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The Friends of the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens are sponsoring a walking tour of HADRIAN’S ARCH, THE TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS and THE PANATHENAIC STADIUM on Sunday March 13, 2011 at 12:00 (noon). Dr. Stavros Paspalas tour leader.

In the heart of present-day Athens the area of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch was, for a great part of Antiquity, on the edge of the city. Nonetheless, the area was of utmost importance in the lives of the ancient Athenians, as is indicated by the siting of a number of very important sanctuaries within its confines. The most spectacular of these is the temple of Zeus, which we shall visit; we shall also examine the remains of the Roman period in this city sector, and also consider the impact of the Roman emperors, particularly Hadrian. We shall then move on to the Panathenaic Stadium, which not only has a fascinating ancient history, but a modern one as well. Why did the great Athenian benefactor of the Roman period Herodes Atticus encase the whole structure in marble? And why did Georgios Averoff follow his lead in the 1880’s?

Meet at Hadrian’s Arch, Vasilissis Amalias Street at noon Sunday March 13, 2011.

Cost: Members Euros 10.00 Guests Euros 15.00

You may pay on the day but PLEASE CALL the Office of the AAIA on 210 924 3256 to BOOK.

By Athensguide

How does a little girl from Skokie, Illinois find herself in historical Athens, leading curious explorers through the winding streets of Plaka, down "pezodromos" to hidden ouzeries for tempting mezedhes and homemade barrel wine? The journey began more than twenty years ago, and regardless of whether the wanderlust comes from the spiritual and culture DNA flowing through my veins, or the alignment of the stars on that cold mid-December day this Sagitterian came into the world, I never seem to tire of exploring my adopted homeland of Greece. Here you'll join me as I explore Athens: be it the back streets of Psirri and Gazi, or through the National Gardens and Zappeio where a family of turtles makes their home, or down wide, treelined Imittou Street in Pagrati, which pulses with Athenian life 24 hours a day. And while Athens has stolen my heart, the rest of Greece vies for my curiousity and wanderlust. My two guys (that'd be the Greek God, Vasilis and our Greek dog, Scruffy) and I can often be found settling in for a long weekend in some charming mountain village, or a quaint fishing port on a nearby island, or learning how Greek vitners are producing wines that rival some of Napa Valley's finests productions, or celebrating a panayeri in Epirus or sharing in the festivities as a family of Cretan sheepherders come together to sheer their 1500 sheep in the spring ... And if you happen to find yourself heading to Athens, consider finding yourself a real home for your stay. Living amongst the locals, be it for 3 nights or 3 weeks, will offer you the chance to experience true Athens, beyond the Acropolis. Choose from one of our 5 beautiful penthouse and historical homes, and who knows, I may be leading you down that winding "pezodromo" to our favorite hidden ouzerie!