Construction methods in Santorini, Greece

Absolutely all of the buildings in Santorini are stuccoed cement, painted white or something very close to it. I came across this construction site and found out that all of it is wood-formed, too, little to no precast.


Someone hung their laundry downstairs; I couldn't resist. You can see the imprint on the concrete from the formwork, but it'll all be covered in stucco later.


meg chandler
location: santorini, greece

Erechtheion

The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple built between 421 BC and 407 BC on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. The architect is thought to have been Mnesicles and dedicated to the the Greek hero Erichthonius. Others believe it was built in honor of the great King Erechtheus. The temple itself is dedicated to Athena and Poseidon Erechtheus. The main structure consists of four compartments. The largest compartment is the east cella. The other compartments include an Ionic portico, a large porch with columns, and the famous "porch of the maidens." The porch of the maidens features six female figures used as the supporting columns. One of the original figures was sold to Lord Elgin for his Scottish mansion but the other five are preserved in the Acropolis museum. The six figures sitting there today are exact replicas of the originals. The temple is made out of marble and is on a slope, making the west and north sides a little taller than the east and south sides. During the temples "glory days," it had friezes made with black limestone, elaborate doorways and windows, and ornately decorated columns. Today, the interior of the temple has been slightly messed up due to the Erechtheion's use as a church and possibly a Turkish harem.
Amy Altman

The National Gardens in Athens, Greece

Wisteria in bloom


Welcoming Palms

It remains in my memory like no other park I have known. It is the quintessence of a park, the thing one feels sometimes in looking at a canvas or dreaming of a place one would like to be in and never finds. Henry Miller, 1939

A jewel in the heart of Athens, the National Gardens provides a well needed rest from the hustle and bustle of Greek city life. The Gardens are located just behind the tomb of the unknown soldier on Amalias Street, and stretch for 15.5 hectacres from the Parliament Building to the Panathenaiko, the site of the 1896 Olympic Games. Formerly known as the Royal Garden, it was commissioned by Queen Amalia in 1838 and completed by 1840. This oasis was designed by the German gardener Schmidt, who imported over 500 species of plants and a variety of animals including peacocks, ducks, and turtles. Unfortunately for many of the plants, the dry Mediterranean climate proved too harsh and they did not survive, but still today, the animals continue to thrive. Located within the garden are numerous ponds stocked with ducks and turtles, and there is even a small "zoo" in the center that houses peacocks, donkeys, chickens, rabbits, and other tropical birds. Visitors can spend hours walking along the shaded paths, resting on the many benches, or even playing in the childrens park. There is also a botanical museum, a small cafe, and a children's library.

Today the National Garden is open to the public from sunrise to sunset with the main entrance on Leoforos Amalias. You can also enter the garden from one of three other gates: the central one, on Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, another on Herodou Atticou Street and the third gate connects the National Garden with the Zappeion park area.

Sara Anrrich

Greek Sunsets

Sunset over the Aegean Sea


Sunset in Thira, Santorini


Sunset in Thira, Santorini

For romantics and nature-lovers alike, one of the many perks of the year-round gorgeous weather in Greece is that odds are always in your favor for a beautiful sunset. Over independent travel, a group of us was fortunate enough to make it to the island of Santorini (the most southern of the Cyclades group), where we enjoyed the beautiful weather during the day and experienced the dramatic evening sunset from Thira, the island's capital. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the popularity of these sunsets has spread throughout tourist circles, so it is easy to find a great spot at a restaurant or cafe directly on the cliff overlooking the volcano and the sea; however, be prepared to pay a hefty price tag for a meal or even just a drink. Depending on the time of the year and where on the island you are staying, you may have difficulty coordinating this evening entertainment with the only bus on the island, but if you are able to find the time, the experience is definitely worth it.

Sara Anrrich