
LOCATION
8th-11th November 2017
Piraeus University of Applied Sciences (PUAS) (Greece)
Conference Venue
The conference will be held at the Conference center of Piraeus University of Applied Sciences, which includes the auditorium with five hundred 500 seats and multi-lingual capabilities. There are also five (5) conference rooms of about one hundred (100) seats for parallel sessions.
Access / Transfers:
Athens is well connected by air from all major airports of Europe. Many budget airlines fly to Athens, while all the major airlines provide regular scheduled flights.
Background to Athens
Athens is a sprawling city established among seven historic hills and surrounded by remarkable mountains. Inhabited for more than 3,000 years, Athens is the historical capital of Europe. It is widely known as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the Modern Greek state and in two centuries since, it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.
A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites, ruins and monuments, reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.
The most important ancient heritage of Athens, the Acropolis, also called Sacred Rock, is the greatest and finest sanctuary of the 5th century, dedicated primarily to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and protector of the city. Just next to it stands the most famous ancient Greek temple, the Parthenon, a reminder of the great Greek civilization. 300m away from the sacred rock of Acropolis stands the impressive Acropolis Museum, one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. It has the largest collection of Greek architecture and ancient sculptures.
Around Acropolis lye the magnificent ancient wonders from the Classical and the Roman times.
Opposite the entrance to the Acropolis is a huge white rock called Areopagus Hill, in Greek it literally means the hill of Ares. On the southern slope of the Acropolis rock is the Theatre of Herodes Atticus (or Odeon of Herodes Atticus). It was added to the Acropolis between AD161 - 174 during the Roman period of Athens. The theatre could hold up to 5000 spectators, and in its day was enclosed with a cedarwood roof which improved the acoustics. The same Herodes Atticus re-built the Kalimarmaro/ Panathanaic Stadium, which hosted for many centuries games in which male athletes competed in track events, athletics championships as we would call them today.
Further down on the southern cliff face of the Acropolis rock is the Theatre of Dionysos, the birthplace of Greek Tragedy, and the first to be built of stone.
Opposite the Acropolis, is the Pnyx Hill. Although now it's an outdoor theatre it was once the "Ekklesia" citizens assembly, which met to discuss and vote on the running of Ancient Athens. As many as 6000 Athenians met up to 40 times a year on the hill to listen to politicians and speakers. Themistocoles, Perikles, Demosthenes and Alciabides all once spoke on these rocks.
Coming down from the Acropolis one may see the Areios Pagos, the most ancient law court of the world and Philopappou Hill, with its beautiful cobbled little roads and the Roman monument by the same name on its top. The Ancient Agora, further along, was the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Athens, whereas Hadrian’s Arch (131 A.D.), close to the temple of Olympian Zeus (6th c. B.C.), one of the largest in antiquity, forms the symbolic entrance to the city.
At the eastern side of the Acropolis, one may walk through the small winding streets of Plaka neighborhood, which has been inhabited without interruption since antiquity. It’s streets with their steps, balconies with bougainvilleas, geraniums and jasmines, are lined with neoclassical houses and mansions from the time of Turkish occupation. One may encounter there several ancient monuments and archeological areas, such as the Greek and Roman Agora with the Tower of Winds, the Hadrian’s Library, the Attalos Stoa, the Lysikrates Monument, many churches, true masterpieces of Byzantine art and architecture, as well as remnants of the Ottoman period.
A famous district of Plaka is Monastiraki, where the traditional bazaar (Yousouroum) is held. It extends from Monastiraki square (Athinas street) until Thission.
Syntagma is the central square of Athens. It is located in front of the Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament, since 1934. In front of it is the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in traditional costume. From this square starts the beautiful National Garden, south of which stands the impressive Zappeion Mansion (1874-1888). Close to it is the Presidential Mansion (1897) and the the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium, where the first Olympic Games in modern history were held (1896).
Apart from the centre of Athens one may find interesting attractions at the suburbs. Kaisariani Monastery (2nd c.), the Temple of Poseidon (5th c. B.C.) on Cape Sounion, Marathon, where the battle took place (490 B.C.), the archaeological site of Eleusina, are just a few of the places one shouldn’t miss when visiting Greece.
A few minutes by car from the centre of Athens, one may arrive to Piraeus, Greece’s main port and, why not, visit the beautiful islands of the Argo-Saronic Gulf (Aegina, Angistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses etc), which are close enough to go for the day. Ferries to the islands of the Saronic Gulf leave frequently from Piraeus port.
Visit the official website of the Greek Ministry of Tourism (Greek Tourism Organisation) for further information:
http://www.visitgreece.gr/el/main_cities/athens
We should also mention that the Classic Athens Marathon takes place on 12 November 2017. For anyone interested to participate please visit:
http://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/site/index.php/en/
8th-11th November 2017
Piraeus University of Applied Sciences (PUAS) (Greece)
Conference Venue
The conference will be held at the Conference center of Piraeus University of Applied Sciences, which includes the auditorium with five hundred 500 seats and multi-lingual capabilities. There are also five (5) conference rooms of about one hundred (100) seats for parallel sessions.
