From ideologies to iconic structure, there’s a purpose why Greece is among the most visited international locations in Europe.
Yearly, 1000’s of travellers from all around the world flock to Greece every summer time in quest of solar, sand, and journey – and why wouldn’t you? With its idyllic islands, historical historical past, and mouthwatering delicacies, a vacation to Greece guarantees enjoyable experiences and unforgettable reminiscences.
However whereas glittering sandy seashores, infinite turquoise water, and winding streets guarded by white-washed, blue-domed buildings may be a few of the first issues that come to thoughts when picturing the Mediterranean nation, Greece is definitely a lot greater than that with its roots in world significance going again centuries.
Whether or not you’re captivated by the gorgeous language, transfixed by tales of gods and their heroics, or fascinated by the ruins of sacred locations, we’ve put collectively a listing of the 11 issues this magical nation is understood for therefore you may cease researching Greece and really begin experiencing it.
1. Democracy
Main the way in which when it got here to self-rule authorities within the historical world, the Greeks have been the primary ones to create a democracy and used bits of damaged pottery as voting ballots when electing new representatives. Creating within the fifth century BC in Athens, democracy gave a voice to the folks and demonstrated that peace could possibly be achieved when transferring energy and that there was no want for violent uprisings or revolutions.
Invented by a person named Cleisthenes (often known as “The Father of Democracy”), democracy enabled true residents of Athens to vote on issues corresponding to passing legal guidelines and authorities representatives. And whereas the trendy thought of democracy appears just a little totally different, now we have the traditional Greeks to thank for the ordered and truthful approach most nations are dominated by at present.
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2. Delicacies
Some folks journey to Greece purely for its conventional meals, and with good purpose. Greek delicacies takes its influences from the remainder of the Mediterranean with meals that closely function seafood, grilled meats, cheese, contemporary greens, olives, and olive oil. Thought-about to be a reasonably wholesome and easy approach of consuming, historical Greeks ate by the use of the seasons, counting on bread dipped in olive oil, beans, and different greens to maintain them all year long.
These days, Greek meals has diversified and might be loved all yr spherical. Some fashionable dishes embrace gyro (meat and greens topped with tzatziki and wrapped in pita bread), kleftiko (a lamb dish served with greens), keftedes (seasoned meatballs), saganaki (pan-fried or grilled cheese), and spanakopita (savoury pastry stuffed with feta cheese and onions).
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3. Philosophy
Whereas many historical Greeks believed the world was created by the gods, it wasn’t till the sixth Century BCE {that a} new line of pondering was urged and circulated, and the time period “philosophy” was born. Philosophy centered round pondering with purpose on a variety of subjects together with astrology, politics, arithmetic, and ethics.
Greece had many well-known philosophers through the years and stay a few of the most influential figures in philosophy and science to today, serving to to create trendy civilization as we now understand it. These well-known philosophers embrace Pythagoras of Samos (the inventor of the Pythagorean Theorem), Socrates (a founding father of philosophy), Plato (Socrates’ pupil), Aristotle (instructor of Alexander the Nice), and Democritus (an advocate for liberty and equality).
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4. The Greek Islands
We are able to’t make a listing of the issues Greece is most identified for and never embrace its breathtaking islands. Featured on postcards, journey blogs, and Instagram profiles the world over, Greece’s islands are really one thing else.
Whether or not you fancy swimming by means of crystal-clear water, exploring secluded seashores, having fun with a cocktail or two whereas watching the sundown or wandering by means of historical cities stuffed with fascinating historical past, the Greek Islands have just a little one thing for everybody.
If you happen to don’t thoughts sharing the unimaginable surroundings of Greece’s hottest islands with 1000’s of different travellers then you must go to Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete. However, if a slower-paced, laidback island vibe is extra your factor, journey across the smaller and fewer populated islands of Paros, Milos, and Thasos.
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5. Mythology
If you happen to grew up watching Disney’s 1997 animated movie Hercules like everybody else did, you then’ll perceive how fascinating the tales of Greek mythology are. Depicting gods, goddesses, and on a regular basis heroes in battle, performing rituals, and sacrificial practices, these myths have been seen as a form of faith by the traditional Greeks and have been instructed as a technique to make sense of the origin and nature of the world.
Whether or not you acknowledge the names of gods corresponding to Zeus (god of thunder), Apollo (god of solar and light-weight), and Poseidon (god of the ocean) from numerous Hollywood films through the years otherwise you bear in mind studying up on Achilles and Odysseus from Homer’s epic assortment of poems the Iliad and the Odyssey at college, there’s little doubt these fascinating mythological tales have influenced trendy western tradition, arts, and literature to today.
