What is the acropolis in Athens. Acropolis in Athens - the sacred center of the ancient city

Acropolis literally translates as “fortress”, “fortification”. The Greeks called them acropolises ancient fortresses, built on the hills. Elevation was a must because the surfaces provided excellent views. This was important from a strategic point of view for quickly repelling enemy attacks.

It is also a storehouse of valuables. City rulers brought the most expensive things to these buildings so that they would be under guaranteed protection from robbers.

Temples were built on the Acropolis, dedicating them to the gods who protected the cities. They were also erected in honor of the most prominent rulers.

The Acropolis of Athens is a symbol of Greece

This building is not even hundreds, but thousands of years old. For centuries Acropolis of Athens amazed the eyes of researchers and ordinary people, local Greeks and tourists coming to the country. At all times, travelers from all over the world have been attracted by the splendor and beauty of this ancient structure.

- the most famous of all built by the Greeks. Consists of Athenian Acropolis from a whole complex of buildings, sculptures and other architectural structures, the beauty of which can be judged by the greatness and exceptional taste of Greek sculptors, artists, sculptors, and architects. The Acropolis in Athens is rightfully considered the heritage of Greece, a masterpiece of world art.

There were other structures on the site where the Acropolis in Athens is now located. Many thousands of years ago, completely different shrines stood here, including temples and sculptural compositions. After a huge period of time, even before construction of the Acropolis, the Persian ruler Xerxes destroyed architectural masterpieces. This happened around 500 BC. BC. evidence of such events has come down to us in the narratives of Herodotus. He also wrote that it was decided to create a completely different ensemble of architectural monuments in the area of ​​destruction. Work on its construction dates back to the time of Pericles. Already at this time, the Acropolis was no longer interpreted as a fortified city. The Athenians saw its meaning in the religious and cultic embodiment of Greek traditions. The marble walls and structures of this Acropolis were supposed to personify the wonderful victory of the Greeks in the war with the Persians.

So, in the cradle of ancient architecture - Athens, a completely different project was created, which was approved by Pericles. Self Acropolis building The Greeks took about 20 years to build. The construction work was supervised by a friend of Pericles, the greatest sculptor -. The architectural ensemble surrounding the main building took more than half a century to build. During this time, none of the ideas of the plan were modified.

In the ensemble, reflecting the integrity of the Acropolis, sights that are organically interconnected are visible. According to researchers of this cultural site, Acropolis of Athens created in exceptional harmony with nature. Among the buildings:

Parthenon.

Temple of the goddess Nike.

Propylaea.

1. Sanctuary of Artemis Bravronia.

The latest architectural idea - Sanctuary of Artemis is a corridor flanked by Doric columns. The sanctuary is located southeast of the Propylaea. Unfortunately, only the ruins of this architectural masterpiece have survived to this day.

The ancient Greeks, when visiting this ensemble, initially climbed to the Propylaea along a huge stone staircase. Propylaea– main entrance to the Acropolis. To the left was a gallery building in which hundreds of paintings were hung. Such a museum was called a “pinakothek”. In it, Attic heroes embodied in artistic skill flaunted for everyone to see. To the right of the entrance to the Propylaea was located temple of Nike. It was built on a rock ledge. According to legend, it was from it that Aegeus threw himself. Niki was in the temple Athena statue. In this regard, it was sometimes called the “temple of Athena Nike.”

Having passed through the Propylaea, the eyes of the guests turned to the statue of Athena that appeared before them. It was huge and stood on a stone pedestal. Many scientists believe that it was the gilded tip of the statue’s spear that served as a guide in sunny weather for captains who decided to find their pier in Athens.

Immediately behind the statue of Athena there was an altar, and a little to the left a small temple was built. The devotees of the goddess performed their rites of worship there.

Available on site Athens Acropolis Erechtheion Temple. According to legend, Athena fought with Poseidon for a number of cities. According to the terms of the duel, power would come to the one who gives the most desired gift for the residents of the policies. Poseidon threw his trident towards the Acropolis, and in the place where the giant projectile hit, a fountain of sea water began to flow. Anywhere spear of Athena, growing olive. She became a symbol ancient Athens and promised victory to their patroness. Part of the temple built in these places is dedicated to the legendary ruler Erechtheus. He once ruled in Athens. It was in the Acropolis that the king's sanctuary and his tomb were located. Later the temple itself began to be called the Erechtheion.

It was destroyed by fire, but the temple was restored during times of Pericles. Now the architectural features of this structure can only be judged from archival sources, where several publications contain the outlines of the temple and its brief description. But none of the sculptures or remains of marble decorations have survived. All the porticos were damaged, including portico of the Caryatid. It was partially restored according to the drawings and remains one of the main architectural landmarks Athens Acropolis.

No less bright - Parthenon. This structure is quite large and massive, but its structure is very simple. This temple is also dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens. Great Parthenon erected by the ancient sculptors Callicrates and Iktin. Researchers note the optimal combination of temple columns with steps, friezes, sculptures and pediment. The structure consisted entirely of marble. But it was gradually turned from white to multi-colored. The architects added a couple more porticos and columns to the majestic structure. It was in the Parthenon that a gigantic statue of Athena adorned itself. Created her sculptor Phidias, using gold and ivory in his work. Precious metal almost entirely made up the goddess's outer vestment. Later the statue was irretrievably lost. Only a small copy of it has survived.

Acropolis of Lindos

The city of Lindos, which was built in ancient times, has a history rich in legends. The settlement was founded back in the 12th century. BC. The sights of the ancient city today are among the main ones on the island. This is a favorite place to visit by tourists. Architectural monuments They also attract researchers of Ancient Greek culture and art.

In Lindos there is also ancient Acropolis. It is no less famous than Athens. In addition, this structure is much older than what was built in Athens. Acropolis of Lindos erected on a high mountain. From its peak you can see the most beautiful picture - a unique view of the sea.

Athena Linda patronage in ala Lindos city. That's why Linda temple, which was located on the territory of the Acropolis, was considered the main structure here.

Researchers carried out excavations in this area for several years and one fine day they found traces of an ancient sanctuary. The finds are dated to the 6th century BC. The result of the examinations was the conclusion that the temple was once destroyed by fire. But a couple of centuries later, a new building appeared on the same site. This was probably an attempt to build the Acropolis in the likeness of an old structure. It featured beautiful architectural design and a huge staircase.

We climbed to the Acropolis of Lindos along a thin path. It wraps around a huge, steep rock on which the temple is built. On the territory of the complex there were sanctuaries and structures dating back to 400 years. BC. It is known that it was in these sanctuaries that the islanders worshiped their many pagan gods. Here, nearby, archaeologists found:

A tower with a chapel of Christian type.

Roman temple.

Ruins of a temple built during the Great Roman Empire.

Ruins of the temple at the Palace of the Grand Master.

Church of St. John. It is known that it was built around the 13th century. new millennium.

Lindosa times were considered the most romantic and majestic buildings of ancient Greece. It was built in the most beautiful place on the island. Staying there makes tourists think of the Middle Ages.

Medieval island of Rhodes

The island of Rhodes is one of the largest and most visited by tourists in Greece, since in Rhodes everyone can find a holiday to suit their taste: comfortable beaches and excellent hotels (mainly class A and De Luxe), interesting sights and rich museums, leisurely walks through the ancient the cities of the island with their narrow streets, ancient temples, taverns with delicious Greek cuisine and colorful souvenir shops.

Historical heritage of ancient Macedonia

Imagine the majestic building of an ancient Greek amphitheater... A festive procession dedicated to the wedding of Cleopatra, the daughter of the Macedonian king Philip II and the king of Epirus Alexander. Hundreds of people, who had already taken their seats in the dark, suddenly witnessed a striking and terrible picture at dawn: 12 statues of the main Olympic gods, skillfully made by the best architects of Greece, solemnly appeared on the square.

