Attica

Greek area upon which ancient Athens nurtured philosophy and democracy is Attica. In this little corner on the eart the vitality of the Greeks found expression in all creative fields, and their thoughts helped to transform the whole outlook of Western man by the immortal and splendid Attic Civilization.

History

First inhabited in the 4^th millenium B.C. by Plelasgians and later by Ionians, possesses strong links with the historical past and there is hardly a part of the region where evidence of human activity centuries old cannot be found.

Place names and historical remains at Marathon, Eleusis, Brauron, Amphiareion, Ramnous, Sounion and Athens itself commemorate an older Greece, which in those longgone eras wsxperted an influence out of all proportion to its size.

Athens

Greece begins in and revolves around this city, one of the most ancient capitals of the Western world. On the west coast of Attica, with the mountains Aigaleo, Parnes (Parnitha), Pendeli and Hymettus on three sides and the Saronic Gulf on the other, forms one countinuous city with its seaport Piraeus and the suburbs.

Piraeus

Principal port of Greece, one of the largest in the Mediterranean, is a city in its own right. It has a population of nearly on emillion and is only 10 km from Athens.

Its strategic importance was established during the Classical era, about 450 B.C. Large sections of walls can be seen today, as well as ruins of other ancient buildings, including two ancient theatres.

Archaeological and Naval museum could be found in Piraeus, at least "Veakeio" - the open-air theatre on the top of Prophitis Elias hill. Breathtaking panoramic view of the Saronic Gulf from this hill you will never forget.

Sounion

From Sounion to Athens along the inland route takes you through the rolling hills of the Messoghia - the typical Attic countryside. There are two interesting places along the way: Peania and Pan's Cave (Cave Koutouki) and Lavrion (Laurium) famous in antiquity for its silver mines.

The Messonghia is dotted with tiny villages where a good meal and excellent local wine can be enjoyed in the open or inside small tavernas.