CIG-ICG

The Benaki Museum displays an impressive array of artifacts covering Greece’s vast history from antiquity to WWII. The current temporary exhibit, “MESSOLONGHI 1826. 200 Years since the Exodus”, highlights resistance against Ottoman forces during the Greek War of Independence.

UPCOMING LECTURE: The CIG is pleased to announce the 2026 “Paris Arnopoulos Lecture”. This year’s event, entitled “Ancient and modern approaches to Tyranny”, addresses issues on governance, democracy and tyranny, reflecting on ancient Greeks’ thoughts and actions on these topics.

The secluded Lake Vouliagmeni lies 20km south of Athens centre. Its interesting rock formations and clear water are perfect for a photo-session or a relaxing afternoon of swimming, lounging in the sun, and a good meal from the restaurant. Spa treatments are offered in the summer.

The Sanctuary of Poseidon at Sounion, honouring the sea-god and used as a strategic stronghold, overlooks the southern coast of Attica. The site consists of the Temple of Poseidon and the nearby Sanctuary to Athena, both rebuilt after being destroyed by Persians in 480 BCE. #cig

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, March 31 at 19:00 at the CIG’s Nick Mirkopoulos Centre (Orminiou 3A) for this year’s Paris Arnopoulos Lecture entitled “Ancient and modern approaches to Tyranny”. Reserve your seat at info@cig-icg.gr or watch the live stream: youtube.com/watch?v=F2rYWw…

The museum associated with the site at Delphi is home to many unique finds. Here, Apollo is often depicted as the god of music with an instrument. Rare chryselephantine figures depict Apollo and Artemis and another pair of siblings are the kouroi from Argos of mythical brothers.

In antiquity the Panhellenic Sanctuary of Apollo was home to the pythia, the priestess sharing prophecies from the god. Honour was achieved and piety shown here through victory at the Delphic Games alongside various accompanying performances and through dedications to Apollo.

The Panathenaic Stadium, rebuilt for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896 and 1906, is beautifully constructed of Pentelic marble. Marvel at its size and sit in the royal boxes from the first games and learn more of the modern Olympics in its exhibit of posters and torches.

UPCOMING LECTURE: Wednesday March 11, 19:00, at the CIG's Nick Mirkopoulos Centre. “Farming and festivals: Sacred and economic activity at rural sanctuaries near Metaponto” presented by Eric Del Fabbro, our Neda and Franz Leipen Fellow and Ph.D. candidate at McMaster University.

Last week was a national holiday in Greece; Clean Monday, or Kathara Deftera, marks the end of the three-week Carnival or Apokries and signifies the start of Lent. Festivities included traditional songs and dances as well as kite flying, symbolizing the purification of the soul.

During the Bronze Age, Crete was home to many ritual and cult practices and iconography. At Knossos, this included various bull imagery along with the snake goddesses, while across the whole island votive offerings, double-axes, and goddesses with upraised arms were common. #cig

During the Bronze Age, Crete was home to many ritual and cult practices and iconography. At Knossos, this included various bull imagery along with the snake goddesses, while across the whole island votive offerings, double-axes, and goddesses with upraised arms were common. #cig

The Thalassocracy of Crete in the Bronze Age placed an importance on the sea that provided many trade opportunities as seen through the common nautical imagery. Surviving clay tablets of script and sealings show the administration required to record this movement of materials.

Sir Arthur Evans worked on Knossos, a Cretan Late Bronze Age palatial site, during the early 20th C. CE and based on the bull imagery and labyrinth-like layout found there, connected it to the myth of the Minotaur and named its civilization Minoan after the mythical King Minos.

The current temporary exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, EKATOMPOLIS, focuses on the development of the polis on Crete during the Archaic Period. Of the 300 artifacts, the ones of faience and the inscription of the Gortyn Law Code are particularly significant.

Flisvos Marina, next to Flisvos Park, is a perfect place for an evening stroll by the seaside, grabbing a bite to eat from one of the restaurants by the water and, on a clear day, enjoying a beautiful sunset. #canadianinstitueingreece #cig #freetimefridays #flisvosmarina #athens

Walking past Hadrian’s Arch and through the Temple of Olympian Zeus site, one can appreciate the majesty in the construction of both these structures and Hadrian's influence in the area; the colossal temple finally completed under the Emperor after over 600 years of construction.

Marvel at the panoramic views of Athens from its highest point at 277m atop Mount Lycabettus, beautiful both by night and by day. With options to either hike or take a cable car up, one can enjoy dining, the 19th-C. Chapel of St. George, and concerts at the open-air theatre.

At Aristotle’s Lyceum, students would improve their minds and bodies through his Peripatetic style school, a method of teaching various topics while walking, and through the gymnasium and palaestra. Lying near the Ilissos River, there are many water-specific features at the site.

With its 25,000 artifacts, the Byzantine & Christian Museum shows the religious transition to Christianity from the 3rd C. onward which began with Emperor Constantine in 313 and persisted through 6th-C. Iconoclasm and numerous invasions of the Empire throughout its existence.