And the truth that these tales have survived by means of the centuries to carry relevance and significance in at present’s society is fairly cool.
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6. Language
The traditional Greeks have been one of many oldest civilizations on Earth and the identical might be stated for the Greek language. Claiming the title of one of many first Indo-European languages ever written, the Greek language is an interesting one with the longest historical past of alphabetic graphology ever recorded. However make no mistake, the Greek language isn’t simple to be taught.
The Greek language has three genders (male, feminine, and impartial) so remembering the proper type of a specific phrase is usually a nightmare. It’s additionally not intently associated to some other world language, particularly English, so good luck attempting to determine how you can pronounce phrases corresponding to ‘Can I pay with a bank card?’ (Μπορώ Να Πληρώσω Με Πιστωτική Κάρτα) and ‘how lengthy to get to the airport?’ (Πόσο Μακριά Είναι Το Αεροδρόμιο).
Whereas mastering the Greek language may be extraordinarily difficult, it’s additionally extraordinarily satisfying so taking the outing to be taught some helpful phrases and phrases earlier than your Greek journey begins will certainly come in useful.
7. Historical ruins
So far as historical civilizations go, the Greeks are up there with the oldest of them and if you’re arising with concepts corresponding to democracy and philosophy, you’re sure to depart a whole lot of sacred locations and historic websites which have seen political battles, cultural practices, and centuries of prayers in your wake.
From the ruins of the Acropolis in Athens to the traditional metropolis of Kamiros alongside the northwest coast of Rhodes, Greek is a historical past lover’s dream. Wander the Parthenon, constructed for Athena (the goddess of knowledge) within the fifth century BC, stare up on the columned temples seen on the Acropolis of Rhodes, and discover the Palace of the Grand Grasp with its medieval fashion structure, museums, and exhibitions.
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8. Ouzo
Greece, and extra particularly Mykonos and Santorini, is understood to have a wild and pulsating nightlife however you may’t have an electrical nightlife scene with out the alcohol to match. That’s the place ouzo is available in. Stated to have originated within the 14th century by a bunch of monks on Mount Athos, this fashionable aperitif is extensively consumed throughout Greece and is used as a toasting drink to rejoice particular events.
Described as dry and anise-flavoured, ouzo will certainly put hair in your chest because of its rectified spirit standing (a extremely concentrated and purified ethanol) and is often served with contemporary fish, olives, and feta cheese. If you wish to be taught as a lot as you may about this completely Greek product, go to the ouzo museum or the ouzo distillery in Plomari in Lesbos.
9. Monasteries
Greece boasts a wealthy, non secular historical past and one of many methods to bodily see how necessary faith was to the traditional Greeks – and be taught extra about their historical practices and rituals – is thru the various monasteries scattered across the nation. Typically constructed on steep cliffs and rocky slopes in mountainous areas in order that they have been nearer to God, these monasteries have been used as locations of meditation, providing a simplistic and sacred haven wherein to hope.
Whether or not you wish to set your sights on the majestic monasteries of Meteora perched on large, vertical rocks, make your approach across the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hosios Loukas Holy Monastery in Distomo, or marvel on the distinct structure and holy ambiance of the Megalo Spileo Monastery in Kalavryta, Greece isn’t brief on breathtaking monasteries so that you can discover.
10. Structure
Whereas Greece’s pure magnificence can’t be denied, this nation’s artifical magnificence can be one thing to ooh and aah over because of the distinctive and distinctive fashion of structure its buildings, locations of worship, and homes have been in-built. That includes kinds corresponding to Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian (assume stone columns and ornate capitals), Greek structure was deliberate round logic and order with each little element having a particular perform.
If you wish to respect Greek structure in all its glory, go to the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus within the Acropolis, the Temple of Artemis in Corfu, and the Stoa of Attalos in Agora. Oh, and you must catch a glimpse of the white-washed and blue-domed homes present in most cities in Greece. It’s merely a ceremony of passage.
11. The Olympic Video games
We may be glued to our screens when the trendy Olympic Video games roll round each 4 years, however do you really understand how, when, and the place it began? We’ve already talked about mythology and its spot in historical Greek civilization however it’s due to Zeus that the primary Olympic Video games have been ever held in 776 BC.
What started as a technique to honour the god of thunder quickly grew to become a approach for Greece’s most gifted athletes to return collectively and take part in a contest that will be celebrated for 1000’s of years till it was deemed to be a pagan spectacle by the then Emperor of Byzantium Theodosius.
However these Olympic Video games regarded so much totally different to those we watch at present with inventive competitions that includes sculptors and poets, tethrippon – a carriage race run with 4 horses – and pankration (an attention-grabbing mixture of boxing and wrestling) all a part of this system.