UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece

Greece is one of those European countries that has an impressive list of attractions that UNESCO defend. According to 2019 (the 43th session took place in early July in Baku) in the main list include 18 objects and 14 more in advance, but in fact they are much more, because some of them are divided into several attractions. For example, churches in thessaloniki or monasteries in meteors. All objects are crushed in the country, so it is impossible to see them within one trip, but if you are traveling According to Peloponnes By car, you can quite have time to see almost all interesting places from the list. At the time of writing the article, we saw with our own eyes with only a small part of the sights from the World Heritage List, but we hope that over time he will be replenished. For the convenience of recreation planning in Greece, we decided to divide all objects on the geographical principle. To save time for navigation, use the table of contents that is under the first photo, and at the end of the article you will find the map where all UNESCO Greek objects from the main and prior lists are marked.

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece

The main list of UNESCO in Greece

The basic list of UNESCO Greek World Heritage includes 18 objects, some of which is additionally divided into separate attractions. If you consider each place separately, the list will consist of almost fifty points.

UNESCO objects in Athens

Despite all the diversity of the sights of the Greek capital, in Athens there is only one landmark from the UNESCO list. Of course, we are talking about the famous Acropolis (you can formally attribute a Daphny monastery, but this is not exactly the capital).

Athenian Acropolis

Acropolis is the most bright and complete ancient Greek monumental complex, built to our era and preserved to this day. He hit the World Heritage List in 1987 at once in many criteria. Acropolis in Athens is considered precisely as a complex of prehistoric buildings, because, if you are honest, at least four buildings on its territory can quite apply for a separate place: Parfenon, Erechteyon, propylene and temple of Athens Pallades. In our opinion, the Acropolis can safely attribute to the list of those attractions that you need to see until you died (or how these lists are called).

Athenian Acropolis – the most recognizing landmark of UNESCO in Greece

World Heritage Arrangements on Peloponnese

If you are traveling on a peloponnese by car, you have every chance to see all five UNESCO objects as part of one trip. They are located on the peninsula pretty far from each other, but even if not very hurrying and moved on a rented car, then you can hold three days.

Archaeological monuments of epidaurus

The first list is usually mentioned epidavr. Among his monuments, the huge ancient theater and ruins of the temple of Asclepia (God of Healing) are distinguished. And if only ruins remain from the ancient Greek hospitals and the temple (expressive places), then the theater is preserved in all its magnificence. The most amazing is that on an ancient stage platform, not only architectural beauty is preserved, but also acoustics. The ancient theater is constructed in such a way that everything can be heard even on the last row – as the coin falls on the floor or torn paper. It is for this surprising phenomenon Theater of Epidaurus cost to make the UNESCO list, but beyond that there are other criteria such as authenticity, the greatest piece of architecture and other. Archaeological Site of Epidaurus were on the World Heritage list in 1988.

Theater in the epidaurus

Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns

Next world heritage site includes just two archeological places. If you choose one of them, then definitely worth a visit Mycenae, Tiryns too bad, but there is almost nothing left, mostly in ruins. Both cities – a very important centers of the Mycenaean civilization, which prevailed in the eastern Mediterranean in the fifteenth and twelfth centuries. to N.NS. History fans definitely need to look into the Archaeological Museum of Mycenae, a rich collection of artifacts devoted to the same era, almost nowhere else can not be found.

Treasury of Atreus in Mycenae

The ancient city of Mystras

The ancient city of Mystras, near the famous Sparta, about which they know, probably all. Even those who are not interested in history, has ever heard of agoge. In the late Byzantine Mystras played an important political and cultural role is to administer the fate of the people of Greece and Turkey. Mystras, or as it is called, Wonder of Morea, was built on a high cliff and surrounded by a fortress of XIII century. Later the town was rebuilt several times, first by the Byzantines, then the Venetians and Turks, each of the nations left something of their own. But in 1832, after Greece gained independence, all the inhabitants left the city, and since then it stands in ruins. Now it is one of the most picturesque sights of the Peloponnese and the object under the protection of UNESCO.

