculptures, potteries and jewelry; its artifacts over a period of more than 5000 years, from late Neolithic Age to Roman Greece, at the basement galleries, it even exhibits in total more than 6000 artifacts, including Egyptian mummies and special statues. The Egyptian sector features rare statues, even an intact bird eggs and a 3000-year load of bread with a bite-sized chunk missing.

In 2017, at the grand hall of Archeological Museum, the special exhibition focuses on ‘The Journey of Odysseus: The Ship, the treasure and the Mechanism’, which the whole space plays the sound of waves, and the ancient tools are incredibly various during the ancient Odyssey era. My hubby can not stand for over 4 hours checking all the collections, so he leaves for a couple of beer that I can keep enjoying those familiar heroes and gods carved on the potteries or tombstones. 

The most interesting of the museums in Athens, is that a lovely secret garden hidden between the galleries. The National Archaeological Museum’s greenery inner yard holds some special plants such as Greek Fir, Christmas rose and bear’s Breeches; along the hallway to the café, it displays the marble statues of Poseidon; even the mosaic version of Medusa looks more charming than terrifying.

NUMISMATIC MUSEUM OF ATHENS 

Another surprising found in Athens is Numismatic Museum of Athens. It was an instant decision during my shopping spree, because I am deeply attracted by its beautiful garden and café umbrellas. The staff is very friendly introducing basic museum info and other art festival. The museum itself is housed in the mansion of the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, and the ballroom and dining room are decorated with mosaics and murals depicting either themes from the Trojan War or Greek mottos (such as bumble bee). The collection of the museum contains over 600,000 of coins, medals, stamps, bank notes and so on, from the 14^th century BC, Medieval era, Ottoman Empire to modern times.

The most interesting collection is the Byzantine Empire Justinian II 24K gold coin. Also, the coin hoard from Myrina is also the most intriguing treasure of the museum. With the case, a glazed clay olpe, this coin hoard was discovered in 1970s, it contains 149 silver coins of Aegina-the well-known ‘turtles’ due to the representation either of a sea animal or a land tortoise on the obverse. Those silver coins symbolize various stages of the island’s numismatic production from the mid 6^th to the mid-5^th century BC. With the gallery to gallery, we viewers can realize how the value of coinage has been decaying within the history and time (nowadays our ‘credits’ are depending on papers and plastic). It is always intriguing to study anthropology through a fingertip size of coin.

After the museums, I would like to have a cup of Greek coffee, and indeed, continue shopping in Athens!

Speical Thanks: JMH
#Athens #Greece #museum #archaeological #numismatic #academyofathens 

NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

NUMISMATIC MUSEUM OF ATHENS 

On the Road: Athens, the Beloved Jewel of Athena

May 27-June 4, 2017

Athens, nicknamed as ‘The Old Woman of the Days’, is the eighth largest city in Europe, and one of the oldest metropolitan in the world. Also a centre for the arts, philosophy, architecture, home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, Athens is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Its location makes a pioneer in shipping, finance, commerce, media, entertainment, trade, education and tourism. Located at the west side of the city, Piraeus port is the largest passenger port in Europe and the second largest on globe. This favourite jewel in Athena’s eyes, delivers her delighted spirits, remains the secrets of vicissitudes among the marble streets.

My first glimpse of Athens was from the reading from children’s books and Daily News Taiwan, ‘Depth Travel’ issue. At the age of 13, I contributed my composition ‘Rêve in Athens’ to the junior-high yearbook, and in my freshman year, we had to study Greek Mythology at Introduction of Literature; I gained loads of credits from the seminars of ‘Comparative Mythology’, ‘Greek Tragedy’ and ‘Latin’ for the completion of my academic degrees on Comparative Literature since 2003. I keep discovering the cultural and anthropological meanings behind those Marvel or DC movie heroes by applying the classic heroism studies; therefore, Greek mythology never ever leaves me, or I shall say, I always have the heart for Greece, even though, at the arrival of Athens International Airport, it’s all Greek to me.

And Athens gives me a certain level of impacts. The café and tavern of restaurants are so beautiful with happy diners and blossoms of flower, every turning of Plaka area is a frame of postcard. Alas, there are too many child beggars on the streets in the metro wagons and at the parlor of diners; there are countless friendly stray cats at every corner where we can imagine, they are not dodging, but following all around people instead. On the boulevard, even at the very centre of city, there will be an abandoned hotel, next to a full-packed residential apartment, yet another closed bank, side-by-side with a mini Gyros restaurant, then standing an unfinished concrete structure near a greenery inner yard.

The graffiti is Athens’ wallpapers, coexisting with the kiosks no matter the size of the blocks; Hondos Centre, the department store chain in Greece, the interior design and the product display is as if the time goes back to the 80s. The hotel we stay, is 200 meters away from Omonia metro station, we have no idea why it looks like a Little India, but we just got asked by a young man for the wish of purchasing marijuana while passing by a ruined mansion, at least twice a day (My hubby is very likely to report it to the police of Greece, though).

THE ATHENS RIVIERA

Taking tram from Syntagma metro station, it follows the coastline and we reach to a southern beach area such as Glyfáda or Voúla. So called ‘The Athens Riviera’, it offer breathtaking views and a shopping paradise to visitors. There are numerous free or private, isolated or crowded, pebble or sandy seashores to choose from. Along the shore we find a mini café, which provides the richest flavor of Greek coffee on earth. Lingering all the way for over 3 hours, we do not see any beggars sitting on the floor or any shabby architecture with graffiti. At Voúla beach (final destination: Asklipiio Voulas), we order a glass of beer and fresh squeezed orange juice, bathe under the sunshine, enjoy our chats, watch some young Greek boys swimming half-naked together with the waves. This is Athens, this is ‘c’est la vie’. 

