Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
This morning was spent viewing the extensive collection of antiquities at the Benaki Museum, Athens. Of most interest to me was the ceramic collection containing items that spanned Ancient Greek history from the Bronze Age through to the height of the Classical Period. Also the incredible collection of Greek jewellery. Some of these pieces were truly exquisite and I have no idea how the jewellers managed to achieve such fine and delicate work without the technology that jewellers if today's world have access to. Unfortunately the lighting ang glass cabinets the works were in made photographing them just about impossible. Some of the pieces, though hundreds or thousands of years old, look just like something you could buy or wear today. Truly beautiful.
In the afternoon we visited the Acropolis Museum, which was totally mind blowing! This huge modern building houses a great collection of sculptures, antiquities and details from buildings on the Acropolis that have been removed over the years. For instance, the actual caryatids from the Erechtheion are in this building and are currently being cleaned / restored using a special laser technology. It is only cast reproductions that still stand in place on the Acropolis. It was just awesome to be able to stand with your face just centimetres from the actual marble originals.
I did not know this until visiting the museum, but many of the sculptures and votive offerings on show were actually buried in pits on the Acropolis by the ancient Athenians after the Persians came through and trashed the place in 480BC. They buried them both to protect them from further damage and so that they could rest in peace like deceased loved ones. They were only just unearthed by archaeologists in 1885AD, so the Greeks themselves hadn't seen these treasures for hundreds of years.
Of special pleasure to me were the marble Korai (sculptures of young women) which were votive offerings to the gods donated by wealthy Athenians at the time. They were situated around the various temples and areas of the Acropolis in order to please the gods. Once brightly coloured with gaudy mineral-based pigments mixed with wax, they now appear just plain marble.
But on the top floor of this three-levelled museum was the most amazing sight of all; a life-size layout of what remains of the relief carvings (friezes) from the Parthenon itself. No photos were allowed to be taken in this museum, which was very sad. I will try to take a photo from the guidebook I bought to show the sheer scale of this display. So with the actual Acropolis within direct view through the glass walls of the museum, you are able to walk around this massive, life size display of the carved decorations that were once attached to the Parthenon. Many of them were cast reproductions made from the ones the Pommie b******, Lord Elgin stole over a century ago, now housed in the Brittish Museum. I felt enraged on seeing just how much this Elgin idiot plundered and I cannot understand why, in this day and age, the Brits won't return them to their rightful owners and place of origin. When you are in this Acropolis Museum, in Athens, you feel totally ripped off to be having to look at plaster copies of the carvings, rather than the real things. In my unlearned opinion, they should be given back so that they can come home and rest where they were created. (Where is the petition? Let me sign it?!).
You cannot come to Athens without visiting both the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum - they go hand in hand. Both totally awe-inspiring experiences. (Incidentally, the restaurant at the Acropolis Museum has a really great menu with fabulous food food for ridiculously low prices).
- comments
Ruth and John Hi Laura, Sam passed on your blog address and we are so glad she did. It is wonderful to know you are having such a great time - what did we tell you!! perfect weather here Kerry Lawrence spent last night with us and was delighted to here you were o'seas. Continue to enjoy every minute of your travels - wait till you get to Florence.