The ancient city of Mystras © Santiago Abella

Epicurean Temple of Apollo at Bassae

Bassae got into the UNESCO list of the very first of the Greek sights – 1986. The sanctuary was built in about the middle of the V century to our era and preserved to the present day in a very decent state. It is worth noting that in order to protect the ruins of the temple from precipitation, winds and the sun around him, a special dome was erected, so admire the temple from the side will not work, it will be necessary to buy a ticket to see the most ancient Corinthian capitals in the world.

Apollo Temple in Bass © Carole Raddato

Archaeological monuments of Olympia

The last object of UNESCO on Peloponnese – monuments of ancient Olympia. Historians found that the valley, where Olympia is located, was inhabited in the 10th century BC. Of course, from those times to this day, no construction was harvested, but at the homeland of the Olympic Games and without them there is something to see: an ancient stadium, beautiful temples, ancient Greek terms and, of course, the most interesting museums (Archaeological and Museum of Games). If you relax in Patra or Calamat, then you must visit this place.

Ancient Olympia © Dimitris Karagiorgos

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mainland Greece

The mainland of Greece is very popular with tourists, the exception is only the region of Chalkidiki with its magnificent sandy beaches. Meanwhile, in this part of the country there are a lot of interesting sights and six facilities that are included in UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ruins of the city Delphi

In the ancient times, the delphs were known absolutely to everyone, because here, according to the legend, there was a "Earth PUP" (Ommophalos), here were the Pythi Games (the second most important after the Olympic), there was an ancient sanctuary and Oracle Apollo. Excavations of the ancient city began in 1892, then the temple of Apollo Pythiy, theater, many ancient buildings and treasures were opened. The UNESCO Delphists list almost a hundred years later – in 1987. All the buildings were built even to our era and have a huge cultural and historical value. Tourists are often combining an excursion from Athens to Delphi and meteors, another object from the list.

Ruins of the city Delphi © Ronny Siegel

Monasteries Meteora

Each is Monasteries in Meteorakh deserves a separate place in the list of UNESCO, but they hit it with a single complex. Meteors – an amazing place not only for Greece, but in general all over the world. Six monasteries on the rocks invariably fall into all sorts of rated sights and, I must say, not in vain. Stunningly beautiful place and unique atmosphere. Pleasure people who believe in God and love holy places. But ordinary tourists here should like it. The complex includes six preserved monastic complexes: Great meteora, Monasteries of the Holy Trinity, Varlaam, St. Stephen, St. Nicholas and St. Barbara, as well as the ruins of destroyed churches and cabins of hermits.

Meteor monasteries literally soar in the air

Spiritual Center Orthodoxy Mount Athos

Unfortunately, only representatives of the Male half of humanity can see this attraction from UNESCO Greece – women are denied entry to the peninsula. But both for men to get to Athos will need to receive a special resolution – diagonirion (visas for visiting pilgrims of the Holy Mountain Athos). The process of obtaining this permission is not very simple, so tourist trips are extremely rare on the peninsula. You can photograph only outside the monasteries and kesels, but this rule acts in many holy places, with video filming. For visits, a number of monasteries and kesels are open. If you believe the reviews of pilgrims, then it is incredibly beautiful and even those who believe little in God and relate to religion very condescendingly, they say that there is some special grace in the Athos monasteries.

Lava of St. Athanasius or Great Laurel on Athos

Early Christian and Byzantine Monuments in the city of Thessaloniki

This World Heritage Site includes ten sights of Thessaloniki: Basilica of St. Dmitry, Church of Ilya Prophet, Monastery Lasent, Panagha Halkeon, Church of St. Sophia, Basilica Akhupipitos, Church of St. Nicholas, Arch and Tomb Galery, Church of the Holy Apostles and the Church of St. Panteleimon. Despite the fact that in terms of history, all temples are very interesting and special, purely from a visual point of view to watch them in each other a little boring. But they are relatively compact, so it is quite realistic to see them within one excursion.

Arch Galery in Thessaloniki © Kristie P.