Kastoria is not only a fur coat paradise!

A small quiet provincial town in northern Greece called “Kastoria” is known to most fashionistas from all over the world. It is here that their wildest dreams of the best and most beautiful fur coat made of natural fur can come true. After all, Kastoria is rightly called the “fur paradise” on Earth,

Dodecanese

The southeast of the Aegean archipelago is occupied by a group of islands, which are united under the general name of the Dodecanese, that is, the “Twelve Islands”. The Greek name of the islands differs from the Russian (with emphasis on the last syllable): Dodekanisos, since the toponym is derived from “dodecada” (dozen).

Pop stars of modern Greece

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 Athenian Acropolis, crowned with the ruins of the Parthenon, is one of the archetypal images of world culture. Even the first glance at these ancient ruins over roads filled with cars gives an unusual experience: something unusual and at the same time extremely familiar, almost familiar. The Parthenon is a symbol of the power of the Athenian polis, and as such it was known throughout the Ancient World. But it is unlikely that the creators of the temple foresaw that its ruins would symbolize the emergence and formation of world civilization - not to mention the fact that two and a half thousand years later the Parthenon would attract a huge number of tourists (about two million annually).

The Acropolis of Athens is a rock. Almost no ancient Greek city could do without its acropolis (the word itself means upper city), but the Athenian “upper city” is the Acropolis with a capital A, and in mentioning it there is no need to go into further explanation. The Acropolis is a block of limestone with steeply plunging slopes and a flat top rising a hundred meters high. The Acropolis was easy to defend, there was never a shortage of drinking water, so the allure of owning the rock was obvious. Even today it remains the heart of the city. On the flat top of the Acropolis, not only the Parthenon was erected, but also the Erechtheion, the temple of Nike Apteros and the Propylaea, the remains of many less significant ancient structures were preserved, and there is the current museum.

All this is surrounded by a fence and forms a single museum complex. The southern slope of the Acropolis, with two large theaters and several smaller temples, is accessed through a different gate and with separate tickets. Now the streets surrounding the Acropolis of Athens are pedestrianized, and you can walk around the hill and the ancient Agora, admiring these monuments. To the west, Thisio has many cafes where you can relax with a cup of coffee on the terrace. At the opposite end is , in the labyrinth of streets of which you can get lost, but the Acropolis can always serve as a guide for you.

You can only get to the top of the Acropolis from the west, from the side where there is a large bus depot at the foot of the hill. The usual pedestrian road to the entrance starts in the northwestern area of ​​Plaka and follows a path that runs above Odos Dioskouros where this street joins Theorios. You can approach the Acropolis from the south, along the pedestrian street Dionisiou-Areopaitou (Acropolis metro), past the Theater of Dionysus and the Theater of Herodes Atticus, or from the north: through the ancient Agora (entrance from Adriano; Monastiraki metro), or a more authentic route, but this pays off with magnificent views of both the Acropolis and the Acropolis - from Thisio, along the traffic-free Apostolou Pavlou Street (Thisio metro).

There are no shops or restaurants on the Acropolis, although there are a couple of counters at the main ticket office selling water and sandwiches, as well as guidebooks, postcards and so on. Opposite the Akropoli metro station (on the corner of Makriyanni and Diakou) there is a cafe of the Everest chain, and there are plenty of other similar establishments nearby. And if you don’t want to have a quick snack, but rather eat properly, then, going in any direction, you will very soon find a cafe or tavern: in Plaka, Monastiraki, Makriyanni or Thissio.

A Brief History of the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

In the 2nd millennium BC, the Neolithic settlement on the Acropolis gives way to a Bronze Age settlement. It was a fairly significant fortified settlement, reminiscent of Mycenaean centers. The Acropolis was surrounded by a wall, modeled after the Cyclopean walls and. The remains of these walls can still be seen today. On the territory of the Acropolis there was the king's palace - the basileia. The palace, the remains of which have been preserved, is mentioned in the Iliad and Odyssey.

At the foot of the Acropolis, on the territory of the later Agora (market square), the inhabitants of the Mycenaean-era settlement buried their dead. Like all of Mycenaean Greece, it did not escape the turmoil caused by the invasion of the northern Greek tribes of the Dorians, who moved in several waves starting around 1200 BC. The Acropolis at that time was the place of worship of the goddess Athena - the patroness of the city - and the seat of the rulers of Athens, the Eupatrides, who replaced the king, Basileus. Public meetings took place at the Propylaea of ​​the Acropolis. To the west rose the rocky hill of the Areopagus, named after the god of war Ares. Here, on the leveled peak, the Council of Elders of noble families gathered.

The beginning of the 6th century BC is the time of the reforms of Solon, the wise Athenian legislator. In 594 BC he was elected archon. Solon's reforms laid the foundation for the formation of a democratic city-state in Athens - a polis. In Athens, a new center of social and political life emerges in the Agora, located northwest of the Acropolis. Intensive construction in Athens began during the period of tyranny of Pisistratus, who made a lot of efforts to decorate and improve the city. New buildings were erected on the Agora: temples of Apollo and Zeus, the altar of the twelve gods.

On the Acropolis, Peisistratus and his sons also undertook great construction.” The old temple of Athena was surrounded on all sides by a colonnade. New Propylaea were built, and an altar dedicated to Athena Nike was erected. A large number of statues, brought by Athenian citizens as gifts to the patron goddess of the city, decorated the Athenian Acropolis. After some time, the Athenians achieved military superiority, and after the defeat of the Persians, in which they played a significant role, the period of greatest prosperity of the Athenian state began. It was headed by Pericles, whose reign (444/43-429 BC) is rightfully considered the golden age of Athens.

They not only became one of the strongest and most influential states in Greece, but also became the center of cultural and artistic life of the entire ancient world. Athens headed the Maritime League (Delian League), which united many policies of Northern Greece and the islands of the Aegean Sea. The treasury of the union was kept in Athens, which could dispose of it. This circumstance, as well as the rich booty received by the Athenians after their victory over the Persians, made it possible to carry out an extensive building program in the city. The grandiose plan of creating a new ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis was brought to life.

At the head of this colossal work was the greatest sculptor of Greece, Phidias, who created two statues of Athena - Promachos (Warrior) and Parthenos (Virgin) - to decorate the Acropolis. A whole galaxy of outstanding architects and sculptors worked under the leadership of Phidias. One after another, monuments were erected that became the best examples of classical Greek architecture: the majestic Parthenon, the light and graceful temple of Nike Apteros, the ceremonial Propylaea, the second largest temple of the Athenian Acropolis - the Erechtheion. The Acropolis of Athens fully expressed the greatness of the city, which, according to the testimony of the ancient Greeks, was recognized as the capital of Hellas.

And, indeed, the following centuries, until the Byzantine era, left almost no traces on the Acropolis. The Peloponnesian War lost by Athens put an end to the prosperity of Athens, which lost its primacy among Greek cities in the 4th century BC. The political decline of Athens was completed by the subjugation of Greece to the rule of the Macedonian kings. In the middle of the 2nd century BC, the Roman Republic subjugated Greece. At the beginning of the 1st century BC, Athens tried to overthrow the power of Rome. In 87 BC, the Roman commander Sulla, after a long siege, took the city and brutally plundered it. The first place among his spoils was occupied by works of Greek art.

