There are cities that count their age by years; then there's Athens, which can tabulate its history by millenniums. From battles and setbacks, this ancient metropolis has rebounded again and again, proving itself to be resilient like no other.

Sitting on a parfait of civilisations, the Greek capital could easily coast on its past glories. But recent additions like the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre prove that this city in the heart of the Mediterranean isn't afraid to raise new monuments and leave a bold statement for posterity.