The Athens Acropolis is a monument of ancient architecture. Brief description of the Athenian Acropolis

/ Acropolis of Athens

Athens Acropolis

(Greek: Ακρόπολη Αθηνών; English: Acropolis of Athens)

UNESCO site

Opening hours: from 8.30 to 19.00 daily, except Monday.

How to get there: nearest metro station Akropolis. The Acropolis of Athens is impossible not to notice; it is located in the very heart of the city and is visible from almost anywhere in Athens. Most of Athens is quite flat, and the city is dominated by only two rocks, one of which is the Acropolis. You can also get to the Acropolis from the city center on foot. To do this, you need to choose, as a landmark, a large pedestrian street - Dionysiou Areopagitou. You need to follow it straight and not turn anywhere, gradually climbing up the mountain, as a result you will come across the most important Greek landmark.

The Acropolis of Athens is not only the oldest cultural monument Greece, but also the entire world civilization as a whole. The word “Acropolis” consists of two stems: “acro” - “upper” and “polis” - “city”. The "Upper City" is located on a natural limestone cliff 156 m high, with a flat top offering stunning views of Athens, and has steep slopes on all sides except the west. It was a fortified part of ancient Athens, where the main shrines of the city were located. The Acropolis, embodying the architectural and artistic spirit of ancient Athens, covers an area of approximately 3 hectares.

The entire Acropolis was divided into sacred areas, on which there were temples, sanctuaries and altars dedicated to various gods. It was also the center of the political and military life of the city: first of all, it was the residence of the ruler.
In the middle of the 7th century BC, the first large structure appeared on the Acropolis - the Temple of Polyada, replacing a small sanctuary of the Geometric period in which the city treasury was kept. The dimensions of the building and the pediment frame that appeared for the first time (only on the eastern side) were new. After the victory at Marathon in 490 BC, it was decided to create a new temple dedicated to Pallas Athena on the Acropolis, next to the ancient temple of Polyada. This temple was narrower than the Parthenon and had only 6 columns. However, the buildings were never completed, since the Persians, who captured Athens, completely destroyed the city and all the sanctuaries of the Acropolis.

Map of the Acropolis of Athens

In 450 BC, under Pericles, who proclaimed the unification of everything Greek world under the leadership of Athens, work begins on creating an ensemble on the Athenian Acropolis, according to a single plan: Parthenon - the temple of Athena Parthenos (447 - 438 BC), Propylaea - the ceremonial gate, entrance to the Acropolis (437 - 432 BC), Temple of Nike Apteros (Wingless Victory, between 449 - 420 BC), Temple of Erechtheion (421 - 406 BC). The planning and construction of the Acropolis was carried out under the direction of Phidias.

Phidias is an Athenian sculptor (about 490 - about 430 BC), an outstanding representative of the era of classical art of Ancient Greece. He supervised all the work on the Acropolis, the construction of the Parthenon, according to his sketches, and often with his own hands, 92 metopes and a 159-meter frieze with the Panathenaic procession, sculptures of the Parthenon pediments, and a statue of Athena Parthenos (Virgin) were created. He was put on trial for allegedly misappropriating precious materials and atheism during the construction of the Acropolis, and was forced to leave Athens and move to the Peloponnese, where he created a number of other famous creations.

In the following centuries, the Acropolis suffered greatly from various wars and the turbulent history unfolding in this area. In 1205, the Franks (crusaders) captured Athens, and the Dukes of Delaroche established their residence in the Propylaea and Pinakothek. The Parthenon at this time becomes cathedral Notre Dame d "Athenes. In 1456, Athens was conquered by the Ottoman army of Omar Turakhan, commander of Muhammad the Conqueror. The Parthenon turns into a mosque, the Erechtheion into the harem of the Turkish commandant. In 1687, after a cannonball hit from a Venetian ship, the explosion destroyed almost the entire central part of the Parthenon , and during the unsuccessful attempt of the Venetians to remove the sculptures from the temple, several statues were broken. But despite the fact that the works of art of the Acropolis survived many natural disasters, they could not withstand the acts of vandalism of Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to Constantinople. He plundered almost all of it. a collection of statues, vases, monuments and priceless artifacts and exported from Greece.

