The local officials control access to the Acropolis with
timed tickets – the first entry of the day is allowed at 7:45 (for the 8-9
group). The line stretched from the
entry point back out on the street and almost back to the Acropolis Museum
entrance… but it moved quickly.
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| the tours gather at the edge |
The biggest challenge was the walking
tours. You’d be going along at your own
pace but then get stopped by 12-20 people blocking the path upwards as they crowded
around to hear what the guide was saying.
(Most had transmitters, so they didn’t need to be right next to the
guide.) I learned a little about the
history from the guides, though, so it wasn’t too bad until we got up to the
real choke points.
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| Theater of Dionysos - right below the Parthenon |
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heading up
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The
earliest evidence of habitation on the naturally fortified hill of the
Acropolis of Athens dates to the Middle neolithic period (5000-4000 BC). During
the Mycenaean period (1600-1100 BC) it served as the seat of the local ruler
and, in the 13th century, it was reinforced with strong fortification.
As you leave the south entrance, near the museum, you go past a couple of small amphitheaters, and parts of the working area that served the Acropolis. You are traveling upward on a perimeter road.
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| foundry |
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| Odeion of Herodes Atticus |
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| Odeion - indications are it is still used for live performances |
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| top of the Odeion |
In the
6th century BC, the Acropolis acquired its first monumental temples. The
buildings that dominate today the sacred rock, the propylaea, the Parthenon,
the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike, were erected in the aftermath of
the Persian destruction that occurred in 480 BC, on the initiative of Perikles.
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| the Propylea |
At
the west end, you reach the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the sanctuary
of the Acropolis. Of course, the crowds
tightened since there was only one way up.
Being tall, I was able to get some pictures over the heads of others,
but you are never alone on the Acropolis.
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| the Temple of Athena Nike ("Victorious") |
Atop the right hand side is a small, elegant Ionic temple -
the temple of Athena Nike. Built between
427-424 BC, replacing an earlier, smaller temple. The frieze of the temple
depicts battle scenes between Greeks, combats between the Greeks and the Persians.
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| the steps up the Propylea |
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| towering columns |
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| finally the Parthenon appearas |
You exit the Propylea steps onto the plateau, just west of the Parthenon – the largest structure on the Acropolis. North of the Parthenon is the Erechtheion – named for the mythical king of Athens. Construction began around 430 BC and was completed in 406 BC following an interruption caused by the Peloponnesian War.
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| The Erechtheion |
Off to the east of the buildings, in the approximate position of the sanctuary of Zeus, is a flag pole that many crowd to to look down on mosern Athens below. I like the photo because you can see that the ground is rough, littered with marble. It is dangerous. There are no sidewalks...and many, many people going all different directions.
That takes care of all of the buildings except for the "Crown Jewel" - the Parthenon. It is a
temple dedicated to Athena Parthenos, and is considered the perfect
Doric temple of classical antiquity due to its proportions, architectural
refinements and masterful construction.
It was built between 447-438 BC, while
its white marble sculptural decoration was completed in 432 BC. The temple is
defined by an outer colonnade that consists of 8 columns on either narrow side
and 17 columns that run along each of its long sides. Much work has been done to stabilize and
preserve the temple, and we are lucky that the scaffolding was taken down in
2025 so we could actually see the columns.
I started at the north side and walked around it, clockwise.
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| top of the columns, north face |
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| north side |
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| NE corner |
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| SE corner |
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| top of SE corner |
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| East face |
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| Spare parts - lying around ready for restoration work |
I am now on the south side of the building (the side we have been looking at from our apartment). I turn around for a look.
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| Philopappos Monument, nearby, and the sea beyond |
Looking over the roof of the Acropolis Museum, I could see the awning of our porch,
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| the Theater of Dionysis from above |
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further out into the city,
remains of a temple to Zeus |
Bsck to the Parthenon, this is the south side, the most famous, most photographed side,
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| the SW corner |
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the west face
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That completes the tour of the Parthenon. It is time to head down - back out through the Propylaea gates and away from the Acropolis. |
| the ceiling of the Propylaea |
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| the Propylaea columns remain in the shade |
To the south side of the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike still stands.
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| Athena Nike |
It had take 48 minutes to climb to the top,
but it would take over an hour to get down, because you now have others in the
8-9 am group you started with who are going down, and you have the 9-10 am
group still climbing. The Propylaea steps show how crowded it becomes.
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| Odeion - halfway down |
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| the Parthenon from the lower trail |
