THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION.
Recently, on March 25th, Greece was celebrating its 200th anniversary of Independence.
To an American, that’s nothing. We have been celebrating ours for 245 years. And the first colony at Jamestown dates back to 1607. Try and beat that Greece…
As the joke goes, Greece has toilets older than that.
Some say the first Greeks were the Minoans living on the island of Crete. (2200 B.C. to 1450 B.C.)
Others say it was not until the 300s B.C. Alexander the Great makes all the small city-states unite under one ruler: himself.
That is certainly the beginning of the Ancient Greek Empire.
And others may argue it was Uranus (Father Sky) and Gaia (Mother Earth) getting together.
Can we all agree that Greece has been around for a while?
Greek UNESCO World Heritage.
I use the UNESCO World Heritage list as a starting point when I plan to travel. Not because I believe in all their politics, but they do have a rather comprehensive list.
I prefer to donate to actual sites, where I want to believe, more of my money goes to their preservation.
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with historical, cultural, scientific, or another form of significance. They can be ancient ruins, historical structures, cities, islands, deserts, lakes, mountains, or more. They may be evidence of our intellectual history or a place of great natural beauty.
A place where you just might say, “Ohhh my, Wow God.”
As of 2021, there are more than 1,100 World Heritage Sites in 167 countries.
The United States has 24. Greece, which is about the size of Florida, officially has 18. But many of these include several sites within.
The Acropolis of Athens includes the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion, and more.
I would like to say I have been to every one, but I am still working on the list.
In early 2021, I am missing three and 2/3rds. Let’s take a look at the list.
The Greek UNESCO site Acropolis of Athens. (circa 450 B.C.)
This ancient citadel overlooking Athens includes the remains of several ancient buildings of great significance. We all know the Parthenon, dating from the time of Pericles (c. 495–429 B.C.) The Propylaea, Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike, date from this period as well. In 1687, a Venetian cannonball hits the Ottoman’s store of gunpowder in the Parthenon. The explosion damages all of the structures on the Acropolis sending pieces every which way. Like everywhere in Greece, these pieces become free building supplies to whoever can grab them. The Acropolis jigsaw puzzle is missing more than a few pieces.
Read more about Athens.
The Greek UNESCO site of Delphi. (circa 6th century B.C.)
Two hours northwest of Athens is the “navel of the world,” Delphi. The home of the most famous Greek Oracle, it includes the Temple of Apollo, treasuries, theater, and stadium. The Delphi games are only second to the Olympia games in importance. The museum next to the site is a must-see.
Read more about Delphi.
The Greek UNESCO site of Meteora. (circa 1300 A.D.)
This complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries is one of the largest in the world. Their precipitously built location, above the town of Kalambaka, makes them possibly the most famous. Today, you can visit six of the original twenty-four monasteries. My favorite times are sunrise and sunset.
Read more about Meteora (Kalabaka).
Archaeological Site of Aigai (Vergina) (circa 11th century B.C.)
This ancient city serves as the first capital of the Kingdom of Macedon. There are remains of a monumental palace, including mosaics and frescos. The area contains more than 300 tumuli, burial mounds. The most famous being that of Philip II of Macedon, (359-336 B.C.) father of Alexander the Great. Unfortunately, like in Egypt, robbers arrive before the archeologists.
Paleochristian and Byzantine Monuments of Thessalonika. (circa 4th to the 15th century A.D.)
Thessaloniki has fourteen different structures in its listing. The town is one of the first bases for the spread of Christianity so there are several churches. The Byzantine walls surrounding the city also make the list.
Read more about Thessaloniki.
The Greek UNESCO site of Mount Athos. (circa 10th century A.D.)
This peninsula east of Thessaloniki is home to an Orthodox spiritual center dating from the 10th century A.D. Many monks will flee west, establishing the first monasteries in Meteora circa 1300. Today, there are almost 20 active monasteries. Women may not visit the peninsula. Daily boat excursions can show you many of these monasteries famous for their religious architecture. This was on my April 2020 itinerary. Does anyone want to guess why it is still on my to-do list? (one still to go.)