Today, the cultural values of the Acropolis are carefully preserved and protected, and, perhaps, the main enemy of this world treasure is air pollution, which negatively affects the marble. As a result of emissions of exhaust gases into the atmosphere, there was an increase in the sulfur content in the air, which led to the transformation of marble into limestone. The iron structures that were used to connect and strengthen the marble pieces, and which were adjacent to it, destroyed the stone. To prevent destruction, some of the iron structures were removed and replaced with brass ones. But it is not possible to counteract chemical destruction, so some of the Acropolis sculptures were replaced with copies, and the originals are kept in the Acropolis Museum.

A wide zigzag road runs from the bottom of the hill to the only entrance. These are famous Propylaea– the main entrance to the Acropolis, which is a deep through portico with a colonnade; At the same time, the side passages were intended for pedestrian citizens, and along the middle passage horsemen and chariots passed, and sacrificial animals were carried out. They were built by the architect Mnesicles in 437 - 432 BC. Like other structures of the Acropolis, the Propylaea Gate was destroyed by the Persians and restored during the era of Pericles, although construction was never completed due to the threat of the Peloponnesian War.

Adjacent to the Propylaea on the left is the building of the Pinakothek, an art gallery where portraits of the heroes of Attica were displayed. In the Pinakothek, carpets were hung on which people who were tired after climbing the hill could rest.

Adjacent to the southwestern wing of the Propylaea is an unusually elegant marble temple - Temple of Nike Apteros , built by the architect Callicrates. Its construction was carried out in 427 - 421 BC. Standing on a three-stage pedestal, the temple was surrounded on all sides by a sculptural ribbon frieze, which depicted episodes of the struggle of the Greeks with the Persians, as well as the Olympian gods (Athena, Zeus, Poseidon).

The main attraction of the entire ensemble was and remains Parthenon- the biggest and famous building in this ensemble, which is called both the “hymn” of Ancient Greece and the “beauty of simplicity.”

The Parthenon (from the Greek parthenos - maiden) is the temple of the goddess Athena Parthenos (Virgin) - the greatest monument of ancient Greek art. It was erected by order of Pericles in 447 - 438 BC, on the site of an unfinished temple destroyed by the Persians. The Parthenon is a marble Doric peripterus with 17 columns on the long sides and 8 on the ends.

Not far from the northwestern wall of the Acropolis was located royal palace, and after its destruction, almost in the same place, the Hekatompedon temple was erected, dedicated to the patroness of the city, Athena. The Greeks revered this goddess so highly that they set free all the slaves who participated in the construction of this temple. But during the Greco-Persian Wars (480 - 479 BC), Hekatompedon was plundered and burned by order of the Persian king Xerxes.

The northern side of the Athens Acropolis is decorated with a beautiful marble temple Erechtheion, which is a most beautiful creation of classical art. It was built on the site of the palace of the rulers of Mycenae in 421 - 406 BC, and became a place of worship for the Athenians. The Ionian temple, located near the Parthenon, is dedicated to Athena, Poseidon and the legendary king of Athens, Erechtheus, who gave the temple its name.

The greatest interest in the Erechtheion is the Portico of the Daughters, consisting of six sculptures of the most beautiful girls, which, acting as columns, support the roof of the temple. In Byzantine times they were called Caryatids - women from a small town called Caria who were famous for their exceptional beauty. The Turks, who at one time captured Athens and, according to their Muslim beliefs, did not allow images of humans, did not destroy these statues, however. They limited themselves to cutting off the girls’ faces.

At the top of the flagpole, located at the highest point of the hill, stands the Greek national flag. During the 2nd World War, when the Germans captured Greece and Athens, Konstantinos Koukidis, the Evzone guarding the flag, was ordered to take it down. Konstantinos obeyed, took off the flag, and, wrapping himself in it, threw himself down the cliff and fell to his death. And on the night of May 31, 1941, a couple of eighteen-year-old Athenians, Manolis Glezos and Apostolis Santas, made their way to the top of the Athenian Acropolis and tore down the flag with the German swastika hanging there. Nowadays, every day, at 6:30 in the morning, a special detachment of Greek soldiers raises the flag over the Acropolis of Athens, and at sunset another detachment of infantrymen climbs the hill and lowers the flag for the night.