In 267 AD the city was subjected to a devastating raid by the Goths and Heruli. With the spread of Christianity, Athens increasingly lost its significance as the center of Hellenic culture. Philosophical schools were closed, and in 529, by decree of Emperor Justinian, the last philosophers and rhetoricians were expelled from Athens. Ancient temples were converted into Christian churches. After this, temples were used for both secular and religious purposes. The interior of these temples has undergone a radical alteration. A new stage in the city's history begins with the Crusades. After the Fourth Crusade and the capture of Constantinople, it became part of the Latin Empire.

Athens became the capital of the Duchy of Athens, which over the 250 years of its existence (1205-1456) saw a number of rulers change. The Propylaea was turned into a palace, and in 1456, when Athens was captured by the Turks and the Acropolis became a Turkish fortress, the Propylaea became barracks and a gunpowder magazine. In 1656, an accidental explosion at this warehouse destroyed almost the entire central part of the building. The Parthenon turned from a Greek temple into a Roman one, then from a Byzantine church into a Frankish cathedral, and subsequently existed for several centuries as a Turkish mosque. And the Erechtheion, apparently because it was decorated with female figures, at one time served as a harem.

The Venetian diplomat Hugo Favoli wrote in 1563 that the Acropolis was “rising with glittering golden crescents”, and a tall and thin minaret tower rose in the southwestern part of the Parthenon. But, despite all this, the buildings on the rock still resembled, and probably much more than the current ruins, the original Acropolis: ancient, filled with sculptures painted in bright colors. Sadly, all these magnificent examples of architecture were preserved only in engravings and drawings of the time: the buildings were destroyed during the Venetian siege. The Turks dismantled the temple of Nike Apteros, and used the material to build a bastion.

Later, the Venetians, keeping the Turkish garrison under siege, blew up the Parthenon with a cannonball, which was turned into a gunpowder warehouse. The entire cella of the temple was destroyed, and the fire raged for two days and two nights. The destruction of the Parthenon and the capture of the Acropolis was meaningless: the Venetians soon left Athens, and the Turks returned to the Acropolis. For some time, the period of wars, but not destruction, ended for Athens. Lovers of antiquities who entered here not only admired them, but also tried to steal them.

Top of the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

Today, like two thousand and a half years ago, only one road leads to the top of the Acropolis. In the time of Pericles, a paved road led to the Acropolis of Athens, climbing its gentle slope. The Propylaea rises above the large platform. A gate framed by two pylons opens onto the site. In 1853 they were discovered by the archaeologist Beile - after his name they are called the Beile Gate. From here the road went up to the Propylaea.

The top of the Acropolis is open to the public daily April-September 8:00-19:30; October-March 8:00-16:30, admission costs 12 €, free on public holidays and Sundays November-March. By purchasing a ticket, you pay for admission to the Theater of Dionysus, the ancient Agora, the Roman Forum, Kerameikos and the Temple of Zeus, and you can visit any of these before the Acropolis, but make sure that you are not sold a separate ticket instead of a general one (the ticket is valid for 4 days ).

Backpacks and large bags are not allowed in - luggage can be checked into a storage room at the main ticket office. The crowds on the Acropolis can be terrifying - don't want to be trampled by the crowd? Get out early in the morning or in the evening; most people are here late in the morning, when there are a lot of buses with tourists who will soon go for lunch.

The Propylaea was built by Mnesicles in 437-432 BC; the proportions of the structure were in harmony with the recently completed Parthenon. The lateral wings are adjacent to the central part of the Propylaea. They were erected from the same Pentelic marble (mined on Mount Pentelikon, northeast of the city) as the temple, and in grandeur and architectural perfection, as well as in the impression they make, the Propylaea is almost comparable to the Parthenon. Mnesicles was the first to combine in one design ordinary Doric columns with columns of the Ionic order, which are taller and more graceful.

The columns, as it were, prepare with their solemn rhythm the reverent mood that was supposed to cover the ancient Athenians who entered the territory of the sanctuary of the goddess - the patroness of the city. The Propylaea became the most revered monument of Athens. The northern wing of the Propylaea consists of an outer portico and a vast rectangular hall behind it. In ancient times, the famous Pinakothek was located here - the world's first art gallery. Works by the greatest Greek artists of the classical era, including Polygnotus, were kept here. He worked in the second quarter of the 5th century BC, and six centuries later, already in the Roman era, his works were described by Pausanias in his guidebook “Description of Hellas.” The northern wing of the Propylaea corresponds to the southern one, but it is smaller.

It is believed that Mnesicles deliberately reduced the size of the southern wing because he took into account the presence of the temple of Nike Apteros (Athena the Victorious). One cannot help but be surprised at the skill with which Mnesicles and the author of the temple project, Niki Apteros Kallikrates, solved the difficult task of combining these two buildings in one ensemble. Behind the gates one can see one of the best preserved sections of the Panathenaic Way - the Sacred Road, which was followed by the participants of the Panathenaic festivals held every four years in honor of the divine patroness of the polis (images of these processions adorned the frieze of the Parthenon).

The procession began in the city, at the main cemetery of Keramikos, and, passing through the Propylaea, headed to the Parthenon and then to the Erechtheion. On weekdays, most of the Sacred Way was used as a regular road. In ancient times, processions passed by the ten-meter bronze statue of Athena Promachos, that is, Athena the Warrior, and recently the exact place where the sculpture’s pedestal stood was established. The statue was sculpted by Phidias, who symbolically depicted in the sculpture the resistance of the Athenians to the Persians. In the Byzantine era, the sculpture was transported to Constantinople (present-day), where it was destroyed by an angry crowd who believed in the rumor that the pointing hand of the goddess had guided the Crusaders to the city in 1204.

It was decided to build a simple and elegant temple of Nike Apteros in honor of the victorious end of the war with the Persians in 449 BC. But construction was completed only in 427-424 BC. It stands on a three-step pedestal. Its monolithic columns are similar to the Ionian columns of the Propylaea. Now the temple has reappeared renewed: it was dismantled, and the fragments were taken away to be cleaned and restored. It's funny, but this is not the first time this has happened: the Turks dismantled the building in 1685 to make room for the battery.

Two hundred years later, restorers collected the scattered parts and recreated the original appearance of the temple. No less impressive is the restoration of the reliefs of the frieze of the temple from fragments. You will see the most remarkable example of art, both by ancient artists and restorers of the century before last, in the Acropolis Museum, this is “Nike Trying on Sandals.” The frieze of the temple very realistically depicts the victory of the Athenians over the Persians at the Battle of Plataea.

From the pyrgos site of the temple of Nike Apteros there is a beautiful view of the entire city and the Saronic Gulf, the waters of which wash the coast of Attica. One of the poetic myths of Ancient Athens, which Pausanias retold, is connected with this. The myth tells the story of King Aegeus, who was waiting for the white sails to appear and mark the return of his son Theseus, who went to kill the Minotaur. Theseus, who was returning victorious, forgot about his promise to change the black sails to white ones. The father, seeing black sails in the distance, decided that his son was dead, in despair he threw himself down onto the rocks and crashed.

It is probably best to look at the temple if you go through the Propylaea and stand a little to the right. From there you can see nearby what remains of the sanctuary of Artemis of Bravrona. Although its purpose is not very clear, it is known that it once housed the Trojan Horse, made in bronze. The section of the Mycenaean rampart (parallel to the Propylaea), included by the architects of Pericles in the general building plan of the classical period, is very striking.

• Antique monument Parthenon in the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena-Parthenos (Virgin), was built as part of the Pericles program. The temple was intended as a new sanctuary for Athena. Inside, the temple was divided into two unequal parts. In the main, eastern one, there was the famous statue of Athena, made of gold and ivory. Precious stones were inserted into the eye sockets of the statue, and on the chest in the center of the shell was the deadly head of the Gorgon Medusa, made of ivory. The statue carved by Phidias was installed in the twilight of the hall intended for it - the cella, and it remained there until the 5th century BC. The statue has not survived to this day, but numerous later copies have survived, including a remarkable Roman copy exhibited in.

