The significance of the Athenian Acropolis in the life of Athens. Athens Acropolis - a monument of ancient architecture

In ancient times, the city of Cecropia was erected on the high hill of the Acropolis, which later received a new name - Athens. It is better to admire the Acropolis in Athens at sunrise or sunset; it is at this time that the ruins of the former great city come to life and seem to be rebuilt.

History of the Athenian Acropolis

Let's look a little at the history of the city. King Cecrops is considered the founder of Athens. This great man is credited with the founding of 12 Greek cities, the introduction of a ban on human sacrifice, and, most importantly, the introduction of the cult of Zeus the Thunderer. The advent of the greatness of the goddess Athena occurs during the reign of another king - Erechthonius; it was during his reign that the city was renamed Athens.

Around the 2nd millennium BC, the territory of the Acropolis completely contained Athens. It was surrounded by powerful walls. On the western, flat side, a particularly strong fortification, Enneapylon “Nine Gates,” was erected. Behind the walls was the palace of the Athenian kings. It was here that the sanctuary of Athena was later located, and as the city grew, the Acropolis became a religious center dedicated to the patroness of the city.

Architecture of the Athens Acropolis

The construction of the ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis began after the great victories of the Greeks over the Persians. In 449, Pericles' plan to decorate this territory was approved. The Acropolis of Athens was to become a great symbol of a great victory. No expense or materials were spared. Pericles could get whatever he wanted for this matter.

Tons of material were transported to the main hill of the Greek capital. It was considered pride for everyone to work at this facility. Several magnificent architects were involved here, but the main role was given to Phidias.

Propylaea of ​​the Athenian Acropolis

The architect Mnesicles created the buildings of the Propylaea, which are the entrance to the Acropolis, decorated with porticoes and a colonnade. Such a structure introduced the visitor to a sacred place into a completely new world, not similar to everyday reality. At the other end of the Propylaea, there was a statue of the patroness of the city, Athena Promachos, personally executed by Phidias. Speaking about Phidias, we can mention that it was from his hands that the famous statue of Zeus in Olympia came out, which became one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Even sailors passing through Attica saw the helmet and spear of the warrior Athena.

Parthenon - the first temple

The main temple of the Athenian Acropolis is the Parthenon. Previously, it housed another statue of Athena Parthenos, also made by Phidias. The statue was made in the chrysoelephantine technique, like Olympian Zeus. But this miracle has not reached us, so we can only believe the rumors and images.

The columns of the Parthenon, made of marble, have lost their original whiteness over many centuries. Now its brownish columns stand out beautifully against the evening sky. The Parthenon was the temple of Athena Polias the City Guardian. Due to the position of the building, this name was usually shortened to the Great Temple or even simply the Temple.

The construction of the Parthenon was carried out in 447-428 BC under the leadership of the architects Ictinus and his assistant Callicrates, of course, not without the participation of Phidias. The temple was supposed to be the embodiment of democracy. For its construction, great calculations were made, which is why the building was completed in just 9 years. Other decoration continued until 432.

Erechtheion - the second temple

The second temple of the Acropolis is the old Erechtheion, also dedicated to Athena. There was a functional difference between the Erechtheion and the Pantheon. The Pantheon was intended for public needs; the Erechtheion, in fact, was a temple of priests.

According to legend, the temple was built at the site of the dispute between Poseidon and Athena for the right to power in Athens. The elders of the city had to resolve the dispute; at their request, power was given to whichever god whose gift would be most useful for the city. Poseidon made a stream of salt water from the Acropolis hill, and Athena grew an olive tree. The daughter of Zeus was recognized as the winner, and the olive tree was recognized as the symbol of the city.

In one of the premises of the temple there was a trace left from the impact of Poseidon’s trident on a rock. Near this place there is an entrance to a cave where, according to another legend, the snake of Athena, who is the personification of the glorious king-hero Erechthonius, lived.

In the same complex there is the grave of Erechthonius himself, and in the western part of the temple there is a well with salt water, as if appeared by the will of the same Poseidon.

Temple of Athena Nike

Athena on the Acropolis found its embodiment in yet another form - Athena Nike. The first temple, dedicated to the goddess of victory, was destroyed during the wars with the Persians, so after the truce it was decided to restore the sanctuary. The temple was built by Callicrates in 427-424 BC.

Greece... At the sound of this word, one imagines Olympus with a host of gods, beautiful and courageous heroes and populous city-states. This is a picturesque country with a rich history; every corner here is a cultural heritage that carries those who visit it back into the depths of centuries. The Acropolis of Athens is considered a famous monument of Greek culture, a brief description of which is presented in this article.

