To say that Greece is a historic country is an understatement. It's home to what was the oldest civilization in human history. The country has lived on for countless centuries and remains a central nation in Europe and beyond. And as you'd expect, there are many sites that define its true heritage. You probably already know about the famous Acropolis in Athens, right? But do you also know about the Archeological site of Delphi? The Temple of Poseidon? The Ancient Agora? Or the Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus? These are just five of the best places to visit on World Heritage Day in Greece!
The Acropolis
It's no surprise that the Acropolis in Athens would start off this list. When you think of World Heritage Sites in Greece—or in any other place, for that matter!—this place will automatically come to mind. It's practically the symbol of Athens and of Greece altogether! It's akin to the likes of the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben in London, and more. This imposing temple, built around the 5th century BC, was dedicated to the Goddess Athena. It proudly overlooks the different
neighborhoods of Athens and serves as a constant reminder of the country's famous ancient civilization.
Temple of Poseidon
Speaking of temples dedicated to Greek gods, you should also visit the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounio. Located on the coast of Athens, the site overlooks the Aegean Sea—fitting for a temple dedicated to the god of the sea. It would even take you an entire half-day to get here from the Greek capital. And though it's not as glorious and preserved as the Acropolis, you can still get a good sense of how majestic it was in its former glory during 444 and 440 BC. Still, it's the perfect place to embrace Greek history and heritage, as well as make content for your
travel inspo Instagram account!
Ancient Agora
Truth be told, the Ancient Agora in Athens is nowhere near as famous as the first two sites on this list. And yet, as far as celebrating World Heritage Day in Greece go, they're practically similar in relevance. Why? Because this was where people congregated back in Ancient Greece. The temples were where they prayed and worshipped while the agora was where they met up, held forums, discussed ideas, debated, and the like. This was the center of the social scene in Athens at the time. It's not far-fetched to think that many undocumented yet historic events transpired here too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ SiaKou96
Archeological Site of Delphi
For the ancient Greeks, the Archaeological Site of Delphi was the center of the world. For one thing, this was where the Oracle of Appollo, priestess Pythia, met with people who would travel far just to hear her words. And the sanctuary, which still stands to this day, was dedicated to the sun god, Appollo. Nevertheless, compared to the World Heritage Sites in Athens, the Archaeological Site of Delphi is mostly made up of ruins. You get a good sense that the world that used to exist here is long gone. Yet its relics provide tidbits of that former glory.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ tamara semina
The Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus
Located within the Sanctuary of Asklepios, the god of healing and medicine, the Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus was the largest theater in Ancient Greece. You can instantly see just how massive it is the moment you visit the site. It's so massive that the farthest seats would hardly see what's happening on stage. Actors might have been performing Greek tragedies but those at the back would be none the wiser. And yet, since the entire theater has remained largely intact, it's still used for performances to this day! Imagine what watching a place here would be like!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Greece would be the best country to celebrate World Heritage Day. The entire country is a treasure trove of amazing landmarks, monuments, and archeological sites that define the culture, history, and of course, heritage of Greece.