The Parthenon, like other classical temples, stood on a stylobate, each of the steps of which had a height of 0.55-0.59 meters. But its grandeur does not overwhelm the viewer; this is a feature of Greek architecture, its deep humanism. The Parthenon is a classic example of a Greek temple of the Doric order, but at the same time its architecture is distinguished by a number of unique individual features. The proportions of the columns and entablature, the ratio of the number of columns on the sides of the temple (the number of columns on the longitudinal side is one more than twice the number of columns of the facade, that is, 8 and 17) strictly correspond to the standards developed by classical Greek architecture. Techniques such as slight thickening and inclination of the corner columns towards the center, entasis - swelling of the column trunk, and slight bending of the stylobate step were skillfully used.

All these features were supposed to compensate for errors in visual perception, since absolutely straight lines are perceived at a distance by the human eye as slightly concave. As a result, the Parthenon appears before your eyes as an ideal building with clear, harmonious lines and proportions. The Parthenon once looked festive and elegant with its white marble columns and walls, topped with sculptural friezes and pediments, in which polychrome was widely used: the background of the pediments and markers was painted dark red, the frieze - blue. Against this colored background, the figures stood out especially clearly, retaining the color of marble. Their parts were also painted or gilded. The entire sculptural decor of the Parthenon was subordinated to one goal - the glorification of the native city, its gods and heroes, its people.

The temple was decorated with a frieze of fine workmanship. The theme of the frieze is the glorification of the Athenian people on the day of the celebration of the Great Panathenaia. The main, eastern pediment of the Parthenon was decorated with a composition depicting the myth of the birth of the goddess Athena. The western pediment depicts an Attic legend - about the dispute between Athena and Poseidon for power over Attica. Most of the pediment, central columns and cella were destroyed in 1687, when the Acropolis of Athens was besieged by the Venetians. The best examples of surviving sculpture are now found in the so-called Elgin Marbles. Several original sculptures and fragments, along with a model of the temple, can be seen in the Acropolis Museum, and the Acropolis metro station is decorated with very good reproductions of the temple.

• Ancient temple Erechtheion in the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

North of the Parthenon rises the Erechtheion. The myth tells that when Athena hit the ground with her spear, an olive tree grew from it, and sea water began to flow from the ground. The Olympian gods declared Athena the winner. Pausanias writes that he saw both an olive tree and sea water, and adds: “What is extraordinary about this well is that when the wind blows, the sea seems to splash in it.” The Erechtheion is a completely unique monument. The originality of its asymmetrical plan is explained by the fact that this temple united a number of different sanctuaries. Most of them existed in this place before the construction of the Erechtheion. The construction of the Erechtheion was provided for by the grandiose construction plan on the Acropolis, developed under Pericles.

The Erechtheion was the main place of worship of the goddess Athena, where her ancient statue was kept. The temple was named after one of the most ancient legendary kings and heroes of Athens - Erechtheus. The author of the project of this temple is unknown. Some scientists, finding analogies in the layout of the Erechtheion and the Propylaea, believe that it could be Mnesicles. Once upon a time there was one of the sacred places here, where on the rock one could see the mark left by the trident of Poseidon during his dispute with Athena. Kekropion was also located here - the grave and sanctuary of the first legendary king of Attica - Kekron. The famous portico of the caryatids rises above it. On a high plinth there are six statues of girls supporting the ceiling of the portico.

These majestic and strong figures stand calmly. The folds of long Doric peplos falling vertically downward resemble the flutes of columns. Who were these girls portraying? There is a plausible assumption: the number of servants of the cult of Athena included arrephoros, young girls chosen from the best Athenian families for a period of one year. They took part in the production of the sacred peplos, with which the ancient statue of Athena was annually dressed. Time and people have not been kind to the caryatid statues. Five original statues are in the Acropolis Museum. One of them was broken by Lord Elgin. It has been replaced by a copy.

Southern slope of the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

You can get to the southern slope of the Acropolis (daily summer 8:00-19:00; winter: 8:30-15:00; 2 € or with a single ticket to the Acropolis of Athens) from the place where the main ticket office is located, or from pedestrian avenue Leoforos Dionisiou Areopaitou, is where the Acropolis metro station is. Dominating the southern slope of the Acropolis hill is the Roman theater (odeon) of Herodes Atticus, built in the 2nd century, which has been restored and currently hosts musical performances and productions of ancient Greek drama during the summer festivals. Unfortunately, visitors are only allowed inside for performances; access is closed at other times.

But there is also the Theater of Dionysus, which is also located on the southern slope of the Acropolis. This is one of those places in the city that encourages memories of the past: it was here that the masterpieces of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were first staged. Tragedies were staged here every year - and every Athenian could take part in the production and in the choir. In the 4th century BC, the theater was rebuilt, and it began to accommodate about 17 thousand spectators; 20 of the 64 tiers of the ancient theater have survived to this day. Here you can see large marble chairs in the first row, which were intended for priests and high officials, as evidenced by the inscriptions on the chairs.

In the center there is a chair for the priest of the god Dionysus, next to it is a chair for the representative of the Delphic oracle. The semicircular orchestra of the theater is paved with stone slabs that form a pattern in the center. The orchestra is closed by a low skena, the front side of which is decorated with reliefs depicting various episodes from the myths of Dionysus. In the middle of the frieze there is an expressive figure of Silenus, a companion of the god Dionysus: bent over, he seems to be holding the pavement of the skene floor on his shoulders. There is bustle and construction equipment around the theater - archaeological excavations are underway, promising to yield interesting results.

The cliffs of the Acropolis rise above the theater. They are crowned by a powerful defensive wall. Two Corinthian columns are visible near the wall - the remains of a Roman-era structure. Below them the entrance to the chapel in the rock, fenced with ropes, darkens. It was once dedicated to Dionysus, now the chapel of Our Lady is Panagia Spiliotis. To the west of the theater are the ruins of the Asklepion, a sanctuary where the god of healing Asclepius was worshiped, built around a sacred spring. In the Byzantine era, the church of the holy healers Cosmas and Damian was erected, of which only ruins remain. Next to the road stretched the foundations of the Roman Stoa of Eumenes, the rows of columns of which stretched to the theater of Herodes Atticus.

• Museum of the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

After decades of delays, by the time you read this article, the new Acropolis Museum (opened June 20, 2009) on the southern slope of the Acropolis, Acropolis metro station, will definitely be finally opened. He looks great. Architectural highlights on the top floor, in glass cases and with views straight to the Parthenon. Here, it is hoped, the Parthenon marbles (those currently in the Acropolis Museum and those that may be returned, the Elgin Marbles) will be reunited. To speed up and facilitate the return of these sculptures, the Greeks agree that they should simply be given them for display, or that part of the museum should be the "British Museum at Athens", in which case the owner will not change.

So far, he has ignored all the proposals, but many continue to believe that the complete set of the new museum - with gaps in place of missing exhibits - will finally force the British Museum in London to take steps forward. Among the exhibits from the old collection, most of which you can see in new places, are sculptures that decorated the frieze of the Old Temple of Athena (VII-VI centuries BC), which partially retained their rich coloring. A little further on is the Moschophorus marble statue (570 BC) - one of the earliest marble statues found on the Acropolis. The sculptor sculpted a young man carrying a sacrificial calf on his shoulders. One of the most precious treasures of the museum is also on display - a collection of statues of the Cor.