Acropolis - the heart of Athens

In the center of the great Greek capital, Athens, stands a 156-meter-high hill, visible from any part of the city. You can climb this hill only from the sea: other slopes are steep and pose a serious obstacle. At the top of the hill is a temple complex called the Acropolis ("Upper City" in Greek). The Acropolis served as the abode of city rulers, as it was the most protected part of the city. Now this is the most popular and famous place in Greece, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. It is very interesting both as a historical monument and as an architectural monument. The Acropolis has seen a lot over its centuries-old life: the rise of Greek culture, its decline, the conquests of the Romans, the formation of the Ottoman Empire, and the emergence of modern Greece. The heart of Athens was destroyed many times by enemy shells, and now the remains silently remind of eternal values ​​in the bustle and impermanence of this world.

A little history

Picturesque pedestals and columns with a panoramic view of the capital of Greece today represent the temple complex of the Acropolis (Athens), the history of which dates back to approximately the 16th century AD.

The founder of the Acropolis is considered to be the first Athenian king, Kekrops. In those days it was just a hill fortified with huge stones. In the 6th century BC. At the direction of King Pisistratus, the entrance gate to the Upper City - Propylaea - was erected. In the 5th century BC. under the leadership of ruler Pericles, Athens becomes the center of politics and culture in Greece, and at the same time active construction is underway on the Acropolis. The main temple of Athens, the Parthenon, the temple of Nike Apteros, the Theater of Dionysus were built, and the statue of Athena Promachos was installed. The remains of these structures make up the Athenian Acropolis; a brief description of them will be given below.

During times, a new temple appeared on the hill - the Temple of Rome and Augustus. Then a long period of wars began, construction was no longer carried out, the Greeks tried to protect what they had.

Over the centuries, the Athenian Acropolis experienced many disasters. Architecture and monuments (Athens is very rich in cultural heritage) were constantly subject to destruction. The Byzantine rulers made the Parthenon a church, the Ottoman rulers a harem. In the 19th century it was almost completely destroyed by the Turks. Having finally achieved independence, the Greeks are trying to restore the temple complex and return it to its original appearance.

Currently, anyone can visit the Acropolis of Athens. A brief description of the complex, architectural features and rich history can be found out during a tour or by studying special literature.

Propylaea - entrance to the Upper City

For those visiting the Athens Acropolis, a brief description of the main entrance will be very interesting. The idea belongs to the architect Mnesicles, who designed the front passage in the form of porticoes and colonnades, located symmetrically on both sides of the path to the hill. The entire composition was made of different types of marble and included 6 Doric columns, 2 Ionic, 5 gates and a main corridor, as well as pavilions adjacent to the west. Unfortunately, only a few columns and fragments of the corridor have survived to this day.

Great Parthenon

The Age of Pericles is the architecture of the classics. The Athens Acropolis was built according to the ideas of the sculptor Phidias. Apparently, the idea of ​​the Parthenon belongs to him.

The name of the temple means "maiden", and it was conceived in honor of the goddess Athena. Unfortunately, after the explosion of a Venetian bomb in the 17th century, only the columns survived, but from some descriptions you can imagine its appearance. In the center of the temple was a statue of Athena in precious decoration, surrounded by more modest statues of various Greek heroes. The temple itself, measuring approximately 70x30 meters, was surrounded by 10-meter-high marble columns.

Temple of Erechtheion and Temple of Nike Apteros

It was the Erechtheion Temple, named after King Erechtheus, that was considered a place of worship of the goddess Athena, because her wooden statue, according to legend, fell straight from heaven was kept here. Here there was a trace from the lightning of Zeus, which killed the above-mentioned king, and a salty spring of Poseidon, reminiscent of his struggle with Athena for dominion over the Adriatic. The Athenian Acropolis (architecture, monuments) keeps a lot of statues of the goddess of war and wisdom. Athens, named after this goddess, is the heart of Greece, and every temple, every statue here is imbued with reverence for the patroness of the city.

Many temples included the ancient Athenian Acropolis. The description briefly tells about the temple of Nike Apteros. This is a marble structure with four columns, in which there was a statue of the goddess of victory, holding a helmet in one hand and a pomegranate fruit, symbolizing peace, in the other. The Greeks deliberately deprived the statue of its wings so that Victory could no longer fly away from them and would never leave their sacred city.

Theater of Dionysus

Let's continue our short excursion to the Acropolis of Athens (brief description). For children, perhaps the most interesting place will be its preserved fragments. Initially, this theater, built for performances during the Lesser and Greater Dionysias (that is, every six months), was wooden. Two centuries later, the stage and most of the steps were replaced with marble ones. During the Roman Empire, instead of theatrical performances, gladiator fights were held here. The huge stage and many marble chairs in the open air could accommodate the entire city. The first rows were intended for honorary citizens, the rest for ordinary spectators.