Ruins of the city of Philippi

Macedonian city of Philippi, or rather, his ruins are located on the coast of the Aegean Sea right on the former Egnatian Road. This path was built by the Romans after the conquest of Greece and joined Apollonia and the Dirrachius (the territory of modern Albania in the city of Durres) and Thessaloniki, later it was renewed up for Constantinople. A good location provided the city of prosperity, both commercial and cultural. In 2016, the ruins of the city of Philipses were listed in UNESCO.

Ruins forum in Philippines © Carole Raddato

Archaeological monuments Virgin

80 km from the city of Thessaloniki, another object is located from the list of UNESCO World Heritage List – Archaeological Monuments Vergina. Presumably, many centuries ago at this place located the first capital of the ancient Macedonia city of Egi. The famous Macedonian Tsar Philipp II (Father Alexander Macedonsky) was killed and buried here, but, in addition to his huge funeral chamber, archaeologists also ran out about three hundred burials, some of which dates back to the XI century to our era. As well as a monumental palace, which survived fragments of mosaic and painting on the plaster.

Macedonian Tomb in Vigiina © dtsiabai

UNESCO World Heritage Site Objects on Islands

Crete is the most famous Greek island, but there is not a single UNESCO object from the main list. And in general, if you compare with the mainland, the islands can not boast of a large number of world heritage sites, but the more valuable each of them.

Island Delos

If you believe Greek mythology, then the famous Apollo was born on this little Cycladic island. The sanctuary of the famous god on the island attracted pilgrims from all over Greece, which made Delos large trading port. Nowadays, Dilos is considered uninhabited or incompletely populated island, on which, according to the 2001 census, constantly only 14 people live. Now Delos reminds Rather Island Museum than the place of trade or rest. Tourists sail to the island to look at the traces of ancient civilizations that are preserved here. And there is something like, among popular attractions: Temple Isisida in Doric style, Dionysus House, Terrace Lviv, Statue of Dionysus, Minoan Fountain, Market Square, Temple of Gera and many others.

Terrace Lviv on Island Museum Delos © Bernard Gagnon

Pythagorea and Gera Temple on Samos Island

Samos Island is usually visited by tourists who came to relax in Turkey, and not to Greece, because he is located very close to the famous resort of Kusadas, but there are special tours for Samos from Russia. The main attractions of the island in 1992 were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are usually attributed to the excavations of the ancient city of Samos (Pythagorea), Evpalinov Tunnel and the temple of the gera. It is worth noting that Samos is not only a UNESKAN sightseeing, the island has a rich history and culture and here there is something to see: Fortress of Likurga, Castle of Saracinov, Church of the Metamorphosy XI century, waterfall on the Pota River, Museums, Church, Monasteries. Samos is the birthplace of one of the most popular Pythagore mathematicians, here for a long time he spent the famous Greek poet Ezop (was a slave), in general, tourists who chose a samos for rest, will find what to take themselves in the beach free from the beach.

Safety Aquedurate © grigoriskoulouriotis

Medieval city of Rhodes

The antique period of Rhodes began long before our era, from the IV century the history of the Byzantine Rhodes, and in the XIV-XVI centuries, he passed under the power of the Order of St. John Jerusalem, later the Turks became the most frequent owners, and then the Italians were noted here. Of course, such a rich story could not leave her mark on the appearance of Rhodes. The unique architecture of the Upper and Nizhny city has been protected by UNESCO since 1988. Here you can see the ruins of ancient monuments, and knightly castles, and mosques, and Orthodox churches. The Old Town in Rhodes is one of the most memorable sights of the island, which can be explored both independently and in the professional guide.

Medieval Rhodes © szilas

Monastery of John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos

Patmos – one of the islands of Dodecanese archipelago in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea. It was on this small island of Saint John the Bologosov who wrote his gospel and apocalypse. Monastery in his honor and cave, where the holy legend received his revelation, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, thousands of tourists and pilgrims sail to the island to visit this amazing place.

Monastery of John the Bogoslov on Patmos © Visit Greece

Corfu Old Town

Kerkira – the main city of Corfu Island, founded in the VIII century BC, Corinth’s escapes. The city, and the island itself, are located so that it fully controls the entrance to the Adriatic and a significant part of the coast of Albania. For the right to possess the island at different times, not few peoples fought: Byzantines, Romans, Turks, Goths, Venetians, French, British. In the old town of Corfu, the fortifications, urban buildings and even the ruins of ancient temples are preserved in excellent condition. The unique architectural ensemble and authenticity of the ancient structures provided him with a place in the list of UNESCO, in which he got in 2007.