At the foot of the Athens Acropolis stands an ancient multi-level theater, in which, every summer and autumn evening, the sounds of singing and musical instruments are heard, as at this time there are performances of classical dramas, symphony orchestras, dance programs and operas. Odeon of Herod Atticus , better known as the Herodeion, was made in the shape of a semicircle, the radius of which is 80 meters, and its capacity is so high that up to 5 thousand people can fit there.

Colonnade of Eumenes was one of the largest structures located on the southern slope of the Athenian Acropolis. Its length was 162 meters. This structure was erected by the powerful king of Pergamum - Eumenes II (198 - 160 BC). The colonnade was built from stacked stones brought from the island of Poros, as well as from Pergamon and Hymettan marble. It extends from the beautiful Theater of Dionysus, and today reaches the Odeon of Herod Atticus.

On the southern slope of the Acropolis is located the oldest known theater today - Theater of Dionysus . Legend has it that the Athenians killed Dionysus when he first arrived in Attica and treated local residents wine. Initially, the theater was wooden, but a century later, the steps for spectators to sit were replaced with stone ones, and a permanent stage was built.

For almost 60 years, excavations were carried out at the Odeon of Pericles, revealing to the world a beautiful large building with a huge amount columns of the Athens Acropolis. Work in this place was carried out by Kastriotis (1914 - 1927) and Orlandos (1928 - 1931), and the result of these excavations was the appearance of the northern part of the building and five columns, which were located on the southeast corner.

Restoring the unique values of the Athens Acropolis and interfering with the structure of their material requires the highest responsibility. This requires experience in field work, very deep knowledge of the field, knowledge of the basics of conservation and restoration, constant attention in carrying out technical work with architectural objects, and the ability to properly demonstrate one’s finds on museum grounds. Many more years will pass until all the work is completed, but it is then that the Acropolis of Athens, with all its ancient monuments, will appear before our descendants in all its Hellenic beauty.

The Acropolis has become accessible to people with physical disabilities! In accordance with the requirements of the International Olympic Acropolis Committee and the European Union, permissions of the Greek Ministry of Culture, Central Council According to archeology and the order of the minister, you can climb the hill using an elevator built above the Kanellopoulos Museum, on the northern slope. To the north of the main entrance there is a special entrance through which a person in a wheelchair and his companion can access the elevator. A special moving platform lifts you from the sidewalk to the elevator level.

The Acropolis towers over all of Athens, rising above the hill, the Parthenon, in ancient times, could be seen from any part of Attica, and even from the islands of Salamis and Aegina. The Acropolis was known as a famous cult center, and as a monument of great art, confirming the glory of Athens as the most beautiful city on the ground. The thoughtful composition of the entire ensemble, perfectly found general proportions, the finest modeling of architectural details and their unusually accurate drawing, the close relationship between architecture and sculptural decoration make the buildings of the Acropolis the highest achievement of ancient Greek architecture, and one of the most outstanding monuments of world art.

Acropolis of Athens - history

The only reliable source indicating that fortifications appeared here during the time of Mycenaean Greece (Bronze Age) is the existence of a column and several pieces of sandstone wall. There are no other arguments proving the construction of an ancient megaron (temple) on the hill, but few doubt that it existed. There are even some early artifacts indicating that humans have lived here since the early Neolithic. However, all this is of interest to archaeologists rather than tourists.

A massive wall of “cyclopean masonry” appeared on the site of the future Acropolis of Athens a little later than the megaron was erected. It is almost impossible to imagine what it was like, as well as what the fortifications looked like later, right up to the archaic era. Information about the construction of temples and walls in this area, for the most part, dates back to a time later than the 6th century BC. So, in 570-550 BC. a temple was built here in honor of the patroness of the city, the goddess Athena. Its name, Hekatompedon ("hundred-foot"), was given after its discovery during 19th-century excavations, due to its 100-foot-long wall. Around the same time, the "Original Parthenon" (Ur-Parthenon) was built, and 50 years later the so-called Old Temple of Athena, Arkhaios Neōs, appeared. Later it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt during wars, and by the 2nd century BC. definitely no longer existed.