Even now, after so many centuries, the Theater of Dionysus impresses with its size and majesty.

What else to see at the Acropolis?

In addition to the famous attractions mentioned above, the Athenian Acropolis, a brief description of which we continue, is also interesting with other monuments that have practically not been preserved, but are still worth attention. These are temples, or sanctuaries, of Aphrodite and Artemis, the temple of Rome and Augustus, and the small temple of Zeus. In the 19th century, a French scientist discovered a secret emergency gate to the Upper Town. They were named after him - the Bühle Gate.

The panoramic view of the great city of Athens, which opens from the top of the hill, can also be considered part of the cultural heritage. The entire capital (with its old and new buildings) is in full view, a white city against the backdrop of the blue sea visible in the distance.

What should tourists know?

The Acropolis is open to visitors all year round, from 8.00 to 18.30 on weekdays and with reduced hours (from 8.00 to 14.30) on holidays. There are designated holidays when the museum is closed to the public. You should carefully review the opening hours before planning a tour. The entrance ticket costs 12 euros and is valid for 4 days after purchase (there is a reduced rate for students and pensioners and free admission for schoolchildren).

You can visit the Acropolis either with a tour, or with an individual guide, or on your own. In the latter case, only the cost of the entrance ticket is paid, but it should be noted that without the guide’s comments, visiting the monument will not be interesting. It is better to get an audio guide or an accompanying story.

July and August are the peak of tourist trips to Athens, so you need to be prepared for queues and a large number of guests of the temple complex. It is better to plan your visit early in the morning when there are fewer visitors.

When visiting in summer, you should wear a hat and take enough drinking water (you can buy it on the territory of the complex, but the price will be unreasonably high).

When visiting the Acropolis, you should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk quite long distances.

In the temple complex nothing should be touched with your hands, not even stones!

300 meters from the Acropolis there is a new archaeological museum where you can see interesting excavations and finds right in the ground, walking on a glass floor. The cost of visiting is not high.

There is an outdoor cafe on the roof of the museum that serves delicious coffee and inexpensive local cuisine. The view of the Acropolis from there is simply stunning!

You can purchase it to leave the Acropolis in your memory for a long time, description and photo: Greece, Athens, picturesque nature and famous sights will remind you of themselves from the pages of the album.

Tourist impressions

The Athens Acropolis leaves no one indifferent: reviews from tourists are mostly enthusiastic, filled with vivid emotions. The grandeur of the temple complex in Athens is amazing! Every stone, every fragment of marble preserves a centuries-old history, the memory of prosperity and destruction, defeats and victories, the memory of great warriors and cruel conquerors.

Despite the fact that only fragments of its former splendor have survived to this day, a special atmosphere of the culture of the ancient Greeks hovers here, and people who climb the hill seem to become a little closer to this heritage, as if they are surrounded by those deities in whose honor the most beautiful temples and sanctuaries were built and colonnades!

The Acropolis of Athens is the greatest monument of ancient architecture in the Greek city of Athens. The ancient temples of the gods of Hellas were located here. The Acropolis towers over the city, standing on a huge limestone rock.

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View of the Acropolis of Athens (Carole Raddato / flickr.com) Parthenon (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com) Acropolis of Athens (© A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons) Acropolis, Propylaea (Dimitris Kamaras / flickr.com) View of the Plaka area from the Temple of Zeus Olympic, Acropolis, Athens, Greece (George Rex / flickr.com) Acropolis - Theater of Dionysus (swifant / flickr.com) Temple of Nike Apteros (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com) Temple of Apteros (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com) Close-up of one from the corners of the Temple of Apteros on top of the Acropolis (Jack Zalium / flickr.com) Propylaea (elias filis / flickr.com) Propylaea (piet theisohn / flickr.com) Entrance to the Acropolis (ohhenry415 / flickr.com) View of the Acropolis from the Agora (Arian Zwegers / flickr.com) Erechtheion (Casey And Sonja / flickr.com) Hecatompedon (Roy L… / flickr.com) Ronny Siegel / flickr.com Erechtheion / Caryatids (George Rex / flickr.com) Odeon of Herodes Atticus, built in 161 AD on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens in memory of his wife Annia Regilla, Athens, Greece (Carole Raddato / flickr.com) Parthenon, Acropolis of Athens (Carole Raddato / flickr.com) Parthenon, 1985 (Nathan Hughes Hamilton / flickr. com) In front of the Parthenon (Kristoffer Trolle / flickr.com) Parthenon, Acropolis in Athens (faungg's photos / flickr.com) Parthenon in Athens (Attica, Greece) (© A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons) Diagram of the Acropolis with captions (© Madmedea, Wikimedia Commons)

The main attractions of Greece are the Acropolis of Athens, Olympia and Rhodes.

