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Interactive map of Mycenae

Tholos Tombs of Mycenae
The Mycenaean tholos tombs consist of a circular, subterranean burial chamber, sometimes referred to as the thalamos, roofed by a corbelled vault and approached by a dromos (entrance passage) that narrows abruptly at the stomion (doorway) actually opening into the tomb chamber. The chamber or thalamos is built of stone rather than simply being hewn out of bedrock. Tholoi of this kind are usually, though not invariably, set into slopes or hillsides. Burials were either laid out on the floor of the tomb chamber or were placed in pits, cists, or shafts cut into this floor.

The nine tholoi at Mycenae constitute by far the largest collection of monumental tholos tombs of Mycenaean type to have been found at a single site. The British archaeologist Alan Wace assigned these nine tombs to three distinct groups on the basis of their use of particular raw materials and of cut as opposed to undressed stone, as well as on the employment of certain decorative and engineering refinements. More information on tholoi can be found here: Mycenean Tholos Tombs & early Mycenean Settlements

The Treasury of Atreus
The Treasury of Atreus at Mycenae is the largest and best-preserved of the surviving tholoi. The long dromos is lined with ashlar blocks, reaching a height of 10 metres where it meets the facade. The facade is well-preserved (although its decoration has been removed). It was flanked by half-engaged columns (their bases survive) and has a relieving triangle above the door. Fragments of the relief decorations survive. The stomion is 5.5 metres high and 5.25 metres deep and was fitted with double doors in the middle (indicated by the paved threshold and nails in the side walls to secure the door frame). The tholos rose some 33 courses of masonry (13.7 metres high). Holes with bronze nails may have held rosettes and other decorative elements, fixed to the walls. A doorway in the north side of the chamber led to a small side chamber which was a feature of some of the later tombs. A mound of earth surrounded by a low retaining wall covered the dome (probably in the middle of the 13th century BC).

Related Links:
Mycenean Tholos Tombs & early Mycenean Settlements
Odyssey Adventures

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Interactive map of Mycenae

Like the Treasury of Atreus, the Tomb of Clytemnestra represents the third stage of tholos construction from about 1300-1200 BC. The dromos is lined completely from top to bottom using Ashlar masonry of hammer-dressed conglomerate blocks. Flanking the stomeion were two half-columns with abaci on top which distinguish a lower façade from an upper façade. The half-columns were made of gypsum which expresses a great deal of wealth as does the impressive decoration of the façade. These features show a greater extravagance spent on the construction of tholoi. There is a huge relieving triangle above the lintel blocks which is significantly larger than earlier tholoi. This is necessary functionally because otherwise the tholos would have collapsed. The stomeion of the Tomb of Clytemnestra has two doors which are placed in the middle of the stomeion. This tomb also had a blocking wall on the exterior. The tholos was constructed with conglomerate blocks using Ashlar masonry. Each block is smooth even after thousands of years and must have been worn down by an abrasive by hand.

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The Zappeion was built in the 1880's with financing provided by the Zappas brothers, Evangelos and Konstantinos, strong advocates of the revival of the Olympic games. It is located between the National Garden and the Temple of Olympian Zeus and is surrounded by large gardens. It housed the International Olympic Committee during the first modern Olympics in 1896 and was again used during the 2004 Olympics as press center.

Today, Zappeion functions as an exhibition hall while the surrounding area hosts a variety of civic activities throughout the year. Last Christmas the city setup an ice skating ring here, something few Athenians had ever seen in person. The temperature was well above freezing and they barely managed to keep the ice from melting.

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As it happens every year, the 35th Book Fair in Athens once again kept its annual appointment (September 15 to October 1) with book lovers. It took place at the heart of the historical centre of Athens, on Dionissiou Areopagitou's pedestrian way at the foot of the Acropolis. The Book Fair this year was dedicated to the great Greek poet Odysseus Elytis while the poster of the event was created by artist V. Sperantzas.

The Book Fair was characterized by both the broad variety and high quality of books on exhibit. Tens of pavilions and more than 300 publishers and their personnel were informing visitors on their publishing activity.

The cultural events that took place in the context of the book fair included discussions, a film screening on Elytis, story telling for kids and a concert with songs featuring lyrics from Elytis' poems.

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The Citizen's Movement for Volunteerism organized its annual conference on the significance of being a volunteer in our society. This year, the conference theme was "Yes to Volunteerism!" with over 50 international and national institutions and NGOs participated. The 5th Festival of Volunteerism took place on Saturday, September 30, at the pedestrian way in front of the Thissio subway station, and was accompanied by lectures, screenings, and a concert by the band "Ypogeia Revmata."

The Citizen's Movement for Volunteerism is pushing for the promotion of the idea of volunteerism, as a necessary tool for the improvement of our society through participation.

This year's event was co-organized by the NGOs Arktouros, New Acropolis, AEGEE-Athina, EKPOIZO, Merimna Zois, and Praksis. Other participants included the National Organization for Transplants, Action-Aid, Unicef, Red Cross, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Medecins sans Frontieres, and others.