Photos

Countries shown in this late winter satellite image of the southern Balkan Peninsula include Italy (left center edge), Greece (below center), and Turkey (right edge). At upper right is the Black Sea, at center is the Aegean Sea, at upper left is the Adriatic Sea, and at bottom left is the Mediterranean Sea. North of Turkey are Bulgaria and Romania. Moving clockwise from top left are Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, and Albania. North of Albania is Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Scattered fires appear as red dots. Image courtesy of NASA.

This northwest-looking photo displays the rugged, mountainous landscape of Greece. Two major landform regions are captured in the photo - the northwest-southeast-trending Pindus Mtns. in central Greece north of the Gulf of Corinth and the Peloponnese Peninsula south of the Gulf (center of the photo). This rugged terrain caused the Greeks to become a seafaring people, second only to the Norwegians in Europe. The capital of Athens (lighter area) is barely discernible along the southern edge of the broad peninsula near the eastern edge of the photograph. Image courtesy of NASA.

The Parthenon crowns the Acropolis in Athens. The Acropolis is a citadel on a flat, high, rocky outcrop 150 m (490 ft) above sea level and is the highest point in Athens. It preserves a number of ancient structures.

Close up of the front of the Parthenon - the temple to ancient Athens' patron deity, Athena.

Another view of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. Built in the 5th century B.C., it is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece.

Sculpted processional riders from the marble frieze of the Parthenon.

View of the rear of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. The temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, was built between 447 and 438 B.C. The Acropolis is a citadel on a flat, high, rocky outcrop 150 m (490 ft)above sea level and is the highest point in Athens. It preserves a number of ancient structures.

A view from the south of the Erechtheum temple on the Acropolis in Athens.

A close up of the Porch of the Caryatids (also known as the Porch of the Maidens) on the southern side of the Erechtheum temple on the Acropolis in Athens.

The remains of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) in Athens.

Thirteen of the columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) in Athens. Originally, 104 columns supported this massive structure, which was begun in 520 B.C. but not fully completed until A.D. 132!

Close up of some of the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Olympieion) in Athens.