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The Acropolis (literally 'high city') is one of the most
important monuments in the Western world. With the impressive
Parthenon temple perched on the summit, the Acropolis is a
rocky plateau about 165 ft high which towers over Athens and
symbolises the glorious history of this ancient city.
What's the history here?
According to Greek mythology the goddess Athena and sea-god
Poseidon had a contest to decide who was to be the rightful
owner of Attica, the country around Athens. Poseidon struck
his trident into the Acropolis and a salt spring rose up from
the ground; Athena, in her turn, produced the first olive
tree, and was judged the winner by the Athenian people.
The Acropolis was first inhabited in Neolithic times, but
the first temples, none of which still stand today, were constructed
during the Mycenean era. In 480 BC the Acropolis was sacked
by the Persians, and all the buildings were reduced to rubble.
Pericles, a powerful Athenian statesman, initiated an ambitious
rebuilding programme in 447 BC, which included the impressive
Parthenon temple ('the temple of the maiden'), built
in the Doric style and decorated with an Ionic frieze. The
Parthenon housed an enormous gold and ivory statue of Athena,
made by master craftsman Pheidias, and was dedicated to the
goddess in 438 BC. Henceforth the Acropolis was one of the
most important religious sites in the whole of Greece.
Pericles commissioned a number of other buildings for the
Acropolis, including the Propyleia, the Temple of
Athena Nike and the Erechtheum. They have all suffered
somewhat at the hands of history, having been defaced during
foreign occupation, ransacked by foreign archaeologists and
damaged by earthquakes. In 1687 a conflict between the Venetians
and the Turks culminated in an explosion on the acropolis,
and the Parthenon was ablaze for two days.
The Parthenon frieze, along with some other sculptures, is
now housed by the British Museum in London. These works of
art are have been dubbed the 'Elgin Marbles', because
they were acquired by Lord Elgin when he was envoy to Constantinople
between 1709 and 1803, and later sold to the British government.
The Greeks have been demanding their return ever since, but
because of high pollution levels in Athens which are causing
damage to many of the monuments which remain there, it has
been decided that they are safer in London for the time being.
What's there to see and do?
The Acropolis is visible from almost everywhere in Athens
and is floodlit at night. It is best to visit early in the
morning, as especially during the peak season there are enormous
crowds later in the day. There is only one entrance to ascend
the Acropolis but a number of different approaches to it.
The most atmospheric takes you through the backstreets of
Plaka Anafiotika.
As well as the impressive structure of the Parthenon, there's
a number of small temples on the Acropolis. You can visit
the Erechtheion, the sanctuary built on the mythical site
of Athena's contest with Poseidon and the Temple of Athena
Nike. On the southern slope of the Acropolis is the Theatre
of Dionysos, an enormous auditorium built between 342 and
326 BC.
You can see some of the remaining sculptures and reliefs
in the Acropolis Museum, in the south-east corner of the Acropolis.
The rooms are organised in chronological order, but the displays
are nowhere near as spectacular as in the British Museum in
London, or even the National Archeological Museum in Athens.
Entry to the site itself cost around 12 Euro ($11 US). Be
prepared to view this slice of ancient history through scaffolding,
however, which holds together some of the main intact parts
of the site. |