Athens Acropolis at dawn
Athens Acropolis in the evening

Around 500 B.C. The Ur-Parthenon was dismantled to replace it with the Older Parthenon. The building was gigantic - 8,000 two-ton limestone blocks were prepared for its construction. However, after the victory at Marathon, the Athenians reconsidered the construction strategy of the Parthenon and decided to give maximum preference to marble. This stage in the existence of the majestic temple is often called Pre-Parthenon II. However, it was not possible to complete it - in 485 the budget had to be cut due to the outbreak of a conflict with Xerxes I, who had ascended the throne, and in 480 the acropolis was plundered and set on fire by Persian troops who burst into Athens.

After the threat of a second invasion from the Persians was finally eliminated, the Athenians decided to restore the destroyed temples of the Athenian Acropolis. Partially, surviving elements of destroyed buildings were used for reconstruction, but most of them were built anew. The period in which the work was carried out under the direction of the famous Pericles coincides with the Golden Age of Athens. At that time, the Propylaea was erected - a monumental gate on the west of the wall. Built over a period of five years, they are made of fine marble and are today considered the main architectural monument of the “high classic” era.

Athens Acropolis tourists
Athens Acropolis tourists

In 424 BC. Work on the construction of the temple of Nike Apteros was completed, on the Ionic frieze of which images of gods and episodes from the Greco-Persian wars that ended a quarter of a century ago were painted. Inside the temple stood a statue of a goddess holding a helmet and a pomegranate.

By 406 BC. north of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, a temple in the Ionic order, was completed. Just two years before the fall of Athens, in difficult economic conditions, this beautiful specimen was completed ancient architecture. Legend has it that it was erected on the site where Athena and Poseidon argued over who should own Attica. Unfortunately, in 1687 it was significantly destroyed by Venetian troops besieging the city. Therefore, today the Temple of Erechtheus, with its interesting asymmetrical layout, is just ruins.

Parthenon

Of course, the Parthenon deserves special attention, the history of which can be discussed as much as the fate of the entire Acropolis of Athens. Now we can only observe the ruins of a building built in 447 - 438. It was decorated by the greatest sculptor of his time, Phidias. He also owned the destroyed sculptures Athena Parthenos and Athena Promachos (the latter was so high that it served as a beacon). Only 30 of the many statues created by Phidias in the acropolis have survived to this day. Only 11 of them can be seen in Athens.

The Parthenon was significantly destroyed during the capture of Athens by barbarians in 267. After reconstruction, it was not possible to restore all the charm of the ancient structure. Destroyed colonnades, cracked marble - all this was replaced, but with significant simplification.

Athens Acropolis - Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Athens Acropolis Parthenon

In the 4th - 5th centuries AD. Athens has become ordinary provincial town Roman Empire. By that time, the temples had been robbed, the statues were taken out or destroyed, and the Parthenon under Paul III was rebuilt into the Church of Hagia Sophia.

During the conquest of the country by the Ottoman Empire main temple turned into a mosque, and a harem was placed in the Erechtheion. The Parthenon, which became a gunpowder warehouse for the Turks in the 17th century, had to endure its most terrible test during the siege of Athens by the Venetian army. When shelling the acropolis, one of the shells caused the detonation of ammunition stored in it, which instantly turned part of the once majestic religious building into ruins.

Even after Greece regained its independence in the 19th century, the reconstruction of the acropolis did not stop - within a few years, Roman statues, an Ottoman minaret, a palazzo, and a Frankish tower were destroyed.

Acropolis of Athens - today

Today the Acropolis of Athens is included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO. Active restoration work is being carried out on the territory of the historical “cradle” of Athens; every effort is being made to restore the original appearance of the surviving structures. Passed through centuries, the Acropolis of Athens, rising on a 156-meter hill in the middle of Athens, is a symbol of ancient Greek and world civilization.

