Bassae

Tucked away in the rugged mountains of southwest Arcadia in the Peloponnese stands a marvel of ancient Greek architecture, the Temple of Apollo "Epikourios" at Bassae.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni underscored that the government does not consider the exchange, loan or recognition of the British Museum's possession of the Parthenon Sculptures, in answering a question from an opposition MP in parliament on Monday. 

Greek choreographer Apostolia Papadamaki staged 'From Darkness to Light,' an interactive performance, from 8 p.m. on Saturday until early Sunday morning at the Temple of Epicurean Apollo in Bassae in the Peloponnese.

In a photograph from 1985, Maria Arabatzoglou poses along with her fellow students from the tour guide school at the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae, in the Peloponnese.

Because of its geographical position, Greece was a crossroad of civilisations that had left their traces everywhere: the architecture of the museums and settlements, miniature art, daily life, nutritional customs and in all forms of popular art in the various regions of the country.

In the central Peloponnese, at Vasses in ancient Figaleia, at an elevation of 1.130 metres, stands the eternally proud temple of Apollo Epicurius. The inspiration behind its construction and the architect is considered to be the great Ictinus. This universal architectural gem was the first of the great monuments of Greece to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986.

Greece, a country that lies at the crossroads of many ancient civilizations, can be considered a World Heritage Site all on its own just by its very nature. Nonetheless, there are 18 recognized UNESCO World Heritage sites in Greece that have been selected and approved on the basis of their value as the best examples of human creative genius.