The Acropolis is the greatest monument of ancient architecture in the Greek city of Athens. This is a whole complex of structures that ancient sculpture masters and architects worked on.

The Acropolis of Athens was a sacred place; ancient temples to the gods of Hellas were located here. It's sad that now you can only see ruins here. But even today, the architectural ensemble of the Athens Acropolis evokes admiration among lovers of antiquity.

The Acropolis is the heart of Athens, and indeed all of Greece. It towers over the city, standing on a huge limestone rock. Its upper platform is small - 300 by 130 meters.

At the top stands the majestic Parthenon, the temple of the goddess after whom the capital of Greece is named. It is the main attraction of the Acropolis. It is visible almost everywhere within the city, and it is currently prohibited to build high-rise buildings in Athens so as not to overshadow this unique cultural monument.

Next to the Parthenon, you can see the elegant Erechtheion - the temple of three deities: Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus. It was possible to enter the Athenian Acropolis only through the huge gates - the Propylaea.

Acropolis in ancient Greece

Acropolis in Greek means high city. As already mentioned, it stands on an inaccessible rock, which, in turn, is crowned by a hill stretching from west to east. It is surrounded by walls, they are especially high in those places where it is possible to climb the rock.

Propylaea (elias filis / flickr.com)

In ancient times, the Acropolis of Athens served as a sanctuary and at the same time a natural refuge that protected the Greeks from enemies.

In the 480s BC, the “high city” was besieged by the Persians under the leadership of King Xerxes.

They were unable to scale the imposing cliff, but were able to penetrate the Acropolis of Athens from the north. There appeared to be some bushes there, the slope was unguarded, and it was assumed that no one would be able to climb it. However, several Persians were able to get into the Acropolis and the first thing they did was open the gates.

The invaders took away all the valuables and destroyed many buildings, including the unfinished Parthenon. This event is evidenced by arrows found on the northern slope. When the Greeks returned to their monastery after the Battle of Salamis, they built a wall to protect the northern side and, of course, sought to restore their sanctuary.

Excavations have shown that in the 2nd century BC religious festivals, meetings of authorities and trials were held here. And the entire social, cultural and religious life of Athens took place in the Acropolis. The ancient buildings of the Acropolis were poorly preserved, unlike Olympia and other places of worship in Greece.

The most ancient buildings of the Acropolis

From the buildings of the 6th century, only the foundations have survived to the present day, due to the war between the Greeks and the Persians. The buildings that existed during this period undoubtedly resemble the temples of Apollo at Corinth, Hera at Olympia, and Demeter at Paestum.

Their architecture is ponderous and harsh. In the 6th century BC, the most ancient temple of Athena on the Acropolis stood here, which was called. Having passed through the gate - the Propylaea, the man admired its beauty.

Ancient masters strove for symmetry, which was present everywhere: in the layout, in the images. The pediment of the Hekatompedon depicted the struggle of Hercules with Triton. And also here there was a sculpture of a good Attic creature, which had three bodies and three heads and was called Tritopator.

He is depicted crawling out of the corner of the pediment. The paint on him was preserved, his body was pink, and his hair and beard were blue. It is noteworthy that one of the heads is kept in the museum and went down in history under the nickname “Bluebeard”. The ancient master filled the low parts of the pediment with writhing snake tails.

A soft limestone relief depicting the battle of Hercules and the Hydra was also found here. The statues found here are widely known. Some argue that these are sculptures of goddesses, others see them as girls bringing gifts to Athena. Their clothes are beautiful and festive, their complex hairstyles are richly decorated.

The Acropolis of Athens during Roman rule

Many buildings arose when Greece became part of the Roman Empire, under Hadrian. The Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis in Athens are separated by an arch, this is the border between the old ancient city and the buildings of Roman times.

View of the Plaka area from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Acropolis, Athens, Greece (George Rex / flickr.com)

On the side of the Acropolis, on the arch it is written: “This is the city of Theseus.” This is associated with a heroic legend. The rise of Athens over other Greek cities occurred after the fall of the state on the island of Crete.

This event happened thanks to Theseus, who defeated the minotaur. With the help of Ariadne's thread, he was able to return, at the same time free and glorify the city.

On the other side you can see the inscription: “This is the city of Hadrian.” That is, the city of the emperor, under whom many buildings were built in Athens. The material was Pontic marble.

Construction was carried out in such a way that the entire complex of buildings looked harmonious, and there was no sudden transition from the rest of the city to the sanctuary. Not far from it is the Theater of Dionysus, the market square, and other sanctuaries - the Temple of Zeus and the Temple of Hephaestus.

