Spend an exciting morning and / or evening in Greece capital city with an expert photographer learning how to make great photographs while visiting Athens' beautiful places and international landmarks.

What you will learn:

• how to work with light and shadows, color and forms in a creative way
• how to use photographic techniques to advantage
• and how to be ready to take great photos any time you go out with your

1st TOUR

HILLS AND DEMES (MUNICIPALITIES) OF ANCIENT ATHENS

STARTING POINT: Thisio Station - Upper Exit

ENDING POINT:Monastiraki Station

Tuesday and Friday :

June + July  6:30pm - 9:30pm  

August 6:00 - 9:00pm  

Sept + October  4:30pm - 7:30pm

CLOSE OUT DATES : National Holidays

PEDESTRIAN AREA OF APOSTOLOU PAVLOU ST:
This pedestrian area unites the major archaeological sites of Athens : the Hill of the Nymphs (Pnyx) and the Hill of the Muses (Philopappou), the Areopagus, the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysus, and the Parilissian area (the Olympieion). At the same time, it incorporates some popular venues, such as the Odeion of Herodes Atticus and the Acropolis Museum ( still under construction).

OBSERVATORY:
Built on the Hill of the Nymphs with a donation by George Sinas, and designed by Theophilos Hansen, it was opened on June 26th , 1842, a day when there was a solar eclipse.Upon seeing the finished structure, the architect was immensely impressed, and left an inscription on the building: "Servare Intaminatum" (to be kept intact). Today, in the same area, one can see also the Seismological Institute.

ANCIENT DEME (MUNICIPALITY) OF MELITI:
Situated between the Agoraios Kolonos, the Areopagos and the Pnyx, which was once part of the Deme. Meliti and the neighboring deme of Koili were major demes of classical times.

HILL OF THE NYMPHS - PNYX:
A 105m-high hill that looks like an extension of the Hill of the Muses. From the end of the 6th century BC, it gradually came to be the official location for the meetings of the Athenian popular assembly.
From early antiquity on, this was a site sacred to the Nymphs. Strangely enough, the Nymphs never lost their place in popular legend, unlike the gods of Olympus that Christianity displaced. According to legend, the Nymphs are masters of nature, and also can master the souls, and even the minds of mortals. People are no longer described as captured by the Nymphs (the ancient "Nymphopliktoi"), but by the fairies!...

ANCIENT FORTIFICATIONS:
In the last quarter of the 4th century BC, on the ridges of the hills and in- between the Hill of the Nymphs and the Hill of Philopappou, a new wall was built, namely the diateihisma. Also constructed at the same time, and to the northwest of the diateihisma, were the Gates of Meliti, that lead in to Meliti, and the "Dipylon over the Gates", visible on the street close to the Church of Aghios Dimitrios Loumbardiaris.

ANCIENT DEME OF KOILI:
This began from the Pnyx but, on the outer side of the later diateihisma, and extended to the southwest of the hill.Until the 4th century BC, it was one of the most densely populated areas in ancient Athens. After the diateihisma was built (last quarter of the 4th century BC) it was gradually abandoned. By the beginning of the 2nd century BC, the whole area had turned into a huge cemetery.

CHURCH OF AGHIOS DIMITRIOS LOUMBARDIARIS:
A 15th century barrel vaulted single aisled basilica, restored by the architect Dimitris Pikionis in 1955. It preserves murals that date from 1735.

HILL OF THE MUSES - PHILOPAPPOU:
In 1954-1957, the architect and thinker Dimitris Pikionis formed a wonderful area for viewing the Acropolis from the hill of Philopappou. He also created the approach pathways to the Acropolis, the Areopagus and the Hills of the Nymphs and of the Muses. The pathways are an artistic achievement in themselves and the planting around them sensitive. Dimitris Pikionis was a major figure in the history of Greek architecture who drew on Greek tradition but was also influenced by the simplicity of Japanese aesthetics. His desire was that the hill of Philopappos should remain freely accessible alike to Athenians and visitors, as indeed it is up to today.

ANCIENT DEME OF COLYTTOS:
At the meeting point of the Apostolou Pavlou and Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian areas with the cobble stoned paths of the architect Dimitris Pikionis that lead to Philopappou and the Acropolis respectively and, east of Apostolou Pavlou St, we may admire the ancient street of this Deme, architectural remains from the classical period and late antiquity, houses, and sanctuaries. Noteworthy are the Sanctuary of Dionysus, the "Vakcheion" (2nd century AD) and the "Amyneion"(very similar to the Asclepion), dedicated to Amynos, a doctor - hero.

DIONYSIOU AREOPAGITOU PEDESTRIAN AREA:
The second part of the "Great Peripatos" under the Acropolis.

THEATRE OF HERODES ATTICUS:
This building is adjacent to Eumenes' Stoa, and a perfect match for it, although built almost four centuries later (in 160-1 AD ), by Herodes son of Atticus, in memory of his wife Regilla. The roof that once covered this monumental and luxurious structure was of cedar wood. The Odeion was burnt down by the Herules in 267 AD. During the period of Ottoman rule, it was incorporated along with Eumenes' Stoa, into the city walls built by Hasekis (1778), and formed the impregnable "Serpenze". The Odeion seats 5,000 people and still hosts musical and theatrical performances today.

