Athens acropolis description. The history of the Athenian acropolis and a description of its attractions
athenian acropolis- the main attraction of the Greek capital. As befits a fortress guarding the city, he survived a lot of trials. And the rich history of this place today attracts thousands of tourists every day.
The Athenian acropolis is usually called the fortified part of the city, built on a hill (hence the name of this part of the ancient settlements - the upper city). The exact time of the construction of the Athenian fortress is unknown, but legends connect its appearance with the time of the mythical founder and first king of Attica, Kekrops. And this is not surprising, because according to archaeological excavations and documents that have survived to this day, it can be argued that buildings on top of a flat hill near modern Athens existed even before the beginning of the era of Archaic Greece.
Athens Acropolis 
Athens Acropolis Parthenon
Acropolis of Athens - history
The only reliable source indicating that fortifications appeared here during 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 was. There are even some early artifacts indicating that man has lived here since the early Neolithic. However, all this is of more interest to archaeologists than tourists.
A massive wall of "cyclopean masonry" appeared on the site of the future Athenian acropolis a little later than the megaron was erected. What it was like, as well as how the fortifications looked later, up to the archaic era, is almost impossible to imagine. Information about the construction of temples and walls in this area, for the most part, dates back to 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 ("one hundred feet"), was given after being discovered during excavations in the 19th century, due to the wall's length of 100 feet. 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 the wars, and by the 2nd century BC. no longer existed.
Athens Acropolis at sunrise 
Athens Acropolis at night
Around 500 B.C. Ur-Parthenon was dismantled in order to erect the Ancient Parthenon (Older Parthenon) in its place. The building was gigantic - 8,000 two-ton limestone blocks were prepared for its construction. However, after the victory at Marathon, the Athenians revised 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 referred to as 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 looted and set on fire by the Persian troops who broke 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. In part, the remaining elements of the destroyed buildings were used for the reconstruction, but most of them were built anew. The period in which work was carried out under the direction of the famous Pericles coincides with the Golden Age of Athens. At that time, the Propylaea were erected - a monumental gate in the west of the wall. Built over five years, they are made of fine marble and today are 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 ended a quarter of a century ago were applied. Inside the temple stood a statue of a goddess holding a helmet and a grenade in her hands.
By 406 B.C. 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 piece was completed. ancient architecture. Legend has it that it was erected on the site where Athena and Poseidon argued over who should have Attica. Unfortunately, in 1687 it was significantly destroyed by the Venetian troops besieging the city. Therefore, today the temple of Erechtheus, with its interesting asymmetric layout, is only ruins.
Parthenon
Of course, the Parthenon deserves special attention, the history of which can be talked about as much as the fate of the entire Athenian Acropolis. Now we can observe only 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 of Athena Parthenos and Athena Promachos (the latter was so tall that it served as a lighthouse). Only 30 of the many statues created by Phidias in the acropolis have survived to our time. In Athens you can see only 11 of them.
The Parthenon was significantly destroyed during the capture of Athens by the barbarians in 267. After the reconstruction, it was not possible to restore all the charm of the ancient structure. Ruined colonnades, cracked marble - all this has been replaced, but with a significant simplification.
Athens Acropolis - Odeon of Herodes Atticus 
Athens Acropolis Parthenon
In the IV - V centuries AD. Athens turned into an ordinary provincial city of the Roman Empire. By that time, the temples had been robbed, the statues removed 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, the main temple was turned into a mosque, and a harem was placed in the Erechtheion. The most terrible test of the Parthenon, which became a powder warehouse for the Turks in the 17th century, had to endure during the siege of Athens by the Venetian army. During the shelling of the acropolis, one of the shells caused the detonation of the ammunition stored in it, which instantly turned part of the once majestic religious structure into ruins.
Even after Greece regained its independence in the 19th century, the reconstruction in 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 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the territory of the historical "cradle" of Athens, active restoration work is underway, maximum efforts are being made to restore the original appearance of the surviving buildings. Passed through the centuries, the Athenian Acropolis, towering on a 156-meter hill in the middle of Athens, is a symbol of ancient Greek and world civilization.
Athens Acropolis opening hours and cost of visiting:
Opening hours:
Summer (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 of charge
Free for all: March 6, March 25, May 18 (International Museum Day), October 28.
The strongest impression is made by the Acropolis. Full immersion into the depths of millennia is possible only here, and even in the arena of the Olympic Stadium. Its deep horseshoe-shaped bowl, built in the 4th century BC in the gorge of a wooded hill, can accommodate 70,000 spectators. The stadium was completely restored when the Olympic Games were revived in 1896. From the echoing arena, only the steep slopes of the marble stands are visible, and in the gap between them - the old city park. At the Athens stadium, there is an amazing feeling of space, a desire to move, which happens at the bottom of a crater or on the ice of a lake that has sunk into the lowland.
