Week 9: Peloponnese

The week after midterms, the entire study abroad program traveled together for five days throughout different parts of the Peloponnese. Our first stop was Mycenae, one of the most important Bronze Age sites. Not only was it amazing to see the ruins I had previously studied in class, but the setting was also incredibly beautiful.

Lion (or Griffin) Gate:

Grave Circle A:

Mycenean cistern:

Tholos Tomb ("Treasury of Atreus")

After Mycenae, we drove to Nafplio, a city on the Argolic Gulf. We got the chance to explore the city on our own and stayed there for two nights. 

Bourtzi Castle:

               

The next day we drove to the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus. The most impressive monument on the site by far was the huge theater, which was amazing to walk around in. 

   

After Epidaurus, we traveled to Franchthi Cave, a site that was continually inhabited from 20,000 BC to 3,000 BC. We were able to listen to a lecture from one of our faculty members, Dr. Steve Diamant, who had participated in the excavation of the cave years ago.

 

Later in the afternoon, we traveled back to Nafplio and stayed there overnight. My friend Ellie and I decided to hike up to the fortress of Akronafplia above the city to watch the sunset. 

The next day, we hiked up to Palamidi Castle and were able to see some great views of the city.

After leaving Nafplio, we traveled to Sparta to see the meager remains of the once powerful city-state.

In the afternoon, we drove to Mystras, a town that was once a center of power for the Byzantines. 

The next day, on Ohi Day, we visited the ancient site and archaeological museum of Olympia. While there, we saw Pheidias' workshop and the sculpture of Hermes with an infant Dionysus by Praxiteles. 

 

Our last stop on the way back to Athens was Kaiafa Forest and Lake, a protected area, where we received on-site lectures from Greek environmentalists.