Transcript
Page 1: Watercolors from Greece

The Acropolis

• The Parthenon, built on the Acropolis rock in 450 BC is still a spectacular site and is visible from almost any location in Athens. Dedicated to the Goddess Athena (the Virgin), it has survived many wars and a 400-year Turkish occupation. Now being restored and protected from further deterioration, the Parthenon is enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year.

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Watercolors and information’s

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Fiscardo

• Fiscardo is a prot village on the island of Cephalonia. Summer brings many visitors to this attractive area. Port side buildings display traditional colors and the picturesque harbor is berth to yachts from near and far.

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Hydra

• Hydra is one of the Saronic Islands. It's proximity make it a popular destination for day tours from Athens. The harbor town is also named Hydra. All around the bay picturesque white houses are interspersed with great stone mansions built by shipping wealth from past centuries. Colorful shops line the quay, but the 18th century clock tower from the Monastery of Panagia dominates the view.

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Galaxidi

• Galaxidi is a beautiful little old port town in central Greece, situated in the gulf of Corinth. The 18th & 19th centuries saw great prosperity for ship owners in this town and during that time many fine mansions were built. Trade was lost to the competition from steamboats but the beautiful buildings remain as a reminder of past glory.

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Aegina

• This picturesque harbour is on the island of Aegina. It is one of the closest islands to Athens and is a popular destination for tourists and Athenians alike. Relaxing at the harbour Zaxaroplasteon (dessert shop) is a favorite pastime. The prominent harbor church is name Panayitsa or Mother Mary.

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Corinth

• Ancient Corinth owed it's importance to its location. The town controlled the four mile wide isthmus, the only land route into the Peloponnese. The Temple of Apollo was built about 540 B.C. and is an excellent example of Doric architecture. The area is prone to earthquakes and only seven of the original columns survive.

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Corfu (Kerkira)

• Corfu is part of the Ionian Islands. It is one of Greece's most popular destinations and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

This view shows the Monastery of Panagia Vlacherna situated on a tiny islet and connected to the shore by an iron bridge. A gift shop supports and helps preserve the monastery but there are no longer resident nuns. Mouse Island, home of Pontikonisi Chapel can be seen in the background.

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Andikira

• Greece is full of beautiful coastlines and harbours. The colourful fishing boats in this picture are fom the small town of Andikira located in Central Greece. The sheltered harbour opens to the Gulf of Corinth.

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Mani

• Mani is an arid isolated region loacted in the Southern Peloponnese, where stunted olive trees and prickly pears survive. Descendents of the ancient Sparta lived in the area and in the Middle Ages were joined by refugees from the Byzantium nobility. They established a local aristocracy and formed competing clans with rights to erect tower mansions up to five stories high to use in combat. Poor resouces spurred banditry and blood feuds which lasted for years.

The invading Ottomans chose to encourage the feuding rather than rule Mani directly and appointed a "bey" from the clans so to oversee the region. Petros Mavromihalis united the clans while instigating the Greeek uprising of 1821

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Mystras

• Mystras is located on teh Peloponesse close to Sparta. Byzantine architecture from the 13th & 14th centuries is abundant and records show that the 1448 a.d. the last emperor of Byzantium, Constantine XI Paleologos was crowned there.

In 1834 a.d. thirteen years after liberation from the Ottoman Empire the modern city of Spart was founded marking the end of the old town's life.This scen shows Our Lady Evangelistria(of the Annunciation).

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Karyes

• These great oaks are in the Karyes on the Peloponnese. They are held in high regard because of their age and size. One of the oaks which has become hollow over the years was used to house a tiny kafeneon from which coffee was served during church events.

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Meteora

• Meteora is the site of an important group of monasteries in Central Greece. Their history can be traced from the 11th Century when hermits settled there.

The Holy Monastery of Saint Rousanou was founded around 1560. Until recent times access to the buildings was by a rope basket which was lowered by the monks using a pulley system. People and supplies were raised and lowered from the balcony at the right of the building.