Acropolis, translated as "upper city", is a fortified place of temple structures. In mountainous Hellas they were erected on high hills. The modern look of the Athenian Acropolis was formed 23 centuries ago. Construction was carried out after the devastating war with the Persians and was inspired by Pericles. An outstanding orator, remaining a simple citizen of Athens, ruled the republic for 30 years. On the entrance ticket to the Acropolis, there is a portrait of Pericles and Plutarch's words about him: "He made the city the greatest ... rose above the power of kings and tyrants ... but did not change his position even for a drachma."
Having liberated their homeland and made Athens the capital in 1833, the Greeks began to build up the city to the north and east of the Acropolis, behind the steep slopes of the hill, and the western approaches became a reserved place. Traces of the conquerors were destroyed, and only from books can one learn that the French knights erected a high castle at the entrance to the Acropolis, and the Turks built bastions and turned the temple of Athena into a mosque. Now there are only thousand-year-old walls and pristine groves.
Location
The uniqueness of the Acropolis cannot be felt in isolation from the surrounding area. The hill on which the Acropolis stands is like a miracle in itself. The flat top is everywhere, except for the western slope, surrounded by cliffs up to 80 meters high. They are made of bluish granite with red patches. To the west, a granite ledge turns into a softly contoured slope covered with groves of olive trees, pines and cypresses. It descends into the valley and adjoins the wooded slopes of the opposite hill.
The Hellenes believed that the places for their temples (and they were considered the houses of the gods) were chosen by the gods themselves. Sacred was not only the temple, but no less so was the hill on which it stood. The architects sought to comprehend the "divine" choice of the location of the temple, so that by its construction it would give a harmonious completeness to the area. The walls of the Acropolis merge with the slopes of the rock into a single whole. Due to this, the steepness of the slopes increases, and the walls seem very high. In fact, they almost do not protrude above the top of the hill. In the architecture of the walls - the repetition of rock forms: uneven ledges, shifted planes, edges of vertical folds. The even upper cut of the wall without towers emphasizes the unexpected flatness of the top. On it stands the temple of Athena, from a distance similar to a lamp, with white sheaves of columns and a light overlap on top.
Acropolis on the map of Athens
Athenian Acropolis today
... One has only to climb the Acropolis, the illusion of meeting with ancient Hellas. At the top - crowds of tourists, clicking cameras, restoration work. It is better to wander through the deserted groves on the slope of the Acropolis, climb the opposite hill Philopalpus. Once densely built up, it has preserved only the ruins of a monument on its summit, a chapel covered with leaves and the remains of a cave - the alleged place of imprisonment and death of Socrates. There is not a soul on the quiet rocky paths. An empty chapel the height of a man, next to it is a bench and an autumn plane tree burning with gold. From the bench, the Acropolis is visible at a glance. Here it is, the ancient source of our culture. Its walls saw people whose names make the heart beat harder: Socrates, Aristotle, Alexander the Great... Somewhere on these slopes, Socrates wrote the very first and, probably, the most important phrase in the book of science: "Truth is born in a dispute." This argument, carried out according to the rules of logic, was called analysis.
Aristotle was accused of insulting the gods and expelled from Athens immediately after the death of his powerful student Alexander the Great. God in Aristotle is devoid of any resemblance to the gods of Olympus: he is only an abstract beginning of world movement. The Acropolis captures a completely different understanding of the world.
Parthenon - the main building of the Acropolis
The main building of the Acropolis is, that is, the temple of the Virgin. Dedicated at first to the unwanted, but later beloved daughter of Zeus, Athena. Scenes of her birth from the head of Zeus were depicted on the high reliefs of the temple. She is widely known as the patroness of cities. Athena planted an olive that now covers the slopes of the Acropolis, gave government advice, was in charge of fortress walls, political alliances and wars, medicine, sciences and crafts, was proud of the art of weaving yarn, but one day, unable to defeat the mortal woman Arachne in a weaving contest, she tore her fabric , beat her rival with a shuttle and, having disgraced her so, turned her into a spider.
The beauty and prestige of Athens more than once served as their protection. When Alexander the Great had to storm the city, he did not dare to raise his sword against him, even if the Athenians refused to fulfill it. minimum requirements. In the already defeated Hellas, Athens remained in a privileged position, and the Romans even continued to decorate the city. For example, they completed the construction of a huge temple of Zeus, the remains of which have survived to this day. Athens remained the spiritual center until the 6th century AD, when the Greek (Byzantine) emperor Justinian banned the teaching of philosophy and rhetoric, and the Parthenon was turned into a temple of the Virgin Mary.
Athenian Acropolis in the photo
The Parthenon of Athens is one of the main attractions of Greece. The Acropolis in Athens is the visiting card of Greece, tourists from all over the world come here. In terms of the number of ticket sales and attendance, it is not inferior to the Colosseum in Rome.
Despite past wars and natural disasters, it has stood for two thousand years (and will stand for the same amount) and still amazes the imagination with its majesty and perfection of forms.
Similar structures were built not only in, but also on the territory of Asia Minor (), in and Ancient Rome. The Acropolis is the elevated part of the city (built on a hill). It served as a refuge for the nobility in case of war. Palaces, government buildings, temples of patron deities were built on its territory. Despite the endured cataclysms, the Athenian Acropolis has been preserved better than any of the existing ones. To this day, active work is underway to restore it.