Architectural ensemble of the Athens Acropolis

The ruins that can be seen in the Acropolis currently belong mainly to such majestic structures as the Propylaea with the temple of Nike the Wingless, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.

The ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis was truly beautiful in ancient times; if, for example, in Olympia all the temples are similar, then in the Acropolis each building is unique.

Acropolis, Propylaea (Dimitris Kamaras / flickr.com)

The first thing you can see from the buildings of the Acropolis is the majestic gate with columns - the Propylaea.

They were built after the creation of the Parthenon. Originally they were supposed to be absolutely symmetrical.

But since the temple of Nika the Wingless appeared on the right side, it was necessary to make this part of the gate smaller in order to achieve harmony.

The author of these majestic gates was the architect Mnesical. He skillfully combined the severe Doric and sublime Ionic order in the construction. This structure was a gate with a roof that rested on columns, with 5 passages.

On the left side there used to be an art gallery. There was a small room on the right. There was an ascent to the gate, which had no steps, so that chariots could enter.

Temple of Apteros (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com)

The temple of Nike the Wingless (Goddess of Victory), of course, had a statue of the goddess inside. The sculpture of Nike here does not have wings, this is intentional, since the Greeks wanted victory to always remain here. The temple stands as if inviting you to enter inside.

The interior space is small, the walls are made of unpolished marble. The outside of the temple is decorated with a frieze depicting gods and battle scenes.

Reliefs of this temple were discovered in 1835. They were supposed to be located under the columns of the temple. These are relief images of the goddess Nike in various poses and scenes, but most often in profile. In one she slaughters a bull, in another she takes off her sandals before entering the temple.

Erechtheion (Casey And Sonja / flickr.com)

Passing through the gate, one could see the statue of Athena, which obscured the southern portico of Erechtheion.

The choice of the place where it was built is associated with myth. This Legend formed the basis of the entire city. Athena and Poseidon argued which of them would become the patron of the city. Poseidon struck with his trident and at this point the source clogged. Athena grew an olive tree, and the locals chose it.

The Erechtheion was created in a lighter Ionic order and differs significantly from the Parthenon. This historical monument combines two types of marble - white and purple.

The Portico of the Caryatid is the southern portico of the Erechtheion. Here, 6 sculptures of caryatids rest their heads on the roof and hold it up. The principle of symmetry and harmony prevails here too; half of the sculptures rest on the left leg, half on the right. The skillfully carved folds on the sculptures' clothing show slight tension. Inside, Erechtheion is complex, it has many levels. Here are the sanctuaries of the gods: Poseidon, Athena and Erechtheus.

The main temple of the Acropolis of Athens - the majestic Parthenon

The Acropolis ensemble is crowned by the eight-column Parthenon. In terms of its grandeur, it tops the list of ancient buildings. In appearance it is similar to the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. But it stands on a specially leveled and filled area.

Parthenon, 1985 (Nathan Hughes Hamilton / flickr.com)

During its construction, the simple archaic arrangement of buildings, such as in Olympia and Delphi, went back centuries. In ancient times, a solemn procession passed along it. It glorifies the greatness of man.

The metopes of the Parthenon may be of particular interest, although they are poorly preserved. They depict the gods of ancient Greece, the series of which is completed by the goddess of the night Nyux.

Also depicted here are preparations for a military campaign, farewell of soldiers, and the Trojan War. The southern metopes show a battle with mythical creatures - centaurs.

The Parthenon frieze depicts the ceremonial procession in the third year of the Olympics. It is noteworthy that the Olympic Games received this name because they were originally held in Olympia.

Horsemen, priests with rams and bulls, and young men carrying vessels are depicted here. On the other side, the frieze depicts the gods surrounded by noble people of Greece.

How to get to the Acropolis?

The Acropolis of Athens is the main attraction of Greece and, naturally, a place of pilgrimage for tourists.

You can get to the Acropolis by metro. The nearest station is Acropolis. In addition, you can get off at: Thissio, Syntagma Square, Monastiraki Square, Omonia Square.

Useful information for tourists

• Entrance to the entire archaeological area costs 12 euros, except on Sundays (on this day you can enter for free).
• On Mondays and holidays all museums and areas are closed. On other days, visiting is open from 8:00 to 19:00.
• The archaeological zone includes such attractions as the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, Keramiko, Ancient Agora, Theater of Dionysus.
• It is better to first familiarize yourself with the diagram on which these cultural monuments are indicated.

You can also visit the New Acropolis Museum, which houses many of the sculptures found here. Entrance to it is 5 euros, visiting is possible from 8:00 to 20:00.

