Athens, the capital and largest city of Greece, dominates the Attica periphery: as one of the world's oldest cities, its recorded history spans at least 3,000 years. The Greek capital has a population of 3.81 million (in 2011).
A bustling and cosmopolitan metropolis, Athens is central to economic, financial, industrial, political and cultural life in Greece. It is rapidly becoming a leading business centre in the European Union.
Athens is widely referred to as the cradle of Western civilization and the birthplace of democracy, largely due to the impact of its cultural and political achievements during the 5th and 4th centuries BC on the rest of the, then known, European continent. The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by a number of ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all being the Parthenon on the Acropolis, widely considered a key landmark of early Western civilization. The city also retains a vast variety of Roman and Byzantine monuments, as well as a smaller number of remaining Ottoman monuments projecting the city's long history across the centuries. Landmarks of the modern era are also present, dating back to 1830 (the establishment of the independent Greek state), and taking in the Greek Parliament (19th century) and the Athens Trilogy (Library, University, and Academy).
Why you should come to Athens :: 14 reasons and more…
Athens, the vast white capital, the legendary ancient city of Greece, is hosting the XX International Plant Protection Congress, an international plant protection congress, for the first time in its history.
The Congress is expected to attract a very large number of scientists coming from all over the world. Scientists, who are going to visit Greece to enjoy science, nature and history during an extraordinary period of the year (June 2023) and after the Covid19 travel restrictions.
The Congress is also expected to attract a very extensive local audience of Plant protection specialists either working for the Private sector or Research scientists and Students from the nearby Universities and Institutions.
Similarly, over a hundred national scientists are participating as organizational and scientific consultants in our local organizing and scientific committee, able to deal with all modern applied and basic aspects of Plant Protection.
Several world famous and distinct international personalities, members of the board of IAPPS are also ready to contribute personally to the creation of a very attractive scientific program and participate in the congress by themselves.
Thus, this is also an excellent opportunity to meet several top invited research scientists from all over the world, who are planning to participate.
Co-organization of plenary sessions with EPPO, EFSA, FAO and other world famous institutions are on the process of discussion and materialization.
A great variety of technical excursions nearby Attica (Nemea, Mycenae and Delphi ) will be organized (viticulture, fruit farming, horticulture).
Numerous touristic attractions and visits around Athens and the Aegean Islands will be available to continue your presence in Greece, enjoy vacations and make your stay memorable.
The Famous Athens International Airport, is joining Athens with all cities and countries of the world.
For accommodation tens of thousands of hotel and Airbnb rooms will be available.
Registration fees are arranged according to the current official world chart containing all countries differentiated on the basis of their financial status.
Undergraduate and postgraduate University students and research plant pathologists from developing countries or emerging nations will be attempted to be specifically treated.
The Megaron Athens International Conference Center, a unique Convention Center located, in the middle of the capital with an amphitheatre of 3,000 seats will be the venue of the congress.
IMPORTAND LANDMARKS AND SITES OF ATHENS
The establishment of Athens as a city dates back to mythological times. The city’s history is still evident throughout Athens in the form of many Ancient, Roman, Byzantine and modern monuments. Today’s capital integrates the ancient and medieval history into the contemporary era. Monuments can be found all around the city center, side by side with contemporary constructions such as buildings, roads and train stations.
Acropolis
The Parthenon, a monument that constitutes the symbol of Greece worldwide, has been standing on the “sacred rock” of Athens, the Acropolis, for thousands of years. The Parthenon along with the other monuments of the Acropolis, are all excellent pieces of art, reflecting the Classical period and the Golden Age of ancient Athens in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.
The Acropolis Museum
Designed by Bernard Tchumi in collaboration with Michalis Photiadis; the sparkling new museum, since its opening in June 2009, has already become the city’s top attraction and is expected to become one of the most visited and “must see” museums worldwide. The museum, which exhibits approximately 4.000 artefacts, allows the sculptures to be viewed in natural light, with special glass and climate-control measures, protecting them from sunlight. The most impressive part of the museum is its top floor, where visitors will be able to view the frieze and then look out of the windows to view the Parthenon itself.
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
At the footsteps of Acropolis, the Odeon was built in 161 A.D. under Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes. To date concerts, plays and ballets have been performed. The natural setting of Herodeion, with its marvelous arcades, the Parthenon as a backdrop and the moon up in the sky will certainly fascinate you.
Ancient Agora
The Ancient Agora, which means “market” in modern Greek, is situated at the footsteps of the Acropolis and in ancient times it served as the commercial centre of the city but also as political, cultural and religious center.
Panathinaikon Stadium
Originally built in the 4th century B.C. for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaia (ancient Greek festivities), the “Kallimarmaron” Stadium (meaning“beautiful marble”) was the venue of the first modern Olympic Games, in 1896.
National Archaeological Museum of Athens
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the largest in Greece and one of the most important museums in the world devoted to ancient Greek art. It was founded at the end of the 19th century to house and protect antiquities from all over Greece, thus displaying their historical, cultural and artistic value.
Byzantine & Christian Museum
The Byzantine and Christian Museum, which is based in Athens, is one of Greece’s national museums. Its areas of competency are centered on - but not limited to - religious artefacts of the Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, post-Byzantine and later periods. The Museum has over 25.000 artifacts in tis possession, which date from between the 3rd and 20th Century A.D.
Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art is dedicated to the study and promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean and Cyprus, with special emphasis on Cycladic Art of the 3rd millennium BC. It was founded in 1986, to house the collection of Nicholas and Dolly Goulandris an extensive and unique private collection of prehistoric art from the Cycladic islands as well as ancient Greek.
Benaki Museum
The Benaki Museum ranks among the major institutions that have enriched the material assets of the Greek state. It houses 30.000 items illustrating the character of the Greek world through a spectacular historical panorama covering several periods ranging from the Prehistoric, Ancient and Roman periods to the Byzantine and the contemporary Hellenic period.
Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Center of the Foundation of Hellenic World
A living museum, an ultramodern cultural center, where visitors can learn about history, culture and sciences through interactive exhibitions, educational programs, virtual reality shows and documentaries.