The statues depicted priestesses of the goddess Athena and stood near her temple. There is also an interesting statue of a finely crafted horseman. Most of the statues date back to the second half of the 6th century BC, when Ionian sculptors worked in Attica. They created a new type of bark, perhaps less expressive, but more elegant. Here you can also see a charming sculpture that the Greeks call Sandalizussa: Athena Nike (Victorious) trying on sandals. Finally, five authentic caryatids from the Erechtheion are on display. On the lowest floor there is a glass mezzanine containing exhibits from early Christian Athens discovered during construction work.

• Areopagus Hill of the Acropolis of Athens (Greece)

Just below the entrance to the Acropolis of Athens you will see tall, awkward rock-cut steps leading to the Areopagus. On this “Hill of Ares”, during the reign of the Basilean kings, the Court of Elders, the highest body of the Athenian state, met. The court tried murder cases. And the first whom they judged were, according to myth, the god Apec, who killed Allirotheus, the son of Poseidon, and Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, who, avenging his father, killed his mother. The victory of democracy took away power from the Court of Elders and transferred it to the People's Assembly (which met on the Pnyx).

The Persians, besieging the Acropolis of Athens in 480 BC, set up their camp here, and in Roman times the Apostle Paul preached. Evidence of ancient greatness has not survived to this day; the hill is littered with cigarette butts and empty beer cans - both remain from tourists relaxing here after excursions around the Acropolis and enjoying the views along the way. And the views here are good - down to the Agora and forward to the ancient cemetery at Keramikos.

In contact with

The goal of educational tourism in Greece is to see and capture in memory and in photographs as many attractions as possible. There are really a lot of them in this country, but the leading position is occupied by Acropolis in Athens.
A special atmosphere reigns here - the spirit of ancient Hellas, when gods and people entered into invisible battles, the wisdom and knowledge of philosophers, ancient ruins, practically untouched by human hands, intertwined with modern architectural searches. The Athenian pearl of history is located on the rocky limestone hill of Acropolis, whose height above sea level is 156 meters. Its peculiarity is a flat area at the top and steep slopes (all except the western one). The ancient Greeks escaped here from enemy raids; the city was very clearly visible from above and all approaches to the site were controlled. The total area is about 3 hectares.

HISTORY OF THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

The territory of the hill was divided into sacred areas, on which theaters, temples, and altars were located. From here there was an amazing view of the surrounding area; here in ancient times the military and social life of the capital was concentrated, there were outbuildings and warehouses for storing weapons.
In the middle of the 7th century. BC. The first large building is being built on the hill - the temple of Polyada on the site of the city treasury. In 490, a decision was made to build a new sanctuary - a six-column temple, where people came to worship Pallas Athena. But the authorities did not have time to complete their plan; the Persian raid on the capital destroyed the city and all the buildings.
And only in 450 BC. During the reign of Pericles, they began to create an architectural ensemble: first, the Parthenon grew on the hill, then the Temple of Athena, the official entrance - the Propylaea, near them the small temple of Nike Apteros and the Erechtheion shrine. The development of the construction plan belonged to the local sculptor Phidias. Upon completion of the work, he was condemned for allegedly misappropriating valuable materials during the construction process and was even accused of atheism for depicting himself and his friend Pericles on the reliefs dedicated to Athena. With the help of friends, he managed to escape from prison, after which the sculptor created a statue of Zeus - one of the seven wonders of the world recognized by the world.
The Acropolis was rebuilt several times; during enemy raids, some of the buildings were almost completely destroyed. Currently, all cultural values ​​are under vigilant state protection. Most of the buildings and statues are made of marble, the main enemy of which is the unfavorable Greek ecology. Large exhaust emissions caused increased levels of sulfur in the air, and marble gradually turned into limestone. Iron piles and slabs connecting individual parts of the structures contributed to the further destruction of the stone. These were later removed and replaced with brass elements. Some of the sculptures that you will see while traveling around the site are copies; you can see the originals in the Museum.

How to get to the Acropolis

The hill is located in the western part of the capital of Greece, you can get here by public transport, it is fast and inexpensive. Tourists use the second metro line (exit at the station of the same name), trolleybuses No. 1.5, 15 or buses (routes 135, E22, A2, 106, 208).
If you have time and prefer walking, you can walk from the city center along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street. You need to go straight towards the mountain, without turning into alleys. On the same street is the New Acropolis Museum, 300 meters from the entrance to the “upper city” near the Akropolis metro station. If you visit it before climbing the hill, this will not at all smooth out the impression of the temple architecture and remnants of an ancient civilization seen later. The ultra-modern building, which opened its doors to visitors in 2009, has 5 floors and a glass floor on the ground floor, under which winding streets can be seen - the result of archaeological excavations. The total number of exhibits is more than 4,000, including the statue of the goddess Athena. On the third floor there is a souvenir shop and a cafe. A special feature of the building is the constant coolness inside, which is very welcome by tourists after visiting the sights of the hill on a hot day.

Visiting rules

Excursions have no restrictions; at any time of the year you can enter the territory through the Propylaea (main gate) from 8.00 to 18.00. The ticket costs about 12 euros and allows unhindered entry for 4 days. It is better to walk around the site as part of an excursion group with a Russian-speaking guide; traveling on your own will not bring as much pleasure - you will simply contemplate the ancient ruins without knowing their amazing and rich history. At the entrance to the marble gate there is a sign stating the rules of tourist behavior. The main one is the ban on touching stones and exhibits with your hands and not taking them outside the gate.
Free visit days:
- April 18 - Greeks celebrate International Monument Day;
- June 5 - World Environment Day;
- March 6 is the day when the memory of the Greek actress Melina Mercury is honored;
- last Saturday and Sunday of September.
The Acropolis is closed on major public and religious holidays: Easter Sunday, January 1, Christmas.