In ancient Greece, in addition to the Acropolis, you can visit such attractions as the Temple of Zeus in Olympia and the Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes.

Diagram of the Acropolis with captions (© Madmedea, Wikimedia Commons)

Greece has many architectural sites of high historical value. One of them is Athenian - what is it? Translated from Greek, acropolis means “high city.” This is a limestone flat hill above the city (about 80 m high) with steep slopes on all sides except the western one. In ancient times, the main function of this structure was protection from invaders.

Ancient settlements

The ancient Acropolis in Athens is mentioned long before the classical period of history. As a result of the excavations, elements of cultural heritage were discovered that corresponded to the Bronze Age (mainly early and middle). In the VII-VI centuries. BC e. Temples were built, but later destroyed by the Persians.

According to legend, the Greek Acropolis was founded by the Athenian king Kekrops. The elevation in the center bears a name derived from its name - “cecropia”.

Meaning of words

“Parthenon, propylaea, acropolis” - what do these concepts mean, and what is the origin of these words?

• The Parthenon is the main temple on the Greek Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena. From Greek “parthenos” is translated as “virgin”. Athena had this nickname.
• The word "propylaea" comes from the Greek propylaion. This is the front arch at the entrance to the Acropolis of Athens. It has two multi-level Doric porticos.
• The meaning of the word “acropolis” in Greek literally translates as “acro” - hill, “polis” - city. That is, this is a fortified part located on a hill.
• The Erechtheion is a temple dedicated to Poseidon and Athena. It has an asymmetrical composition located on several levels.
• The Hekatompedon is the very Acropolis, which is dedicated to Athena.

Acropolis and its purpose

Acropolis - what is hidden in this ancient name and what is its meaning? This was the main place for the king to be found. There were also many temples inside where prayers were offered to the Greek gods and sacrifices were made. During the conquest by the Turks, the Acropolis served as a mosque. Today it is an ancient monument of architectural art.

The Acropolis of Athens as an architectural ensemble

The Acropolis shapes the appearance of the city of Athens. In ancient times, this place had the significance of a sanctuary and cultural center. All internal structures and temples form a single ensemble. The architecture of the Acropolis is unusually skillful, all its parts are integral, there is no place for chance - buildings and monuments, their location are carefully thought out and extremely logical. This ensemble was built asymmetrically and corresponds to two main principles during its heyday: harmony in the balance of masses and the perception of architectural art in the dynamics of its construction. The temples of the Parthenon and Hekatompedon are the center. The Acropolis consists of 21 building elements (theater of Dionysus, the statue of Athena Promachos, the Propylaea, the Athenian altar, the sanctuary of Zeus and others).

Material of manufacture

What does the Acropolis look like today? What materials are all its buildings made of?

Currently, many of the architectural monuments of the acropolis are undergoing restoration. Therefore, when viewing the sights, you can see that some of them are surrounded by scaffolding. Many buildings, after centuries, have retained their grandeur; from them one can judge the uniqueness and complexity of all architectural details. Examining ancient columns, you might think that the material they were made of was limestone. In fact, all elements of the Acropolis were built from marble, which was quite dilapidated under the influence of atmospheric phenomena, and some of its parts were destroyed by wars.

Propylaea

On the western side of the hill is the entrance to the Acropolis. What is Propylaea? This question worries many people who visit the main attraction of Athens for the first time. The Propylaea is the main entrance to the Acropolis, a majestic gate made of marble. They have five openings for passage. The widest of them (equipped with a ramp instead of steps) is located in the middle and was previously intended for horsemen and driving animals for sacrifices. Its width is 4.3 m. The facades of the gate consist of six-column Doric porticoes. In ancient times, the Propylaea, of all the structures of the Acropolis, was most famous and was mentioned much more often than the Parthenon.

Parthenon

The Parthenon is the main temple for which the Acropolis is famous, where bas-reliefs depict scenes from ancient Greek myths, including the birth of Athena from the head of Zeus. The size of the temple is quite impressive: its width is 30 m, its length is about 70 m. The columns along the perimeter are 10 m high. The structure of the columns is amazing: they widen towards the center, and the corner ones are installed with a slight slope in relation to the floor. Thanks to the cunning of ancient architects, the temple looks equally proportional no matter from which side it is viewed. The famous sculpture of the goddess - Athena the Virgin - was installed inside. It was created by the main creator of the Acropolis, the architect Phidias. The goddess's hands and face were made of ivory, parts of her clothing and weapons were made of gold, and the shine of her eyes was achieved through the use of natural precious stones. The statue has not survived to this day. Its appearance was restored thanks to ancient copies found.