Acropolis of Athens opening hours and cost of visiting:

Opening hours:
Summer (from April 1 to October 31)
Monday: 8:00 to 16:00
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 - 20:00
Friday: 8:00 - 22:00
Saturday/Sunday: 8:00 - 20:00

Winter (November 1 - March 31)
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 - 17:00
Friday: 9:00 - 22:00
Saturday / Sunday: 9:00 - 20:00

Access ends 30 minutes before closing.

Price:
Adults - 5.00 €
Teenagers 5 - 18 years old - 3.00 €
Children under 5 years old - free
Free for everyone: March 6, March 25, May 18 (International Museum Day), October 28.

Greek Ακρόπολη Αθηνών
eng. The Acropolis of Athens

general information

Among all the attractions of Greece, the Acropolis occupies a special place. The Acropolis of Athens stands out from all the architectural monuments of the ancient Greeks.

Each Greek polis had its own Acropolis, but none of them can be compared with the splendor and monumentality of the Athenian one. The architectural ensemble was erected on a gentle hilltop in honor of the patroness ancient city goddess of war, wisdom and justice - Athena. The Acropolis in Athens was significant place for the ancient Greeks for a long time. Story ancient sanctuary closely intertwined with the well-known Greek mythology.

The Acropolis was built during the heyday of Athens under Pericles in the fifth century BC. This monument of ancient Greek architecture reflected the power, wealth and majesty of Athens at that time.

The Acropolis of Athens blends harmoniously into the surrounding area. It combines the features of ancient Greek classical architecture with architectural elements that were innovative for that time.

Erechtheion Temple

In the VII-VI centuries. BC. Large-scale work began on the construction of the first temples. During the reign of Peisistratus, the temple of Hekatompedon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, was erected. At this time, two large temples were built - the “Old Temple” and “Hekatompedos”, as well as the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia, for which many donations were made in the form of bronze and terracotta figurines with inscriptions praising the ancient goddess.

Parthenon Temple

In 490 BC. The ancient Greeks began building the monumental and majestic temple of the Pre-Parthenon. However, the construction was never completed. During the war with the Persians in 480 BC. the temples of the Acropolis were destroyed. Residents of the ancient city buried the surviving objects that decorated the temples in the cavities of the rock. And the Acropolis itself acquired two new defensive walls. The ruins of the temples on the northern part of the Acropolis hill can still be seen in one of the walls in which they were included.

Temple of Roma and Augustus

In its heyday cultural life ancient Athens in the middle of the 5th century. BC. under the leadership of the outstanding Greek statesman Pericles, the grandiose construction of the Parthenon began. Not only Greeks, but also foreigners were involved in the work. At this time, the most famous buildings of the Acropolis were created - the Parthenon itself, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Nike Apteros. Outstanding architects and builders worked on the construction of these truly amazing buildings. ancient Greece– Callicrates, Ictinus, Mnesicles, Archilochus and many others. The decoration of the temples was created by the hands of famous artists and sculptors of that era.

The temples of the Acropolis, located on the northern side of the hill, were erected in honor of various Olympian gods. And on the southern part of the Acropolis, temples were built that praised the numerous qualities of the patron goddess of the city: like Polyas (patron of the city), Parthenos, Pallas, Promash (goddess of war), Ergan (goddess of manual labor) and Nike (Victory).

In 27 BC. The architectural ensemble of the Acropolis complemented the small Temple of Augustus and Roma. In the 3rd century. BC. A defensive wall with two gates was erected around the Acropolis, which remain intact today.

View of the Acropolis

After the establishment of Christianity, particularly in the sixth century AD, the Acropolis temples were converted into Christian churches.

Despite the barbaric attitude of people and the mercilessness of time, the temples of the Acropolis have not lost their grandeur and proudly tower over Athens today.

Ticket prices and excursion services

The Acropolis of Athens is open from Monday to Sunday from 08:00 to 20:00. Due to extreme heat (over 39°), museum opening hours may change.

Last visitors can enter the museum 30 minutes before closing.

The museum is closed on holidays:
January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, December 25 and 26.

Entrance to the museum is paid.

