Explore Greece’s historical places and experience a journey back in time, whether that means Athens Acropolis or Palamidi fortress, you’re bound to be inspired. These ancient cities will leave you spellbound.
Akrotiri, situated near modern-day Santorini and dating back to the Bronze age, features paved streets and fine pottery; one of its time’s most advanced communities.
Mycenae
Mycenae’s Acropolis is home to one of Europe’s oldest civilizations and known for being Agamemnon’s birthplace; who became one of the key players during Troy’s war against Greece.
Walls surrounding the citadel were constructed using massive blocks of stone that defied ancient peoples’ understanding. Unable to comprehend how such gigantic stones could be moved, ancient people of their day took to calling these walls “Cyclopean”, believing that Greek mythological giants such as Cyclops were responsible for their construction.
Mycenae is famed for many reasons, including the iconic Lion Gate dating back to early 14th c. BCE and serving as one of the most impressive entrances of its type in Greece. Additionally, Aegisthus Tomb is an impressive example of Tholos Tomb construction; used for several millennia until finally being dismantled during late 13th c. BCE destruction.
Akrotiri
Akrotiri’s ruins are covered by a substantial bioclimatic roof to shield them from the harsh winds and sun of its island setting. Visitors can walk along walkways to explore excavated sections of Akrotiri’s prehistoric settlement that was covered with volcanic ash in 16th Century BC.
Akrotiri is sometimes known as the Greek Pompeii for its sophisticated trading community reflected by furniture found there and ceramics depicting ship journeys, exotic flora and fauna as well as frescoes depicting boxers and antelopes.
Starting to be settled during the late Neolithic (4th millennium BC), Aigun first came into being during its later Neolithic (4th millennium BC), it later went on to become one of the Aegean Sea’s major ports, boasting significant trading connections to Crete, Syria and Egypt – with perfectly preserved remains that provide us with a glimpse into life during prehistory.
Delos
Delos was an ancient religious and commercial centre in the Cyclades for much of antiquity. A major meeting spot for trade syndicates, its land once considered sacred enough that no one was permitted to die or give birth there.
Delos was home to an elaborate sanctuary dedicated to Apollo which included temples, treasury buildings and theatre framed by L-shaped stoas; hippodrome, stadium and several palaestras were also located there, alongside a sacred lake guarded by marble lions. At its height Delos was a vibrant and wealthy city where nobles lived in elegant houses with paved courtyards – though power struggles and vulnerabilities led covetous pirates from across Aegean to target it in 1990 before finally becoming UNESCO World Heritage Site status was achieved in 1990.
Pella
Alexander the Great was born and seated in Pella, making it a place of significant political, artistic, and religious activity during antiquity. Its fortified brick walls, new urban Hippodamian grid system, and central ‘agora’ made Pella one of the most significant cities during Hellenic history (5th to 4th centuries BCE).
At this site you will witness some of the first trompe-l’oeil wall murals depicting perspective views, as well as temples dedicated to Aphrodite, Cybele and Dionysus. Furthermore, its pebble mosaic floors depict a lion-griffin attacking a stag – an early motif and one of the earliest forms of animal art.
Located nearby, Aigai Royal Tombs are an UNESCO World Heritage Site which showcase the splendor and grandeur of Macedonian monarchy, featuring golden wreaths, intricate armor and Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
Knossos Palace
Knossos Palace was at the epicenter of Crete’s sophisticated Bronze Age culture between 1600-1400 BCE. As it was King Minos’ palace, Knossos is considered the premier site of Minoan civilization.
At this time, an unusual double-axe weapon called the Labyrinth Axe was discovered; this tool is thought to have been ceremonial use during religious rituals or sacrifices.
Storage was also an integral component of Protopalatial Knossos, as evidenced by long, thin storage rooms located west of the central court. These spaces contained clay jars known as pithoi that held food items like olives, beans and grains and can now be found at Heraklion National Archaeological Museum.