Old Town Corfu © Harry Morgan

Byzantine monasteries of Daphni, Osios Lucas and Nea Mon

Some objects from the list combine several attractions immediately, but if Monasteries Meteora and Churches in Thessaloniki are quite compact, the Byzantine monasteries are crushed throughout the country. Daphny monasteries and Osiios Lucas are convenient to visit those who are resting in Attica, the first is almost in the suburb of the capital, and in the second it is convenient to look along the way to Delphi.

But Neo Mona can only be visited if you go to Chios Island (excursions there offer tourists, resting in the area of ​​Turkish Izmir). Each monastery is unique in its own way (although the external similarity is definitely there) and has a long history that deserve individual articles.

Monastery Osiios Lucas © Evangelos Karpathhakis

Preview List of UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece

The preliminary list of UNESCO in Greece includes another 14 objects, but some of them represents a selection of attractions, united by one historical or cultural sign. We did not share them in geographical sign, but just tell about them. An interesting fact that all these objects have fallen into the list of applicants recently – in 2014.

Bastion fortification constructions of the late Middle Ages in Greece

Greece is not only temples and monasteries, as they like to write many guidebooks, but also a number of amazing fortification fortifications scattered throughout the country. We managed to visit only a few of them and we can say that most of them are quite worthy to be mainly. List of fortresses of Greece, which are included in the UNESCO preview:

• Old fortress in Kerkira (Corfu Island)
• New fortress in Kerkir (Corfu Island)
• Fortress Zakynthos (Zakynthos Island)
• Koroni Fortress (Peloponnese)
• Metoni Castle (Peloponnese)
• Burdy Fortress (Peloponnese)
• Palamidi Fortress (Peloponnese)
• Acronaflia Fortress (Peloponnese)
• Strengthening in Heraklion (Crete Island)

• Strengthening Chania (Crete Island)
• Rhodes Strengthening (Rhodes Island)
• Mitilini Castle (Lesbos Island)

Personally, we would add the Acrocorinf fortress on the Peloponnese to this list.

Palamidi Fortress (in the foreground), Acronaflia fortress (in the middle), Bourzi fortress (in the sea)

Dadami-LefKimami-Suflion National Park

Dadami-LefKimamimi-Suflia National Park is located in the East Macedonia and Frakia area and covers 42800 hectares area. In the national park, a very diverse flora (Calabrian pines, many rare deciduous plants, about 400 species of plants) and fauna (located on the path of migration routes of predatory birds, 36 of 38 types of predatory birds living in Europe, more than 65 mammalian species). The park fell into a preliminary list of UNESCO as it represents a rare example of the organic existence of man and nature, the low use of natural resources in the area allows preserving forests in almost the priority form.

Dadami-Lef Ladyamimi Sufflion National Park © Hartmut Felgner

Antique Lavrion

In the ancient times, Lavrion was the largest centers for silver extraction in Greece and the main source of income for ancient Athens. Among the attractions of the town of Ancient Antique Theater, Archaeological and Mineralogical Museums and Beautiful Ancient Architecture. Rare tourists from Athens come to Lavrion to admire the ruins (one of the most ancient theaters of Greece), entered into the preliminary list of UNESCO, and yachtsmen who choose a port of Lavrion for parking.

Antique Lavrion © Alexander Pappas

Petrified forest lesbos

On the island of Lesbos is a unique monument of nature – petrified forest. Such a number of stone trees can be seen except in the American National Park Petrifaid-Forest in the US. This is more than a hundred trunks that turned into a stone, some of them are caught, and a part is in a vertical position with an untouched root system, there is no longer anything like that in the world (in Arizon, all trees lie on Earth). It is on the lesbos that the highest stone tree in the world is located – its height of more than 7 meters. A similar natural phenomenon emerged in connection with intensive volcanic activity, which occurred on the island of about 20 million years ago. This is a truly unique natural monument, and it seems to us that it gets into the main list of UNESCO only a matter of time.

