Athens is a major coastal urban area in the Mediterranean and it is both the capital and the largest city of Greece, and also the eighth largest urban area in the European Union. Athens dominates and is the capital of the Attica region and is one of the world’s oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years, and its earliest human presence beginning somewhere between the 11th and 7th millennia BCE. The city was named after a Greek war goddess.
Classical Athens was a powerful city-state. It was a centre for the arts, learning and philosophy, and the home of Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum. It is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely because of its cultural and political influence on the European continent—particularly Ancient Rome.
In modern times, Athens is a large cosmopolitan metropolis and central to economic, financial, industrial, maritime, political and cultural life in Greece. It is one of the biggest economic centers in Southeastern Europe. It also has a large financial sector, and its port Piraeus is both the 3rd busiest passenger port in Europe, and the 26th largest container port in the world. Athens is also the southernmost capital on the European mainland.
These amazing black and white photos were taken by John Winder that show Athens from 1972 to 1974.
Gate to the Roman Forum and two cool dudes in bell bottoms, Plaka, Athens, summer 1972
Acropolis seen from Philoppapou Hill, Athens, summer 1972
Dome of Church of the Pantanassa, Athens, September 1972
Kaisariani monastery, Athens, October 1972
Man and pigeons, in front of the Parliament building, Athens, summer 1972
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