Athens gardens of October 2020

The Arch of Hadrian is an ancient monument located in Athens, Greece. It was built in honor of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who visited Athens in 131 CE. The arch served as a gateway between the old and new city of Athens, and it marked the boundary between the ancient city and the Roman era developments.

The Arch of Hadrian is a Corinthian-style marble gateway that features two columns on either side of the arch, along with two pilasters. It also includes an inscription on both sides of the arch, one of which reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus," while the other side reads "This is the city of Hadrian, not of Theseus."

The arch was designed to celebrate the relationship between the Roman Empire and Athens. It was also intended to promote Hadrian's image as a benefactor of Athens, as he contributed to the city's development and cultural revival during his reign.

Today, the Arch of Hadrian is a popular tourist attraction and a significant historical and cultural landmark in Athens. It is located in a picturesque area of the city, close to the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Plaka neighborhood. Visitors can walk through the arch and admire its architectural beauty, as well as learn about its historical significance.

An entrance fee to visit the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens In October 202 was 8 euros for adults and 4 euros for reduced admission (students from non-EU countries, visitors over 65 years old, and others). However, it's worth noting that admission fees and policies are subject to change, so it's a good idea to check the official website or contact the site directly for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, discounts may be available for children, large groups, and others.

Opening hours for the site were from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, with the last entry being 30 minutes before closing time. It's essential to remember that the site's opening hours may vary depending on the season, holidays, or other factors, so it's a good idea to check the official website or contact the site directly for the most up-to-date information on working hours.

From the east, you can see the impressive front of the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, with its surviving columns standing tall and proud. The temple's main entrance, once adorned with ornate gates and a towering pediment faces east. This vantage point also offers views of the Arch of Hadrian, a striking contrast to the temple's classical architecture. Beyond the temple, you can see the bustling city of Athens and the slopes of the Hymettus mountain range.

The Temple of Zeus, also known as the Olympieion, is an ancient Greek temple in Athens, Greece. It was dedicated to Zeus, the king of the gods in Greek mythology, and was one of the largest temples in ancient Greece.

Construction of the temple began in the 6th century BCE during the rule of the Athenian tyrant Peisistratos. Still, it was not completed until over 600 years later, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century CE. Several architects designed the temple throughout its construction, and its size and architectural style changed significantly over time.

The temple was built using Pentelic marble and featured 104 Corinthian columns, of which only 15 remain standing today. At its peak, the temple measured 96 meters long and 40 meters wide, making it one of the largest temples in the ancient world. The temple also housed a massive gold and ivory statue of Zeus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Today, the Temple of Zeus is a popular tourist attraction and a significant historical and cultural landmark in Athens. While much of the temple has been destroyed over the centuries, visitors can still see the remaining columns and other architectural features that give a sense of the temple's former grandeur.

The National Garden of Athens, also known as the Royal Garden, was commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838, shortly after she became the queen of Greece. It was designed by the German horticulturist Friedrich Schmidt, who was appointed as the head gardener of the royal palace. Schmidt, along with a team of gardeners, transformed the barren land into a lush and beautiful garden, which was completed in 1840.

The garden covers an area of 15.5 hectares and features a variety of trees, flowers, and plants from around the world, including some rare species. The lake in the garden, which is home to the ducks, was added later in the 1920s.

Throughout its history, the National Garden of Athens has served many purposes, including as a royal garden, a botanical research centre, and a public park. It is located next to the Greek Parliament building and is open to the public daily. Visitors can enjoy a stroll, visit the small zoo, or relax on one of the many benches scattered throughout the garden.

The Terrapin Pond is small in the National Garden of Athens, home to several terrapins, a type of freshwater turtle. The pond is in a quiet corner of the garden, surrounded by trees, shrubs, and flowers, making it a peaceful and relaxing spot to visit.

The pond was originally built in the 19th century as part of the National Garden's landscaping plan. It has since become a popular attraction within the garden, especially for families with children who enjoy watching the terrapins swim and bask in the sun. Visitors can feed the terrapins with approved food, which is sold at nearby kiosks.

The National Garden of Athens is a public park open year-round and free to enter. In addition to the Terrapin Pond, the garden features a variety of other attractions, including a small zoo, a botanical museum, and several other ponds and fountains. It's a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a peaceful oasis in the heart of Athens.

The Botanical Museum of the National Gardens is small in the National Garden of Athens. The museum is housed in a neoclassical building that was once the residence of the garden's head gardener. It showcases a collection of botanical specimens, including plant species from Greece and other parts of the world, a library and a herbarium.

The museum was established in the early 20th century, and its collection includes specimens of flowers, fruits, leaves, and rare and endangered plants. The herbarium houses over 20,000 specimens, including some collected by famous botanists, and serves as a resource for research and educational purposes.

In addition to its collections, the Botanical Museum of the National Gardens also hosts exhibitions and events related to botany and horticulture. The museum is open to the public year-round, and admission is free. It's a great place to learn more about the plant life of Greece and the world, as well as to appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

The Likiou Street exit of the National Garden of Athens is located on the western side of the garden and can lead to different directions depending on which way you go.

If you go northwest on Likiou Street, you can reach the Kolonaki district of Athens. Kolonaki is an upscale neighbourhood known for its designer boutiques, art galleries, and trendy cafes. It's a popular destination for shopping and dining, as well as for its vibrant nightlife.

From the National Garden, the walk to Kolonaki takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on your route, and it offers a pleasant stroll through some of Athens' most picturesque neighbourhoods. Along the way, visitors can also see many historic landmarks and cultural attractions, such as the Benaki Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum.

Barracks of the Evzones, which is the office of the Presidential Guard in Athens, are situated on Irodou Attikou Street, which runs along the northern side of the garden.

The Presidential Guard is responsible for guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is located in front of the Greek Parliament building in Syntagma Square, and for providing ceremonial duties at other official events and locations. The soldiers of the Presidential Guard, known as Evzones, are easily recognized by their traditional uniforms and their iconic ceremonial changing of the guard, which is a popular tourist attraction.

The Benaki Museum is one of the most famous museums in Athens, Greece. It is located in a beautiful neoclassical building in the city's heart, and it features a collection of art and artefacts from ancient to modern times.

As of October 2020, the entrance fee for the museum was 15 euros for adults and 8 euros for reduced admission (senior citizens over 65 years old, students from non-EU countries, and others). Children under 12 years old and disabled visitors can enter for free. However, it's essential to remember that admission fees and policies are subject to change, so it's a good idea to check the official website or contact the museum directly for the most up-to-date information.

The Benaki Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and its working hours vary depending on the season. As of October 2020, the museum was open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Thursday, and from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. However, it's essential to check the official website or contact the museum directly for the most up-to-date information on working hours.

The museum's extensive collection includes art and artefacts from various periods and cultures. The collection consists of ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine art, as well as art from the Islamic world, Asia, and Europe.

In particular, the museum's collection of ancient icons is noteworthy. The collection includes icons from various regions of Greece, dating from the 15th to the 19th century. These icons are made of different materials, such as wood, ivory, and metal, and they offer a glimpse into the rich history of religious art in Greece.

The museum also has a collection of terracotta figurines and small statues made of baked clay. These figurines date back to ancient Greece and showcase the everyday life, mythology, and religious practices of the time. They come in various shapes and sizes and are a fascinating look into ancient Greek art and culture.