Greece is widely considered to be the cradle of Western cultureand democracy. The Greeks created an ideal of beauty that strongly influenced Western art.
In every corner of Greek land can be found traces of a centuries-old and important history is etched: findings from the Prehistoric and Archaic Periods, unique works from Classical, Hellenistic, Medieval and Byzantine monuments, creations from folk art cultures, traces from the passing eons of other civilizations and different religions, that coexist with current creations, constructions and modern works of art.
Greece is a true paradise for cultural tourism, a large journey into history and art. Educational excursions, theatrical productions, festivals, pilgrimages, visits to archaeological sites, monuments and museums, excursions to study the natural environment, folk art and culture – these are just a few of the many things that Greece has to offer in the cultural tourism sector.
Whoever really wants to understand Greece, its history and its people, he will find an unrivalled cultural experience through traveling into the area and chronological period of Greek culture.
In the footsteps of tradition and modern culture: from the mythical age, to the birth of democracy, drama and the Olympic Games
A journey through history
To visit Greece is to enjoy an epic tale that goes back at least 5,000 years, where the dividing line between myth and history become beautifully blurred. The ‘300’ is not just a movie, the Odyssey is not just a book. They are instead milestones on the course of human history and the development of civilisation. This story will guide and inspire you as you travel through the islands and the mainland of Greece.
Greek Culture
You might start with the home of ancient civilization: the Acropolis of Athens and the surrounding archaeological sites and then move on to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. Afterwards you might head for ancient Olympia, home of the Olympic Games in antiquity, or Delphi, the site of the famous oracle and thought by the ancients to be the navel of the world, or to the ancient theatre at Epidaurus with its pitch-perfect acoustics.
Other places you might visit, as you delve deeper into antiquity and the beginnings of Western civilization, are the Minoan palaces of Knossos on Crete and the sanctuaries of the great gods on Samothrace and Limnos as well as the tombs at Vergina, to name just a few. Every ancient site in Greece is blessed with wonderful natural settings that enhance the energy of temples, stadiums, theatres and their compelling statues and timeless works of art.
Traditions in Greece
The Greeks have learned to honour their heritage and today the imprint of these past times lives on in time-honoured traditions. You, too, can experience them in rural parts of the country by participating in village feasts or the Dionysian traditions still practised for carnival or in the moving and deeply religious celebration of Easter.
Modern culture and the arts
Greece is not just the past. You will also be delighted by its modern culture and arts, to be found in the country’s museums, concert halls and art galleries of the major cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as the thousands of cultural events held all year-round at open-air theatres, castles and squares around the country.
