Gladiator fights and hunting spectacles were held at the amphitheater. The spectators did not have to pay an entrance fee; however, there was a rigid seating scheme in the amphitheater, which mirrored in detail the existing social hierarchy regarding wealth and prominence. A historical tale about the martyrdom of St. Germanus is linked with the amphitheater at Pula, who later became the patron saint of Pula.

Both the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the imposing temple dedicated to the goddess of wisdom Athena, are visible from almost all parts of the city.
The Acropolis Museum, formerly housed next to the Parthenon, now houses its exhibits in a beautiful modern building on Areopagitou Street.

The Acropolis rock is 156 meters above sea level.
It is considered a landmark for Athens, with its history linked to religious festivals, myths and struggles throughout the centuries. Since 1987 it has been a monument protected by UNESCO as a cultural site.
The monuments on it are awe-inspiring to look at from any distance, not only because of their innovative and impressive architecture but also because of the fact that they have witnessed most of the city's happiest moments and darkest days.

History

The history of the Acropolis goes way back. More specifically, it dates back to the Neolithic Age.
In the 3rd millennium BC, a fortified settlement was built on the hill, as the location was favored by the natural protection offered by the altitude and the existence of springs on the slopes.

During the Mycenaean period (c.1750-1050), the settlement began to expand. After a while, the Acropolis became the center of power for all of Attica (except Elefsina). In fact, according to mythology, it was Theseus who united the small cities of Attica and formed Athens.
Then, the Acropolis was fortified with walls, created from large carved stones.
Originally, the Acropolis was the residence of the ruler, in the place where the Erechtheion is today. However, when Athens was transformed into an asty (town) and the one-man power began to weaken, the rock became a place of religious worship.

In the 8th century BC, a small temple dedicated to Athena Polias was built on the site of the Mycenaean royal palace. A wooden statue of the goddess made of olive wood, her symbol tree, was kept inside it. Next to the temple stood the remnants of the battle between Athena and Poseidon - the olive tree that the goddess herself planted in Athens and offered as a gift to the Athenians and the marks from Poseidon's trident when the god struck it on the earth to make seawater gush forth. Besides these, the tomb of the mythical king of the city, Kekropas, is also located at the site.

In the 6th century BC, a sanctuary dedicated to Athena Pallas (patroness of the inhabitants during wars) was built and named Ekatompedon. The Mycenaean walls were preserved until 480 BC when they were destroyed along with all the temples of the Acropolis during the seizure of Athens by the Persians.

With the end of the Persian Wars, the rebuilding of the walls and the construction of new sanctuaries began. This act was an initiative of the great statesman Pericles, who aimed to make Athens strong again and restore the glory it once had.
During the 5th century BC (Pericles' Golden Age), the construction of the impressive monuments that we admire to this day (the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea and the Temple of Athena Nike) began under the supervision of Phidias, Callipratis, Mnesikles and Callimachus.
As for the wall, Themistocles was a strong supporter of its reconstruction and strengthening, which is why the northern part of the walls was named after him (Themistoclean Walls). The construction of the southern section was completed by Kimon, which is why it was also called the Kimonean Walls.

In the 3rd century AD, interventions began to take place in the fortification of Athens. Thus, the late Roman (Valerian) wall was built lower than the rock of the Acropolis. During a devastating raid by the Heruli in 267 AD, the roof of the Parthenon was burnt down.

In the 6th century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church dedicated first to the Wisdom of God and then to the Virgin Mary of Athens. In fact, the Byzantine emperor Basil II went to worship the Virgin Mary after his victory over Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria.

During the Frankish occupation (13th-14th century), the Parthenon was converted into a Catholic church. Two new churches were built on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, one above the Propylaea and one in the northeastern part, where the Greek flag stands today.

Extensive damage occurred during the Ottoman occupation, during which the hill's top had become a castle for the Turkish garrison and the Parthenon was used as a mosque. In 1645, a lightning struck the Ottoman gunpowder magazine, causing it to blow up and partially destroy the Propylaea.
Unfortunately, this was not even the worst event. In 1687, during the Ottoman-Venetian War, the Venetian Francesco Morosini bombed the sacred rock and a bombshell blew up the Parthenon, which served as the Turks' gunpowder magazine.
The suffering of the monuments continued with the actions of the Scottish diplomat, Lord Elgin. Shortly before the Greek Revolution of 1821, Elgin, with the help of workers, stripped the Acropolis monuments.
More specifically, Elgin sawed and removed from the Parthenon 56 frieze panels, 15 fronts and a large number of decorative statues from the pediment. In addition, he cut off a Caryatid and a column from the Erechtheion, as well as many parts of the frieze of the temple of Athena Nike. In 1816, he sold them to the British Government and they are now exhibited in the British Museum. To raise awareness on the subject, the place of the sixth Caryatid of Erechthion in the Acropolis Museum remains vacant.

During the Greek Revolution, the Acropolis was alternately besieged by the Ottomans and the Greeks and new destruction was caused.
Finally, after the end of the war for independence and the establishment of the new Greek state, the once-again-Greek Acropolis became accessible to the public again in 1835.

The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.

The interesting fact: from 1685 to 1688 the castle survived one of the biggest sieges, which was staged by the troops of Austrian emperor. After the capture of the castle, the Austrians reconstructed it and this made Palanok Castle the strongest fortress in the east of Austrian Empire.

Built at the wish of King Carol I of Romania, Peles Castle is considered the most impressive and elegant construction in our country, one of the most visited tourist attractions in our country, the most important historical building in Romania, but also one of the most important and beautiful monuments in Europe, given its historical and artistic value.

The castle is built on the royal domain from Sinaia, land acquired by Prince Carol in 1872 after he fell in love with the magnificent mountain landscape in the area.

https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9A%CE%BD%CF%89%CF%83%CF%8C%CF%82

Royal Baths. Palace on the Island

The Palace on the Isle is a beautiful classicist palace located in the Royal Łazienki Park in Warsaw. It is otherwise known as the Palace on the Water or Łazienki Palace. It was the summer residence of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski.

The Royal Baths Park is the largest and most beautiful park in Warsaw. You can see many historic buildings here, such as the Old Orangery, the Myślewicki Palace, the Theater on the Island, and the Frederic Chopin monument, where Chopin concerts are held. The park is also famous for its squirrels and peacocks.

Next to the Palace on the Island at the edge of the park there is the Belvedere, the former seat of the President of Poland.

Georgia, the country located in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, boasts a rich history and a plethora of beautiful historical sites. One of the most stunning and historically significant places in Georgia is undoubtedly the ancient city of Mtskheta. Mtskheta, located just a short drive from the capital city of Tbilisi, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and served as the capital of the early Kingdom of Iberia.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is located in Mtskheta.

There are many interesting facts associated with Svetitskhoveli.

1.   The Lord's Robe Rests in Svetitskhoveli.

2.   The relic of the Holy Prophet Elia is also enshrined in the temple.

3.   From the 13^th  century the temple became the Crypt of the Bagrationi family.

4.   Svetitskhoveli church is considered a secret symbol of Georgia. Many  Georgian kings and famous personalities were buried here.

5.   Svetitskhoveli Cathedral was founded at the end of the 6^th century during the reign of Vakhtang Gorgasali.