Story
Even in the archaic times, the first temples were laid. In VII-VI BC. active development of the hill began. It served as a royal residence. In 447 BC the rebuilding of the complex began by the famous sculptor of that time, Phidias. The complex received the architectural appearance that is known to us now. Gradually, the greatest cultural monument fell into disrepair, Athens turned into a provincial city of the Roman Empire.
A panoramic walk along the street near the Acropolis is many times more interesting than the ruins themselves (:
In the Byzantine period, the temple of the goddess Athena, the patroness of the city (Parthenon) became a Christian church. With the advent of the Turks in the 15th century, the entire temple complex was turned into a mosque, and then into an ammunition depot and an arsenal. In the XIX century, Greece became an independent country, from that moment the ancient appearance of the Acropolis began to be actively restored. The buildings built on the territory in the Middle Ages and New Time were liquidated.
All the sculptures that are located on the territory of the Acropolis in Athens have been replaced by copies, the originals are kept, and the Acropolis Museum.
What does the Acropolis look like?
Unfortunately, at the moment it is ruins.. Yes, large-scale work is underway to restore its individual facilities, but the completion of the work is very far away.
The height of the hill on which the monument is built is 300 meters. Climbing on it, you will have a beautiful view of Athens. The Acropolis consists of 21 elements, which are interconnected in one architectural ensemble.
Temple of the Parthenon in Athens
The Parthenon, the key temple of the Acropolis, is the best preserved. Created from white marble, it turned yellow over time. It is considered the oldest building in the world, because its age is two thousand years! Its history is the history and culture of all Greece.
Until recently, the Theater of Dionysus staged ancient Greek comedies and tragedies, but now it is partially closed for reconstruction (due to be completed in 2015).
The architecture of the Erechtheion temple has an unusual asymmetrical layout, and a lot of relics were found in it, which are stored in museums around the world.
Photo
Useful information
Arrive at opening time or a few hours before closing time to skip the long ticket queue and walk around the complex without the heat. Stock up on water, you will have to climb a 300-meter hill. On the rise you will find a rather steep staircase, be careful.
The entrance ticket costs 12 euros, it can be purchased on the spot. Discounts for students and pensioners. The line is long, but it moves very fast. The ticket is valid for four days. If you don’t have enough energy to see everything at once, you can always return. AT winter time on Sundays admission is free.
Opening hours: from 8:00 to 20:00 hours, closed on Monday.
The fastest way to get there is by metro. Get to the Acropoli station, from there follow the signs that are at every step.
Acropolis on the map
Acropolis of Athens, Athens 105 58, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens is the oldest architectural monument in Greece, which is a unique object of ancient culture, a world heritage that has preserved its majesty and organic component.
The Greek word "Acropolis" consists of two particles: "acro" and "polis", which translates as "upper city". In other sources, one can find somewhat different, however, interpretations similar in meaning - “fortified city”, “fortress”.
The Acropolis of Athens is often referred to as the heart of Athens, the main tourist attraction in Greece is visited by millions of tourists every year from all over the world. In different historical periods, the territory of the fortification was repeatedly destroyed, the erected structures turned into ruins, suffered from ruthless robberies. The Acropolis of Athens served as a kind of fortress, the impregnability of which seemed to be taken care of by nature itself. The "Upper City" is located on a natural limestone hill with a flat top, its height is 156 m. The elevated platform has steep, steep slopes, so it remained impregnable for enemy troops. The Athenian acropolis did not need additional protection, the ascent to the plain was open only from the western side, in the direction where the coast was washed by the sea. Densely growing olive trees served as an additional defense.
In 1987, the Acropolis of Athens was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Using the surviving ruins of the Acropolis, scientists are bit by bit restoring entire historical periods of the Greek state, its cultural features, in particular, the formation of its capital. The founding of the first settlements dates back to such ancient times, which many consider mythical.
First settlements
The initial mention of the unique fortress dates back long before the onset of the classical period. During the archaic period, majestic temples, necessary religious objects, and sculptures were erected. During excavations, cultural samples were found corresponding to the era of the early and middle Bronze Age.
According to legend, the founder of the Acropolis is considered the first king of Athens - Kekrops, in his honor the elevated territory of the fortifications was often called "Kekropia" or "Kekrops" (cecropia). In the Mycenaean period, the walls of the residence of the ruler were lined with large stones. According to one version, the “Cyclops” did it, which is why the walls were called “Cyclopean”.
The era of the Middle Ages and the Archaic period
In the 7th century BC. in the Acropolis, the cult of the goddess Athena, who became the patroness of the city, became widespread. The area was occupied by the rulers - Eupatrides. Active construction unfolded closer to the VI century BC. during the reign of Peisistratus. The Propylaea were built, near which people's meetings later took place. The Council of Elders met in the area of the Areopagus Hill. The first temple built in honor of the goddess Athena, like other divine structures, did not last long, they were destroyed during the Greco-Persian wars.