SANCTUARY OF THE NYMPH:
Situated in front of the Herodes Atticus Theatre, below and next to the pedestrian area level.Numerous offerings were found inside the sanctuary, mostly loutroforoi, par excellence vases for the marriage ceremony. Most probably, these were votive gifts by the virgins of Athens, who wished the favour of the Nymphs in order to achieve happiness in their marriage. Some say that the sanctuary was associated with the cult of Ersi, an Athenian princess and daughter of Cecrops, and the Nymph of dew and greenery, of marriage and offspring. Alternately it may have been associated with the cult of the goddess Aphrodite, that replaced the cult of Ersi.

CLOCK OF ANDRONICUS CYRRISTOS or TOWER OF THE WINDS:
An intriguing structure that had a hydraulic mechanism. This 1st –century-BC octagonal tower was built by Andronicus, an astronomer from the Syrian city of Cyrros, a city founded by the Macedonian Seleucides in the 3rd century BC. It is a combination of a weather vane, a sundial, and a hydraulic clock. The relief sculptures depicting the winds and their symbols are impressive. In early Christian times, it is thought to have been consecrated and converted to a Baptistery.
In the 18th century, the clock became the "Mevlevi Teke" ( a site for Sufi ceremonies), and was filled with green flags and other Islamic symbols. Every Friday, it witnessed the impressive "sema" (ceremonial dance) of the Dervishes.

ROMAN AGORA:
The natural extension of the ancient Greek Agora, built in the second half of the 1st century BC, with donations from Julius Caesar and Augustus.
The Agora building (111 X 98 m. ) had a large rectangular atrium surrounded by stoas, shops, and storerooms. The Ionic peristyle that survives dates from the 2nd century AD. The best preserved sections of the colonnades stand on the south and east sides. In excellent condition is the west entrance, known as the Gate of Athena Archegetis. On the south sides, one sees the remains of a fountain and a stairway that presumably led to an upper floor (maybe to the Agoranomion which supervised the market). A second propylon – of the Ionic order – and a row of shops mark the east side, while on the north one still sees the remains of the Vespasianae (public latrines; 1st century AD).
The Roman Agora became even more significant after the terrible destruction of Athens by the Herules (267 AD ), after which many activities of the Ancient Agora were transferred to the Roman Agora.

HADRIAN'S LIBRARY:
A rectangular building (122 x 82m) built in 132 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Seen from above, it formed a peristyle courtyard ( that is with a colonnade ), with special rooms for keeping papyri and books, lecture halls, etc. The impressive structure was partly destroyed by the Herules in 267 AD. It was repaired at the beginning of the 5th century AD. At the same time, a beautiful quatrefoil church was constructed on the grounds of the atrium, a luxurious structure with exquisite mosaics, thought to be the work of the empress Athenais- Eudocia.

TZISDARAKI MOSQUE:
Built in 1759 by Tzisdarakis, then Voevod of Athens, who removed the 17th column from the Olympieion, and turned it into lime to build the mosque. After this act, the Sultan appointed a new Voevod in his place! The Mosque now houses the wonderful collection of ceramics of the Greek Folt Art Museum, a donation of V. Kyriazopoulos.

KAPNIKAREA:
Church dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple.
The name " Kapnikarea" probably ownes its origin to the profession of the proprietor-donor of the church, a "Kapnikaris" (hearth tax collector). The tax referred to the hearth and chimney in each household. It is a church of exceptional beauty that came close to being demolished four times, and four times was saved thanks to the Bavarian King Ludwig I , the father of Otho.
Today, the church belongs to Athens University and is famous for its chant.
Most of the paintings inside the church are the work of the important painter Photis Kontoglou, in 1955.

FETHIYE DJAMI – MOSQUE OF THE CONQUEROR:
Built in the 16th century, on the ruins of an early Christian basilica, within which a small mihrab had been formed for the visit of Mehmet II the Conquer in 1458. That is how the present building obtained its name.
After the capture of Athens by Morosini (October 1687) , and during the five-month Venetian rule, it was transformed into a Catholic Church, dedicated to Saint Dionysios. After the first liberation of Athens, and until the early 20th century it was adjacent to an army bakery. It is considered one of the oldest and finest Ottoman monuments in Athens.

---

2nd TOUR

WALK ON THE PATH OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS

STARTING POINT:Entrance to Acropolis Station (Makrigianni Street)

ENDING POINT: Thisio Station

Wednesday and Thursday : 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

KYDATHINEON ST:
Named after the "Kydathineon", an aristrocratic deme of ancient Athens. In medieval times it was known as «Platea rouga tou Aligomou».

LYSICRATES' MONUMENT:
The only choregic monument that remains intact today, and acts as an emblem for the whole Plaka district. It was built by the choregos (sponsor) Lysicrates (334 BC) in a style resembling the Corinthian order. The bronze choragic tripod (bearing a cauldron) was awarded to the sponsor of the winning plays in the theatrical contest, who then gilded the tripod and mounted it on a monument, to commemorate his victory. From 1669 until Kioutachi's siege of the Acropolis (1826-1827), the monument adorned the Monastery of the French Capuchins, initially as a chapel, and later as a library.

