Category: Greece

Mystras – Byzantine Castle Town and UNESCO Site in Greece; Dave Briggs; Dave’s Travel Pages

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Greece – Archaeological Site of Mystras

The Byzantine castle town of Mystras is a must-see for anyone visiting the Peloponnese in Greece. Read more about this rarely visited UNESCO site in Greece.

The Byzantine castle town and UNESCO site of Mystras is a must-see for anyone visiting the Peloponnese in Greece. Spread out over three levels, Mystras is a Byzantine walled city which still retains an air of splendour to this day.

Mystras UNESCO Site in Greece

Mystras is a Byzantine castle town complex located in the Laconia region of the Peloponnese in Greece. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its foundations were originally laid in 1249. Over time, it developed from a strong fortress to become a bustling city state, and a major place of trade within the Byzantine empire. Today, the remains of the fortress itself can be seen on top of Myzithra hill.

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Mycenae – Explore Ancient Greece; Dave Briggs; Dave’s Travel Pages

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Greece – Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns

Mycenae is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.  Once a major centre of ancient Greek civilisation, its history mixes together myth, legend, and fact. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is easily reached on a day trip from Athens, or as part of a bigger Peloponnese road trip. Read on to find out more!

As a kid, I was always fascinated by myths, legends, and ancient civilisations. This carried on through to my adulthood, and I make it a priority to visit archaeological sites whenever I travel. Being based in Greece for this last six months, has really seen me indulge myself! There are an endless amount of archaeological sites such as Delphi, Messene, and Ancient Olympia to visit. One important site which I hadn’t managed to tick off my list until now though, was Mycenae.

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UNESCO: Every Person Must Visit these 18 Greek Monuments; Philip Chrysopoulos; Greek Reporter

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Greece – Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae

UNESCO advises travellers to Greece to visit 18 monuments that are an absolute must as World Heritage Monuments.

UNESCO has branded a total 1,073 sites as World Heritage Monuments, and 18 of them are located in Greece:

The Acropolis: The Parthenon and the other buildings on the Athenian hill – known also as “the sacred rock” – are masterpieces of classical architecture. Completed in 5th Century BC, they are still influential in blending harmonic architecture with natural surroundings.

Aigai (modern-day Vergina): The first capital of the Kingdom of Macedon, home of Alexander the Great, and burial ground of his father, Philip II of Macedon. It is decorated with mosaics and stuccoes and has a burial ground with over 300 and remains that are fairly well-preserved.

Delphi: The sanctuary of Delphi, home of the oracle of Apollo, sits at the foot of Mount Parnassus.

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Divine architecture at Apollo Epicurius Temple in Peloponnese; Tornos News

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Greece – Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae

In the central Peloponnese, at Vasses in ancient Figaleia, at an elevation of 1.130 metres, stands the eternally proud temple of Apollo Epicurius. The inspiration behind its construction and the architect is considered to be the great Ictinus. This universal architectural gem was the first of the great monuments of Greece to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple can be approached from Ilia, after an enchanting journey along the banks of the river Neda, or from Tripoli and Megalopolis.

Vasses (ancient Bassae) was always a sacred place, host to numerous temples. The region’s name means “little valleys”. And indeed, the mountainous Peloponnesian land creates a magical landscape and within it rises the imposing site of the temple. The mountains of Kotylio, Lykaio, Tetrazio and Elaio stand guard around the valley of Vasses.

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Events Mark Addition of Ancient Philippi to UNESCO World Heritage List; A Makris; Greek Reporter

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Greece – Archaeological Site of Philippi

A visit by Greek Culture Minister Lydia Koniordou and the unveiling of a plaque that informs visitors of Philippi’s new status as a UNESCO World Heritage site concluded two days of celebrations to mark the archaeological site’s formal addition to the list of UNESCO monuments on Sunday.

The plaque, situated at the entrance of the ancient theatre of Philippi, explains the significance of the site as an international monument of exceptional importance, not just for its Hellenistic and Roman-era history but also for the history of Christianity and the spread of the gospels by the Apostle Paul. These include the open-air baptism of St. Lydia, the first recorded convert to the Christian faith in Europe, on the shores of the Zygakti River.

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8 Incredible Spiritual Sites Around the World; Sarah Amandolare; Oyster.com

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Whether they’re naturally formed or manmade, intricately detailed or strikingly simple, spiritual centers around the world offer a therapeutic place to reflect. Each has a fascinating past — some with roots in prehistoric times and many that have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. From an ashram in an Indian forest to a Buddhist temple on the island of Java to an incredible monolith in the desert plains of central Australia, we’ve rounded up eight spiritual centers that stand out from the multitude of others across the globe.

1. Angkor Wat

The architectural stand-in for Mount Meru — home of the gods in Hindu mythology — is considered the biggest religious monument in the world. Constructed between 1112 and 1152, the temple is part of Angkor, a UNESCO-protected archaeological park in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

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Greek Monasteries Abound in History, Beauty; Stella Tsolakidou; Greek Reporter

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Photo: Greek Reporter

Religious tourism is one of the oldest forms of travelling and Greece has inspired travellers, whether for religious purposes or mere self-exploring, throughout the years with its rich tradition in religious sites. From the well-preserved Byzantine era churches to the countless monasteries and metochia, the country is vast of sacred places dedicated to the divine. The islands and the mainland can offer a cultural tour to various sites and buildings, while enjoying the Greek nature at its most.

Source: Greek Monasteries Abound in History, Beauty