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Minoan Urn

• Corlorful dolphins, coral and fish decorate this vase. It is a modern day replica of a style that was produced in Minoan times. The original vases were probably produced around the area of Santorini. They were used for storatge of staples like olive oil, wine and almonds.

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Nafplio• Local tradition tells that Nafplio

was founded by the son of the sea god Poseidon. It is situated on the gulf of Argolis in the Eastern Peloponnese. It has been an important town since the early 13th century when the Byzantines repopulated the area. Subsequent invaders have built and refortified the town and it still has well preserved fortresses and buildings from many eras. Below the fortifications are the narrow old streets with beatiful old houses. Its proximity to Athens makes it a popular weekend destination.

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Naoussa

• The Island of Paros in the Cylcades is the location of Naousa, a bustling fishing village nestled in a natural harbor.

Seafood restaurants with outdoor seating line the small quay and the busy commotion of the sunny day gives way to a tranquil ambience as the quay transforms into a poplual restaurant destination. Diners and an occasional wandering cat savor the bounty of the sea confident in its freshness. Lights glimmer over the water as the colorful boats sway to the sound of the water lapping at their side.The harbor is a perfect place to relax at the end of a busy day.

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Naxos Boats

• The island of Naxos in the Cyclades group is home to these colorful fishing boats. They are owned by fishermen from the small village of Apollo. A couple of small restaurants on the beach serve food and drinks, under a covered patio. It is an ideal location to sit and enjoy the view after a day at the beach. 

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Pandanassa

• The Monastery of Our Lady of Pandanassa(The Queen of all) has a church of mixed architecture featuring exterior porticos and a bell tower. The monastery is in the Mystras region close to Sparta. Conservation and preservation of wall paintings has been a priority of this region. The sanctuary has fine wall paintings dated around 1430 a.d. and others on the site are from the 18th century.

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Patmos

• Patmos is the most northerly of the Dodecanese group of islands. It is a beautiful island that has maintained its religious traditions and has many monasteries and churches. The Book of Revelations in The Bible was written on the island by John the Evangelist. An important monastery on the island honors his name. Residents take great pride in the island and many of the old houses have been restored.

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Proussos

• This church nestled into the steep rock houses the miraculous icon "Panagia Proussiotissa" which is much revered by locals for its powers. The church which dates from 1754 a.d. is the domed-cross type and features a small crypt located on the west side that can be adjusted to be used as a side chapel.

The monastery of which it is part is in the Evritania region of West Central Greece and is one of only a few that were saved in the region

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Santorini

• This volcanic island in the Cyclades has a unique geography resulting from an eruption long ago of the still active volcano. during the eruption the cone exploded and fell back into the sea leaving a partly submerged cone surrounded by the remains of the now crescent shaped island. On one side small homes are built on the steep edge of the rock face. Many of the homes have rooms carved out of the pumice stone rock left by the volcano. The other side of the island slopes gently to the sea from black volcanic beaches. Small family churches are dotted amongst the white homes, their blue domes sparkling in the bright summer sun.

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Santorini Sunrise

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Spetses

• Septses is one of the Saronic Islands, a group that is close to Athens. Away from the busy harbor are fine beaches and cool pine forests. This is a small island and ideal for taking pleasant walks through the narrow streets, where fine old villas with pretty gardens can be found.

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St. Gregory

• Mount Athos in Norther Greece is a peninsula which is home to many monasteries. St. Gregory is built on the southwest side by the sea and is one of the smaller monasteries on the peninsula.

The monastery was founded in the 14th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1761 a.d. There are ten chapels and also living aquarters for the seventy or so monks in residence. Visitors are welcome but access to the area is restricted to males only.

Among the more important icons in the church is that of Saint Nicholas

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Thessaloniki

• Thessaloniki was founded in 315 b.c. and was named after the sister of Alexander the Great. It is Greece's second largest city and capital of the Macedonian region. Many ancient and historic buildings still exist, including the White Tower, which is the most prominent feature of the harbor.

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