Erechtheion

A temple where several gods were glorified at once: Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus (the ancient king of Athens). Inside was Poseidon's well, filled with salt water. According to legend, this well arose as a result of a blow from a trident, which the great Poseidon held in his strong hand. Based on the fact that the temple building was intended for various purposes, it had two entrances, on the northern and eastern sides. Each of them contained its own portico, mounted on Ionic columns. The opening was decorated with an ornate pattern with many carved details and was considered the most beautiful casing of the era of Pericles. Not far from the temple there was a cave in which the sacred snake of the goddess Athena lived. The snake personified the great ruler of the city, Erechtheus. To this day, the interior decoration of this temple has not been preserved; only in the writings of contemporaries can one find a description of the premises.

Theater of Dionysus

Greek theaters were always built on a hillside, with seats for spectators in front of which was a wooden stage. The spectator seats had the shape of a semicircle (they were called “theatron”) and surrounded the area where the choir was located (the area was called an orchestra). In the 4th century. BC e. seats for spectators were made in the form of a depression in the rocky ground and then lined with marble. The Theater of Dionysus is the first monumental Greek theater, located on the southern slope of the Acropolis. Marble chairs that were intended for significant guests and honored residents of Athens have survived to this day. The theater's capacity is 17 thousand people.

Temple of the Goddess Nike

This is another temple that has survived to this day and is part of the ensemble (Acropolis). What is "apteros" - the word for the name of the goddess? Usually Nike was depicted with wings behind her back. But this temple is an exception to the rule, since the inhabitants of Athens decided to keep the victory for themselves. Therefore, the wings were deliberately not made in order to prevent Nika from flying away and leaving her in the city forever. Accordingly, "apteros" means "wingless".

The temple has four Ionic columns, the upper parts of which are decorated with spiral scrolls. The Temple of Nike Apteros was built during the Peloponnesian War, so the bas-reliefs depicted the victory over the Spartans and Persians. During the capture by the Turks, the sanctuary was dismantled for the construction of military fortifications. At the moment, the Nika Temple is often closed to visitors due to restoration.

What is destroyed by time

Some architectural objects have not survived to this day. In their place, only foundations or shapeless ruins of buildings that once adorned the Acropolis were discovered. What did they keep, what did they look like during their heyday? For example, Hekatompedon or Pandroseion? This can be judged from the results of excavations or from literary evidence left to the world by Ancient Greece. At the site of the Hekatompedon, remains of columns and parts of sculptural compositions were discovered. The Sanctuary of Artemis was almost completely destroyed: only minor remains and a warehouse where weapons were stored were found.

New Museum

Located on the territory of the Acropolis, it began its work in 1874. It mainly displays elements that were previously located in the Upper City. The collection grew larger and, after a while, the available premises became insufficient. Not far from the Acropolis, construction began on a new, more spacious building. But the work did not always go smoothly, as some obstacles and problems arose related to the choice of architects or land plot. At the beginning of construction, at the stage of preparing the ground for laying the foundation, historically significant architectural objects were discovered. As a result, the construction of the museum was suspended.

In 2009, a three-level museum complex with a glass floor was opened, giving visitors the opportunity to observe the excavations.

The Acropolis of Athens (Greece) is the most popular and interesting attraction that several million travelers come to see every year. It can be seen from various points in the city, because the government has banned the construction of high-rise buildings nearby that could block this landmark. People new to the map of Athens can use the Acropolis as a landmark to avoid getting lost in the narrow streets of the city.

History of the Acropolis

In Ancient Greece, the term "acropolis" meant a well-fortified place or settlement. Several thousand years ago, the main city was located here, protected by reliable fortifications from enemies. Even before the Mycenaean era, the Acropolis was a majestic city. On the territory there were many temples with necessary religious objects and other important government buildings. Due to the monumental nature of the structures, it is assumed that the mythical Cyclops took part in the construction of the Acropolis. Only they were able to lift huge boulders.

In the period from the 15th to the 13th centuries BC, the royal residence was located in the Acropolis. If you believe in the reality of myths, this is where the residence of Theseus, who defeated the Minotaur, was located.

By the 7th century BC. Athena became the main patron of the Acropolis. Her cult became widespread, and a beautiful temple was erected in honor of the goddess. A century later, Peisistratus began to actively build up the Acropolis, and new buildings of the Propylaea and the Areopagus appeared.

Alas, during the war with the Persians, the Acropolis suffered greatly. Most of the buildings were completely destroyed. The Greeks did not accept the fall of their beloved city and vowed to restore its greatness. With the advent of peace in 447 BC. builders, under the leadership of the famous sculptor and architect Phidias, began to revive the Acropolis. They restored it completely; some Acropolis temples from that period have survived to this day. Among them are the Erechtheion, the temple of the goddess Nike, the statue of Athena, and the Parthenon.

