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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF MYCENAE

Archaeological site
4.2/5
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Mykines, Mycènes – Mykines, Greece
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2024
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2024

Unesco site. Ancient city of Mycenae, which gave its name to the Mycenaean civilization. Entrance through the famous Lioness Gate.

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1999, this site (Αρχαιολογικό Χώρο Μυκηνών/Archaiologiko Choro Mykinon) is home to the remains of the prestigious city that gave its name to the Mycenaean civilization. Founded around 1550 BC, Mycenae was abandoned around 1200 BC. Its ruins stand in an austere rocky valley, atop a 280 m-high hill framed by the Profitas Ilias (750 m) and Zara (660 m) mountains. The acropolis retains its imposing "Cyclopean" walls, said by the ancient Greeks to have been built by the Cyclops. Built from 1350 BC onwards, the wall is made up of huge, perfectly-fitted blocks of stone (hard breccia), 5 to 8 m thick. Entrance is via the emblematic Lioness Gate (c. 1250 BC), 14.80 m high. Above a monolithic lintel weighing 52 tons is a bas-relief carved from a triangular block weighing 20 tons and standing 4.5 m high. It depicts a column framed by two lionesses (or lions) with their front paws resting on the base of the column. The heads, probably in bronze, have been lost. This is the only known monumental Mycenaean sculpture, and its interpretation is the subject of much debate. However, lions and lionsettes were frequently used by the Mycenaeans to symbolize the union of two royal families or to ensure the protection of a site.

Circular tomb and palace. Shortly after the gate, below on the right, lies "Funerary circle A" (16th century BC): a 27.5 m-diameter structure, formerly underground and topped by a dome, which housed six tombs and 19 dignitaries' remains. It was here, in 1878, that German archaeologist Schliemann claimed to have discovered the famous gold death mask known as "Agamemnon's". The path then leads to the top of the acropolis, where the remains of the royal palace can still be seen: the 18-step grand staircase, the circular foyer of the throne room and the adjoining terraced rooms. Below, to the east, the craftsmen's quarter preserves the foundations of dwellings and workshops, as well as a staircase leading down to a cistern. The path then returns north to the ticket office and museum, passing along a second fortified gate. Finally, near the museum is the Tomb of the Lions (c. 1450 BC): a burial chamber 14 m in diameter, formerly underground, accessible via a dromos (corridor) 22 m long.

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Members' reviews on ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF MYCENAE

4.2/5
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Visited in december 2019
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Superbe site
Ce site est vraiment un incontournable de votre visite du Péloponnèse. Ne ratez pas le tombeau d'Atrée qui est à 5 minutes à pieds en descendant sur la route principale.
Visited in october 2018
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Joli site mais pas notre préféré du coin.

12€ l'entrée, le site n'est pas vraiment accessible aux personnes à mobilité réduite. Il s'agit essentiellement de ruines, reste quelques pièces en bon état. Site à ne pas privilégier si court séjour (nous avons préférer Néméa, Epidaure et Corinthe).
lukicat
Visited in july 2018
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Ce site est très intéressant si on dispose d'un guide explicatif des différentes parties de la citadelle. sinon il est un peu difficile de se projeter pour imaginer ce que ça pouvait donner
Goun82
Visited in july 2017
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Il faut un peu plus d'imagination que certains autres sites car à part la porte il n'y a plus grand chose de debout!
Mais le site étant sur une colline, il vaut de déplacement
Visited in january 2018
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Un coup de coeur ce site! Tant par son histoire que par son paysage! Pour les amoureux d'Histoire, ce site est juste parfait. Un peu plus en bas se trouve le tombeau d'Agamemnon. Il y a aussi un joli musée avec quelques belles oeuvres à l'intérieur mais dont la plupart et les originaux se trouve au musée d'Athènes. Un des rares endroits où il y a des audioguides à disposition.

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