The tourist attractions at Mycenae have made this archaeological site one of the must-visits when in Greece. There are several ruins in Greece, but this area is without question one of the most interesting.
Location
The archaeological site is situated 90 km to the southwest of Athens. This is at the north-eastern Peloponnese. Corinth is 48 km on the north while Argos is 11 km to the south.
What to See
The most striking thing about the ruins is the scale. The dimensions of the ruins and their age is breathtaking. Comparisons with the ruins at Machu Picchu are justified, but these are older by almost 2,000 years. The bath of Agamemnon is one of the most visited spots, as is the Lion Gate.
The tomb of King Agamemnon is famous for having been covered up so it appeared as a hill. While there are many tourist attractions at Mycenae, the so-called death mask of Agamemnon is probably the best known.
Aside from the ruins, you can also visit the museum for more relevant information.
History
For a long time, Mycenae was considered one of the Greek civilization centers. It held sway over southern Greece and a stronghold of the military. Such was the influence and power of the center that the period from 1600 BC to 1100 BC is known as the Mycenaean Age.
The available evidence indicates that the earliest settlers are from the Neolithic era (3500 BC). Around 2000 BC, the area was inhabited by Indo-Europeans. They are believed to have introduced herding and farming to the site. Sherds from 2100 to 1700 BC have been located.
Cost
The entrance fee to the archaeological site is 8 Euros. This is also the fee for the museum nearby. A group tour will cost about 90 Euros for adults. This will include trips to other places of interest like the Epidaurus Theatre and Acrocorinth.
Other Info
Excavations in the site were initially conducted by Kyriakos Pittakis, a Greek archaeologist, in 1841. He was the one who unearthed the Lion Gate and rebuilt it.
Heinrich Schliemann came to the site in 1874. His excavations were more complete. Among his discoveries were shaft graves, complete with skeletal remains and goods. Schliemann was also the one who came upon the death mask. He was also the one who named it after Agamemnon.
You can visit the tourist attractions at Mycenae from 8:30 in the morning until 3:00 pm. It is open everyday except on holidays.
