Greece

Night photo of Thessaloniki White Tower and the light trails along Leof. Nikis Street.

White Tower light trails | Thessaloniki, Greece

In ancient times on the place of the White Tower there has been a Byzantine fortification. In the 15th century, when the city fell under Ottoman Rule, the construction has been used as a prison and also as a place for mass executions, which explains why its name was ‘The Red Tower’ then. As soon as the Greeks were free from the Ottoman Rule in the beginning of the 20th century, they whitened the construction and gave it the name “The White Tower”, as a symbolic purification from the burden of the past.

An evening photo of Thessaloniki White Tower and the National Theater of Northern Greece.

White Tower and the National Theater Of Northern Greece | Thessaloniki, Greece

Some images are captured like magic – quickly and without hesitation. However, that was not the case with my photo shooting of the White Tower and the National Theater in Thessaloniki. So, I was walking up and down, trying to capture the perfect composition at the best light, which may have looked funny for an outside eye. Finally, during the blue hour, I took a photo that satisfied me – with the city lights giving this violet shade around Thessaloniki White Tower.

Panoramic view to Thessaloniki, captured at sunset from the Eptapyrgio castle.

Sunset from the Eptapyrgio Castle | Thessaloniki, Greece

Dating back to the Antiquity, Eptapyrgio or “Fortress of Seven Towers” is a construction from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras with actually ten towers. As for the Rotunda, also known as Agios Georgios, it’s worth noting that this is the oldest monument in Thessaloniki, Greece, built by the Roman emperor Galerius in the 4th century.

Daytime picture of the Church of Panagia Chalkeon, located in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Church of Panagia Chalkeon | Thessaloniki, Greece

We found this Greek Orthodox church thanks to an app that led us around the city and helped us discover also many other such sights in Thessaloniki. Built in the 11th century, the architecture of this Thessaloniki church is of the typical for the region Macedonian style. The locals call it “the Red Church” because the entire building is made of bricks.

This bright picture shows the exterior of the Zappeion Hall in Athens, Greece.

Exterior Of The Zappeion Exhibiton Hall | Athens, Greece

I took this bright exterior image of one of Athens’ most notable buildings in a warm, sunny day. The list of cultural and sports events, of political ceremonies and commercial shows, housed in the Zappeion Exhibition Hall in Athens is really long. Even if that’s not enough to attract your interest to this magnificent building, I recommend you to see it, while sightseeing in the city, just for its elegant, neoclassical architecture.

Picture from Athens Greece, showing the impressive symmetry of the atrium at the Zappeion Exhibition Hall.

Zappeion Hall – the atrium | Athens, Greece

This magnificent building is located in the heart of the capital of Greece, surrounded by the National Gardens of Athens. While researching the places to photograph I found a picture of Hall in Zappeion and I couldn’t resist visiting this place as one of the first things to do during this cloudy day in the capital of Greece. The central atrium you see on the photo is of 984 square meters. It has been build on two levels – an Ionic colonnade on the ground floor and pillars on the upper one.

This is Odeon of Herodes Atticus - an ancient theatre in Athens, located in the vicinity of the Akropolis. Opera stars and famous musicians have made memorable performances there.

Ancient theatre – Odeon Of Herodes Atticus | Athens, Greece

The Odeon of Herodes Atticusis among the best examples of Antique architecture. Its construction works were finalized in 161 AD. The ancient theatre was renovated in 1950, in order to be preserved for the future and to serve as a very special venue of cultural events. This ancient theatre in Athens has been actively used as an amphitheater on which stage many world-known musicians, singers and opera stars have performed.

This is a picture of the marble example of Antiquity architecture – the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.

The Temple of Hephaestus | Athens, Greece

Completed in the 415 BC, this marble building is of high architectural and archaeological significance. You may be surprised to find out that this marble example of fine Antiquity architecture has also inspired the design of buildings in other countries. Among them are: Vermont State House in the USA; Penshaw Monument in England; New Parliament House in Edinburgh.