Attractions of the Acropolis

Propylaea
The Propylaea is the official entrance to the "open air museum", which is a marble gate through which visitors enter the grounds. The modern structure was built on top of a previously existing one; it was designed in 437 BC. the famous architect Mnesikles and managed to completely complete the construction in 5 years.
The outer and inner facades are Doric porticoes consisting of six columns, and the outer part of the gate is a complex architectural composition and greater depth than the inner one. In total, the Propylaea has five passages for visitors, the central one is the widest (4.3 m), it was intended for the passage of riders on horses and the passage of animals, which were supposed to be sacrificed to the gods of Olympus. Instead of steps, a gentle ramp leads to it, framed by internal columns in two rows.
Temple of Nike Apteros
If you move southwest from the outside of the gate, you can see the small temple of Nike Apteros, which spreads its domain on a high bastion. This is the only structure located in front of the Propylaea. The frieze depicts scenes of battles for the country, episodes from ancient Greek myths. The miniature nature of the structure is amazing; the tall columns in the Ionic style, despite their bulkiness, seem weightless, and the internal lighting in the evenings makes this place mysterious.
Parthenon
This is the main and very first temple of the Acropolis, located in the northwestern corner of the “upper city,” built in 447-438 BC. Over the course of 9 years, the shrine was rebuilt according to the design of Kallicrates; during excavations, archaeologists found ancient tablets with reports from the authorities on the expenditure of city funds on construction to the population. The temple was almost completely destroyed several times; reconstruction work is still underway. In the depths of the sanctuary there was a statue of the goddess Athena, its height reached 10 meters, the body was made of wood, and its open areas were made of ivory, which gave the statue maximum resemblance to a person. The clothes and wreath were made of pure gold, the total weight of which reached 1150 kg. It is not surprising that the original of the statue has not survived to this day (according to the official version, it has been lost); the Museum has preserved several smaller copies of the goddess.
Unlike other buildings, Greek architects tried not only to build a beautiful building, but also took into account the peculiarities of the human visual organs. In their opinion, the following construction tricks were able to give the temple greater grandeur - not a flat, but a slightly convex floor inside, the diameter of the corner columns is larger than the others, and the size of the columns located in the middle is slightly smaller than the others.
Erechtheion
It is not for nothing that the Greeks call this temple a pearl of architecture. Created in the Ionic style (lighter and more refined), construction was completed after the death of King Pericles. The shrine was created mainly for priests who worshiped Athena (unlike the Parthenon, which could be visited by everyone); sacrifice rituals and religious sacraments were performed here. At this place, as legend says, a competition took place between the beautiful Athena and Poseidon for power over the capital. And when the god of the seas lost, he struck the ground with his trident in anger. In one of the reconstructed halls you can see a deep trace of it, which the architects decided to preserve.
King Erechtheus was a favorite of the local population. In one of the battles, he killed the son of Poseidon. As punishment, Zeus struck Erechtheus with lightning at his request - during a tour of the Acropolis, the guide will show tourists the place where the elements damaged the marble slabs, leaving several deep cracks in them. The temple was erected next to the resting remains of the king.
The main building is divided into two uneven parts located at different levels from the ground line. The eastern part with a separate entrance was dedicated to Athena, in front of the statue in the sanctuary an unquenchable fire burned in a golden lamp, the western part had three separate entrances, three altars were located here in worship of the gods Poseidon, Hephaestus (the god of fire and blacksmithing) and the first priest of Athena Butu, brother of King Erechtheus.
The entrance to the western part of the temple was designed in the form of a rectangular portico supported by six columns depicting full-length female figures. The portico of the Caryatids got its name in honor of the priestesses of the goddess, who during the holidays performed a special ritual dance with large baskets filled to the brim with ripe fruits. Caryatids are women originally from the small town of Karia, known for their beauty and refined figure. Even during the capture of the Greek capital by the Turks, who did not recognize human images on statues due to Muslim beliefs, the columns were not destroyed. They limited themselves to carefully cutting off the stone faces of beautiful women.
Temple of Augustus
To the east of the Parthenon was a small circular temple built in 27 BC. The roof was supported by 9 columns in the Ionic style. Archaeologists managed to find only the foundation of the building; they were able to correlate it with the real building only after discovering a dedicatory inscription at the foot. It said that the temple was dedicated to Roma and Augustus and was erected by grateful Athenians, this is a symbol of veneration by the local residents of Octavian Augustus. It is the only one erected for the purpose of glorifying the cult of the Emperors. The construction ideas belonged to the architect who was involved in the restoration of the Erechtheion during the Roman Empire, so the two buildings have many similar features.
Bule Gate
They are part of the architectural ensemble; their construction dates back to 267. The gate is considered an emergency entrance to the site; this small opening in the wall after the raids of the ancient Germanic tribes of the Heruls made it possible for residents to leave the territory unnoticed. They are named after Ernest Bullet, an architect from France, who in 1825 was engaged in archaeological excavations in the area and discovered a secret gate.
Sanctuary of Zeus
Located east of the Erechtheion, its main feature is the lack of a roof. There is no information about what the sanctuary looked like before, and all data obtained varies, so future reconstruction of the structure may not correspond to reality. In accordance with one of the scientists' hypotheses, this site was ideal for worshiping the main god of Olympus, since the highest point of the hill above sea level is located on it. On the territory of the sanctuary, a bronze altar was installed, as well as a small chapel, in the center of which there was a sacrificial pit. In those days, sacrifices were considered to be a joint meal between gods and people. Feasting was prohibited until some of the food went into the big fire. At first, food, fruits, cookies, incense and other offerings were burned near the sanctuary, and the ashes were carefully poured into this niche. No evidence has been found of people performing nal rituals in honor of the gods.
Bravronion
The structure is located near the surviving ruins of ancient Mycenaean walls to the east. Artemis Bravronia was the patroness of girls until marriage and the protector of pregnant women.
According to documents, the creator of the sanctuary is considered to be Pisistratus, in whose homeland this goddess was worshiped. The shape of the small temple is a colonnade in the Dorian style, adjacent to it are two wings in the shape of the letter “P”, where statues of the goddess Artemis were kept, one belongs to the hands of the sculptor Praxiteles, the author of the second is unknown. The date of construction of the sanctuary is not precisely known, approximately 430 BC. The sanctuary did not play a major role in the complex, so instead of the traditional ancient altar there were 4 porticoes, to which women laid their offerings.
Once every four years, residents of the capital celebrated the holiday of “Bravronia”: from Athens to Bravronia (38 km) a procession of girls (7-10 years old) walked on foot to stay there for at least one year and play the role of she-bears for Artemis (she was considered the Bear goddess). Rituals were regularly held here; after the last one, the girls took off their long capes, which they wore all year, which symbolized the onset of the period of female maturity.
Chalkoteka
Behind the sanctuary there was a structure with an additional separate room (“inner room”), where shields, throwing weapons, and religious objects for the rites of worship of Athena were kept. The exact date of construction is unknown; according to preliminary data, it was the mid-5th century. BC, large-scale reconstruction was carried out during the Roman period. Today, what remains of the Chalcotheca are several large building blocks and a large basin made of stone.
Theater of Dionysus - the first "entertainment center" of the Greeks
Bread and circuses were what the locals demanded, and it was in abundance in ancient Greece. The first and most ancient Athenian theater is located on the southern side of the hill. It was built in honor of the god of wine, who, according to legend, the Athenians killed, mistakenly believing that he gave them poisoned wine. On the day of his death, the festival of Dionysus was celebrated, accompanied by noisy feasts and mass celebrations. This is how the first theater was created, on the stage (then it was an “orchestra”) of which the audience first saw the theatrical performances of Euripides and Sophocles, and the tandem of poetry and tragedy was born here. The open-air stone structure could accommodate up to 17 thousand spectators at a time.
The orchestra was separated from the rows by a rather deep ditch with water; scientists suggest that this trick improved audibility, thanks to which the actors’ dialogues were clearly audible even in the upper seats.
Behind the stage there was a small building (skhena) intended for changing clothes for participants in productions. The walls of the theater were decorated with bas-reliefs depicting gods and episodes from mythology, fragments of some of which tourists can still see.
At first, the seats were made entirely of wood, but in 325 BC. they were replaced by more durable marble ones. Their height was only 40 cm, so that you could see everything that was happening on stage, and they were equipped with soft pillows.
The chairs in the first row were named, this can be judged by the inscriptions that could not be destroyed by the forces of nature. In the 1st century, the amphitheater was rebuilt, which marked the beginning of gladiatorial fights and circus performances. A high iron side was built between the first row of spectators for the safety of visitors.

Hill Caves

Cave of Zeus
Every year in the spring, the “chosen” Athenians came here to expect lightning - a natural phenomenon considered a sign of the arrival of the main deity of Olympus on the Hill of Arma. He showed them the correct and safe course to Delphi, this was a signal that the deity was protecting and blessing.
Altar of Apollo
Not far from the cave of Zeus you can see a recess in which the altar of the Sun god was located. After local residents elected 9 archons (highest officials of the capital), they went to take an oath of allegiance and honor at the altar of Apollo of Patros, the second solemn oath was pronounced here.
Cave of Pan
If you walk a little east from the altar, you can see a small cave that is almost overgrown. This is a tribute to Pan, the god of shepherds and forests. It appeared in the minds of the Greeks and official literature after the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. He is credited with instilling fear in the Persians and winning the locals.
Source of Clepsydra
In the western part there is a small stone niche with a source, previously called "Embedo". Its waters periodically disappear, then spring water appears on the surface of the earth again. In the 5th century BC. the Greek commander Kimon turned it into a fountain, which was later filled with stones. During the heyday of Christianity, Clepsydra received the status of a “saint”; a small church of the Holy Apostles began to be built near him.

