Athens is the historical capital of Europe, as it has never ceased to be inhabited from the Neolithic era to the present day. In the length of its long, fascinating history, the climax came in the 5th century BC (the “Golden Age of Pericles”), when its values and culture transcended the geographical boundaries of the city and acquired a pan-human radiance. Political thought, theatre, the arts, philosophy, science, architecture and so many other versions of human intellect reached their epic peak in a unique coincidence of time and spiritual integration in world history.
Over the centuries, the city has experienced various conquerors, who left their traces in monuments with special glamour and charm, creating a rare historical palimpsest. In 1834 it was declared the capital of the newest Greek state, starting from the echoes of its classical past, but in the two centuries that have passed it has evolved into a modern metropolitan centre with unparalleled charm and high interest.