Construction under the direction of Pericles
Around 495-429 BC. power in Athens belonged to Pericles, the excellent strategist and leader of the democratic party sought to turn the city into the political and cultural center of all Greece, further plans were to spread the democratic system to the rest Greek policies. During the economic and cultural heyday, between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars, great masterpieces were created, which are examples of art for many European countries. This period was called the Classical, from the word "classicos" - a sample. The famous sculptor Phidias became the head and author of the artistic development program.
The work was carried out according to a previously planned plan:
- Parthenon - the main temple of Athena Parthenos (447-438 BC);
- Propylaea - the solemn gate, the main entrance (437-432 BC);
– Temple of Nike Apteros (449-420 BC);
- Erechtheion Temple (421-406 BC);
- Statue of Athena Promachos.
The monuments of the Acropolis of Athens have survived various natural disasters for 20 centuries: fires, floods, earthquakes, numerous wars and enemy invasions.
Hellenistic and Roman period
During the Hellenistic and Roman periods, many of the existing buildings were repaired, mostly age damage and damage from military shelling.
During this period, several monuments glorifying the honor of foreign kings were erected. A little later, the construction of the Temple of Rome and Augustus began, the building was located near the Parthenon and had a round shape. The building was the last ancient object created on top of the hill and has cultural significance.
In the 3rd century there was a threat of a new invasion, so work was resumed to strengthen the walls and the main gate. The Acropolis was again used as a fortress.
Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman periods
In later periods, frequent changes took place on the territory of the Athenian Acropolis. During the Byzantine era, the main temple of the Parthenon was transformed into the Church of the Virgin Mary. During the Latin period, the government used elevated fortifications as administrative center cities. The Parthenon served as a cathedral; the Ducal Palace was located on the territory of the Propylaea.
After the Ottoman conquest of Greece, the Parthenon was used as a garrison of the headquarters of the Turkish army, the Erechtheion temple was turned into a harem of the Turkish ruler. In 1687, the buildings of the Acropolis were everywhere damaged by fires and shelling during the Venetian-Turkish war. The main temple, on the territory of which there was a powder warehouse, received the most serious damage. One of the shells hit the Parthenon, only ruins remained from the building.
In 1821, the Greeks, fighting for independence with the Ottoman Empire, laid siege to the Acropolis of Athens in one of the battles. When the Turkish military began to run out of ammunition, they decided to open the columns of the Parthenon to get lead fortifications, then cut them into bullets. Upon learning of this news, the Greeks sent a shipment of lead to the opposite side, wanting to save the monument from destruction.
Having liberated the Athenian Acropolis, the new Greek government actively engaged in restoration work. Cultural objects were taken under control, buildings of later development were liquidated. The purpose of the reconstruction was to return the area to its original appearance.
Architectural Ensemble of the Acropolis
The main component that forms the city skyline of Athens is the Acropolis. It is not for nothing that in ancient times this territory was called a sanctuary; the famous cult center has become a unique monument of art.
Combining into a single whole, buildings and temples form a common ensemble, the composition has a characteristic proportionality. The presented architecture and numerous sculptures are the best example of the achievements of ancient Greek culture; here you can observe the finest modeling, complex architectural details and drawings.
Few people know that the construction of multi-storey buildings is prohibited in Athens. This decision is directly related to the Acropolis, which for hundreds of years has served as an indispensable guide for moving around the city. The attraction is visible from every corner and alley. People diligently cherish this tradition, because high-rise buildings can change a charming and inspiring panoramic view in a matter of months.
Proudly towering above the hill, the Parthenon is accessible for viewing even from such remote points as the islands of Salamis and Aegina. One of the first things that sailors saw when sailing to the shores was the brilliance of the spear and helmet of the statue of Athena the Warrior.
The outstanding ensemble of monuments of world art clearly demonstrates the greatness of ancient Greek culture, and at the same time, the emergence and formation of European civilization. Millennia later, the surviving remains of the buildings have not lost their historical value, but from the point of view of artistic significance, they have received the status of an “inaccessible” piece of art.
Plan of the area and characteristics of the cultural objects of the Acropolis
The compositional ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis was built on a grand scale, the historical territory has unique features. The spacious area is difficult to cover with one glance. To this day, only a small part of the historical exhibits located in the open air has been preserved in its original form.
Plan of the Athenian Acropolis
1. Parthenon
2. Hecatompedon
3. Erechtheion
4. Statue of Athena Promachos
5. Propylaea
6. Temple of Nike Apteros
7. Eleusinion
8. Bravroneion
9. Halkoteka
10. Pandroseyon
11. Arrephorion
12. Athenian altar
13. Sanctuary of Zeus Polyeas
14. Sanctuary of Pandion
15. Odeon of Herodes Atticus
16. Stoa of Eumenes
17. Asklepion
18. Theater of Dionysus
19. Odeon of Pericles
20. Temenos of Dionysus
21. Sanctuary of Aglaura
In the days of the ancient Greeks, it was possible to climb the Acropolis of Athens along a single narrow road. Based on defensive purposes, the entrance was made from the western side. The solemn gate of the Propylaea was built on the passage, the construction plan belonged to the architect Mnesicles. The gates were made of marble, ennobled with a wide staircase, two porticos, which alternately rushed towards the hill or the city. On the ceiling of the Propylaea, golden stars and a blue sky were applied. Initially, an 80-meter path served as an ascent to the top, the steps were made in the 1st century by the Romans during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Closer to the elevation of the slope was a transverse wall, in which the builders prudently made five entrances. The central passage was intended for solemn processions, the rest of the time it was closed with a bronze door. The gates were the original boundaries of the sanctuary.
