This tholos tomb with stone dome, the
largest known, was plundered in antiquity. An access passage (dromos), bordered
by a peudo-isodome wall, leads to a façade 10.5 metres (34 feet) high. The door
opens on to a rotunda, 14.6 metres (48 feet) in diameter and 13.5 metres (44
feet) high, with a masonry domed vault of 33 regular courses; some blocks bore
a metal decoration, probably of 'patera' form. This door has a pyramidal shape
which is also found in Egypt, and which reappears in classical architecture.
The lintel is made up of two enormous blocks; the inner one weighs about 120
tons. The void triangle above it is characteristic of Mycenaean architecture:
it serves to deflect the thrusts of the upper part of the building on to the
supports of the door. No other Mycenaean building can boast such exact stone
cutting, nor such refined proportions; not for another 1,000 years in Greece
was such technical perfection put at the service of such a grandiose
architectural design.
Olympia is one of my favorite’s
archaeological sites in all of Greece. You can almost feel the magic of the
ancient Olympic Games and service as you stroll around the ruins.
The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC
and reached their height of popularity in 576 BC. The festival was open to only
Greek born men but later Romans were allowed to compete most likely because
they were running the country by then. Slaves and women were not even allowed
to be spectators and women caught sneaking in were thrown off a cliff. The
events included foot races, wrestling, discus, javelin, long-jump, horse and
chariot racing, and a type of boxing called pancratium. There were not only
athletic events but also writing, poetry and history readings, plus business
transactions and treaties were made between leaders of city-states.
Meteora is an area in Thessaly (Central
Greece) and Kalampaka is the city under
the rock towers of Meteora. The thing that
makes Meteora so special is the monasteries on the top of the rock towers. The
monasteries, the amound of peaks to climb and the paths for hiking brings in
Meteora the whole year many tourists.
The Delphi Museum is situated right next to
the ancient site of Delphi, and is a fascinating museum, filled with truly
remarkable artifacts, statues and findings from excavations that have taken
place in the site of Delphi. The main building of the museum is a shining white
marble structure that is very modern, considering the ancient site next door
that dates back thousands of years.
On approaching the museum from the walk
from the entrance/exit of the archaeological site, you will follow a small path
that passes through several relics and tombs located outside of the museum.
Rhodes (Rhodos or Rodos in Greek), lies
between Crete and the near East in the Aegean ocean. Rhodes is the biggest of
the Dodecanese islands. Named the sun island or island of light there are
hardly any days when the sun doesn't shine. With its subtropical climate and
over 3.000 hours of sun per year you can be guaranteed a good tan on your
holiday. Rhodes is one of the most popular holiday islands in Greece - even
Greeks themselves come to Rhodes for a holiday from the mainland.
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