Quite a big day today. Out for breakfast then off to catch the hop-on hop-off bus. Part way through the journey we got off to go to the Cycladic Museum.

Not sure if you have heard of Cycladic art as we have not so here is a bit of the history behind it. Cycladic art is from the ancient Cycladic civilisation which flourished in the islands of the Aegean Sea from 3300 to 1100 BC. We saw some of it in the museum of Delphi and a reference to this museum in Athens. As it fascinated us we thought we should have a good look at it. We were not let down. In the 19th century when it was being dug up it was thought to be vulgar, primitive and even barbaric. By the 20th century however it was a source of inspiration for modern sculptors such as Modigliani and artists such as Picasso. The figurines are mainly female, have oval heads, abstract bodies, arms folded above the abdomen and inexpressive faces. Some of them also have a violin shape to them. The museum visit was a good one.

From the museum we walked down to Syntagma Square to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Although Anne and Bruce had been there they had not seen the changing of the guard and Jane had not seen any of it. You will see some more photos of it attached to today's blog. Then it was through the National Gardens to the Zappeion Building which was built specifically for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896. Finished in 1888 it was also used as the Olympic Village for the 1906 Olympic Games in Athens. It is now used as a conference and exhibition hall. Very nearby, but not visited today, is the Panathenian stadium which was also refurbished for the resurrection of the Olympic Games in 1896. Back on the 'on/off bus' we headed for the Acropolis Museum where we would find an entrance to the Acropolis.

The Acropolis does not contain just the Parthenon (as thought) but a number of ancient buildings on its 7.5 acres. While the hill has had inhabitants as far back as the 4th millenium BC it was only in the 5th century BC that the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike were built. There is a lot of restoration of the Parthenon being undertaken. It appears a lot of the damage to the building happened in 1687 when it was used for gunpowder storage and was hit by a cannonball. Probably too early for anyone to understood or care about the historical significance of these buildings then.

We stayed up there long enough for the sunset which oddly enough exactly coincided with the rising of the moon. This is probably not the first time we have experienced both of these events together but never on a hill and never on such a significant hill - uncanny. Once sunset was finished the lights came on so the buildings could be seen from all over Athens. Also during sunset the 8 members of the army arrived to ceremonially lower the flag which is located just above our apartment. No shortcut down though as we proceeded to find our way back, stopping for dinner on the way.