Άνοιξε το Ακρωτήρι στη Σαντορίνη – Akrotiri in Santorini is now open
Ο προϊστορικός οικισμός στο Ακρωτήρι είναι ένας από τους λόγους να νιώθουμε περήφανοι σαν Έλληνες. Ο τεράστιος χώρος είναι εντυπωσιακός και συγκινητικός -ειδικά αν έρθεις μόνος σου και τον πετύχεις χωρίς πολυκοσμία και γκρουπ τουριστών.
Κάτω από το τεράστιο στέγαστρο έχουν στηθεί ξύλινοι διάδρομοι που διατρέχουν το χώρο και περνάς δίπλα από όλα τα ανεσκαμμένα κομμάτια, έτσι ώστε για πρώτη φορά βλέπουμε από κοντά τα κτίσματα του προϊστορικού οικισμού και ευρήματα (πιθάρια, σκεύη κ.α). Σίγουρα χρειάζεται πολλά ακόμη (σήμανση, καλύτερη φύλαξη, πιο εκπαιδευμένο προσωπικό κ.α.) αλλά ήδη είναι πολύ σημαντικό ότι μετά από τόσα χρόνια τον αντικρίζουμε ξανά. Είναι πραγματικά απίστευτο το θέαμα και δικαίως θεωρείται εντυπωσιακούς αρχαιολογικούς χώρους στην Ελλάδα.
Για περισσότερες φωτογραφίες, ρίξτε μια ματιά στη γκαλερί μας στο Flickr.
The prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri is one of the reasons we are proud to be Greeks. The huge area is impressive and touching, especially if you happen to visit it by yourself without the presence and the noise of many other tourists and groupies.
Wooden passageways have been set up under the large shed so that visitors are able to pass around every excavated piece; it is the first time that prehistoric findings such as jars, pots, irons etc are exposed to the public. There is definitely space for further improvement; however it is very important that after so many years we are able to visit Akrotiri again. The view is magnificent and proves that Akrotiri is fairly thought as one of the most exciting archaeological sites in Greece.
The most prominent archaeological site in Santorini -and one of the most important archaeological sites in the Aegean– is Akrotiri and the findings of the excavations that began in 1967. Akrotiri (Promontory) is located at the southwestern tip of the island, 15 km from Fira. It is a real promontory, with sheer cliff shores stretching three miles west of the southernmost part of Santorini. After several years, the archaeological site re-opened for the visitors since April 2012, after the new roof was in place.
THE BIG EXCAVATION
The first signs of habitation in Akrotiri date back to the Late Neolithic Period (at least from the 4th millennium BC). By the Early Bronze Age (3rd millennium BC), there was a settlement in Akrotiri that was expanded in the Middle and Late Bronze Age (20th-17th centuries BC) becoming one of the main urban centres of the Aegean.
Covering about 50 acres, the settlement had a very well-planed infrastructure and an elaborate sewage system. Imported products found inside the buildings prove that Akrotiri was well developed, held strong ties with Minoan Crete and conducted business with the Greek mainland, the Dodecanese, Cyprus, Syria and Egypt.
The growth of the town ended abruptly at the end of the 17th century BC, when its inhabitants left due to powerful seismic foreshocks. Then, the volcano erupted, and volcanic material covered the town and the rest of the island, preserving the buildings and their contents to this day.
For extra pics have a look in our gallery on Flickr.
The Labour of Hercules in the ancient Stymfalos
The Greek mythology is still alive; every place in Greece has its own tale to tell, every single stone hides a whole story. Half god, half man, he still wanders around the lake Stymfalia, firing arrows towards the horrendous birds with the iron wings!
The fifth out of twelve Labours of Hercules in the Greek mythology is about the Stymphalian birds, countless monstrous raptors, “nurslings of god Ares” that used to hunt around the lake Stymfalia. They were shooting their iron wings like arrows, polluting and destroying the crops around the ancient town of Stymfalos and they were feeding with human flesh.
When Hercules arrived at the lake armed with his bow, the birds found refuge in the swamplands’ reeds, where he could not follow. He therefore asked the goddess Athena for assistance and she provided him with two copper rattles created by Hephaestus especially for the task. Hercules used the rattles to frighten the birds which flew away from their hideout; he then killed most of them by using his bow.
A big part of the ancient Stymfalos (check it here on Google maps) lies now almost sunken in the lake. It is estimated that the city was built before the 5th century BC and its layout was Hippodamian, i.e. a grid plan complete with blocks. The part which is visible at the lake’s shores is the Hellenistic one, including the stadium, the arenas, the theatre, etc. The most interesting part is that in the Akropolis of the ancient Stymfalos (i.e. the hill over the archaeologic site) arrows made of iron were found, which were quite rare at that time in Greece, catapult projectiles as well as a part of the catapult itself!
