Acropolis description and photos - Greece: Athens
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Acropolis description and photos - Greece: Athens. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Acropolis. Photo and descriptionThe famous Athenian Acropolis is the main attraction and visiting card of the Greek capital, as well as an important historical, archaeological and architectural monument (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List). Ancient fortificationThe word "acropolis" from the ancient Greek language is translated as "upper city" or "fortress". As a rule, the acropolis were built on an inaccessible hill and were well fortified, thereby being an excellent refuge in case of hostilities. The world famous Athenian Acropolis is an ancient citadel, located on the top of a 156-meter rocky hill overlooking Athens with many , unfortunately, only partially preserved to this day beautiful ancient temples and other structures. During archaeological excavations, it was revealed that the hill was inhabited as early as the 4th millennium BC, was most likely used in the Mycenaean era and was actively built up during the Archaic period. In 480 BC. during the Greco-Persian war, the Acropolis was thoroughly destroyed by the Persians. New large-scale construction on the Acropolis began in 447 BC. on the initiative of Pericles, and mainly the buildings of this period have survived to this day. The Acropolis Ensemble Among the most interesting and impressive structures of the Acropolis, special attention is certainly deserve the monumental Propylaea - a marble covered gate with five aisles in the central part and wing-porticoes adjoining it on both sides, one of which once housed the Pinakothek. The propylaea are made of white Pentelian marble interspersed with the darker Eleusinian and harmoniously combine the Doric and Ionic orders in their architecture. To the right of the Propylaea, on a steep rocky ledge faced with marble, is the Temple of Niki Apteros. Of particular interest is the legendary Parthenon - the main temple of Ancient Athens and a magnificent monument of ancient architecture, erected in honor of the patroness of Athens and all Attica - the goddess Athens. White Pentelian marble was also used to build the temple. The famous ancient Greek sculptor Phidias was involved in the decoration (today, some parts of the masterpieces of his sculptural art can be seen in the largest museums in the world). The Erechtheion, which has no analogues in ancient Greek architecture, is no less interesting. Due to the connection of several sanctuaries in it (the eastern part of the temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the western part to Poseidon and King Erechtheus), it has an original asymmetric layout. On the south side of the temple adjoins the famous Pandroseion portico, the architrave of which is supported by six marble statues of girls (caryotids). On the southeastern and southern slopes of the Acropolis, you can still see two ancient theaters - the Theater of Dionysus (under reconstruction) and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The latter is still used for its intended purpose today, and is the main stage for the annual Athens Festival. The New Acropolis Museum located at the foot of the hill, which opened its doors to visitors in June 2009, is definitely worth a visit. A fantastic collection of unique ancient artifacts and various architectural fragments, collected during the archaeological excavations of the Athenian Acropolis, is rightfully considered one of the best in the world among such collections. Notes
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