History of the Acropolis in Greece
The Acropolis of Athens is one of the most historically and culturally significant sites in Greece and, indeed, the whole world. A symbol of the Golden Age of Greek thought and arts, the Acropolis is recognized as a World Heritage Site and is visited by over a million people each year.
Situated on top of a rocky hill above the ancient Greek city of Athens, the Acropolis is a vast complex of temples and monuments dedicated to the mythical Greek gods and goddesses. The most significant buildings located at the Acropolis were constructed during the 5th century B.C. to celebrate a series of Athenian victories over the Persians in the Greco-Persian Wars.
After withstanding countless earthquakes, wars, and looting over the last 2,500 years, the buildings in partial ruins found at the Acropolis still inspire awe and wonder. The Acropolis, in all its glory, represents the apex of Classical Greece and the ideals of free thought and democracy it bestowed to the rest of the world. With so much to see and so much history at the Acropolis, you could spend days there exploring and learning. Here are some of the must-see sites while visiting this architectural wonder.
The Parthenon
The crowning glory of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, overlooks Athens and dominates its skyline. Built to honor the many different incarnations of the goddess Athena, the Parthenon is widely considered one of the most perfect structures ever built. The massive white marble temple was built in the Doric style that is synonymous with Classical Greek architecture.
The Parthenon is a masterpiece of ancient architecture and is one of the most imitated buildings in the world. The designers and architects went to painstaking lengths to create a visually perfect building, including intricate carvings and sculptures into the marble. They also calculated the precise curvature required for the Parthenon’s columns in order to make the building appear perfectly level. Now lost to antiquity, the Parthenon once housed the massive gold and ivory sculpture of Athena, Athena Parthenos, known today only from literary descriptions, ancient Greek coins, and replicas.
The Erechtheion
Arguably the most sacred site of the Acropolis is the Erechtheion. According to mythology, the Erechtheion is located on the site where Poseidon and Athena battled over who would be the patron of the city. At the Erechtheion, you can see the hole in the ceiling where Poseidon’s trident passed through and hit the rocky ground, and where Athena’s spear touched the ground and an olive tree grew, according to legend. Athena was victorious over Poseidon and the city of Athens was named after the goddess.
Built slightly later than the Parthenon, the Erechtheion was built in the Ionic architectural style. Where the Parthenon was built to showcase the power and riches of the Athenians, the Erechtheion temple was built for religious rituals. The most famous feature of the Erechtheion is the Porch of the Maidens, or Caryatids. This stunning porch on the south side of the temple features six draped female sculptures serving as columns. The existing Caryatids today are replicas, with the five of the originals being preserved in the Acropolis Museum. The sixth original Caryatid is located in the British Museum after being procured by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century A.D.
The Temple of Athena Nike
This small temple is devoted to the goddess of victory, Athena Nike. Located near the grand entrance, the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike was simultaneously in a vulnerable location and a good defensive position. The temple features multiple friezes portraying battle scenes sculpted in the white marble. The temple was converted to a Christian church during the Crusades and was dismantled by the Ottomans in the 17th century A.D. during their occupation in Greece.
The Ancient Agora
Don’t forget to visit the ancient agora located at the foot of the Acropolis. The agora, or market, is where ancient Athenians shopped and gathered to socialize and ponder philosophers such as Socrates who frequented the agora. Much of the agora is in ruins now, but the Agora Museum houses a reconstruction of the ancient market.
Tips for Visiting The Acropolis
The best time to visit the Acropolis is from winter to early spring. Winters in Greece are mild and you will avoid the mass of holidaymakers who flock to the islands during the summer. Visiting the Acropolis during the off-season is great because you will have virtually the whole site to yourself compared to during the summer. Early mornings are the best time to visit the Acropolis. It opens at 8:30am in the winter and 8am during the summer. Many of its sites also close early during the winter, so be sure to plan accordingly. If you use the southeast entrance, you will encounter fewer lines compared to the west entrance, which is used by many tour bus groups.
The Acropolis is easily accessible from Athens. You will want to wear comfortable shoes with some grip on them to make walking up the rocky hill easier. Also, no large bags are allowed up to the Acropolis, so it’s best to bring what you need in a small bag. There are bag checks available at the Acropolis Museum. Admission to the Acropolis is approximately $25 USD and includes entry to other nearby attractions including the theatre of Dionysus, the Roman Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and other historical sites.
The Acropolis of Athens and the Golden Age of thought and arts that it represents have had a profound influence on Western civilization. Over more than 2 millennia, the Acropolis has survived wars, occupations by different groups of people, sackings, earthquakes, and explosions and it still prevails as one of the most historically and culturally significant sites in the world. If you have been thinking about visiting the Acropolis, now is the time to book your trip!
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