* Greek boys clothes: activities -- outings








Greek Boys Clothes: Activities--Outings


Figure 1.--Loutraki (Λουτράκι) is a beach-front resort on the Gulf of Corinth, the body of water separating the Peloponnese from the rest of the country. A Cornith canal creating a connection to the Aegean was considered in antiquity, but never constructed. The Canal was not built until the late- 19th century (1881-93). Loutraki is located about 80 kilometres (50 miles) west of Athens and 8 kilometres (5 miles) northeast of Corinth making it easily accessable to important urban populations. Loutraki is well known for its vast natural springs and its therapeutic spas. In antiquity a town called Thermae (Θερμαί meaning hot springs) existed on the site. An announcement in Italy asserting the therapeutic benefits of bathing in the natural thermal spas found in Loutraki resulting settlers being attracted in the surrounding areas. This was beginning of modern Loutraki (1847). Loutraki was completely destroyed by an earthquake (1928) and rebuilt. A large park was created by reclaiming sea area using the rubble of the fallen houses. Another strong earthquake hit the area (1981), but was less destructive. The 1937 portait here shows Loutraki with very few people present. Modern photographs show the beach packed with people. Writing on the back reads “25/9/37 Ενθύμιον Λουτρακίου” meaning Septeber 25, 1937 Souvenir of Loutraki.

Outings were mosly family affairs. These involved moving beyond the home and neighborhood which meant that it had to be done as a family. Outings involved both local movement within a city which might be an hour or two as well as trips to more distant attractions that make take several days. Within cities we are generally talking about permanent fixtures like parks or perhaps special parks like zoos. There were parks that boys living close by could visit. We are not sure about how common these parks were in Greece. We ahve no ingormation at this time on Greek parks. The major city parks generally involved a family visit. There were also museums and a range of other attractions. This included theaters which were mostly for adults, but in the 20th century movies appeared and becme very popular with children as well as adults. A movie theater was more basic than a theatrical theater and thus could be located in neigborhoods and not just in city centers. This meant that attendance was not limnited to family occassions. Boys could go on their own or in groups. We are not entirely sure about girls, at least in the early-20th century. In addition there were periodic attractions like carnivals and circuses. Circuses varied in size and some small circuses set up in small towns making them accessable to rural areas. More distant attractions included both beach resorts and spas. Greece is a peninsula in the warm Ageean/Mediterrranean and thus some spa-like resprts were located long the coast.

Groups

Outings were mosly family affairs. There wee some other groups such as school, church or youth group outings. They are usually possible to destinguish from the photograph even without some kind of a caption on the back.

Places/Attractions

These outings involved moving beyond the home and neighborhood which meant that it had to be done as a family. Outings involved both local movement within a city which might be an hour or two as well as trips to more distant attractions that make take several days. Greece because of its famed ancient history is blessed with many important archeological sites. And many of the best known are located in the middle of cities. This includes of course the Acropolis located in the middle of Athens. Very popular in Greece were beach resorts and spas. For most countries these were more distant attractions. Greece is, however, a peninsula set in the warm Arfgena/Mediterrranean and thus there are vurtually beaches located all along the spa, including some very close to the major cities like Athens. In addition there were periodic attractions like carnivals and circuses. Circuses varied in size and some small circuses set up in small towns making them accessable to rural areas. There are also museums, art galleries, and a range of other attractions in the major cities. Within cities we are generally talking about permanent fixtures like parks with well groomed gardens, open spaces, or natural foliage. There were parks that boys living close by could visit. Theatrical evenbts are very popular. This included theaters which were mostly for adults, but in the 20th century movies appeared. A movie theater was more basic than a theatrical theater and thus could be located in neigborhoods and not just in city centers. Larger citiess had special parks like zoos.

Archeological sites

Greece because of its famed ancient history is blessed with many imprtant archeological sites. Greece is one of the most important ancient civilizations. It is known as the cradle of Western civilization. Many of the best known are located in the middle of cities. The capital, Athens, has landmarks including the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple located in the middle of the city.

Beaches

Greece is a peninsular country in southeastern Europe with thousands of idelic islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Very popular in Greece for both familes and group visits are beach resorts and spas. Greece is known for its beaches. This incluses beaches from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykonos. Here we see Loutraki (Λουτράκι), a beach-front resort on the Gulf of Corinth (figure 1). For most countries, beaches are for the most part distant attractions. Greece is, however, a peninsula set in the warm Agean/Ionian (Mediterrranean) waters. Thus there are virtually beaches located all along the coast, includiung some very close to the major cities like Athens. This inclues beaches with virtually no facilities, developed beaches as well as spa-like resorts. And there are also the many beautiful Agean/Ioanian islands with stunning white towns and deep blue seas. These of course except for thr small local populations involved multi-day trips.

Carnivals and circuses

In addition there were periodic attractions like carnivals and circuses. Circuses varied in size and some small circuses set up in small towns making them accessable to rural areas.

Galleries and museums

There were also museums, art galleries, and a range of other attractions in the major cities .

Parks

Within cities we are generally talking about permanent fixtures like parks with well groomed gardens, open spaces, or natural foliage. There were parks that boys living close by could visit. We are not sure about how common these parks were in Greece. We ahve no ingormation at this time on Greek parks. The major city parks generally involved a family visit.

Thetrical events

Theatrical evenbts are very popular. This included theaters which were mostly for adults, but in the 20th century movies appeared. A movie theater was more basic than a theatrical theater and thus could be located in neigborhoods and not just in city centers. This meant that attendance was not limnited to family occassions. Boys could go on their own or in groups. We are not entirely sure about girls, at least in the early-20th century.

Zoos

Larger citiess had special parks like zoos.







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Created: 12:45 AM 8/31/2018
Last updated: 5:01 PM 10/31/2020