The Acropolis is a major tourist attraction in Athens. It was the fortified citadel and state sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens. It is located on the top of a rocky hill that rises in the heart of Athens.
View of the Acropolis in Athens Greece.
We climbed the southern slopes of the acropolis exploring the ruins and working our way up the 156 meters to the top.
The base of the southern slope of the Acropolis
We walked up the steep slope looking at the different ruins along the way.
Ruins on the southern slope of the Acropolispath leading up the southern slope of the AcropolisRuins on the slope of the Acropolis
As we made our way up the slope we came to the “Odeon of Herodes Atticus” an amphitheater built in 161 AD which could hold 5,000 people.
The sanctuary and theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the south slope of the acropolis
It was a beautiful amphitheater cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis. It was restored in the 1950’s and is still utilized for theatre and shows to this day.
The sanctuary and theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus
From the back of the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus you can see the skyline of the city of Athens.
Skyline view from the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus
We continued up the slope and came across another amazing theatre.
Shelley, Vicki and Mark at the base of the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus,
This theatre called the Dionysus Eleuthereus and was considered to be the world’s first theatre. It was built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis. and dedicated to the god of wine and plays, “Dionysus”.
The theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus on the southern slope of the Acropolis
The Dionysus was the first theatre ever built, cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis, and supposedly the birthplace of Greek tragedy.
Seats in the theatre of Dionysus
The southern slope of the acropolis had many ruins. We continued walking up the path.
View of the city of Athens from the southern slope of the Acropolis.
We would stop along the way to catch our breath and enjoy the moment and take it all in.
Shelley and Ray on the southern slope of the Acropolis.
The walk up the slope was very enjoyable and we looked forward to seeing the Acropolis at the top.
We explored the Temple of Olympian Zeus located in the centre of Athens. The ancient arch of handrian welcomed us towards the Temple of olympian zeus.
The ancient arch of handrian
We reached the Handian arch and admired the historic icon before continuing towards the Olympian Zeus. The arch commonly known in Greek as Hadrian’s Gate, is a monumental gateway which was created in 131 A.D.
Handian arch in central Athens
We walked towards the entrance of the Olympian Zeus and could see some of the pillars in the distance. It was truly a spectacular view to see this historic site.
The Olympian Zeus monument in Athens Greece.
We entered into the colossal temple area and were completely awed by the enormousness of it.
Shelley and Ray at the Olympian Zeus in Athens, Greece.
We walked through the pillars and ruins looking at the site. It was interesting to think of all the history that occurred here. The temple site was started in the 2nd century BC. It took 638 years to complete and included 104 colossal columns. The Temple was renowned as the largest temple in the ancient world.
Ray in front of the pillar in Olympian Zeus temple in Athen Greece.
We walked through the entire site which was quite large. There were pillars laying on the ground and some that were standing alone.
Olympian Zeus Temple ruins in Athens Greece.
Shelley at the base of a 6th century pillar in the Olympian Zeus Temple, Athens Greece.
We came to an area that was being excavated. They continue to dig and discover archaeological remains.
Archaeological excavation in the Olympian Zeus Temple in Athens Greece.
We finished exploring the Olympian Zeus Temple and started to walk back when we saw an amazing view of the Handrian gate with the Acropolis in the background.
Handrian Gate with the Acropolis in the background.
The experience of walking through the Olympian Zeus Temple was amazing. It will be something we will cherish and remember for years.
We went to explore some of the Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea. We went to the Island of Mykonos which is one of the more popular islands and is located in the Cyclades group of islands.
View of the town of Chora on Mykonos Island
We stayed in the town of Chora which is also referred to as the town of Mykonos. Our hotel was well situated and we had a great view of the city and sea. We enjoyed watching the sun set from the pool area.
The view from our hotel in MykonosPool area at our hotel with views of the sea.Shelley and Ray with view from the hotel poolside.
We went into the old part of town and explored the narrow white washed streets. The white walls and blue trim on the buildings were very stunning.
Ray in the old part of Mykonos.Typical street in the old part of town in Mykonos
There were many unique shops, art stores and restaurants. We explored some of the art shops looking at the unique pieces for sale.
Shelley looking at some art pieces
We explored the town walking along many interesting streets. There were small churches and even a fish cleaning station near the shoreline.
Fish cleaning station on the shoreline in Mykonos.One of the many churches in MykonosTypical street with numerous restaurants in Mykonos.
We explored the town enjoying the spectacular sites and sounds. We found a beautiful little restaurant near the shoreline which provided us with a great view. We stopped and took some time to enjoy the moment.
