Athens' Acropolis Witnesses ‘Majestic Moment’ Under Moonlight

People observe a rising full snow moon rises as they visit the Areios Pagos hill at the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis
People observe a rising full snow moon rises as they visit the Areios Pagos hill at the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis
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Athens' Acropolis Witnesses ‘Majestic Moment’ Under Moonlight

People observe a rising full snow moon rises as they visit the Areios Pagos hill at the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis
People observe a rising full snow moon rises as they visit the Areios Pagos hill at the archaeological site of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

Under the light of the full moon, Athens' Acropolis looked ethereal as people crowded on Sunday to enjoy this "majestic moment." The Acropolis was among 120 other landmarks and museums in Greece that opened their doors for visitors to watch the last full moon event for this summer.

From the museum's balcony that was exceptionally opened for free until midnight, the Parthenon looked fabulous standing on a hill overlooking the capital. Near 9:00 pm (local time), the massive yellow circle rose from between the hills surrounding Athens, and the full moon scene started. "It's a majestic moment," Yonissis, a Greek who lives in Switzerland told AFP.

While Spiros, 22, was gazing at the illuminated Parthenon, he regretted "the huge crowd," but also said that "all those people who came to explore the ancient history of Greece made him feel proud."

Time passed nine, and the queue of people waiting to enter the museum in the front yard was still long, extending to the pedestrian lane that surrounds the Acropolis.

Visitors were eager to benefit from the free entrance and the extension of work hours. Sophie, a French tourist, noticed that "all Athens was here like if it was a fashion week event," noting that "the night ambiance in museums is always special."

The activities and events celebrating the last full moon for this season were held across the country. Islands in the Cyclades Archipelago, Ionian Sea, and Aegean Sea like Crete saw concerts, plays, dancing performances, poetry readings and star gazing circles.

Greeks and tourists alike, anywhere in the country, had the chance to explore all the historic and cultural landmarks under moonlight. Among these sites are Kassope in Epirus (northwest Greece), Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes (southeast), in addition to the archeological sites in the Olympia, Mistras, Corinth, and Nemea in the Peloponnese peninsula (southwest), Thebes (center), and Corfu (west).



Kate, Princess of Wales, to Present Women's Singles Trophy at Wimbledon

Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
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Kate, Princess of Wales, to Present Women's Singles Trophy at Wimbledon

Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)
Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales awaits the arrival of France’s President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron in Windsor, England, Tuesday July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain. (Chris Jackson/Pool via AP)

Kate, the Princess of Wales, is set to present the trophy to the winner of the women's singles final at Wimbledon on Saturday after opting not to attend the match last year while she was recovering from cancer.

The All England Club said Kate, the wife of Prince William, will be back in the Royal Box on Center Court for the match between eighth-seeded Iga Swiatek and No. 13 Amanda Anisimova. She will then take part in the on-court trophy presentation, The AP news reported.

Kate has been the patron of the All England Club since 2016 and has regularly attended the men's and women's finals. However, she was not there when Barbora Krejcikova defeated Jasmine Paolini for the women's title last year.

She did hand the trophy to Carlos Alcaraz after his victory over Novak Djokovic in the men's final, when she made only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.

She has been gradually returning to public duties since since announcing last fall that she had completed chemotherapy, and took part in welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Britain this week.