A beautiful day image of the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens that was created entirely of marble.

The Panathenaic Stadium – a marble miracle | Athens, Greece

As a person who likes big sporting events very much, I find this marble stadium simply amazing. I guess that all fans of the Olympic games and their history, would love to see the impressive Panathenaic Stadium in Athens with their own eyes. ‘The marble stadium’ is the only one stadium in the world, built entirely of marble. It should be noted that the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympic games in 1896 were held there.

Panorama picture of Mount Lycabettus in the center of Athens, taken in a sunny day.

Mount Lycabettus | Athens, Greece

What a colorful mosaic… That’s what I said when I saw the fantastic panorama view of the Mount Lycabettus in Athens. This photo was taken from the famous Akropolis and you can see the hill, surrounded by bright colored buildings, typical for the capital of Greece. Personally, I was most amazed by the fact, that there’s a hill in the center of a capital city. Mount Lycabettus is a really unique formation and if you still haven’t visited the charming capital of Greece, I recommend you to do it soon.

A beautiful photo that shows the vivid Monastiraki Square in Athens at night.

The Monastiraki Square at night | Athens, Greece

Same as the colossal metropolis New York, Athens also is a city that never sleeps. Looking at this colorful photo, I remember how fascinated I was, watching a city so ancient, living to the fullest every time of the day and night! Enjoying the bright coloring of that image, I hope to go back to the charming capital of Greece, to the vivid Monastiraki Square, full of life, laughter and delicious food.

Picturesque panorama view of Monastiraki area in Athens, captured in the evening.

Evening at Monastiraki | Athens, Greece

Every time I look at this colorful image of Monastiraki area in Athens, it reminds me how charming the old town of the capital of Greece is, especially at twilight. Moreover, you can notice also the Akropolis and other important buildings there. As you can see on the picture, this neighborhood is crowded with people. One of the reasons is that it’s a major shopping district.

A beautiful image of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens – the heart of the city | Athens, Greece

Among the major landmarks of the city is the Metropolitan Cathedral Of Athens. It’s used for ceremonies of national significance, but also for weddings and funerals of rich people. Completed in 1862, it was necessary to work 20 years and use the marble from 72 demolished churches to build the Cathedral’s walls.

Romantic sunset, captured from the top of the Lycabettus Hill in Athens, Greece.

Athens – a romantic sunset seen from the Lycabettus Hill | Athens, Greece

With its 277 meters, Lycabettus Hill is the tallest hill in the capital of Greece. That’s why, when you go at the top, you can see some of the Athens’ most popular monuments – the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium. When you climb the Lycabettus Hill, you will see the charming St. George’s church, built in the 19th century. Best thing is that you could continue enjoying the view on your way down.

Panorama view of Athens in Greece, which looks like ancient Greek city.

Athens – ancient Greek city of marble in a modern world | Athens, Greece

That breath-taking view of the capital and largest city of Greece could touch any heart, I think. At least that happened with me and with all the people around me, who were enchanted by the spectacular panorama of Athens at sunset. This photo was taken from Lycabettus hill while I was waiting for sun to set and shoot photos of Parthenon hill.

A panorama view of Acropolis in Athens with Parthenon Temple.

Acropolis of Athens – panorama view with Parthenon Temple | Athens, Greece

The Acropolis view was the first one which greet us in Athens. This hill with remains of Parthenon temple is visible from almost every point of the city. The Acropolis of Athens is situated on a rock that rises around 150m above sea level. If you’ve been to the capital of Greece, you know how stunning it is to see it from anywhere, day and night.

An image of the modern Athens Metro, going though the archaeological park under the Acropolis Hill.

Athens Metro – future and past live happily together | Athens, Greece

Do you know another city in which the metro is going right through an archeological park? Me neither. That’s why I tried to capture the amazing mixture of a contemporary technology, operating in a place with ancient history. You could see there artwork, exhibitions, and archeological artefacts, discovered during construction works.