The full moon illuminates the sky over the Acropolis hill in Athens, capital of Greece, on August 24, 2010. Continuing a tradition which started 13 years ago, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Tourism kept 92 archaeological sites across Greece open free to the public on the night of August full moon Tuesday. [Xinhua/Marios Lolos]

Thousands of Greek people and foreign visitors enjoyed full moon on Tuesday evening strolling next to ancient monuments inside 92 archaeological sites across Greece, including the Acropolis hill.

Continuing a tradition which started 13 years ago, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Tourism kept major archaeological monuments sites open to the public after sunset.

Since 1997 once a year Greeks and tourists have an opportunity to marvel at the August's full moon sitting next to the Parthenon or the temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion until 01:00 a.m. at mid night free of charge.

A string of concerts was hosted in front of the New Acropolis Museum and dozens of other sites across the country with Greek artists performing songs that mainly referred to the moon, such as the "Let's take a stroll to the moon" which was composed by late Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis.

"Three days I was separated from you, three nights I stay on my own, chase away the sorrow, brave young man, let's take a stroll to the moon," sang Greek artists Sophia Vossou and Lena Alkaiou.

"This is the best way to celebrate the end of the summer and welcome autumn. For the past four years my family never misses the chance to enjoying Art under the stars on the last full moon of the summer," said to Xinhua Angeliki Kontomina, a 43-year-old teacher who was among the audience of the New Acropolis Museum concert with her husband and 12-year-old daughter.