The Propylaea is followed by the Temple of the Wingless Nike, the walls of a small marble structure have four columns. The construction of the building was planned to begin in 450, but it was only in 427 that it was possible to actually begin construction, on construction works took about 6 years. The architect Kallikrates decorated the temple with an elegant frieze sculptural ribbon depicting episodes of the battle of the Greeks with the Persians, images of the Olympian gods. Inside the temple was placed a wooden statue of the goddess of victory. The ancient Greeks portrayed Nike in an unusual way, the girl was without traditional wings, so that victory could not “fly away” from them. In her hands, the statue held a helmet and a pomegranate fruit, which symbolized the victorious world.
The greatest monument of art, the main element of the Acropolis ensemble is the temple of the goddess Athena, which is better known as the Parthenon. The length of the structure is about 70 m, the width is a little more than 30 m, columns 10 m high are placed along the perimeter.
Inside the temple was located the famous sculpture of Athena-Virgo, its creator was the chief architect of the Acropolis - Phidias. The figure of Athena was 12 meters. The statue stood on a small pedestal, in its right hand there was an image of the goddess of victory Nike, and in the left - a spear. The victorious spirit and majesty of the sculpture were given by additional elements, namely a shield, a helmet, an aegis, a luxurious attire, a symbolic mask of the Gorgon Medusa. The face and hands of the goddess were made of Ivory, weapons and elements of clothing are cast in gold, the natural brilliance of the eyes was achieved with the help of precious stones.
Another outstanding architectural monument of the era ancient greece is the Temple of Erechtein, its author remains unknown to this day. The building is located near the Parthenon. The origin of the temple is connected with an interesting legend, which is deeply intertwined with the history of the city's name. The ancient shrine is dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, the famous king of Athens - Erechtheus. The first two fought for the right to patronize the city, then the Gods of Olympus offered everyone to make a gift for the inhabitants and a large Greek policy. 
Under the terms, the patron was the one whose gift would be recognized as the best. Poseidon washed the shores of the city sea water, and the goddess Athena gave an olive tree. The last gift was recognized as more valuable, in honor of the new patroness the policy was named Athens.
The Erechtein temple performed a kind of storage function, the most valuable items were collected here: a wooden statue of a warrior goddess, a sacred peplos, the altars of Ifest and Erechtheus. In this place, the main religious rites were performed. The building united several sanctuaries, but its size was small. The uniqueness of the temple lies in the fact that during construction, the western part of the building was deliberately made 3 meters lower than the eastern side. This technique was undertaken to hide the unevenness of the earth's surface.
The Acropolis complex, in addition to the main historical sites mentioned above, includes the following buildings:
- Bule Gate. Spare entrance to the Acropolis of Athens, which was made in the walls after the battles with the Heruli in 267. The excavations of this area in 1825 were carried out by the French architect Ernest Bule, and the secret gates were named after him.
- Sanctuary of Aphrodite Pandemos. The temple of Aphrodite was located on the right side of the Bule gate. AT modern times only ruins and an architrave remained from the building, which is honorably decorated with garlands and doves. 
- Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia. The building is located on the east side, near the ruins of the Mycenaean walls. Pisistratus is considered to be the creator; the cult of Artemis was spread in his homeland. The temple is made in the form of a Dorian colonnade, which adjoined two "P" shaped wings. Two statues of Artemis were placed in the side colonnades, one of them was created by the great sculptor Praxiteles, and the second was made of wood, the author remained unknown.
— Halkoteka. Directly behind the temple of Artemis was a building designed to store items necessary for religious rites and the worship of the goddess Athena. Halkoteka was supposedly built in the middle of the 5th century BC, the building was reconstructed in the Roman period.
— Temple of Augustus. In 27 B.C. on the east side of the Parthenon, a small round temple with 9 Ionic columns was erected. At the foot of the building there was an inscription: "The temple is dedicated to Roma and Augustus from the grateful Athenians."
— Sanctuary of Zeus Polyeas. In a small temple named after Zeus, a ritual of Dipolia was performed, today rubble of stones remained from the construction. The territory of the building consisted of a rectangular fence, which separated a small temple and a hall of gifts.
- Theater of Dionysus. A fairly large area on the south side is occupied by the most ancient theater, created in honor of the god of winemaking. One of the legends says that the inhabitants of Athens took the life of Dionysus, as they mistakenly believed that he wanted to poison them with wine. On this day, it was decided to celebrate the feast of Dionysus, in honor of the murdered god. Mass festivities led to the creation of the first theater. It was here that the theatrical performances of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and others were first shown.