Archaeological Site of Philippi. (circa 356 B.C.)
About two hours east of Thessaloniki, and near Mount Athos, this was also on the itinerary. It was a royal town for Philip (Alex’s dad.) Those familiar with the Apostle Paul may know of the Philippians, and it is where karma catches up with Brutus. Unfortunately, the Romans and Ottomans carry many pieces away to build their structures. (Add another one to the list.)
Read more about Philippi (Kavala).
Monasteries of Daphni, Hosios Loukas, and Nea Moni of Chios. (circa 11th and 12th centuries A.D.)
No fair, these three monasteries, are in three different parts of Greece. Representing the middle period of Byzantine religious architecture, they include an octagonal plan. The interiors include decorations of marble and mosaics. The Daphni Monastery is just outside of Athens and it is the only one I have been inside. The first church on this site is on an ancient temple. The current church, circa 11th century, has only one column from the original. It survives the Goths’ destruction in the 4th century, but not Lord Elgin’s looting circa 1840. I was able to see it pre-1999 earthquake. Today, they are allowing visitors back in on select days.
Hosios Loukas is a 30 minute (each way) detour off the road to Delphi. Unfortunately, as they will not let me drive the tour bus, a detour to this site has yet to happen. The long day trip to Delphi does not allow for another 90 minutes to detour and visit. Pity. Another reason to make Delphi an overnight trip.
Nea Moni is on the island of Chios, just south of Lesvos off the coast of Turkey. It was also a destination on my 2020 Greek trip. Maybe in 2021. (Current tally 2 and 2/3rds to go.)
All of the above sites, minus Chios, are on the mainland of Greece.
Racing, you might be able to see them in seven days. I have come close, wearing out my family in the process.
I would recommend ten days with a breather towards the middle. And that’s before we add stops at any of the five Greek wine regions you will pass through.
Read more about Greek Wine.
Greek UNESCO sites on the Peloponnese.
Once part of the Greek mainland, a canal at Corinth now separates this large peninsula from the rest of Greece.
Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus. (circa 6th century B.C.)
The cult of Asklepios, the god of medicine, begins in the city-state of Epidaurus circa the 6th century B.C. Most famous for its theater, the finest from ancient Greece, it also includes the Temple of Asclepius and the Tholos. This is where the belief in divine healing begins to split off to the science of medicine. There are very few mothers who do not know and appreciate the term epidural. It’s from the Greek.
Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns. (circa 1350-1200 B.C.)
Just west of Epidaurus are these two sites. Mycenae is perhaps the more famous as it a military stronghold for much of southern Greece and nearby islands. It lends its name to the Mycenaean period of Greek history. Just some from Greek mythology with ties to Mycenae are Perseus, Andromeda, Agamemnon, Menelaus, Helen, and Clytemnestra. Tiryns was a stronghold for the Mycenaean world, claiming a palace, Cyclopean tunnels, and walls. It is here that (mythical) Heracles, performs his twelve labors.
Read more about Mycenae, Epidaurus (Nauplio).
Archaeological Site of Mystras (circa 1249 A.D.)
Beginning as a town around the fortress of the Prince of Achaia, they would soon surrender to the Byzantines. Later, the Ottomans and then the Venetians will take control. When the Greek king establishes the new town of Sparta nearby, most of Mystras inhabitants leave.
The Greek UNESCO site of Olympia. (circa 10th century B.C.)
Olympia begins as a center for the worship of the Greek god Zeus. It would grow into a Panhellenic sanctuary with pilgrims coming from all over Greece. The games, as part of the worship to Zeus, would begin circa 776 B.C. Today, there are remains of temples, sanctuaries, and the stadium where the modern Olympic’s torch begins its journey.
Read more about Olympia.
Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae. (circa 5th century B.C.)
Ninety minutes drive south from Olympia is this temple to Apollo Epicurius. Due to its location in the middle of nowhere, it sits for almost 1700 years with no one disturbing it. Mother nature shakes it a few times but most of the original temple remains. It is the earliest monument (known) that features Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. UNESCO considers it one of the best-preserved monuments from classical antiquity.
I would set aside a week to do the Peloponnese justice. There are many other sites not on the list, yet.
The Greek UNESCO sites on the Islands.
Although scenic, only a few Greek islands have UNESCO sites, for now.
The Greek UNESCO site of the Medieval City of Rhodes. (circa 1300 A.D.)
Although it hosts incredible Greek ruins (Lindos, Kamiros, Ialyssos) the island’s UNESCO site(s) are the medieval town of Rhodes. The Order of St John of Jerusalem (Knights Hospitaller) will occupy the town from 1309 to 1523. During this time they make it a stronghold with massive walls, a Palace of the Grand Masters, and more. The Ottomans will leave their mark on the town as will the Italians, including Mussolini.
Read more about Rhodes.
The Greek UNESCO site of Delos.
Near Mykonos, Delos was an important sanctuary to two gods Apollo, and to a lesser extent, his twin sister Artemis. Later it would become the meeting place and treasury of the Delian League. Today, no one lives on Delos which may account for the lack of hotels, restaurants, and boutiques.
Read more about Delos.
The Historic Centre (Chorá), Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian, and the Cave of the Apocalypse.
All of these are on the island of Patmos in the eastern Aegean. The monastery, from the 10th century, sits upon the cave. Christian tradition says that St John wrote both his Gospel and the Apocalypse while on Pátmos. The old town (Chora,) at the bottom of the hill is easily walkable due to its size.
Old Town of Corfu.
In the Adriatic Sea off Greece’s west coast is this charming island. The island has Greek artifacts and a few ruins dating to the 8th century B.C. However, much of the historic town of Corfu dates from the time of the Republic of Venice (697 to 1797 A.D.) There are also additions from the British protectorate period (1815 and 1864,) including the home Mon Repos. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is born here in 1921 when it is the summer home of Greece’s royal family.
Read more about Corfu.
Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos.
In an attempt at transparency, I have been to Samos. I took a ferry from Kusadasi to the modern port of Vathy. Upon arrival, they toss me in a taxi for the 30-minute ride to the airport. My flight was leaving in 60 minutes. (Obviously, pre 2001.) To say I remember any of Samos would not be true, except the road to the airport is very curvy. Pythagoreion is a town over the ancient site of Samos town on the south shore. The Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion is adjacent to a large excavation of the town. The Heraion is a large sanctuary to the goddess Hera, wife of Zeus. The remains are a fifteen-minute drive west of Pythagoreion. Anyone having sudden flashbacks to high school geometry class, Samos is the birthplace of Pythagoras.
So I am not counting Samos as I did not see anything except the backseat of a taxi.
I am getting close to finishing this list and I need to hurry.
There are 14 more entries in Greece, some with multiple sites, on UNESCO’s tentative list.
Read more about Crete.
Luckily, I have been to a few of them already.
Are you ready to visit a Greek UNESCO site?
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“Have you been to a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Where was it?
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“See the World” Continued on Page T3. “Taste the World” Continued on T11.
Happy Easter to all.
❤️ And to you!
Another complete history and summary of these amazing worldly treasures, Thomas! I loved the picture of the Holy Monastery of Varlaam – just beautiful. Happy Easter to one and all!
❤️ back at you!
I have had the distinct pleasure of visiting several of the UNESCO sites in Greece on immersive Thom Tours. A highlight was the monasteries of Meteora. These holy sites were impressive with their masterful architecture poised on precarious precipices. And the light illuminating the hilltops at dawn and dusk created a heavenly glow that was magical. It is time for another Thom Tour.