The ticket price is - 20€
For parents and teachers accompanying children primary school, the museum provides benefits - 10€

The ticket price includes a visit to the excavations of the Acropolis, as well as its two slopes: the Southern slope of the Acropolis and the Northern slope of the Acropolis

The museum does not offer guided tours in Russian, but when purchasing a ticket you can ask for a brochure in Russian. To get acquainted with the objects of the Acropolis, we recommend setting aside 1.5 hours of time, and it is best to come to the opening, so you will have the opportunity to take pictures against the backdrop of the sights, and not large cluster of people. Be sure to stock up on drinking water, but if you didn’t bring water with you, there are drinking fountains on the museum grounds. There are many cafes near the entrance to the Acropolis, but the prices there are significantly high - lemonade from 4.5 €

There is also a single ticket ( special ticket package), valid for 5 days for visiting 11 museums: Acropolis of Athens, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Aristotle's Lyceum, Hadrian's Library, Archaeological Museum of Ceramics, Athens Agora, Ceramics, Archaeological Museum of Athens Agora, North Slope of the Acropolis, Roman Agora, South Slope of the Acropolis.

The cost of a single ticket is 30€ , or 15€ (if you are a parent or teacher accompanying a student)

Acropolis is the name of a hill and a prominent architectural ensemble, located on it. In Greek, the spelling of "Acropolis" is "Ακρόπολη". This word is usually translated as "upper city", "fortified city" or simply "fortress". At first the mountain was used as a refuge. Subsequently, there was a royal palace here and even, if you believe the myths, the residence of Theseus, the winner Cretan monster Minotaur.

Since the first temple of Athena appeared on the mountain, it began to be considered sacred. Around this narrow rock with three sheer walls has grown the city of Athens, whose heart and soul are located on the Holy Acropolis. From the top of the mountain the capital of Greece is clearly visible. Just like from the city, the buildings of the Acropolis are clearly visible from everywhere, next to which tall buildings are prohibited.

In 1987, the Acropolis of Athens was included in the UNESCO list as a World Heritage Site. This organization uses the image of the Parthenon as its emblem.

Even those who have never seen it in person will recognize the image of the Athenian Acropolis. The greatest achievement of the ancient Greeks deservedly became business card Greece. There were settlements on the high, rocky, flat-topped hill as early as 4000 BC. The architectural and historical ensemble of the Acropolis, the ruins of which we see now, was created mainly in the 5th century BC. under the commander and great Greek statesman Pericles. It included:

The Parthenon is the main temple. Built in honor of the patroness of the polis, goddess Athena.
Propylaea - main entrance to the Acropolis
wide marble staircase
Pinakothek - located to the left of the Propylaea
12-meter statue of Athena the Warrior, created by the sculptor Phidias from ivory and gold
Nikou-Apteros is the temple of the wingless Athena the Victorious with an altar in front of it. The altar was dismantled by the Turks at the end of the 18th century, but in 1935 - 1936 it was recreated
The Erechtheion is a temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. On one of its porticos, instead of columns, the famous caryatids are installed.
sanctuary of Zeus Polyaeus and others.

Location of buildings on the Acropolis

The facade of the Propylaea, the wide marble staircase leading to it and the adjacent buildings

In the 2nd century AD e. Herodes Atticus built the grandiose Odion Theater at the foot of the Acropolis.

The main architects of the Acropolis are Ictinus and Callicrates, who built the Parthenon, and Mnesicles, the creator of the Propylaea. The sculptor Phidias was involved in finishing and supervising the construction together with Pericles.

L. Alma-Tadema (1836–1912). Phidias shows his friends, including Pericles and his lover Aspasia, the Parthenon Frieze, 1868.

The Parthenon is translated as “room for maidens.” According to one of the assumptions, in it selected girls wove light fabric for peplos - sleeveless women's clothing with many folds. A special peplos, embroidered with a pattern, was presented to the goddess Athena during the Panathenaia - solemn ceremonies in her honor.

