The Acropolis

One of the World's Most Famous Sights.

23.12.2017 - 23.12.2017

Acropolis just means highest place. The Acropolis in Athens refers to several ancient buildings set on a high hill in the centre of the city. The Acropolis hill was inhabited from around the fourth millennium BC. However, it was Pericles, who lived from around 495 to 429 BC, who was responsible for the construction of the site's most important buildings including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.

There are two entrances to the Acropolis site. One is at the bottom of the hill, not far from the Acropolis Museum. If you want to use this one, Acropoli Metro Station is the nearest stop for it. We entered at the other entrance. We reached this one by taking quite a long walk from Monastiraki Station via the Library of Hadrian and the Roman Agora, then climbing up through Plaka. There is a public bus service up here too.

The entrance ticket to the Acropolis covers the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Niki, plus the Southern Slopes and Northern Slopes of the Acropolis.

Before we entered the Acropolis we climbed up the nearby Areopagus Hill. This rocky hill translates as Ares Rock. It is named after Ares, the Greek god of war. In classical times, this hill was used as a court for trying deliberate homicide. It was called after Ares, as mythology stated he was tried here by the gods for the murder of Poseidon's son Halirrhothius. Halirrhothius had raped Ares' daughter, Alcippe.

During the Roman occupation of Athens, Saint Paul preached his famous speech from this hill. In the speech he referred to the altar of the Unknown God. His speech went like this: "Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands." (Acts 17:24)

There are great views from Aeropagus Hill both back towards the Acropolis and out over the rest of the city.

View towards the Acropolis from Aeropagus Hill.

View from Aeropagus Hill.

There are clean free toilets outside the entrance to the Acropolis building. There are also toilets inside near the Parthenon.

When we entered the Acropolis, the first sight we came across was the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This large arena was built between 160 AD and 174 AD by the wealthy philanthropist, Herodes Atticus. He built it in memory of his late wife Rigilla. It was used for musical performances and competitions. This building is still used for concerts even today and can seat 4680 people. Many famous singers have performed here including Nana Mouskouri, Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra. Unless you attend a concert here, you will only be able to peer inside the building without entering it.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus.

After looking at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, we set off down the south slopes of the Acropolis. As we had to climb back up again and visited the south slopes again later, this was definitely not the most sensible route, but as it was cool, it did not really matter. On our walk we passed the sanctuary of Asclepius. Asclepius was the Greek god of medicine. He was the son of Apollo and was tutored in the medical arts by Cheiron, the wise centaur. In ancient times people flocked to his sanctuary to pray for cures to various ailments.

The Sanctuary of Asclepius.

Next we walked to the Theatre of Dionysus. We viewed it from up above and down below. The Theatre of Dionysus started life as a much smaller sanctuary to Dionysus, the god of plays and wine. The theatre could seat as many as 17,000 people and was used to host Athens' biggest theatrical celebration, the Dionysia. This theatre is credited with being the birthplace of Greek tragedy. The stage of the theatre is decorated with reliefs depicting the myth of Dionysus. Behind the theatre stands the choragic monument of the rich Athenian Thrasyllos. He constructed this monument to house his trophy after winning the best dramatic production competition in 320/319 BC.

Looking down on the Theatre of Dionysus.

Inside the theatre.

Theatre and choragic monument.

Stage Reliefs.

Next we walked all the way back up the southern slopes to visit the Parthenon. To enter the highest part of the Acropolis, you must pass through the Buele Gate which had several lion statues then climb up the stairs of the Propylaea, or ornamental gateway. The Propylaea was completed in 432, just before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian wars.

Lion at the Beule Gate.

Propylaea.

Once through the Propylaea, you have reached the famous Parthenon. The Parthenon, was built between 447 and 432 BC in the Age of Pericles, and was dedicated to Athena, goddess of war and wisdom. She is the patron of the city of Athens. The Parthenon was designed by the architects Iktinos and Kallikratis.

First view of the Parthenon.

The Parthenon.

Near the Parthenon stands the Erechtheion, an ancient Greek templed dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon, god of the sea. This temple was built between 421 and 406 BC. Its name comes from a shrine dedicated to the legendary Greek hero Erichthonius. This hero's legend may have been based on the life of a real king, buried nearby. The Porch of the Caryatids with its columns formed of six sculpted maidens stands at the end of the Erechtheion.

The Porch of the Caryatids

The Erechtheion.

The Parthenon.

We enjoyed great views from the top of the Acropolis before following the pathway for the Northern Slopes of the Acropolis. On the way back down from the top of the Acropolis, we passed the Temple of Athena Nike. This temple was built around 420BC and was named after the Greek goddess, Athena Nike. Nike means victory. Athena Nike was worshipped by the Athenians in hope of winning the Peloponnesian War against the Spartans.

I very much enjoyed the walk round the northern slopes with its views over Athens. The acropolis is heavily fortified on this side and looks like a castle.

View from Acropolis.