The real story of some Greek names
Myth, Legend, and Meaning Behind Greece’s Most Famous Destinations Once upon a time, every Greek city and island had a story rooted deep in history and myth. Many travelers wander through Greece, captivated by its beauty, but few realize the fascinating origins behind the names of some places. Take Santorini, for example. Most assume it’s […]
Secrets Beneath the Waves
Greece’s Submerged Ancient Cities Along the coasts of Greece, hidden secrets lay under the azure waters—ancient cities that tell stories of a bygone era. Among these submerged marvels legend has it that there was a sunken city near Knossos, a thriving civilization in ancient Crete, believed to have sunk beneath the sea due to a […]
The Battle of Salamis
Strategy, Sea, and the Turning Tide The Battle of Salamis, 480 BCE, was a pivotal naval engagement between an alliance of Greek city states under Themistocles and the Achaemenid Empire under King Xerxes. It resulted in a victory for the outnumbered Greeks and marked the high point of the second Persian invasion of Greece. Set […]
Ohi Day
Humor, Censorship, and Victory Against Italy Censorship in Greece during the 1930s was heavily shaped by the political climate under Prime Minister Metaxas’s regime. Established after a military coup in 1935, Metaxas’s authoritarian rule sought to consolidate power and suppress dissent, closely aligning with fascist Italy in ideology and control tactics. The regime imposed strict […]
Saint Catherine’s in Sinai
A Living Monument of Early Byzantium Nestled at the foot of Mount Sinai — one of the most sacred sites in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic tradition — the Monastery of Saint Catherine (Agia Aikaterina) is among the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world. It was founded in the mid-6th century CE by order […]
Beyond the Walls
Thessaloniki’s Transformation In the heart of Thessaloniki, the whispers of the past echo through the vibrant streets, where the once formidable city walls stood as silent sentinels. These Byzantine fortifications, constructed between the 4th and 12th centuries, were essential for protecting the city from invaders. The walls, which encircled Thessaloniki and reached the sea, played […]
The Splendor of Vergina’s Tombs
Discovering Ancient Wealth The archaeological site of Vergina, located in northern Greece, reveals the rich history of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, particularly under the rule of Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great. Among its most significant discoveries are the royal tombs, unearthed in 1977 by archaeologist Manolis Andronikos. These tombs provide invaluable insights […]
Akrotiri of Santorini
The Prehistoric Aegean Pompeii Akrotiri, a fascinating archaeological site discovered by Spiridon Marinatos on the island of Santorini, Greece, offers a captivating glimpse into the Aegean civilization that thrived during the Bronze Age. Akrotiri was a prosperous town that was destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BC. This eruption buried the settlement in volcanic […]
Homer’s Enduring Legacy
Epic Tales of Heroes, Gods, and Timeless Journeys Homer, the legendary Greek poet of the 8th century BC, is credited with composing two of the greatest works of ancient literature: the Iliad and the Odyssey. These epic poems, passed down through oral tradition before being written, shaped Western storytelling and provided a glimpse into the […]
Silent Heroes
By John Thomsen This past May, I visited Northern Greece with a group of friends. After a brief stop in Veria, we arrived in neighboring Naoussa where we stayed overnight planning to do some sightseeing the next morning. I had read about Naoussa’s rich history, and I was eager to experience it firsthand. After an […]