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the old museum. The new museum hosts various collections of
great historical and archaeological value such as the Gallery of
the Slopes of the Acropolis, the Archaic and the Parthenon
Galleries, the sanctuary of Artemis Vravronia and the votives of
the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Periods, as well as the
statues of Caryatides.
The Acropolis Museum won the British Guild of Travel Writers’
(BGTW) prestigious global award for the Best Worldwide Tourism
Project for 2010, and since its opening (June 2009) the Museum it
has received more than 3.000.000 visitors. The Museum provides
a fresh look at the exhibits previously housed in the old Museum
on the Rock. On the Museum’s first floor visitors can watch
conservators removing the surface debris of hundreds of years
from the Caryatids with advanced laser technology. Moreover,
families or small groups can borrow a family backpack from the
Museum’s Information Desk and play out the search for 12
different representations of the Goddess Athena amongst the
exhibits of the permanent collection, aided by colorful exhibition
labels. Visitors can also watch an informative and beautiful video
on the history and architecture of the Parthenon on the third floor.
There is something for all ages and all kinds of visitors at the
Acropolis Museum.
NE I GHBOURHOODS AND SURROUND I NGS
The Municipality of Athens is divided into several districts such as
Omonoia, Kerameikos, Syntagma, Exarchia, Lykavittos,
Metaxourgeio, Psirri, Monastiraki, Gazi, Thission, Plaka, etc.
Plaka
Plaka, is the picturesque old historical neighbourhood of Athens,
just under the Acropolis, with labyrinthine streets and neo-
classical architecture. It is one of Athens’ most
beautifulneighbourhoods, with architecture dating from the time
of King Otto, Byzantine churches, little tourist shops, cafes, bars
and taverns (Greek restaurants). The small streets of Plaka are a
delightful walk even in summertime when it is crowded with
tourists. Plaka is the neighbourhood of the Ancient Roman Agora,
the Tower of the Wind, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the
Acropolis and the Herode Atticus theatre. Museums in Plaka
include the new Jewish museum, the Greek Folk Art Museum and
the Frissiras Museum. Plaka, in the heart of the historical center of
the city, one of the most vivid suburbs of Athens, is visited by a
great number of tourists every year. The new museum of
Acropolis, situated at the border of Plaka, opened its doors in
June 2009 and is among the 10 most visited sites in Greece.
Monastiraki
Monastiraki is an area situated west of Syntagma square. It is a
flea market in the old town of Athens where bargaining was the
norm. Nowadays, it is the best place to buy souvenirs from
Greece at low prices.
Kolonaki & Lycavittos
Kolonaki is a small residential district of Athens between
Lycavittos Hill and Syntagma Square. Kolonaki Square, one of the
most famous and enjoyable places to sip coffee, watch people
and eat in the cafes that line the street and remind many people
of Paris. It is the home of Athens elite, offering expensive and
luxurious shops, cafes, and bars.
Thisio
Thisio square is located off the pedestrian street Apostolou
Paulou and is lined on one side by neoclassical buildings. On the
other side is Thiseion garden, the first of the city’s public gardens,
dating from 1862. The square is full of outdoor cafes that offer
wonderful views of the Acropolis. Thisio is where many Athenians
go for their night walk and amusements and tends to be
crowded, especially during weekends from 10pm until 3am.
Psiri
Located north-west of Monastiraki, the Psiri neighbourhood,
known as Athens’s “meat packing district” - is dotted with
renovated mansions, artists’ spaces, and small gallery areas. A
number of its renovated buildings now host a wide variety of
fashionable bars.
Gazi
The Gazi area is one of the latest in full redevelopment. It is
located around a historic gas factory, now converted into the
“Technopolis” cultural multiplex, and also includes artists’ areas,
a number of small clubs, bars and restaurants. The metro’s
system recent expansion to the western suburbs of the city has
brought easier access to the area since spring 2007, as the blue
line now stops in Gazi at Kerameikos Station.
Kerameikos
Kerameikos was on the northwest fringe of the ancient city and
and is now the outer edge of the area, visited by most travelers.
Following Ermou street down from the Monastiraki train station
MEETINGREECE
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ATHENS - ATTICA