Having passed through entire epochs, the modern Athenian Acropolis has not lost its former grandeur. The significant building captivates tourists with its scale, here each stone keeps centuries-old secrets, saturated with historical events.
A modern project for the restoration of the Athenian Acropolis.
The restoration of the ancient appearance and large-scale restoration work on the territory of the Acropolis of Athens began only at the end of the 19th century, but in general, attempts at the first reconstructions could be called fruitless. In the 70s of the XX century, the immediate intervention of architects and builders was required to preserve the centuries-old heritage. During this period, it was decided to transfer most of the sculptures and bas-reliefs to the territory of museums, one of the main reasons for this was the growing level of pollution environment.
During the "rescue" work, new, unforeseen problems arose, the foundations of many buildings were unstable. A large number of unique architectural details were among the debris that remained from past fires, explosions, earthquakes and other cataclysms. The surviving cultural samples needed careful treatment, the creation of chamber conditions, and conservation.
The modern view of the Acropolis is only remotely similar to the small city that existed in the "golden" times. Many cultural exhibits can no longer be restored, they were irretrievably destroyed. For example: In the XIII century, a delightful statue of Athena the warrior was taken to Constantinople, a little later it was burned and destroyed. For other structures, restoration work is so extensive that after completion the building loses its former exclusivity and uniqueness, in particular, this concerns the Temple of the Wingless Nike.
The inhabitants of Greece are outraged by the reluctance of the British Museum to return the marble statues of the Parthenon, which were taken out at the beginning of the 19th century by Lord Elgin to England. The British Museum paid Lord £35,000 for the exhibits.
Major works were devoted to the problem of the destruction of marble. Over time, connecting iron structures began to provide Negative influence on the a natural stone, the process was accelerated by active emissions of exhaust gases into the atmosphere. Marble gradually began to turn into limestone. To fix the problem, it was necessary to completely remove the iron structures and replace them with brass ones. In some cases, it was impossible to stop the chemical destruction, some of these exhibits were sent to the museum, and authentic copies were installed in their place.
Today in the Athenian Acropolis, in parallel with technical work scientific and archaeological research is being carried out. The goal of the work of scientists is to ensure maximum compliance of the ongoing work with the strict international requirements that apply to the reconstruction of the most significant historical monuments. The ongoing work is managed by the Committee for the Preservation of the Acropolis Monuments, funding is provided by the European Union and the Greek state.
Memo to the tourist
The entrance ticket to the Acropolis of Athens is 12 euros, 6 euros for students and pensioners from the European Union, free for children and schoolchildren. This price additionally includes free admission to the Agora, the Temple of Zeus, the theater of Dionysus, the Library of Hadrian, the Cemetery of Ancient Athens. The ticket is valid for 4 days from the date of purchase.
It is better to visit the Acropolis of Athens from the very opening, at 8 in the morning, because after 9 o'clock numerous excursions arrive, and crowds of tourists fill everything. A tour of the Athenian Acropolis takes an average of 4-6 hours. It is recommended to explore the historical ensemble of sights in a group with a guide. In the summer, a headdress and sufficient water are required. Shoes for visiting the territory should be comfortable, even in dry weather the trodden paths are very slippery. Take time to visit the new modern Acropolis Museum. It is located 300 meters from the attraction. The glass building stands out noticeably against the background of the general panorama. The unique museum was built on the site of archaeological excavations. A visit to the museum is paid additionally, the price is symbolic - 1 euro.
Free entry:
March 6 (Memorial Day of Melina Mercouri, actress, singer, Minister of Culture)
June 5 (International Environment Day)
April 18 (International Monument Day)
May 18 (International Museum Day)
last weekend of September (European heritage days)
Weekends: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter Sunday, Holy Spirit Day, December 25, 26.
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In the distant, legendary times, when the Achaean kings built "strong-walled" palaces made of huge blocks of stone, and their squads attacked Crete and the Aegean coast, in Attica, on the Acropolis - a rocky hill 156 m high located in the center of the plain, irrigated by the Ilissus River and its tributary Eridanus, the city of Kekropia arose, the future world-famous Athens ...
The ruins of the Acropolis are best viewed in the early summer mornings or evenings. At dawn, the first rays of the sun, sliding along the slopes of the mountains of Parnet and Egalea, paint the rocks of Salamina in a pinkish-violet color, run along the peaks of the Pnyx and the Areopagus and linger for a long time on the Acropolis. The evening sun gilds and ignites the Parthenon; the clear air gives life to the shadows, and it seems that the ruins are as beautiful as the newly built temples were once beautiful. In the middle of the day, the Acropolis is flooded with bright light, lengthening the black shadows of the capitals and ceilings of the columns. At this hour, the sun burns like molten metal, blinding the eyes. And on those rare days in Athens, when the sky darkens, as before a storm, the temples on the mountain become dull and gray, like the ashes of bygone centuries...
