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Acropolis
The Parthenon, built on the Acropolis rock in 450 b.c. is
still a sepctacular site and is visible from almost any
location in Athens. Dedicated to the Goddess Athena(the
Virgin), it ihas survived many wars and a 400-year Turkish
occupation. Now being restored and protected from further
deterioration, the Parthenon is enjoyed by thousands of
visitors each year.
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Aegina
This picturesque harbor is on the island of Aegina. It is
one of the closest islands to Athens and is a popular destination
for tourists and Athenians alike. Relaxing at the harbor
Zaxaroplasteon(dessert shop) is a favorite pastime. The
prominent harbor church is name Panayitsa or Mother Mary. |
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Andikira
Greece is full of beautiful coastlines and harbors.
The colorful fishing boats in this picture are fom the small
town of Andikira located in Central Greece. The sheltered
harbor optens to the Gulf of Corinth |
Artemonas
Artemonas is a charming town on the Island of Sifnos.
This picturesque alley is typical of those found on this
small hilly island, renowned for its pottery, poetry and
restaurants.
Venetian houses
with ornate chimneys add to the attractiveness of the
island which has become the most popular destination in
the Western Cyclades.
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Corfu
Corfu is part of the Ionian Islands. It is one of Greece's
most popular destinations and attracts thousands of visitors
each year.
This view shows
the Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna situated on a tiny
islet and connected to the shore by an iron bridge. A
gift shop supports and helps preserve the monastery but
there are no longer resident nuns. Mouse Island, home
of Pontikonisi Chapel can be seen in the background.
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Corinth
Ancient Corinth owed it's importance to its location. The
town controlled the four mile wide isthmus, the only land
route into the Peloponnese. The Temple of Apollo was built
about 540 B.C. and is an excellent example of Doric architecture.
The area is prone to earthquakes and only seven of the original
columns survive. |
Courtyard
We stumbled upon this picturesque couryard while exploring
the old market place in the harbor town of Hora on the island
of Naxos. Modern times find numerous cafes and gift shops
in the maze of small streets(designed originally to thwart
easy passage through the town by pirates and invaders).
The name on the sign of this shop pays tribute to Ariathni,
daughter of King Minos of Crete. She helped Theseus, later
Kind of Athens, kill the dreaded Minator of Knossos. Popular
belief has it that Ariathni ran off with Theseus and headed
for Athens but while getting provisions for the ship, Theseus
abandoned her on the island where she become known as Ariathni
of Naxos. |
Fiskardo
Fiscardo is a prot village on the island of Cephalonia.
Summer brings many visitors to this attractive area. Port
side buildings display traditional colors and the picturesque
harbor is berth to yachts from near and far. |
Galixidi
Galaxithi is a beautiful little old port town in central
Greece, situated in the gulf of Korinth. The 18th &
19th centuries saw great prosperity for ship owners in this
town and during that time many fine mansions were built.
Trade was lost to the competition from steamboats but the
beautiful buildings remain as a reminder of past glory |
Hydra
Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands. It's proximity make
it a popular destination for day tours from Athens. The
harbor town is also named Hydra. All around the bay picturesque
white houses are interspersed with great stone mansions
built by shipping wealth from past centuriees. Colorful
shops line the quay, but the 18th century clock tower from
the Monastery of Panagia dominates the view. |
Karyes
These great oaks are in teh Karyes on the Peloponnese.
They are held in high regard because of their age and
size. One of the oaks which has become hollow over the
years was used to house a tiny kafenion from which coffee
was served during church events.
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Mani
Mani is an arid isolated region loacted in the Southern
Peloponnese, where stunted olive trees and prickly pears
survive. Descendents of the ancient Sparta lived in the
area and in the Middle Ages were joined by refugees from
the Byzantium nobility. They established a local aristocracy
and formed competing clans with rights to erect tower
mansions up to five stories high to use in combat. Poor
resouces spurred banditry and blood feuds which lasted
for years.
The invading
Ottomans chose to encourage the feuding rather than rule
Mani directly and appointed a "bey" from the
clans so to oversee the region. Petros Mavromihalis united
the clans while instigating the Greeek uprising of 1821
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Meteora
Meteora is the site of an important group of monasteries
in Central Greece. Their history can be traced from the
11th Century when hermits settled there.
The
Holy Monastery of Saint Rousanou was founded around 1560.
Until recent times access to the buildings was by a rope
basket which was lowered by the monks using a pulley system.
People and supplies were raised and lowered from the balcony
at the right of the building.