Petrified forest on the island Lesbos © Andy Von Der Wurm

Archaeological excavations of ancient messy

Archaeological excavations on the site of the ancient city of Massini on their scale can be compared with the epidaurus or Olympia, but there is an order of magnitude less tourists. In Mesini, you can see the ruins of the ancient theater, ancient temples, stadium and other ancient buildings. The city was surrounded by massive walls, the total length of which was about 9 km, at that time it was the most modern fortification system in ancient Greece (Mesini was founded in 371 BC), partly the ruins of walls and towers were preserved to this day. In 2011, Messini entered the list of winners of Europa Nostra in the category "Preservation of Cultural Heritage" for the restoration of the ancient city. It is possible that in a couple of years, he from the preliminary list of UNESCO will go into the main.

Stadium in ancient Mesi © Richard Mortel

Minoan centers of the palace period

As we have already written above, Crete is not very lucky with UNESKA Sights – there is not a single object from the main list, but in the preliminary island firmly occupies one of the leading places. The history of Crete is inextricably linked with the history of the Minoan civilization, so there are many interesting places here, which in one way or another belong to this period. The preliminary list of UNESCO includes five mined centers of the palace period:

• Knossos palace
• Palace complex in Fest
• Palace Malia
• Ruins of the Palace in the closure
• Palace in Kidnony

Knos Palace © John Freeman

National Park Samaria Gorge

The Samarius gorge is considered the largest in Europe, its length is about 18 km, and the width is constantly changing – from 3 to 300 meters. Samaria National Park is not only a unique natural object, but also a very interesting place in terms of architecture. Tourists who go to the track in the gorge will see: Churches Osias-Marias and Agios Nikolaos, Church of St. Mary Egyptian with ancient frescoes, renovated traditional Cretan houses of the former village of Samaria (the village was evicted in 1962 and now a purely tourist object). Walking through the gorge will take at least 4 hours, because you need to go through more than 13 km (the route starts 5 km from the village of Omalos). Best to visit the Samariy National Park as part of the excursion.

Samaria Gorge © lapplaender

Spinalong Fortress

Another object from the UNESCO preliminary list in Crete is the Venetian fortress of Spinalong. This fortification was erected at the end of the XVI century to protect the island. The uniqueness of this fortress is that the remnants of several historical eras are preserved: Venetian and Ottoman. In addition, from 1904 to 1957, a hospital for lepers (leprosarium) was operating in the walls of the fortress, so often Spopalonga is called a human pain monument.

Spinalong Fortress on Crete © Fakepeterpan

Archaeological excavations of the city of Nikopol

Ancient city Nikopol is located a few kilometers from the modern city of Prevez. It was founded by the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus, in which the Temple of Neptune was built here. Nikopol became the main city of Epirus and developed violently, but in the third century after the invasion is ready for Greece the once rich and prosperous district center began to decline, and in the Middle Ages and disappeared. Archaeologists managed to cripple the "lost" city, now tourists can see here the ruins of two theaters, aqueduct and other buildings.

Theater in Nicolol © David and Liz SHEPPARD

Advanced Mount Olympus Area

Olympus – the highest and most famous mountain in Greece (height of 2918 meters above sea level). It is here that the residence of the twelve Olympian gods, led by Zeus, so the area can be considered a center of Greek mythology and one of the symbols of ancient civilization. But in the preliminary list of UNESCO Olympus was not only because of its cultural heritage, but also because of the natural. The fact is that on the slopes of the mountain created a unique microclimate with its specific flora and fauna. Visit Mount Olympus can both independently and as part of the tour (for example, "On a visit to Zeus. Mount Olympus "of Thessaloniki), in the second case, you are guaranteed not to miss anything interesting.