Ray and Shelley at a restaurant in Mykonos
We enjoyed a glass of wine while looking at the iconic landmarks of the 16th century windmills that sit on the hill in Mykonos.
Semana Santa week in Alicante is full of activities and parades. We participated and enjoyed some of the activities during the Semana Santa.
Procession on the Promenade
We went for a walk down the promenade and came to the procession also known as “penance procession” which was underway. We stopped and watched some of the procession including the Nazarenes dressed in their traditional “Vesta”.
Members of the brotherhood of Nazarene in procession
The history of the Nazarenes dates back to the 16th century. They are members of a brotherhood who do penance during Semana Santa. Their faces are covered for mourning and the colourful clothing represents the cloak that Jesus wore when he was being lead to be crucified.
One of the floats being carried by mourners
The floats or “pasos” which can weight in excess of 500 kgs. (1000 lbs) are carried by people dressed in white hooded gowns. These gowns cover their faces in mourning and represent the shame of sinners for the sins they committed.
The procession was interesting and we watched it for approximately an hour before we left.
Procession Santa Cruz
The second procession we watched is one of the most popular and is held in the narrow streets of Santa Cruz. Thousands of people gather early to get a good spot to watch the procession.
People gathering early to watch the Santa Cruz procession
We were very fortunate to have friends who invited us to watch the procession from their balcony which overlooks the procession. We could see the procession from a great vantage point.
View of the start of the procession from our friend’s balcony
The streets of Santa Cruz are narrow and there is one section in particular which is the narrowest in the procession route. At this section the people carrying the floats (known as the brotherhood) must be very careful to lower the float below the edges of the balconies which line the street.
The floats in Santa Cruz are very heavy and the heaviest one is over a ton. You can see the strain and effort on the people trying to move the float slowly and carefully down the stairs.
Moving the float through the narrowest section of the street
It is considered good luck if you are fortunate enough to touch one of the floats as it passes by. Shelley was able to reach out and touch the statue of Jesus as the float went by.
Shelley touching the arm of the Jesus statue during the Santa Cruz procession.
There are women dressed in black mourning throughout the procession. Some of the mourning women carry symbols of the stations of the cross.
Women in Mourning carrying a crown made of thorns.
The procession in Santa Cruz is very emotional, You can feel the emotions of people as they sing and cheer throughout the procession. It is definitely one of the highlights of the Semana Santa in Alicante.
Below is a video of the procession in Santa Cruz.
Santa Maria Church Procession
We went to a roof top bar to see the Santa Maria procession which begins at the Santa Maria Church. The bar has a great view of the castle of Santa Barbara and overlooks the Santa Maria Church.
Ray and Shelley on the roof top bar with a view of the castle of Santa Barbara
The bar was full of people waiting to see the procession from the rooftop.
People on the roof top waiting to see the procession.
The procession began with the church bells ringing and people on the church roof throwing rose pedals onto the procession.
People throwing rose pedals onto the procession from the church roofProcession float starting the procession out of the Santa Maria Church
The float is carried out of the church while crowds align both sides of the street. We watched from the rooftop as the procession went along the street.
View of the procession float from the rooftop along the street near Santa Maria Church
Below is a video of the procession from the Santa Maria Church.
Each of the three processions were unique and different. We enjoyed each one for their uniqueness and style. Semana Santa is a great time to be in Spain and in particular Alicante.
It was a rainy day in Madrid so we decided to go to the National Museum of Art to see some of the exhibits which included Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and H.C. Westermann.
Entrance to the Museo Reina Sofia
We explored the museum which had many different exhibits. We explored some of the ones which were of interest to us. The first one we went to was the cubism exhibit which featured some famous Spanish artists, including Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.
Bust and Pallet, (1925) Pablo PicassoFace of the great masturbator, (1929)- Salvador Dali
Some of the exhibits were quite unique and interesting, in particular we enjoyed the Horace Clifford Westermann exhibit.
Ray looking at some of the HC Westermann exhibits
He is known for his folkloric sculptures and works on paper with playfulness and humour,
We saw some interesting pieces that were very unique including the “Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea,”
Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea, HC Westermann
We looked at the different pieces and some where quite interesting while others were simply strange.
Antimobile (1966) HC WestermannShelley “just missing the bullseye”“In God we trust” HC WEstermannRobot by HC Westermann
The Museum was well worth the visit and we enjoyed seeing the different styles of art on display.
Ray in mirror art
It was a great way to spend a rainy day in Madrid.
We saw some interesting pieces that were very unique including the “Memorial to the Idea of Man If He Was an Idea,”
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