The Acropolis
(as part of the Athens all sites ticket)
(click on the small image below to see the full size image)
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The Acropolis is perhaps the most famous site in Athens. In the ancient city, it would have dominated the commercial center of the city. Today it is surrounded by the Plaka, and various ruins. It can easily be seen from the Stoa below; the Temple of Olympian Zeus; the Roman Forum and the Ancient Agora. The Acropolis is an awe inspiring site. It is worth the climb to the top to see the ruins. Bring a bottle of water, and a hat and be prepared for a steep climb. Beat the crowds by purchasing your all site ticket at another site, like the Agora or Forum the day before and avoid the lines at the Acropolis. Also, go in the morning before the crowds and tour groups really begin. We had the Acropolis almost to ourselves by visiting on a Sunday morning. When we visited, many of the ruins were in scaffolding. Archaeologists were attempting to restore much of the site to prepare for the 2004 Olympics. |
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| The first site seen as one approaches the summit is the columns of the Propelea with its tall impressive columns leading your feet and eye towards the Parthenon the central building of the Acropolis. The Propelea with its grand yet controlled stairway and walls demonstrates both the ceremonial and defensive functions of the Acropolis. | 
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The most well known building on the Acopolis, and perhaps the most well known in Greece, is the Parthenon. It is an impressive structure that was dedicated to the goddess Athena, the guardian of Athens. The structure is made of marble and displays impressive craftsmanship as demonstrated by the corner frieze below. Many of the surviving friezes have been removed from the Parthenon and dislpayed in the Acropolis Museum. The Parthenon has been undergoing restoration work since 1983. Much of the structure remains in scaffolding. But as you can see from our pictures the front and back are still relatively scaffolding-free and quite impressive. |
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Across from the Parthenon is the Erectheon. The Erectheon was dedicated to Asklepius. People would come here to be healed. The one porch, in the picture above, is held up by statues of young womenknown as "Kore". |
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Just below the Acropolis is the Theatre of Dionysus. It is the first known theatre. It was here that plays by Euripides, Aristophanes and others would first perform their now famous plays. This theatre is not as well preserved as others in the area (see Epidarus). As you can see in these pictures, there is some details that have survived. For example, some of the seats which were for dignitaries remain. They can be distinguished because they have backs on the seats, rather than just being a bench. Behind the stage, you can still see the frieze that was there. |
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| Beside the theatre of Dionysus, the Roman's built an Odeon. The Odeon was much larger than the theatre of Dionysus, and unlike the theatre the Odeon is still used today. | 
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