According to legend, Athens was founded by the legendary king Kekrops. The Greeks attributed to him the establishment of monogamous marriage, the founding of 12 cities, the prohibition of human sacrifice and the establishment of the cult of Zeus the Thunderer, Olympian Zeus. With the name of another legendary king - Erichthonius (or Erechtheus, although there is a lot of confusion in the identification of these two names), the son of the blacksmith god Hephaestus and the goddess of the Earth Gaia, the establishment of the cult of the goddess Athena in Attica and the renaming of Kekropia in her honor, the beginning of coinage, the introduction of chariot races. A descendant of Erichthonius was king Aegeus, whose son. Theseus, killed the Minotaur and freed Athens from the heavy tribute to Crete. Theseus, who after his return from Crete became the king of Athens, is considered the founder of Athenian democracy.
In distant legendary times, legends about how it arose take us away.
... the magnificent city of Athens,
The region of King Erechtheus, whom Mother Earth gave birth to in ancient times, was raised by Pallas Athena.
And she brought her into Athens, and she set her up in her shining temple. Homer. Iliad
Back in the II millennium BC. the territory of the Acropolis coincided with the original territory of Athens and was surrounded by defensive walls. Particularly powerful fortifications were built on the western, gently sloping side of the hill. Here was erected Enneapilon - "Nine-Gate", a bastion with nine gates. Outside the walls was the ancient palace of the Athenian kings - the "Palace of Erechtheus." Later, the sanctuary of the goddess Athena appeared in this palace, and even later all the buildings of a secular nature found other places for themselves, and the Acropolis became the center of the religious life of ancient Athens. The name of the Sacred Rock was assigned to it - numerous sanctuaries dedicated to the goddess Athena, the patroness of the city, were located here.
Athens, named after the daughter of Zeus Athena, served as the main center of the cult of this goddess. According to Greek mythology, Athena emerged fully armed from the head of Zeus. She was the beloved daughter of the god of thunder, whom he could not refuse in anything. The eternally virgin goddess of the sky, she, along with Zeus, sent thunder and lightning, but also heat and light. Athena is a warrior goddess who reflects the blows of enemies; patroness of agriculture, popular assemblies of citizenship; the embodiment of pure reason, the highest wisdom; goddess of science and art. Climbing the hill of the Acropolis, the ancient Hellenes seemed to enter the kingdom of this many-sided goddess.
The creation of the majestic ensemble of the Acropolis is associated with the victory of the Greeks in the Greco-Persian wars. Representatives of all Greek cities, who gathered in 449 BC, adopted the plan for building the Sacred Rock proposed by Pericles. The grandiose architectural and artistic ensemble was to become a worthy monument to the great victory. The wealth of Athens and its dominant position provided Pericles wide opportunities in the construction he planned. To decorate the famous city, he drew funds at his own discretion from temple treasuries, and even from the general treasury of the states of the Athenian Maritime Union.
Whole mountains of snow-white marble, mined nearby, were delivered to the foot of the Acropolis. The best Greek architects, sculptors and painters considered it an honor to work for the glory of the universally recognized capital of Hellenic art. Several architects participated in the construction of the Acropolis. But, according to Plutarch, Phidias was in charge of everything. Throughout the ensemble, one can feel the unity of its design and common beginning, which left its mark on the details of all the most important monuments.
The hill on which the monuments of the Acropolis were erected is uneven in outline. The builders did not come into conflict with nature, but, having accepted it as it is, they ennobled it with their art, creating an ensemble that is more perfect in its harmony than nature. Harmonious buildings of the Acropolis reign over a shapeless block of rock, as if symbolizing the victory of reason over chaos. On an uneven hill, the ensemble is perceived gradually. Each monument lives its own life in it, each is deeply individual, and its beauty is revealed to the eye in parts, without violating the unity of the impression.
Above the steep slope of the sacred hill, the architect Mnesicles erected the famous white marble buildings of the Propylaea - the solemn entrance to the Acropolis, with Doric porticoes located at different levels, connected by an Ionic colonnade. Striking the imagination, the majestic harmony of the Propylaea immediately introduced the visitor to the world of beauty, affirmed by human genius. On the other side of the Propylaea stood on the square of the Acropolis a giant bronze statue of Athena Promachos, Athena the Warrior, sculpted by Phidias. The fearless daughter of Zeus personified the military power and glory of her city. From the foot of the statue, vast distances opened up to the gaze, and the sailors, rounding the southern tip of Attica, clearly saw the high helmet and spear of the warrior goddess sparkling in the sun.
Beyond the square rose the columns of the Parthenon, the great temple, under whose shadow once stood another statue of Athena, also sculpted by Phidias: the statue of Athena the Virgin, Athena Parthenos. Like the Olympian Zeus, it was a chrysoelephantine statue, that is, made of gold and ivory. About 1200 kg of precious metal went into its manufacture. Today, only the testimonies of ancient authors, a reduced copy that has survived to this day, and coins and medallions with the image of Athena give us an idea of \u200b\u200bthis masterpiece of Phidias.