Athena Parthenos

Destruction of the Acropolis

The centuries-old Acropolis has undergone repeated conquests by other peoples and the influence of other cultures. This reflected on his appearance most often not in the best way. The Parthenon had to visit a Catholic temple and Muslim mosque. It was also a Turkish gunpowder warehouse, which played a tragic role in its fate.

During the Turkish-Venice War, the Turks, hoping that a Christian would not fire at a structure that had been there for several centuries Christian temple, placed weapons reserves in the Parthenon and hid children and women. However, on September 26, 1687, the commander of the Venetian army ordered cannons to be fired at the Acropolis. The explosion thoroughly destroyed the central part of the monument.

Engraving depicting the explosion of the Parthenon

James Skene.The destroyed Parthenon with the remains of the cathedral-mosque, 1838

The Acropolis suffered seriously due to vandalism and unceremonious looting. So, during the years 1801-1811, the British ambassador to Ottoman Empire Lord Thomas Elgin took a significant part of the ancient Greek statues and frieze from the Parthenon to England, and then sold it to the British Museum.

Restoration of the Acropolis

Since 1834, research and restoration work has been carried out on the territory of the Acropolis. They have been produced especially actively since the end of the 20th century. A new, modern, spacious museum has been built in Athens. Its halls display archaeological finds discovered in the Acropolis. Among them are fragments of the Parthenon frieze, sculptures, figures of caryatids, statues of kors, kouros and Moschophorus (Taurus Bearer).

New Acropolis Museum in Athens

Moschophorus (Taurus Bearer) and the “boy Critias”, discovered during excavations of the Athenian Acropolis. Around 1865

It is impossible to completely restore the monument, but with the help of modern digital technologies you can see its greatness using 3D reconstruction. During its heyday, the Acropolis' structures, from buildings to statues, were decorated with colorful decorations. You can immerse yourself in the new and at the same time old colorful reality of Ancient Greece “ Interactive tour along the Athenian Acropolis", which is open to the public from March 24, 2018 in "Θόλος".

Illustrations

Reconstruction options in color

Target educational tourism in Greece - to see and capture in memory and in photographs as many sights 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. total area- 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 the fact that he depicted 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 higher level sulfur in the air, 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's 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 hiking, from the city center you can walk 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 remains seen later ancient civilization. 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’s better to walk around the site in a group excursion group with a Russian-speaking guide, independent travel will not bring so much pleasure - you will simply contemplate 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
Propylaea - the official entrance to the "museum under open air", which is a marble gate through which visitors enter the territory. The modern structure was erected on top of a previously existing one, it was designed in 437 BC by the famous architect Mnesicles and the construction was completely completed in 5 years.
The external and internal facades are Doric porticoes consisting of six columns, and the outer part of the gate is a complex architectural composition and greater depth than internal. 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 outside gate, you can see the small temple of Nike Apteros, which spreads its possessions 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 " upper city", erected in 447-438 BC. Over the course of 9 years, the shrine was rebuilt according to the design of Callicrates; 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, work on its reconstruction is still ongoing. 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. 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 official version- lost), several smaller copies of the goddess have been preserved in the Museum.
Unlike other buildings, Greek architects tried not only to build beautiful building, but also took into account the characteristics 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. East End 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 one had three separate entrances, three altars were located here in worship of the gods Poseidon, Hephaestus (god of fire and blacksmithing) and the first priest of Athena Butu, the king’s brother Erechthea.
Login western part 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
A small temple was located east of the Parthenon round shape, 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 it is located highest point hill above sea level. 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.
Chalkoteca
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. Nowadays, several large building blocks and a large basin made of stone remain from the Chalcotheca.
Theater of Dionysus - the first " Entertainment Center"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 theatrical performances of Euripides and Sophocles, and a tandem of poetry and tragedy was born here. Stone structure the open-air venue 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 the beginning 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, expecting lightning - natural phenomenon, considered a sign of the arrival of the main deity of Olympus on the hill of Armagh. 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. The team of scientists does not stop developing further actions to protect the area’s ecosystem, so that for a long time this amazing corner will greet tourists not only with historical ruins, but also natural resources, which did not have time to destroy 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 foreign tourists It is difficult to understand all the greatness of the holy land; there have been and will be attempts to take with you 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.

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