Greece as the cradle of culture over the centuries is rich in monuments of cultural heritage that reflect the greatness of Greek culture. By establishing the Institution of World Heritage Monuments, UNESCO wanted to protect and highlight monuments, buildings and sites of historical, esthetic, archeological, scientific, ethnological and anthropological value.
The first monument of the Greek territory to be included in the list of UNESCO was the temple of Apollo Epicurean in 1986. Today it comprises 18 monuments throughout the country.
Temple of Apollo Epicurean in Vasses (1986)
In the center of the Peloponnese in Vasses at an altitude of 1130 meters is the majestic temple of Epicurean Apollo. The builder of the temple is Iktinos, a great architect of ancient Greece, who together with Kallikrates designed the Parthenon. You can reach the temple from Ilia following a magical route across the river Neda or from Tripoli and Megalopolis.
The archeological site of the Acropolis of Athens (1987)
On the hill of the Acropolis, in the center of Athens, there is the most important and majestic sanctuary of the ancient city, dedicated to the patron goddess of the city, Athena. The most important myths of ancient Athens, the great religious festivals and decisive historical events are linked to this holy place. The monuments of the Acropolis are masterpieces of ancient architecture and influenced intellectual and artistic creation for many centuries.
The archeological site of Delphi (1987)
At the foot of Mount Parnassos is the Panhellenic sanctuary of Delphi and the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. According to mythology, the two eagles sent by Zeus from the ends of the universe met at Delphi when they were asked to find the center of the world, and for many centuries it was the spiritual and religious center and symbol of the unity of ancient Hellenism.
Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus (1988)
In Epidaurus was the Asklepieion, the seat of the Doctor- God and the most important healing center of the entire Greek and Roman world. Its fame quickly spread beyond the borders of Argolida and was considered by all Greeks as the birthplace of medicine.
Mount Athos (1988)
Mount Athos is the easternmost of the 3 peninsulas of the Chalkidiki. It is 60 km long and covers an area of about 360 square meters. Many different legends and traditions entwine around the name and history of Mount Athos. The sources mention the existence of 7 civilizations during the pre-Christian period: Sani, Thyssos, Kleonai, Dion, Olofyxos, Akrothoi, Apollonia. Mount Athos gathered many monks from the first Christian period, who came from all parts of the empire.
The medieval city of Rhodes(1988)
The medieval city of Rhodes was never abandoned. It is a survival of the medieval world, and the famous Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John has left its mark on the island forever.
Meteora (1988)
After Mount Athos, Meteora is the largest monastic place in Greece, which has been continuously in operation since the time of the foundation of the first ascetics. From the historical evidence, we conclude that the monasteries of Meteora were 30 years old. Today only 6 of these monasteries are still in operation and have a large number of pilgrims. But there are also many smaller abandoned monasteries. Most of them were founded in the 14th century. The name Meteora is more recent and goes back to Agios Athanasios, the owner of the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior.
Early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki (1988)
Some of these monuments of Thessaloniki are the Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda, the church of Acheropoietos, the church of Agios Dimitrios, the monastery of Latomou, the church of Agia Sofia, the church of the Virgin Mary of Chalkea, the church of Agios Apostolos, the church of Agios Nikolaos Orfanos and the church of Agios Panteleimon.
The archeological site of Mystras (1989)
A visit to Mystras, six kilometers northwest of Sparta, transports the visitor into the era of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine fortress fascinates by the atmosphere created by its magnificent monuments: the "Palaces of the Palaiologos", the residences of the nobles, the imposing churches and the monasteries.
The archeological site of Olympia (1989)
In the western Peloponnese, in the valley of the river Alpheus, there is the sanctuary of ancient Greece, dedicated to the father of the gods Zeus. Despite its isolated location, Olympia was established in Greece as the most important religious and sporting center. The most important games of ancient Greece were born here, the Olympics, which took place every four years in honor of Zeus. It was an institution with a Panhellenic interest. The beginnings of the cult and the mythical battles that took place in Olympia go back in the depths of the centuries. Local myths about the mighty king of the region, the famous Pelops and the river god Alpheus reveal the sanctuary's strong ties to East and West.
The archeological site of Delos (1990)
The myth of the birth of Apollo and Artemis made the island holy: no mortal was allowed to be born in its soil. And since it was the cradle of immortals, no mortal could die there. Even during the heyday of the Delian Alliance, women who were preparing for birth or were nearing the end of their lives were sent to the nearby island of Rhenia. Even today the island is still unique in the whole world as nowhere else is there such a large natural archeological site on the island, which is of such great importance.
Dafni Monastery, Saint Luke Monastery and New Monastery of Chios(1990)
The New Monastery of Chios was founded in the middle of the 11th century with imperial support. Its foundation is linked to a monastic tradition, according to which, in the place where it was built, a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary was found by three Chiotic ascetics hanging on a branch.
Archeological site of Heraion of Samos(1992)
Ancient Samos is considered one of the most important cities of ancient Greece. The oldest finds date from the 4th millennium before Christ. The heyday of Samos is placed in the middle of the 6th century B.C. The island was a great sea power and gained trade relations with the neighboring cities of Asia Minor and the Mediterranean. The Samians established colonies on the Ionian coast, in Thrace and in the West.
The archeological site of Aigai (Vergina) (1996)
The excavation of Professor Manolis Andronikos in Megali Toumpa of the village of Vergina of Imathia in Central Macedonia in 1977 brought to light the most important archeological discovery of the 20th century in Greece. In the place of Vergina there was the first ancient capital of Greek Macedonian Kingdom, the Aigai. The site of Royal Tombs hosts the main excavation and the exhibition of the most important finds from the tombs.
Archeological sites of Mycenae and Tiryns (1999)
The territory of Mycenae has been inhabited since the 7th millennium BC and prehistoric times. The great prosperity of Mycenae with its majestic architecture, its written monuments and its developed civilization was in the late Bronze Age, between 1350 and 1200 B.C. The fortification of the Tiryns site, which protects the palace complex, is such an impressive structure that the ancient Greeks could not accept that it was completed by human hands. Thus, the Cyclops were considered the architects of Tiryns, brought here from distant Lycia by the mythical founder of the city, Proetus. All great heroes with supernatural powers are associated with Tiryns. Bellerefontis, Perseus and Hercules. The construction of the wall is indeed unthinkable and is a challenge to the visitor's logic. One does not understand how this mechanical wonder of the perfect assembly of these huge boulders came about.
The historical center, Monastery of Agios Ioannis, the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse of Patmos (1999)
The Monastery of Agios Ioannis in Patmos is perhaps the most important monastic complex in the Aegean Sea. Its founder is Saint Christodoulos. The monastery was built on the top of the mountain on the site of the temple of Artemis and an early Christian basilica and is surrounded by a defensive fortification from the end of the 11th to the 17th century.
The old town of Corfu(2007)
The strategic geographical position of Corfu, at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, made it play an important role in the history of the Mediterranean. It has been the subject of constant claims and has participated in all the important events in the history of Europe.
The archeological site of Philippi
The ancient city of Philippi was founded in the southeastern part of the plain of Drama and is the main archeological site of Eastern Macedonia. Its first inhabitants were settlers from Thassos, who founded the colony of the Krinides in 360 BC. It flourished during the Hellenistic years.