Acropolis as a unique ecosystem

The hill is not only the cradle of Greek civilization, but also a protected area significant for environmental organizations. Biologist Grigoris Tsounis claims that the Acropolis is a corner of heaven on earth. The scientist studied the diversity of flora and fauna on the slopes of the hill for a long time and came to the conclusion that rare species of birds and butterflies are present in this ecosystem. Seeing one of the representatives of the fauna in our time is a great success.
Among the poppy and chamomile meadows there is also a unique plant called “micromeria acropolitana”. Micromeria grows only on the slopes of the Acropolis, in places where rocky areas predominate and there is a minimum of soil. It was first noticed in 1906, after which it disappeared without a trace. G. Tsunis discovered it again only in 2006; Professor Kit Tan from the University of Copenhagen came to confirm the presence of Micromeria. A team of scientists does not stop developing further actions to protect the ecosystem of the area, so that for a long time this amazing corner will greet tourists not only with historical ruins, but also with natural resources that have not yet been destroyed by the elements and destructive actions of man.

If you want to buy souvenirs, it is better to do it in the capital’s craftsmen’s shops or shops. The triple markup on trinkets in the form of magnets, stones and mugs will hit your pocket hard, and the range of Acropolis sellers is limited - local authorities do not give permission to turn the attraction into an ordinary trading platform. But the Greeks are a wise people, they understand that it is difficult for foreign tourists to understand all the greatness of the holy land; there have been and will be attempts to take with them a piece of a temple or theater dilapidated by winds, precipitation and time. Every night, caretakers go up to the site and scatter pieces of marble, shells and colored glass that you can take home as souvenirs.

History of the Acropolis

According to legend, the founder of Athens and the Upper City was the half-man, half-snake Kekrops. It was he who preferred the goddess of wisdom as a patroness and erected the first temples in her honor. In subsequent centuries, more magnificent structures appeared on their ruins, until all the buildings of the Acropolis, with the exception of the fragmentarily surviving temple of Hekatompedon, were destroyed by the Persians in the 5th century. During the time of Pericles and immediately after his death, the hill was decorated with the best works of ancient architecture - the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.

During the era of early Hellenism and the subjugation of Greece to Rome, several theaters appeared at the foot of the hill. Christians turned pagan temples into Christian ones, without rebuilding them, but partially changing the interiors. The Turks who came to the Balkans in the 15th century used the buildings of the Athens Acropolis as mosques. Significant changes did not occur on the hill until the Venetians bombarded the city with cannons in the 17th century. Many temples were destroyed, and their reconstruction, requiring enormous costs, has not yet been completed.

In the 19th century, some of the sculptures that decorated the facades of temples were exported to France and Great Britain, and the dispute about their ownership is still ongoing today.

Architectural features of the Athens Acropolis

The hill area was developed gradually, new buildings were erected on the ruins or unfinished foundations of the previous ones. Work was frozen for decades due to lack of funds. In general, even in ancient times, the hill was almost always a construction site. The oldest surviving objects of the Athenian Acropolis, such as the Parthenon, were made at the end of the dominance of the strict Doric order with massive columns in architecture. In buildings close to them in time, for example in the Propylaea, along with Doric ones, elements of a more decorative Ionic style are already evident. The later Erechtheion is an example of the Ionic architectural order.

The Parthenon is the most important temple of Ancient Athens

The central, highest point of the panorama of the Acropolis is the Parthenon Temple, dedicated to Athena, the patroness of the city. This is the pinnacle of creativity of the architect Iktin, who acted, however, not alone, but with a team of like-minded people. The material for the temple was white marble mined nearby, which acquired a golden glow in the sunlight. These features of the stone have become noticeable now, but in ancient times the temple and all the statues were painted in bright colors - red, blue, yellow.

All work, from the creation of the project to the decoration of the Parthenon, was carried out under Pericles, from 447 to 432. BC e. According to the architects, the temple on the Acropolis of Athens was supposed to surpass all that existed previously. Formally, this is a rectangular building, resting on three marble steps and surrounded along the perimeter by a colonnade more than 10 m high. People entered the temple through the western entrance with low steps. What tourists see today are steps with columns.

The merit of the architects is that they put the laws of optics at the service of architecture. The columns widen in the center, the corner columns and the floor are located at an angle - all this gives the observer a feeling of strict straightness. In addition, thanks to the architects’ tricks, the Parthenon looks strictly proportional from any point of view – both from the territory of the Lower City and when approaching it.

Sculptures of Phidias

The giant, 13-meter statue of Athena, which has not survived to this day, was prepared for the temple by Phidias, the author of one of the wonders of the world - the statue of Olympian Zeus. The wooden figure of an armed warrior goddess, according to historians, was decorated with precious stones, ivory and gold. This is indirectly evidenced by the found records containing builders' reports on the purchased materials - in total, about a ton of metal was spent on the statue. The approximate appearance of the warrior has been restored thanks to copies made in antiquity, one of which is kept in the National Museum of Athens. The goddess in a long robe and helmet rested on a shield with her left hand, and with her right hand extended to the audience she held a figurine of winged Nike.

In addition to the Athena Parthenos, the master, together with his students, made relief metope slabs for the Parthenon frieze. Some of them were taken to Great Britain by Lord Elgin in the 19th century and are now exhibited in the British Museum, in a huge separate room, decorating the marble walls at eye level of visitors. Quite recently, a visiting exhibition of the collection took place in the St. Petersburg Hermitage - an unprecedented case, since until now the Parthenon sculptures had not been exported anywhere. Greece is suing Great Britain in the hope of returning the artifacts to their homeland, since permission to export them was given not by the Greeks themselves, but by the Turks, under whose yoke the country was. However, there is also something to see in Greece: more than 40 original slabs have been preserved here. The pediment sculptures, unlike the reliefs, almost did not survive and have survived to this day only in fragments.

Further history of the Parthenon

The temple was partially damaged by fire in antiquity, then, in the 6th century, after the final decline of Athens, it became a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. When altered for the needs of the cult, the statues and interior of the Parthenon were damaged, and wall paintings appeared in place of the previous decor. Under the Turks, starting from the 15th century, the building served as a mosque. All this time the temple was in relative safety, until in 1687 the Venetians, in another conflict with the Turks, fired at it, provoking destruction. Decorative details were partially exported outside the country. At the end of the 19th century, restoration work began, which has not been completed to this day.

Erechtheion - memory of the legendary king

Temples were built not only in honor of the gods, but in memory of mortals. This honor was given to King Erechtheus, who, according to legend, was buried in these places. According to another opinion, it was at this point of the Athenian Acropolis, where in 421-406. BC e. The Erechtheion appeared, Athena and Poseidon argued for supremacy in the region. As you know, Athena whitewashed it, but the temple was dedicated to both, just in case. Erechtheus, who ruled Athens, was also no stranger to the gods: he died at the behest of the angry Poseidon. The picturesque multi-level ruins of the Erechtheion are located north of the Parthenon. The building is made of several types of marble - snow-white Parian, golden-white Pentelic and grayish Eleusinian.

