10 things you did not know about Greece
Forget the economic crisis, there is no better choice destination to visit for holidays than Greece. Crystal blue sea, enchanting architecture and rich cultural heritage and history are just a small part of what Greece has to offer and what makes it one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Whichever island or part of continental Greece you choose to relax and enjoy, we are sure that it will be the perfect scenery for taking photos and creating life-long positive memories.
Keep on reading to discover 10 best hidden jewels and facts that you didn't know about Greece!
Acropolis: Acropolis in Athens is one of the most important archeology findings in the world. This is fortress from 5th century BC and a memory to founding of democracy, first theaters and science. Acropolis is home to several world-important monuments: Parthenon, Erechtheion, temple of Athena Nike as well as beautiful entry gate Propylaia.
Mycenae: Legendary Mycenae was home to king Agamemnon who led Greek people in Trojan War. Homer described Mycenae as leading city of alliance of royal cities in period from 1600 to 1100 BC. Modern historians agree that Greek archipelago bask then was similar to feudal Europe. Domination of powerful Mycenae was verified with all the rich findings discovered during archeology excavations. Royal grave discover by Schliemann was full of incredible treasures, most famous being golden burial mask.
Olympia: Known as a home of ancient Olympic Games, Olympia is one of the most beautiful archeology findings in Greece, well preserved thanks to mud from nearby river Alpheus. Since the beginning in 776 BC, Olympic Games happened on this same location every four years, until it was abolished by Byzantine emperor Theodosius in 426 AD.
Delphi: Located on steep hill, Delphi was most famous oracle of ancient world, where Pitias foreshadowed destiny in Apollo's temple. City was neutral and at the same time center of internal diplomatic relations. Restored Athens Treasury is more of a trophy then treasury in a real sense of the word. It underlines importance of Athens' role in salvation of Greece during Persian wars.
Pylos: Carl Bleagen excavated Pylos in 1939. It was named after Homer's king Nestor from Pylos that was on south-east Peloponnese. Although archeology never confirmed that someone named Nestor lived here, king that resembles him ruled this region once. In one of the rooms were found numerous tables written in Mycenae linear B letters that confirms good local economic situation of region.
Corinth: Although Corinth is one of the most significant historic findings in ancient Greece, majority of visitors come here to observe marks of Saint Paul's stay here during Roman period. Early period of Corinthian history is presented with Apollo temple, oldest Doric temple in Greece. Saint Paul preached on forum there.
Vergina: This Macedonian royal capital is located on the north of Greece. Until time of Alexander the Great this was capital and then it became ceremonial center of Macedonian dynasty. Excavation in 1977 revealed grave of Phillip the Second, father of Alexander of Macedonia.
Sparta: Historian Thucydides predicted 2500 years before that little will remain to remind the world of Sparta's former magnificence. City that used to be center of Peloponnesian league and home to the greatest warriors of antique times vanished. Local museum is worth visiting. One of object in museum is famous sculpture of Leonidas, hero of Thermopylae battle.
Marathon: About 40 kilometers north east of Athens is Marathon which is where famous battle between Greek and Persian army happened in 490 BC. Although there is little to see on the locality, the fact that one of the most famous world battles happened here, is the fact enough.
Keremeikos: Keremeikos area covers both sides of Eridan riber, several kilometers of Acropolis. Ever since Mycenae and until classic times, this locality served for two purposes: as a ceramic manufacture and as a graveyard.
Greece on the world map
Greece is country on the southeast end of Europe, on south of Balkan peninsula. This is strategic crossroads of Europe, Middle East and North Africa, surrounded by Aegean Sea on east, Ionian Sea on west and Mediterranean Sea on south. It borders with Albania on northwest, Macedonia and Bulgaria on north and Turkey on northeast. With approximately 132.000 km² is the largest country on Balkan and 97th in the world. Besides continental part, Greece includes more than 1400 islands, of which largest and most significant ones are Crete, Eubia, Lesbos, Rhodes and Corfu. The coast is very indented and with 13.676 kilometers in length is 11th in the world.
These days, Greece is unfortunately well known for its economic crisis. Crisis started in 2009 with world crisis, but Greece still didn't manage to cope with is actually in bigger economic problems. It is said that crisis hit Greece so hard because of irrational and uncritical expenditures in Greek government. Greek got high loan from world economic institutions but didn't manage to repay a single rate of it, but instead loaned another large sum that was approved primarily because Greek official obliged to strict savings measures. Greek financial crisis has huge influence on world economic situation and monetary movements on stock markets.
Fast facts about Greece:
Greece has between 250-300 sunny days in a year
Greece has more archeology museums than any other world country
Approximately 16,5 million tourists visits Greece annually. This is more that entire Greek population
Greek anthem contains 158 rhymes. There is no Greek citizen has memorized them all
First Olympic Games happened in 776 BC
Greek flag has 11 blue-white horizontal lines that some scientists say are 9 syllables of Greek slogan “Eleftheria and thanatos” or “Freedom or death”. Blue stands for Greek sky and sea, while white is purity in fight for freedom. In top left corner is traditional Greek orthodox cross
Santa Claus is a word with Greek origin. Belief say that Saint Nicolas was rich Greek who gave his money to poor
Customer service is charged 15% and is usually included in price. Besides, it is usual to leave 10% tip for waiter
Greek time is -2 hours Greenwich Mean Time, and -1 of middle European time
Average temperature in Greece during September/October is 28-32°C
Price of taxi service in Greece is calculated per kilometer. Transfer of luggage heavier than 20 kg and call to taxi service is additionally charged. It is important to know that every driver has to have official rate list in the vehicle.
Greek cuisine is based on Mediterranean cuisine and usually includes olive oil, vegetables and herbs, grains and bread, wine, fish and different meat. Important foods in Greek cuisine are olives, cheese, eggplant, zucchini and yoghurt. Greek cuisine also uses lots of herbs, such as oregano, basil, garlic, onions, dill, thyme, laurel, fennel seed. Some of traditional Greek dishes you should try are: tzatziki, moussaka, gyros, Greek salad, souvlaki. Greek is famous for long tradition of wine production (for 6500 years), ginger beer and brandy with anise flavor called ouzo.