It was a hot, hot, really hot day when we took an excursion to Mycenae, the oldest of the most famous ancient sites in Greece.
Mycenae is located on the slopes of a hill and you have to climb up through narrow footpaths. Fortunately, due to the altitude, the wind blows quite strong in Mycenae, so climbing up was not that tiring. The highest you go there, the best view you have to the above valley.
The most impressive spot of Mycenae (and for me the only that stays in the mind, besides the gorgeous view and the Treasury of Atreus) is the Lion Gate, at the entrance of the site. The rest of the hill has some remains of builidngs and tombs and an underground cistern. You climb down some steps to get into the cistern, but it is too dark if you don't have a torch, so better don't try it.
The Treasury of Atreus is about 10 minutes walk from the actual site and it is a tomb with a vaulted roof. Once inside, you will notice that it has great echo. It is said that this was the tomb of Atreus or Agamemnon, two important kings of Mycenae, and that it had many valuable, golden things inside, but it had been looted way before the excavations started in the late 19th century.
The museum is interesting but smaller than I expected, only four rooms in two floors.
One thing to notice was that almost all visitors were foreigners, we seemed to be the only Greeks there! I don't know what to conclude from this...
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