Holy Cave Deonisiya on Mount Olympus © Hermann Hammer

Area lakes Prespa (including monuments Byzantine and post-Byzantine epochs)

Prespa National Park is located in the north-western part of Greece, in the region of Western Macedonia (the area of ​​the park is divided between Greece, Albania and Macedonia). Its area of ​​320 square kilometers, but the main interest is the pool two freshwater lakes and micro Megali Prespa, separated by a narrow isthmus. In the area of ​​lakes preserved monuments of Byzantine and post-Byzantine eras. In the X century on the orders of the Bulgarian Tsar Samuil here were built the castle and the church of St. Achilles (Lake Mikra Prespa), which you can see if you are traveling to Greece.

If the area of ​​Lake Prespa you view on the part of Macedonia, it is worth paying attention to the island Golem Grad (also called Big City, Snake Island), where you can see the ruins of a Roman necropolis, temples, medieval church with a mosaic floor. On the part of Albanian tourists usually visiting Mal Castle and the remains of St. Peter’s Monastery, built in the XIV century.

Church of St. Achilles in Lake Mikri Prespa © Carolyn

Aegean Ancient tower

Ancient antiquity tower densely scattered Greek islands, even the smallest island has some its own tower, or even several at once. Most of the towers were built in 4-3 centuries to our era. Despite the fact that they are geographically distributed throughout the country, they have common architectural and historical features (built only from the local stone, are located away from settlements, have a rectangle or circle). Some buildings have been preserved to our days in excellent condition, and only the ruins remained from others, in which it is difficult to guess the initial purpose. Nevertheless, historians decided to combine them in one UNESCO Object. The list includes:

• Tower Chimaros on Naxos
• Strongili Tower on Strong Maistis
• Tower Dracan on Ikaria
• Tower Ayos Petros on Andros
• RO Tower on RO
• Tower of the Holy Trinity on Amorgos
• Tower Castelorizon on Meisti
• White Tower on Siphnos
• Ayia Marina Tower on Kee
• White Tower on Seriff

Tower of St. Peter on Andros © Peter Shutter

National Park Zagorokoria

Torokhanya (literallying means "place at the mountains") – another huge national park in Greece. Of particular interest are four so-called subunits: Village Vlachozago and Zagori (in the valley of the Zagitikos River), as well as villages in the area of ​​the valleys of Ano Wijos and Vihomatis – these are the most ancient populated areas in this part of Greece. Surprisingly, these settlements in their entire history have never been in the occupied territories, even during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, they managed to agree on their sovereignty. For tourists who come to Zagorokhory, primarily interesting architecture of these places: ancient churches, bridges, ruins of ancient walls and others. Unique and ecosystem of these places – almost 1800 species of plants grow here, some of which can be seen here.

Bridge in Torokoria © Alexander Pappas

Ancient Greek theaters

The latest in the preliminary list of the Unesco’s height is the ancient Greek theaters, and in the list they got not so much for their architectural features, how much the concept of construction. All of them features a simple structure, functionality and excellent exterior aesthetics. As a rule, the theater in ancient Greece was an integral part of large centers of political, social and religious life, so his theater can be found in almost all popular archaeological places in Greece. 15 facilities are currently submitted to the UNESCO list:

• Theater of Dionysis in Athens
• Theater on Dilos
• Theater in Maronia
• Theater in Amphiaarion
• First Antique Theater in Larisa
• Theater in Aptere
• Theater in the epidaurus
• Theater in Dutfah
• Theater in Dodone
• Theater in Megalopolis
• Theater in Argos
• Theater in Eretria
• Theater in Lindos
• Theater in Iyadesie
• Theater on Milos

Dionasa Theater in Athens

UNESCO in Greece – Map

At the end of the article, we decided to post the Google map with the coordinates of all objects from the UNESCO lists in Greece (the main – blue color, preliminary – red). Some of the attractions certainly deserve attention and mandatory visits, and some boldly you can miss.

This article was stolen from http: // poznamka.Ru.

Personally, we didn’t impress theater at all in Argos, and so much that we don’t even have a photo, although from a historical and cultural point of view, he, of course, deserves attention and introduction to UNESCO lists. To not be disappointed, be sure to see our photos and other tourists in advance, read reviews and only then make a decision that deserves the object of your attention or better spend this time on the beach.

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Greece 2018-06-03T00: 23: 17 + 03: 00 2020-05-13T10: 03: 59 + 03: 00 Natalya ‘Poznamka’