The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the city of Athens. Made up of several ancient buildings including the Parthenon, it is thought to have been inhabited as far back as the fourth millennium BC, though written record only goes as far back as the fifth century BC. One of the most iconic clusters of buildings in the world, it is an impressive sight to behold and one of the most important attractions in all of Greece. Just find a vacation rental in Greece and see it for yourself.
The earliest artifacts found on site date to the Middle Neolithic era, though the structure that stands above the city of Athens today is not nearly so ancient as that. Little is known about the exact appearance of the buildings that stood on this plot before the 5th century BC, though there are records of what some of them where, who built them and what happened to them.
The earliest artifacts found on site date to the Middle Neolithic era, though the structure that stands above the city of Athens today is not nearly so ancient as that. Little is known about the exact appearance of the buildings that stood on this plot before the 5th century BC, though there are records of what some of them where, who built them and what happened to them.
One of the earliest buildings that remains to this day is the famous Parthenon, one of the major temples on site that was rebuilt under the leadership of Pericles during the Golden Age of Athens (460–430 BC). Phidias, an Athenian sculptor, and Ictinus and Callicrates, two famous architects, are credited with overseeing its reconstruction.
Other buildings and monuments that remain in various states of ruin to this day include the Old Temple of Athena, Erechtheum, Statue of Athena Promachos, Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Eleusinion, Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia or Brauroneion, Chalkotheke, Pandroseion, Arrephorion, Altar of Athena, Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, Sanctuary of Pandion, Odeon of Herodes, Atticus, Stoa of Eumenes, Sanctuary of Asclepius or Asclepieion, Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, Odeon of Pericles, Temenos of Dionysus Eleuthereus and Aglaureion.
Other buildings and monuments that remain in various states of ruin to this day include the Old Temple of Athena, Erechtheum, Statue of Athena Promachos, Propylaea, Temple of Athena Nike, Eleusinion, Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia or Brauroneion, Chalkotheke, Pandroseion, Arrephorion, Altar of Athena, Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, Sanctuary of Pandion, Odeon of Herodes, Atticus, Stoa of Eumenes, Sanctuary of Asclepius or Asclepieion, Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, Odeon of Pericles, Temenos of Dionysus Eleuthereus and Aglaureion.
Among these the Erechtheion, or Erechtheum, is a particularly famous temple on the north side of the Acropolis that was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. It is known for its famous "Porch of the Maidens", that has six draped female figures (called Caryatids) as supporting columns.
The Acropolis Restoration Project began in 1975 and is now nearly completed. It aimed to reverse the decay of centuries of attrition, pollution, destruction stemming from military use, and misguided past restorations and has won awards for its successes. Meanwhile, the valuable ancient artifacts that have been found on the site are now housed in the specially built Acropolis Museum. Between the temples, statues, buildings, museum and views, there is lots to see and do and the Acropolis offers a perfect day out. Impressive in scale and the weight of so much time, even those who not that interested in history will be fascinated by this extraordinary sight!
The Acropolis Restoration Project began in 1975 and is now nearly completed. It aimed to reverse the decay of centuries of attrition, pollution, destruction stemming from military use, and misguided past restorations and has won awards for its successes. Meanwhile, the valuable ancient artifacts that have been found on the site are now housed in the specially built Acropolis Museum. Between the temples, statues, buildings, museum and views, there is lots to see and do and the Acropolis offers a perfect day out. Impressive in scale and the weight of so much time, even those who not that interested in history will be fascinated by this extraordinary sight!