Experience Civilisation

Known as the ‘cradle of Western civilisation’ thanks to its unparallelled influence throughout Europe and beyond, Ancient Greece is treasure trove of artistic and cultural achievement. Although the ravages of history have destroyed many ancient works, some outstanding examples remain, especially in the forms of sculpture, architecture, literature, coin design, pottery and gem engraving.

Where visitors are concerned, two of the best place for a taste of the riches are the National Archaeological Museum and the brand new Acropolis Museum (open 2008), both in Athens. The Archaeological Museum is packed with sculpture, frescoes, jewellery and ceramics, while the Acropolis Museum will house many of the treasures overlooked by the plundering Brit, Lord Elgin, on his visits to the Acropolis in the 19th century.

Beyond Athens, see all that glitters at Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum, packed with gold artefacts from Macedonia. Delphi Museum exhibits incredibly well-preserved sculptures from the nearby site, while Crete’s Iraklion Archaeological Museum houses an outstanding collection of intricate Roman mosaics and frescoes.

It’s worth reading Homer’s The Iliad and the Odyssey. These fantastic tales of men, gods and monsters that have entertained for centuries give a good grounding in the mythological characters portrayed on vases and shaped into sculptures.

Greece has a rich tradition of contemporary art and culture dating from the Revolution of 1821, when the country threw off the shackles of the Ottoman Empire. Emerging from those ‘years of darkness’, Greece went through a period of artistic and cultural revival, evident in the art galleries, theatres and concert halls that we see today.

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