The citadel of Mycenae

Archaeological / historical sites require that the visitor be well equipped: a hat to protect from the hot sunrays, strong shoes to help with the climbing of hills and the wandering among ruins, a bottle of water etc.. Well, I usually defied the rules. I liked to feel feminine, light as a feather, free of any attached accessories. Surprisingly, the tours in Greece and in some other countries were quite successful and no harm was done to me. I enjoyed every moment and overcame any challenge with no special effort.

Mycenae was one of those challenging places: no shade, steep climb, ruins etc...

The culture of Mycenae ( site located on the plain of Argolis) is the source of famous ancient epics and legends such as the Troyan War, and the tragic death of Agammemnon (murdered by his wife & her lover upon return from the Troyan War ). Mycenae is famous for the tombs of royal families. One enters the site through The Lion Gate (at the top of the gate-carved in stone, are two lions standing at a column and facing each other). Once passed the gate , one stands before shaft and circle graves. Nearby - a vaulted tomb (the tomb of Agamemnon).

Ruins at Mycenae

Ancient site on a rocky hill

The Lion Gate to it stands still

Here tombs and houses were uncovered

Grave shafts and treasures discovered.

Many come to this mystical place

To see the circle A and circle B graves

And the vaulted Agamemnon Tomb

Also, the Treasury of Artreus called

Circling the graves

The entrance to the dark Agamemnon Tomb

Old Corinth and the Corinth Canal

The ancient city of Corinth (NE in the Peloponessus on the Gulf of Corinth) was a rich , influential city. Ancient ruins at Old Corinth include: the temple of Apollo, a roman amphitheater, the marketplace, fountains.

Temple of Apollo at Old Corinth

Between pillars of the Temple of Apollo

Most of ancient Corinth

Has either dissappeared

Or by earthquaqes destroyed

And over the years rebuilt

And in spite of it all, there are still

Temple of Apollo ,5th century built

And remnants of an once rich town

With shops that made her renown

Shop at ancient Corinth

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The Corinth Canal built in the late 19th century at the very end of the Gulf of Corinth was considered a great technical achievement , a great engineering masterpiece at the time intended to short sea voyage of ships.. It connects mainland Greece (North} with the Peloponnese peninsula (South), the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf. Two large bridges one for railway, one for national Road are the land connection while below ships sail slowly from one sea to another, from the Adriatic to the Aegaen.

The canal appears as a blue strip and measures are: length - 6.3 km, width- 21 m, depth- 8m, height of the cliffs flanking it - 63m.

The attractions : one can take an organized cruise on a ship along the canal, or while on the bridge watch the bungy jump or look down and watch the passing ships. All three possibilities are exciting.

People looking down in wonder at the canal

The Corinth narrow ship Canal

Is something far from banal

Cut through solid rock and designed

By greatest of minds at the time

It links two seas and two pieces of land

While sailing, one can touch the cliffs by hand

Corinth Canal and the bridges

On the bridge

Corinth Canal - video