Unlike the outwardly rectilinear, majestic Parthenon, the Erechtheion consists of parts of different heights. The reason lies in the unevenness of the soil - the architect had to overcome the features of the relief. Mnesicles took up the matter: earlier he had already justified the trust of Pericles by building the entrance gate to the Acropolis - the Propylaea. In order not to offend the gods, the architect wisely divided the space of the temple: Athena got the eastern part, Poseidon and Erechtheus - the western. The southern portico of the Erechtheion is supported by caryatids - figures of women that replaced columns. Today, copies of the statues are installed at the site of the work of ancient sculptors; the originals are kept in the Acropolis Museum and the British Museum.

The history of the Erechtheion follows the path of the Parthenon: the building survived Christianization and the invasion of the Turks, but was destroyed in the fight against the Venetians. Subsequently, the Italians tried to put the parts together like a construction set, so that the general outlines of the temple were restored, but the impression of devastation still remained.

Propylaea – the main gate of the complex

Tourists enter the Acropolis of Athens through the western gate, the Propylaea. The six massive Doric columns of the central part of the entrance are reminiscent of the Parthenon, the main part of which was completed at the time of construction. The side Ionic columns, lighter and more decorative, relieve the feeling of tension. There was once an art gallery and library adjacent to the gate - archaeologists managed to find traces of them and recreate their outlines in three-dimensional models. Now the general gate complex has been largely restored, the destroyed columns have been replaced with copies.

Temple of Nike Apteros

In front of the main gate there is a small temple with four Ionic columns with spiral scrolls at the top, along the edges of the porticoes. The sanctuary was designed to guard the entrance to the Acropolis. There once stood a statue of Athena inside, whose usual companion was Nike, the goddess of victory. Usually she was depicted as winged, but this temple is an exception; it is no coincidence that its patroness received the name Apteros - “wingless”. The reason for this deviation from the canons, according to legend, is considered to be a small cunning of the Athenians. They deprived Victory of its wings so that it would never fly out of the city.

The temple was erected during the Peloponnesian War, so the building was decorated with reliefs depicting the victories of the inhabitants of Attica over the Persians and Spartans for further inspiration. The Turks dismantled the temple for building materials to build fortifications against the Venetians. Today's temple was restored much later; the original sculptures were given to the New Museum. The active phase of work has not been completed, so the Nika Temple is often closed to visitors.

Destroyed objects

Several other objects have been preserved in the Acropolis in the form of remnants of foundations or shapeless ruins. In the eastern part of the complex is the sanctuary of Pandion, presumably named after the legendary king of Attica. Between the Parthenon and the Erechtheion is the Hekatompedon, the most ancient temple of the Athenian Acropolis. A hundred years before the appearance of the Parthenon, it was the main sanctuary of the patroness of the city, Athens. What remained of it were the bases of columns discovered during excavations and limestone sculptures that preserved remnants of paint. To the right of the Propylaea are the modest ruins of the sanctuary of Artemis and a weapons depot. Behind the Erechtheion was the sanctuary of Pandrosa with the altar of Zeus and an olive tree planted by Athena herself. Nearby was a tiny building in which noble girls worked, weaving peplos, women's outer clothing, for the statue of Athena for the Panathenaic Games, Attica's largest competition.

Tourist routes around the Acropolis

It is difficult for a tourist not experienced in archeology and architecture to understand the ancient Greek ruins: at first glance, all the ruins are similar to each other, periods and styles are mixed. To avoid getting lost, you can choose simple landmarks. The main gate from the west is the Propylaea, the modest temple in front of it is the Sanctuary of Nike. The largest rectangular cluster of columns visible in all directions is the Parthenon. A smaller building, harmoniously combining columns of different heights and porticos decorated with female figures, is the Erechtheion. You can walk along the Athens Acropolis even at night - objects are illuminated by powerful spotlights.

New Acropolis Museum

The Athens Acropolis Museum, which housed decorative fragments of buildings in the Upper City, was opened in 1874. Over time, the collection grew so large that the existing rooms and storerooms were not enough to store objects. The new building, significantly larger in size than the old one, had to be located near the Acropolis. The misadventures with the project began in the 70s of the twentieth century and lasted until the end of the century: either the Greek authorities could not find suitable architects, or the land plot did not withstand any criticism. Finally, builders began digging the ground for the foundation and discovered new archaeological finds. Work in this place was frozen until the architects proposed a project that did not affect the ground layer.

The three-level complex was opened in 2009, 300 m south of the complex, next to the Acropolis metro station. Its ground floor is supported by a hundred columns, and the glass floor allows visitors to admire the excavations underfoot. The glass walls offer a fantastic view of the Acropolis. There is a cafe on the ground floor, a souvenir shop and a bookstore on two levels. During the tourist season, the museum welcomes guests from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Fridays until 10 p.m., on Mondays until 4 a.m., and in winter it operates on a reduced schedule. Ticket price for adults is 5 euros.

Tourist Information

The largest number of tourists come to Athens from April to October, although the Acropolis welcomes guests all year round. Inspecting the complex will take about two hours; you need to plan it early in the morning, around 8, until the marble warms up under the sun. In the evening it is still hot until 6 o’clock; the main flow of organized tourists leaves before 15 o’clock. Be sure to take drinking water with you and choose non-slip shoes without heels.

A ticket to view the Athens Acropolis with theaters lying on the slopes of the hill and the nearby Agora and the Temple of Zeus costs 12 euros. It is difficult to see all the sights at once, so a ticket for one visit to each site is valid for 4 days. There is usually a queue near the ticket office of the Acropolis; you can avoid it if you buy a ticket near another historical monument from the list. On Museum Night in May and European Heritage Days in September, admission to the complex is free.

How to get there

There are several public transport stops near the Acropolis. The most convenient way to get off is at the metro station of the same name on the M2 line, next to which there is an interchange hub for trams and buses. A little further to the south there is a tram stop 1, 5, 15. From the south there is bus number 230. An electric train takes guests from the metro and from the Acropolis Museum to the ticket office.

Holidays and festivals at the Acropolis

A spectacular summer and part of the autumn, the Athens Festival chose as one of its main venues the Odeon of Herodes, a perfectly preserved theater built in 165 AD. e. Permanent access to it is closed; visitors get inside only during concert events with tickets. The theater's capacity is about 5,000 spectators.

The same fate awaits the Theater of Dionysus, located on the eastern side of the southern slope of the Acropolis. During the heyday of Attica, competitions between comedians and tragedies were held here; under the Romans, gladiators fought there. During the reconstruction process, it is planned to strengthen the remaining stone tiers and add several more rows of spectators to them.

Hotels in the vicinity of the Acropolis

Hotels in the Acropolis area are expensive, but you need to book rooms well in advance of your trip due to high demand. Next to the New Museum is the 4-star Herodion, and to the southeast is The Athens Gate Hotel, which has earned excellent reviews from guests. The 4-star apart-hotel AVA Hotel and Suites to the east of the hill will cost tourists about one and a half times more than a hotel with rooms.

Restaurants and cafes near the Acropolis

In addition to the museum cafe, you can grab a bite to eat at several restaurants along the perimeter of the hill. To the southwest of the Propylaea, at the foot of the semi-wild Hill of the Muses park, next to bus route 230 stop, the Dionysos restaurant is located with magnificent views of the Acropolis from the summer veranda. A little to the east is the national cuisine restaurant “Strofi”. On the north side of the hill is the Stamatopoulos tavern, opened in 1882. The cramped Clepsydra cafe is located on a narrow street with graffiti on the walls. Not far from it is “Anafiotika” with live music.

Attractions in the vicinity of the Acropolis

The main historical attractions of Athens are concentrated in the Acropolis area. In the east are the ruins of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, or rather, one corner of it, the perfectly preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the remains of the masonry of the market square-agora in the north-west. To the west is the Areopagus, a rocky hill where the authorities of Athens met.