TRIPODON ST:
Pausanias in the second century BC names the street "Tripodes" and informs us that this was a very popular street for the ancient Athenians, since it was here they took their walks, in the shadow of the Acropolis. Tripodon Street was 6-8 meters wide and 800 meters long. It joined the Prytanion - whose position has not yet been established - with the Theatre of Dionysus, forming a rough semicircle. The street owed its name to the choragic tripods with mounted cauldrons that stood on miniscule temples or on columns, along the sides of the street. An important part of the ancient Tripodon Street coincides with the modern street of the same name and the Lysikratous Square in Plaka.

ANAFIOTIKA:
The old houses under the north section of the Acropolis.
This section of Plaka actually creates the impression of an island with its small white-washed houses built amidst the rocks, narrow meandering steep streets and steps, stone walls and gardens filled with flowers. According to tradition, the first builders of the area, during the modern era, were two homeless workers from Anafi who smuggled the necessary building materials and built two rooms for their families in a matter of days. When police arrived on the scene, they didn't have the heart to send them away. The same method was followed by the rest of the Anafi islanders as well as other newcomers, the majority of which were skilled craftsmen, builders and marble cutters who worked at the numerous construction sites throughout Athens.

CLOCK OF ANDRONICUS CYRRISTOS or TOWER OF THE WINDS:
An intriguing structure that had a hydraulic mechanism. This 1st -century-BC octagonal tower was built by Andronicus, an astronomer from the Syrian city of Cyrros, a city founded by the Macedonian Seleucides in the 3rd century BC. It is a combination of a weather vane, a sundial, and a hydraulic clock. The relief sculptures depicting the winds and their symbols are impressive. In early Christian times, it is thought to have been consecrated and converted to a Baptistery.
In the 18th century, the clock became the "Mevlevi Teke" ( a site for Sufi ceremonies), and was filled with green flags and other Islamic symbols. Every Friday, it witnessed the impressive "sema" (ceremonial dance) of the Dervishes.

ROMAN AGORA:
The natural extension of the ancient Greek Agora, built in the second half of the 1st century BC, with donations from Julius Caesar and Augustus.
The Agora building (111 X 98 m. ) had a large rectangular atrium surrounded by stoas, shops, and storerooms. The Ionic peristyle that survives dates from the 2nd century AD. The best preserved sections of the colonnades stand on the south and east sides. In excellent condition is the west entrance, known as the Gate of Athena Archegetis. On the south sides, one sees the remains of a fountain and a stairway that presumably led to an upper floor (maybe to the Agoranomion which supervised the market). A second propylon - of the Ionic order - and a row of shops mark the east side, while on the north one still sees the remains of the Vespasianae (public latrines; 1st century AD).
The Roman Agora became even more significant after the terrible destruction of Athens by the Herules (267 AD ), after which many activities of the Ancient Agora were transferred to the Roman Agora.

HADRIAN'S LIBRARY:
A rectangular building (122 x 82m) built in 132 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian. Seen from above, it formed a peristyle courtyard ( that is with a colonnade ), with special rooms for keeping papyri and books, lecture halls, etc. The impressive structure was partly destroyed by the Herules in 267 AD. It was repaired at the beginning of the 5th century AD. At the same time, a beautiful quatrefoil church was constructed on the grounds of the atrium, a luxurious structure with exquisite mosaics, thought to be the work of the empress Athenais- Eudocia.

TZISDARAKI MOSQUE:
Built in 1759 by Tzisdarakis, then Voevod of Athens, who removed the 17th column from the Olympieion, and turned it into lime to build the mosque. After this act, the Sultan appointed a new Voevod in his place! The Mosque now houses the wonderful collection of ceramics of the Greek Folt Art Museum, a donation of V. Kyriazopoulos.

KAPNIKAREA:
Church dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple.
The name " Kapnikarea" probably ownes its origin to the profession of the proprietor-donor of the church, a "Kapnikaris" (hearth tax collector). The tax referred to the hearth and chimney in each household. It is a church of exceptional beauty that came close to being demolished four times, and four times was saved thanks to the Bavarian King Ludwig I , the father of Otho.
Today, the church belongs to Athens University and is famous for its chant.
Most of the paintings inside the church are the work of the important painter Photis Kontoglou, in 1955.

FETHIYE DJAMI - MOSQUE OF THE CONQUEROR:
Built in the 16th century, on the ruins of an early Christian basilica, within which a small mihrab had been formed for the visit of Mehmet II the Conquer in 1458. That is how the present building obtained its name.
After the capture of Athens by Morosini (October 1687) , and during the five-month Venetian rule, it was transformed into a Catholic Church, dedicated to Saint Dionysios. After the first liberation of Athens, and until the early 20th century it was adjacent to an army bakery. It is considered one of the oldest and finest Ottoman monuments in Athens.

Check Availability

*E-mail:
Name:
Date(dd/mm/yy):
# Adults:
Questions or Comments:
	*Required Field We will respond within 48hrs