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Minoan Urn
Corlorful dolphins, coral and fish decorate this vase. It
is a modern day replica of a style that was produced in
Minoan times. The original vases were probably produced
around the area of Santorini. They were used for storatge
of staples like olive oil, wine and almonds. |
Mystras
Mystras is located on teh Peloponesse close to Sparta.
Byzantine architecture from the 13th & 14th centuries
is abundant and records show that the 1448 a.d. the last
emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI Paleologos was crowned
there.
In 1834 a.d.
thirteen years after liberation from the Ottoman Empire
the modern city of Spart was founded marking the end of
the old town's life.
This scen shows
Our Lady Evangelistria(of the Annunciation)
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Nafplio
Local tradition tells that Nafplio was founded by the son
of the sea god Poseidon. It is situated on the gulf of Argolis
in the Eastern Peloponnese. It has been an important town
since the early 13th century when the Byzantines repopulated
the area. Subsequent invaders have built and refortified
the town and it still has well preserved fortresses and
buildings from many eras. Below the fortifications are the
narrow old streets with beatiful old houses. Its proximity
to Athens makes it a popular weekend destination. |
Naoussa
The Island of Paros in the Cylcades is the location of
Naousa, a bustling fishing village nestled in a natural
harbor.
Seafood restaurants
with outdoor seating line the small quay and the busy
commotion of the sunny day gives way to a tranquil ambience
as the quay transforms into a poplual restaurant destination.
Diners and an occasional wandering cat savor the bounty
of the sea confident in its freshness. Lights glimmer
over the water as the colorful boats sway to the sound
of the water lapping at their side
The harbor
is a perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day.
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Naxos Boats
The island of Naxos in the Cyclades group is home
to these colorful fishing boats. They are owned by fishermen
from the small village of Apollo. A couple of small restaurants
on the beach serve food and drinks, under a covered patio.
It is an ideal location to sit and enjoy the view after
a day at the beach.
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Pandanassa
The Monastery of Our Lady of Pandanassa(The Queen of all)
has a church of mixed architecture featuring exterior porticos
and a bell tower. The monastery is in the Mystras region
close to Sparta. Conservation and preservation of wall paintings
has been a priority of this region. The sanctuary has fine
wall paintings dated around 1430 a.d. and others on the
site are from the 18th century. |
Patmos
Patmos is the most northerly of the Dodecanese group of
islands. It is a beautiful island that has maintained its
religious traditions and has many monasteries and churches.
The Book of Revelations in The Bible was written on the
island by John the Evangelist. An important monastery on
the island honors his name. Residents take great pride in
the island and many of the old houses have been restored. |
Proussos
This church nestled into the steep rock houses the miraculous
icon "Panagia Proussiotissa" which is much revered
by locals for its powers. The church which dates from
1754 a.d. is the domed-cross type and features a small
crypt located on the west side that can be adjusted to
be used as a side chapel.
The monastery
of which it is part is in the Evritania region of West
Central Greece and is one of only a few that were saved
in the region
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Santorini
This volcanic island in the Cyclades has a unique geography
resulting from an eruption long ago of the still active
volcano. during the eruption the cone exploded and fell
back into the sea leaving a partly submerged cone surrounded
by the remains of the now crescent shaped island. On one
side small homes are built on the steep edge of the rock
face. Many of the homes have rooms carved out of the pumice
stone rock left by the volcano. The other side of the island
slopes gently to the sea from black volcanic beaches. Small
family churches are dotted amongst the white homes, their
blue domes sparkling in the bright summer sun. |
Santorini Sunrise |
Spetse
Septse is one of the Saronic Islands, a group that is
close to Athens. Away from the busy harbor are fine beaches
and cool pine forests. This is a small island and ideal
for taking pleasant walks through the narrow streets, where
fine old villas with pretty gardens can be found. |
St. Gregory
Mount Athenos in Norther Greece is a peninsula which is
home to many monasteries. St. Gregory is built on the
southwest side by the sea and is one of the smaller monasteries
on the peninsula.
The monastery
was founded in the 14th century and rebuilt after a fire
in 1761 a.d. There are ten chapels and also living aquarters
for the seventy or so monks in residence. Visitors are
welcome but access to the area is restricted to males
only.
Among the more
important icons in the church is that of Saint Nicholas.
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Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki was founded in 315 b.c. and was named after
the sister of Alexander the Great. It is Greece's second
largest city and capital of the Macedonian region. Many
ancient and historic buildings still exist, including the
White Tower, which is the most prominent feature of the
harbor. |
Warm Welcome
Two small boys, welcome Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.
They are wearing the
traditional costume of the evzones; the Greek National Guard.
The background
has been changed to depict a small monastery and seascape
typical of Greece. |
