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![]() Akropolis |
![]() Athens |
The Attic coast is mostly mountainous barren terrain, which holds 66% of the industrial activities of Greece especially around the island of Salamis and the harbour area of Piraeus.
Between Piraeus and Glifada the coast is lined by high-rise apartment blocks; more than one third of the whole population lives in Athens.
This modern architecture of Athens clashes with the ancient buildings and treasures. Until the first half of the 20th c. archaeologists were keen to demolish whole blocks of 'new' houses to
excavate the lower lying libraries, shops, streets, temples, etc of ancient Athens. However, in the 1960's the local residents protested successfully against this wrecking of houses and streets, where they - and their parents before them - grew up. As yet, recent history prevails over ancient history.
British Admiralty Chart 1657
![]() Cape Sounion - Poseidon temple looking south-west. Click for a close-up : |
The main attraction of Palaia Epidavros is its major archaeological site, approximately 35 km to the east (20 min. by taxi) with its evocative theatre (4th c. BCE) set in the forest. Build by Polykleitos as part of a much larger sanctuary, the 14000-seat theatre has extraordinary acoustics; whispered voices from the beaten earth stage are easily heard high up among the 54 tiers of seats. Palaia Epidavros itself is a beautiful little village set within lush surroundings. Anchor some distance away from the village (port police will instruct you to keep your distance to the beaches as well) or go stern-to or bows-to the quay.
About 3 nm south-west of Aegina is the wooded island of Angistri (12 sq. km; 0-216 m), with a population of 700, descendents of Albanians who settled here in the 16th c.