According to professor Hector Williams who supervised the excavation works there from 1982 to 1985, the men of the ancient Stymfalos were trained in martial arts and were famous, skilled mercenaries.
Off for hiking in Parnitha
Fires and other human activities have taken their toll on the natural beauty of Parnitha; however, the mountain has yet to offer plenty of paths that surpass 200 kilometres in terms of length and run across every slope. Get yourselves a good map and explore them!
Funicular – Shelter Mpafi
- Distance: 5.6 km
- Time (non-stop): 2h 25’
Shelter Mpafi is located at 1,160 m in the Mpafi region, north of the gorge Chounis and belongs to E.O.S. Athinon (tel. 0030 210 3212429).
Thrakomakedones – Shelter Flampouri
- Distance: 3.2 km
- Time (non-stop): 2h
This shelter is located at 1,158 m (on the top of the hill that bears the same name) and belongs to E.O.S. Acharnon (tel. 0030 210 2461528).
Region of Fyli – Rema Giannoulas
- Distance: 2.5 km
- Time (non-stop): 1h (2h including return trip)
Known as “Giannoulas’ path”, this gully emanates from the western part of the peripheral Parnitha road and the fountain Goula around 820 m; after 20 km it flows into Elefsina bay.
Region of Fyli – Pan’s path
- Distance: 10.5 km
- Time (non-stop): 5h
In antiquity, Pan’s cave was the most important place of worship on mount Parnitha; on the north, the towers and the fortresses protecting it from the attacks. It consists of two halls which are connected via a short passage. The path follows the route: Kliston Monastery – Pan’s cave – fountain Tamilthi – Rema Giannoulas and back to the starting point.
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Παρότι ταλαιπωρημένη από τις κάθε είδους ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες και τις φωτιές, η Πάρνηθα έχει μονοπάτια που ξεπερνούν συνολικά τα 200 χλμ. και διατρέχουν όλες τις πλευρές του βουνού. Εξοπλιστείτε με έναν καλό χάρτη και εξερευνήστε τα.
Τελεφερίκ - Καταφύγιο Μπάφι
- Απόσταση: 5,6 χλμ.
- Χρόνος χωρίς στάσεις: 2 ώρες 25’
Το Καταφύγιο Μπάφι βρίσκεται στα 1.160 μ., στη θέση Μπάφι, βόρεια της χαράδρας της Χούνης και ανήκει στον Ε.Ο.Σ Αθηνών (τηλ. 210 3212429).
Θρακομακεδόνες – Καταφύγιο Φλαμπούρι
- Απόσταση 3,2 χλμ.
- Χρόνος χωρίς στάσεις 2 ώρες
Το καταφύγιο αυτό στα 1.158 μ. (στην ομώνυμη κορυφή) ανήκει στον Ε.Ο.Σ Αχαρνών (τηλ. 210 2461528).
Στην περιοχή της Φυλής - Ρέμα Γιαννούλας (Το μονοπάτι της Γιαννούλας)
- Απόσταση: 2,5 χλμ.
- Χρόνος χωρίς στάσεις: 1 ώρα (2 ώρες με επιστροφή)
Το ρέμα αυτό πηγάζει από τη δυτική πλευρά του περιφερειακού δρόμου της Πάρνηθας, από το ύψος της πηγής Γκούρα, στα 820 μ. Μετά από 20 χλμ. εκβάλει στον κόλπο της Ελευσίνας.
Το μονοπάτι του Πανός
- Απόσταση: 10,5 χλμ.
- Χρόνος χωρίς στάσεις: 5 ώρες
Κατά την αρχαιότητα το σπήλαιο του Πανός υπήρξε ο σπουδαιότερος λατρευτικός χώρος στην Πάρνηθα όπου υπήρχαν φρούρια και πύργοι για να προφυλάσσονται από τις εκ βορρά επιθέσεις. Αποτελείται από 2 αίθουσες που συνδέονται μεταξύ τους με ένα χαμηλό πέρασμα. H διαδρομή έχει ως εξής: μονή Κλειστών –Σπήλαιο Πανός – Πηγή Ταμίλθι – Ρέμα Γιαννούλας και επιστροφή στην αφετηρία.
This picture makes you wonder. We are in the region of Thace and the archaeological site is called Mesimvria-Zoni. Somewhere in the coast between Alexandroupoli and Komotini this remarkable ancient town proves that Greeks from Thace were an exceptional tribe. They actually invented in-house air conditioning ages ago!
We are looking at the floor of a house. This part was covered with soil and these pitchers (kanatia or κανάτια in Greek) gather the humidity during winter and release it back in the summer.
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