Athens Reflections Museums and Mexican (and Greek) Food

You're absolutely right about the Acropolis Museum, a wonderful experience. As I'm sure you know, they built it to have a place for the "Elgin Marbles" and other pieces "acquired" by the British, French, and Germans in the past. Now it serves as a reminder of what's missing from Athens. But also, looking at the pediment sculptures that stayed there, it reminds us how much damage industrial pollution did in the last two centuries to the pieces that stayed on the Parthenon instead of getting protected in northern European museums. A beautifully designed building, and a very good cafe also.

And I'm sure your discovery of good Mexican food and drink in Athens will delight all those who eventually tire of the fresh fish and salads, olives, lamb, pita, retsina, and other Greek delights. Hope your marathon trip has been as rewarding and interesting as your thoughtful and provocative (in a good way) posts on this forum.

aa--- if you want a good lunch, try To Kati Allo-- address Chatzichristou 12, Athina 117 42, Greece

Its on the street behind the Acropolis Museum.

For me the ancient agora and it's museum are a must-see. In addition to what the OP mentioned above, the temple of Hephaestus is in an amazingly good state of preservation. When we were there mid-morning the sun was lighting the interior walls and bringing the stone to life. Really beautiful. We also enjoyed wandering the grounds, identifying the remains of the buildings and reading about what occurred there (we brought a guidebook for the site). So many things that were significant to the lives of Athenians occurred there. You get a sense of the complexity of their political lives through the buildings they erected.

We also visited the Museum of Cycladic Art. The floor on the social traditions of the Greek people of a century or so ago, that RS describes in the Greece/Pelop guidebook, was closed for rennovation. That was a big disappointment because we were the most interested in that. But we still enjoyed the art, which has an abstract beauty. The museum also tries to provide a historical perspective although so much of the context of the art has been lost that it appears somewhat difficult to do. If you're interested in a deeper drive into very ancient cultures this museum ties into some of the most ancient artifacts seen in other museums. This was a Day 3, get-out-of-the-heat-of-midday museum for us, after we had see the main sights the previous days.

Just a block from there is the Byzantine and Christian museum. It's collections are extensive, and I think you would need a specialist interest in religious icons to enjoy the entire collection. But the main building, directly across the courtyard from the entrance gate, contains a good synopsis of the entire collection and can be enjoyed in an hour or two. Once again it's a place that provides a deep dive on a portion of Greek history that isn't front and center in other Athens sites. It's a modern museum that brings the period to life with displays that represent the significant trends of life in that period. It helps illustrate how the ancient Greeks became the modern day Greeks, with all of the influences from other cultures/empires. The museum has shaded outdoor cafe that was a good place to get off your feet. They also had an extra admission showing of a 3D movie by the National Geographic about the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. I understand the tie-in between the movie and the museum collections but I found the movie skippable. I guess it seemed strange to be in a city with so many amazing things to see, watching a movie about somewhere else. And the tickets were relatively expensive.

@Lia...yes there is so much more here to see for sure. I wish I had time for it all. I am only here for four days and I limit myself usually to two big things a day. Or sometimes one.

On this trip I have been to 25 museums (and I am sure I am leaving a couple out of that count) that is more than many people get to in their entire lives...so I am a bit Museumed-out right now. And of course this doesn’t count the innumerable churches, Cathedrals, Monastaries, Ruins and ancient sites. So I am kind of winding down right now....LOL

Yes, on one of our trips DH said to me, 'Not another cathedral!', so I've tried to put more variety into our trips. How wonderful that you've been able to spend so much time in Europe! We'd like to do that someday.

I adore Greek food, but I'm definitely getting some carnitas tacos and margaritas next time I'm in Athens! Thanks for the rec!