Holton in Greece: Nafplio

Friday, May 23, 2014

Nafplio

Goodbye Athens, hello Nafplio! We began our journey at 8:15 am and headed for our first destination: the Monastery of Dafni. Cecily presented her project on the monastery and enlightened us on the intricate mosaics created by monks. There was a lot of construction on the site, so we first watched a quick video about the main works. We then took turns in small groups to visit the interior, climbing the scaffolding to get a closer look at the stunning mosaics. Afterwards, we returned to the bus and viewed the sparkling turquoise Corinthian canal. It was created over a 1500 years ago and is still fully functioning as a vital part of Greek maritime trade today.

Then came a last minute decision to visit the first of the pan-Hellenic game sites at Isthmia. Greeted by the wagging tails of two adorable dogs, we observed the artifacts and ruins. Next, we visited Ancient Corinth, also known as the extremely wonderful, exciting, and beautiful Corinth (according to Julia). She gave her talk about the Temple of Apollo and we traipsed around one of the oldest temples built in Greece. With hungry bellies, we found a touristy restaurant outside the site. A cheerful Canadian woman convinced us all to chow down at her eatery and then we were on our way.

Finally, we reached idyllic Nafplio. Entranced by the shimmering Aegean Sea, half of the group decided to take a trip to the beach. After some fun in the sun, the whole group set out on a hike to the Palamidi fortress to see the city from above. There were a lot of stairs. Thankfully it was all worth it - although our legs began to shake like jelly after, we were able to take in the awe-inspiring views of the landscape. We discovered that although in the moment the hill looks really big, making it to the top and cheering each other on makes it all worth it (cheesy, we know).

A much earned shower later, the group ate at a charming Italian restaurant (a little change of pace from the delicious Greek food). Pasta, pizza, and gelato filled our tummies and we arrived back at the hotel feeling accomplished and full.

Can't wait for another fun day!

Love, Julia and Lia

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Trip Overview

Greece, often dubbed “the Cradle of Western Civilization,” offers students and scholars a chance to walk in the footsteps of classical visionaries and among the buildings that served as the foundations of our modern society. Greece’s art and archaeological remains range from the mathematically impeccable Parthenon to the victory grounds at Olympia, and from the seat of the god Apollo’s Oracle at Delphi to the Christian monasteries at Osios Loukas. These sites have been the source of artistic inspiration worldwide, and have attracted countless intellectual travelers and religious pilgrims alike for centuries. Greece’s archaeological record exposes the dramatic shifts in Greek history, from the establishment of Christianity in the Byzantine period to Islamic rule of the Ottoman Empire and even Axis occupation in WWII. These events greatly affected what remains from Greece’s past, and why. Since enacting the Antiquities Law of 1834, the first law worldwide that marked the importance of preserving cultural heritage, Greece has played a central role in the increasingly significant topics of archaeological ethics, cultural heritage, and national identity. Using the monuments and museums as our on-site classroom, AP Art History students will explore individual research topics, grapple with questions of the past’s relation to the present, and gain appreciation for the lasting effects of human achievements.