Until the 3rd century. AD The Acropolis existed in relative peace, so the inhabitants were able to significantly increase the architectural richness of the city. Statues of kings and new temples appeared, but the danger of another invasion forced them to switch to strengthening the walls.

Over the next few centuries, power over the Acropolis changed. Other saints were worshiped in temples, and the main buildings changed their purpose. Having regained power, the Greeks began to actively restore the Acropolis. The main task of the builders was to return the place to its original appearance.

Architecture of the Acropolis

Today the Acropolis is the largest temple complex. Thanks to the work of restorers, many buildings appear almost in their original form. They amaze with their snow-white columns, labyrinthine corridors and high walls. Entrance to the territory was through a gate. Some of them are called the Bühle Gate after the archaeologist who found them. The gate was built in a powerful fortress wall in 267 BC.

Immediately outside the gates began the Propylaea - buildings that immersed travelers in the world of the Acropolis. They consisted of a long colonnade with porticoes. After passing through the corridors, travelers appeared before the statue of Athena, the patroness of the city. The statue was so large that its helmet and spear were visible from ships passing nearby.

Beyond the Propylaea, tourists see the Temple of Nike Apteros (Wingless Nike). This is a small building with four columns and sculptures that are placed on a frieze. The Goddess of Victory was made wingless on purpose so that she could not fly away from the Greeks.

The most important temple of the Acropolis, the Parthenon, is located almost in the heart of the ancient city. This greatest building was built in honor of Athena. The length of the temple exceeds 70 m, and its width is 30 m. The perimeter is decorated with huge ten-meter columns.

Many of the buildings of the Acropolis belong to the architect Phidias. He also created a beautiful statue of Athena, which reached a height of 12 m. The statue was decorated with many decorative elements symbolizing invincibility. Some of the clothing and jewelry were made of gold.

Not far from the Parthenon there is another beautiful temple - the Erechtheion. It is dedicated to King Erechtheus, Athena and Poseidon. The building also served as a repository, treasury and place of worship. Due to the unevenness of the earth's surface, the western part has a lower height than the other sides.

The structures of the Athenian Acropolis are very diverse; in addition to those listed, the following buildings can be distinguished:

• Sanctuary of Aphrodite. The ruins of a temple with a beautiful architrave covered with figures of doves with garlands have survived to this day.
• Sanctuary of Artemis. The structure from the time of Pisistratus is decorated with a large colonnade and statues of Artemis.
• The Temple of Augustus, built in honor of the Roman emperor, is compact in size and round in shape. Its diameter is 8.5 m, and the perimeter is decorated with nine columns.
• Sanctuary of Zeus. A small temple, which was divided by a low side into the hall of the temple itself, where rituals were carried out, and a place for gifts.
• Chalkoteca. A special room where all the necessary attributes for performing rituals in honor of Athena were stored. It is located near the Temple of Artemis.
• Theater of Dionysus. A beautiful structure in the south of the Acropolis. According to legend, the city's residents killed Dionysus, deciding that he wanted to poison them. To atone for their guilt, they began to organize noisy celebrations on the day of his death in the Theater of Dionysus.

The restoration process of the Acropolis is not yet completed. There are several reconstruction programs that are funded by both the government and independent charities. Scientists are confident that the Acropolis has not yet revealed all its secrets, so research work and archaeological excavations continue.

Acropolis Museum

In addition to the ruins of ancient buildings, it is worth visiting the Acropolis Museum. At first it was located in a small room near the Parthenon. The first exhibitions were exhibited there back in 1878. Gradually the number of exhibits increased and it was decided to build a modern building. Today the museum is located 300 meters from the city walls.

The galleries display archaeological finds discovered at the Acropolis. Among them are the Friezes of the Parthenon and sculptures by masters of the 5th century. BC. There are many sculptures from temples that depict scenes of battles of gods, giants, Hercules, figures of the Caryatids and Moschophoros. Some statues require strict temperature conditions, which are closely monitored by museum staff.

Tours of the Acropolis

The complex is open daily from 8:00 to 18:30, excluding public holidays. Entrance to the territory is paid, it is 12 euros. Citizens of the European Union are offered discounts: the entrance fee for pensioners and students is 6 euros, and schoolchildren visit the attractions for free. With one ticket, a tourist has the right to see the sights for four days. To enter the Acropolis Museum, you need to pay an additional 1 euro.

A detailed exploration of the numerous temples will take from 4 to 6 hours, so you should stock up on water and sun protection. Comfortable clothing and shoes are encouraged. Although it rarely rains here, the marble steps can be slippery even in dry weather.