Access / Transfers:
Athens is well connected by air from all major airports of Europe. Many budget airlines fly to Athens, while all the major airlines provide regular scheduled flights.
Background to Athens
Athens is a sprawling city established among seven historic hills and surrounded by remarkable mountains. Inhabited for more than 3,000 years, Athens is the historical capital of Europe. It is widely known as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy. Over the years, a multitude of conquerors occupied Athens, and erected unique, splendid monuments - a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834, it became the capital of the Modern Greek state and in two centuries since, it has become an attractive modern metropolis with unrivalled charm.
A large part of the town’s historic centre has been converted into a 3-kilometre pedestrian zone (the largest in Europe), leading to the major archaeological sites, ruins and monuments, reconstructing – to a large degree – the ancient landscape.
The most important ancient heritage of Athens, the Acropolis, also called Sacred Rock, is the greatest and finest sanctuary of the 5th century, dedicated primarily to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and protector of the city. Just next to it stands the most famous ancient Greek temple, the Parthenon, a reminder of the great Greek civilization. 300m away from the sacred rock of Acropolis stands the impressive Acropolis Museum, one of the most important contemporary works of architecture in Athens. It has the largest collection of Greek architecture and ancient sculptures.
Around Acropolis lye the magnificent ancient wonders from the Classical and the Roman times.
Opposite the entrance to the Acropolis is a huge white rock called Areopagus Hill, in Greek it literally means the hill of Ares. On the southern slope of the Acropolis rock is the Theatre of Herodes Atticus (or Odeon of Herodes Atticus). It was added to the Acropolis between AD161 - 174 during the Roman period of Athens. The theatre could hold up to 5000 spectators, and in its day was enclosed with a cedarwood roof which improved the acoustics. The same Herodes Atticus re-built the Kalimarmaro/ Panathanaic Stadium, which hosted for many centuries games in which male athletes competed in track events, athletics championships as we would call them today.
Further down on the southern cliff face of the Acropolis rock is the Theatre of Dionysos, the birthplace of Greek Tragedy, and the first to be built of stone.
Opposite the Acropolis, is the Pnyx Hill. Although now it's an outdoor theatre it was once the "Ekklesia" citizens assembly, which met to discuss and vote on the running of Ancient Athens. As many as 6000 Athenians met up to 40 times a year on the hill to listen to politicians and speakers. Themistocoles, Perikles, Demosthenes and Alciabides all once spoke on these rocks.
Coming down from the Acropolis one may see the Areios Pagos, the most ancient law court of the world and Philopappou Hill, with its beautiful cobbled little roads and the Roman monument by the same name on its top. The Ancient Agora, further along, was the commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Athens, whereas Hadrian’s Arch (131 A.D.), close to the temple of Olympian Zeus (6th c. B.C.), one of the largest in antiquity, forms the symbolic entrance to the city.
At the eastern side of the Acropolis, one may walk through the small winding streets of Plaka neighborhood, which has been inhabited without interruption since antiquity. It’s streets with their steps, balconies with bougainvilleas, geraniums and jasmines, are lined with neoclassical houses and mansions from the time of Turkish occupation. One may encounter there several ancient monuments and archeological areas, such as the Greek and Roman Agora with the Tower of Winds, the Hadrian’s Library, the Attalos Stoa, the Lysikrates Monument, many churches, true masterpieces of Byzantine art and architecture, as well as remnants of the Ottoman period.
A famous district of Plaka is Monastiraki, where the traditional bazaar (Yousouroum) is held. It extends from Monastiraki square (Athinas street) until Thission.
Syntagma is the central square of Athens. It is located in front of the Old Royal Palace, housing the Greek Parliament, since 1934. In front of it is the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by the Evzones in traditional costume. From this square starts the beautiful National Garden, south of which stands the impressive Zappeion Mansion (1874-1888). Close to it is the Presidential Mansion (1897) and the the Panathenaikon (Kallimarmaro) Stadium, where the first Olympic Games in modern history were held (1896).
Apart from the centre of Athens one may find interesting attractions at the suburbs. Kaisariani Monastery (2nd c.), the Temple of Poseidon (5th c. B.C.) on Cape Sounion, Marathon, where the battle took place (490 B.C.), the archaeological site of Eleusina, are just a few of the places one shouldn’t miss when visiting Greece.
A few minutes by car from the centre of Athens, one may arrive to Piraeus, Greece’s main port and, why not, visit the beautiful islands of the Argo-Saronic Gulf (Aegina, Angistri, Poros, Hydra, Spetses etc), which are close enough to go for the day. Ferries to the islands of the Saronic Gulf leave frequently from Piraeus port.
Visit the official website of the Greek Ministry of Tourism (Greek Tourism Organisation) for further information:
http://www.visitgreece.gr/el/main_cities/athens
We should also mention that the Classic Athens Marathon takes place on 12 November 2017. For anyone interested to participate please visit:
http://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/site/index.php/en/