A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

This self-guided GPS audio walk through Athens highlights some of its architectural gems. The majority of the buildings were constructed just after the creation of the Greek state in 1830. It was the king’s attempt to transform Athens from a small village of a few thousands of people to a European capital. It’s a city where modern chaos and history blend together perfectly, creating a unique and vibrant atmosphere.

The tour starts at the fountain in the middle of Syntagma Square – this is the heart of modern-day Athens. Everything starts from here. The word Syntagma means “constitution” in Greek. The square got its name after a popular military uprising in 1843, when Greeks gathered here demanding that the country’s first King, King Otto, follow his promise and introduce the country’s first constitution – and the tour ends at the National Archaeological Museum, which you can visit after the tour.

You can visit the museum at the end of the tour. The collections include works of the great civilizations that developed in the Aegean islands from the sixth millennium BC to 1050 BC. There is also a beautiful sculpture collection which shows the development of ancient Greek sculpture from the seventh to the fifth centuries BC including many unique masterpieces.

This is the National Library of Greece. It’s home to one of the greatest collections of Greek scripts dating back to the 9th century.

This is the Greek Parliament. It was built in 1836 and for the first hundred years this neoclassical building was the king’s palace.

This is called Iliou Melathron, which means the Palace of Troy. It belonged to the German archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who had discovered the ancient city of Troy. The mansion was built in 1879 and designed by German architect Ernst Ziller.

Inside the mansion is the Numismatic Museum, also known as the Coin Museum. It contains 600,000 objects. These include ancient drachmas and coins dating from the 6th century BC until the 5th century CE. There are also coins from the Roman and Byzantium eras.

This is the Academy of Athens and it’s the first of three buildings designed by the Danish architect, Theophil Hansen. It was built in 1859.

The Gardens were created in 1839, as the garden of the palace. Thousands of plants were brought from all over Greece, Europe, and Africa to be planted here for the sake of the queen.

This is the heart of modern-day Athens. Everything starts from here. The word Syntagma means “constitution” in Greek. The square got its name after a popular military uprising in 1843, when Greeks gathered here demanding that the country’s first King, King Otto, follow his promise and introduce the country’s first constitution.

Protests are still organised here. You might have seen footage of the thousands of people gathering to protest, sometimes peacefully and sometimes not. You might also have seen the molotov cocktails.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
  Add

• VoiceMap app for Andriod and iOS
• Lifetime access to this tour in English
• Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

• Smartphone and headphones
• Transportation
• Food and drink
• Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

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VOICEMAP CODE
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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You’ve been sent an eight character code you’ll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you’ve booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS
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Once you’ve received your code, please follow these steps:

1. Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app
2. Create an account
3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
4. Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE
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• You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
• This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
• When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
• Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT
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For technical support and other queries, please email support@voicemap.me

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by VoiceMap Audio Tours.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Athens.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.