#Athens #Greece #café #citycentre #Glyfáda #Voúla #beach 

On the Road: Athens, Acropolis Atop!

May 28-29, 2017 Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens located on a rocky outcrop that rises 150 meters above sea level in the city of Athens. The word Acropolis comes from ‘akron’ (extremity) and ‘polis’ (city). Homer is assumed to refer to this fortification when he mentions the ‘strong-built House of Erechtheus’ in Odyssey 7.81. This ancient citadel contains Parthenon, Old Temple of Athena, Erechtheion, Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, and Theatre of Dionysus of 21 ancient architectural significances in total. Before the 13^th century BC, an earthquake caused a fissure near the northeastern edge of the Acropolis, and following the invasion of Mycenaean period and Venetian Siege in 1687, was hit by artillery fire and severely damaged.

The Acropolis Restoration Programme began in 1975 and it is on the way of completion. The aim of the restoration is to reverse the decay of centuries of attrition, pollution, destruction from military use and misguided past restorations. At the downhill of the Acropolis, completed in 2007, Acropolis New Museum exhibits the pediment of Parthenon, the unique works of Propylaia, Athena Nike and Erechtheion, also the sculptures carved in Archaic Period (7^th century BC until the end of Persian Wars, 480/79 BC); in the galleries we visitors are able to discover the delicate surface variations of sculptures under the changing of natural lights. My hubby and I spend around 4 hours in the New Museum on raining Sunday, and climb uphill atop to Parthenon on cloudy Monday.

All the way to hilltop requires 2 bottles of water, a comfortable pair of sneakers/espadrilles and loads of our curiosities. We purchase the tickets from the side entrance in order to avoid the tourist crowds. After the entrance, first passing by the Theatre of Dionysus, and all the direction toward north we proceed. At the peak of Acropolis, the wind is blowing approximately 12 m/s; the huge amount of staff are whistling those who try their very best transpassing the defending ropes along Parthenon. We are luckily not dehydrated but suffering non-photogenic moments; therefore, we take the selfie/outfit photos near Odeon of Herodes Atticus, or on the stairs of Theatre of Dionysus (Third Eye Blind’s song ‘God of Wine’ has been humming all the way by me), and only aim at landscape views onto Parthenon and Erechtheion. Viewing the pillars of Earth inspire us the understanding of micro life of a living being, while standing on the top of hill cast all the negative daily burdens away. The grey day provides indirect light, which does not burn our heads, and on photography, it reflect rather less yellow shades on the marble or on our faces, surprisingly a smart choice we made to Acropolis Atop.

On the Road Tip: Climb Acropolis during the cloudy day, visit (any) museum while it burns or rains.

#Athens #Greece #acropolis #Athena #Dionysus #Parthenon #Erechtheion

ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

Fashion Fun Athens! Julia Top, Sandro Blouse & YSL Espadrilles at Acropolis

May 29, 2017 in Athens, Greece

When Helsinki is still raining and hailing harshly, let’s travel to Athens, Greece! Hellas is surely a convenient choice for us, since at first, my hubby and I have never ever been to; secondly, we would like to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and the last but not the least, we crave for more of Vitamin D! After the direct flight was booked in early April, the iPhone weather forecast has been showing ‘Athens’ on my list. The fashion luggage to pack and travel light with me is a pair of light-weight jeans, a pair of leggings, a pair of hot pants, several either pastel tank tops or white camisoles, an off-white T-shirt, a long-sleeve tunic (in order to stay comfortably at air-conditioned cabin or prevent from the burning sunshine), a pair of espadrilles, two pairs of sandals. As for swimwear or underwear, I take some worn-out pieces so I can discard them after use without doing any laundry, without worrying the limited space for the upcoming lovely souvenirs.

For the travel schedule, we agree that during raining days we stay at museums, in sunny days we linger around city of Athens, climb up to the top of Acropolis and go to the beachside and offshore islands. The first two days of arrival are mixed between raining and cloudy moments, so we visit Acropolis Museum on Sunday, and spend almost whole day at Acropolis on Monday. The uphill trip requires a good pair of flat, therefore YSL white-star calf leather espadrilles is the must-have. I choose Finnish trio-designer JULIA pastel tank top (the brand discontinued in 2015), and cover with Sandro 100% cotton off-white tunic (the express delivery just before we departure from Helsinki, because I really would like to purchase something new on my Greek trip), for bottom, I love American Apparel 100% polyester leggings as always (very unfortunately that the second bankruptcy led the brand to the final end in early 2017…..).

As for the options of accessories, Vivienne Westwood Orb mini Burgundy earrings pop up but not dangle around, Chloé off-white acetate sunglasses is perfect for both style and UV protection, and Miu Miu Madras flap sac has been travelling with me since 2016 London trip. Outfit of the day focuses on easiness and comfort, the colour tone is pastel pink, off white and pure black. The SPF lotion/cream is no need on body or limbs since I adapt clothes to prevent from sunburn, while the only part is to apply Chanel Teint Compact Poudre SPF 10 on my cheekbones and T-parts. I have my hairdo half-up in order to spare the time combing my locks while the strong wind blows heavily on the top of the hill.

Acropolis, here I come!

Special Thanks: JMH
#athens #greece #acropolis #chloé #julia #americanapparel #miumiu 

SANDRO

YSL