There will be a lot of images today.
The Museum, which is stunning and the Parthenon
An installation in the metro (subway) system station. Reproductions but oh so good looking.
First view with appropriate tourists in the image.
Entrance to the museum. Part of the walkway is glass. The museum is built over, on posts an ongoing excavation of the ancient city itself. The dark space, with the person looking in is a view of the excavation directly.
Looking into the excavation. You can see the posts that support the museum itself. Eventually, the public will be able to so into the excavation for sightseeing.
A worker on site. You can see how the museum floats over the site.
The regular city in the background, outside the museum grounds.
Looking at the edge of the Parthenon hill from the entrance to the museum.
You can see the glass I am standing on and see the glass railing of the view down into the ancient city.
The main entrance to the exhibits. The architecture is stunning and subtle.
You go into the space as a metaphor for being in the Parthenon. In the distance are the steps up to the second level, where most to the statuary is.
(see the guard coming towards me to tell me, Photography is only allowed on the third level)
Looking up at the floor of the third level from the first level. The floor is glass and the soft light is coming from the transparent roof of the building into that level.
The view from the second level out to the entrance and the "hill".
From a mezzanine level between the second and third floors. You are looking at the second level. The pillars and the space again suggest one's being in the Parthenon itself.
Looking at the mezzanine level and the glass floor of the third level.
The model shows the Parthenon as it was originally. We are in the interior space of the third floor. You walk out to the exterior space where the original metopes, frieze, and pediments are displayed in exact scale.
Parts of the pediment, the metopes and the frieze.
Looking at the main entrance on the very left. Back then and now it is the entrance to the Parthenon and other temples. It like the Parthenon itself are under constant reconstruction and restoration. What staggered me, almost literally, was to learn that the ruins are not the result of decay over the centuries. In 1687 the Venetians (who built the big fort on Corfu) attacked the Parthenon. The Turks, occupying the site were using the building for gun powder storage. A canon shot blew the Parthenon up.
An other image to give the sense of scale and the installation.
The most sophisticated computer/camera activity I have ever seen. A custom built 3D camera and software program that is measuring the exact details of the original frieze for purposes of reproduction.
The camera has dual lenses and LED lighting. She is viewing her screen and the other person is verifying the recording is going as planned. You can see all the dots she is supposed to focus on. Labor intensive.
Before going up the hill I had lunch. Octupus, assorted peppers, olives, artichoke. It may not look it but it was delicious.
And coffee.
Leaving the museum the light is better for showing the ancient city.
Walking up the hill !!
Now
And Then
Reconstruction under way
Some of the ancient caves. For living and for sources of water.
The Theatre of Dionysos
A bit of the city around the hill.
One of the most important and historical caves.
And turning around, and shooting through the fence that separates the city from the protected area , are classic Greek steps to a roof top.
Just like Hollywood.
On the south slope, getting close to the entrance
The Odeion of Herodes Atticus, partially restored.
The Entrance
What we just walked through
To the left of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena
Ongoing restoration has been botched before.
Looking back at the museum. You can see the orientation of the third floor, all glass with the opening for the light to go through the floor down to the first floor.
The interesting shape on the second floor is the outdoor part of the restaurant.
Looking from the East. Wrong time of day for the light
From the South
Looking over the South Rim I see the purple painted roof top and the wonderful white steps I saw up close before. You can see where the city stops and the sacred grounds begin.
Another look at the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena before I leave.
As I walk down the hill I go through a wonderful grove, well tended.
It feels good.
Back in the hotel I reflect on the day, the trip and the fact that I have to get up at 2AM to get to the airport in time.
Tomorrow will be images of airplanes and airplane wings.
Maybe clouds.
(Antonioius said before I left that he thought I was coming out of hibernation)
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