The columns of the Parthenon, which once shone with the whiteness of Pentelicon marble, seem to have been covered with a noble patina over the past centuries. Painted in brownish-gold tones, they stand out in relief against the blue sky. The Parthenon was the temple of Athena Polias (Guardian of the City) and was usually called simply "Temple" or "Great Temple".
The Parthenon was built in 447-438. BC. architects Iktin and Kallikrat under the general direction of Phidias. In agreement with Pericles, he wished to embody the idea of a triumphant democracy in this most important monument of the Acropolis. The design of the temple was carefully thought out. The book about the work of Iktin and his assistant Catlikrates is unfortunately lost, but the very fact of its existence points to a large preliminary theoretical work. This largely explains the speed of construction, which, according to Plutarch, bordered on a miracle: the temple was built in just 9 years. Finishing work continued until 432 BC.
The pinnacle of ancient architecture, the Parthenon was already recognized in antiquity as the most remarkable monument of the Doric style. It is almost impossible to notice with the naked eye that in its appearance ... there are practically no straight lines. The columns of the Parthenon (eight on the facades and seventeen on the sides) are slightly tilted inward with a slight convex curvature of the basement and ceiling horizontals. These deviations from the canon, which are barely perceptible to the eye, are of decisive importance. Without changing its basic laws, the heavy Doric order here acquires an unconstrained elegance, which creates a powerful architectural image of impeccable clarity and purity.
The Erechtheion is the second most important monument of the Acropolis. In ancient times, it was the main temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. And if the Parthenon was assigned the role of a public temple, then the Erechtheion is rather a priestly temple. Here the main sacraments related to the worship of Athena were performed, and an ancient statue of this goddess was kept here.
All the main shrines of Athens were concentrated within the walls of the Erechtheion. The temple itself was built on the site of the legendary dispute between Athena and Poseidon for power over Athens. According to legend, the gods gave the right to resolve this dispute to the elders of Athens. The judges decided to give the victory to that of the gods, whose gift would be more valuable to the city. Poseidon struck with his trident and a salt spring gushed out of the slope of the Acropolis. Athena struck with a spear - and an olive tree grew on the Acropolis. This gift seemed more useful to the Athenians. Thus, Athena emerged victorious in the dispute, and the olive tree became the symbol of the city.
In one of the halls of the Erechtheion one could see the trace left by the trident of Poseidon on the rock during his dispute with Athena. Since this shrine was always to be in the open air, openings were made in the ceiling of the portico, which have survived to this day. Nearby was the entrance to a cave located under the temple, where the sacred snake of the goddess Athena lived, which was considered the personification of the legendary king and hero, the patron of Athens Erechtheus (or Erichthonius - these two mythological heroes are sometimes separated, sometimes identified), after which the temple got its name.
Under the northern portico of the temple, the tomb of Erechtheus was preserved, and in the western part - a well with salt water. He was considered the very source that Poseidon created, and. according to legend, communicated with the sea. In front of the Erechtheion, since ancient times, a sacred olive tree grew, which grew from the blow of the spear of the goddess Athena, and in the corner near the western facade of the temple there was Kekropeyon - the tomb and sanctuary of the legendary Kekrops, the first king of Attica. Today, the world-famous portico of caryatids, the architectural symbol of the Erechtheion, rises above it. There is an assumption that the prototypes of the caryatids of the Erechtheion were the harrephors - the servants of the cult of Athena, who were elected from the best families of Athens. Their functions included the manufacture of a sacred peplos, which was annually dressed up in the ancient statue of Athena, which was kept in the Erechtheion.
The goddess Athena appears on the Acropolis and in another of her incarnations - Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. The first sanctuary of Nike on the Acropolis was destroyed by the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars. In 448 BC, on the occasion of the peace that ended the war with the Persians. it was decided to build a new temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis, or, as it was also called, the temple of the “Wingless Victory”: although the goddess of victory, Nike, was always depicted as winged, Athena the Victorious could not, and should not have had wings.
The Propylaea and the temple of Athena Nike, standing nearby, complemented each other. Their architectural connection created a unique ensemble of the entrance to the sacred rock of the Acropolis. The temple was built by the architect Callicrates in 427-424. BC. This graceful small building, built of marble, has dimensions of 5.6 × 8.3 m. In front of the temple of Athena Nike, there was an open-air altar intended for sacrifices.
During the Turkish rule, the temple of Nike was dismantled and used to build fortifications. In the 1830s, after Greece gained independence, the Turkish fortification was carefully dismantled, and the Temple of Nike was rebuilt. In 1935-1940. it was reconstructed again, and now it appears in all its glory - of course, adjusted for the all-destroying effect of time. And, as you know, it is inexorable, and today the monuments of the Acropolis, which survived wars, perestroika and human vandalism, are exposed to man-made dangers: for several decades, acid rain and poisonous smog have corroded the white marble of ancient temples. There are many plans to save the Acropolis, but so far none of them have been implemented, so the restorers will probably not be out of work for a long time.
