Athenian architectural ensemble. acropolis of greece

The Acropolis of Athens is 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 a 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. The Ur-Parthenon was dismantled in order to build the Old 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 conflict that had begun with Xerxes I, who had ascended the throne, and in 480 the acropolis was plundered 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, under difficult economic conditions, this fine piece of ancient architecture was completed. 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, rebuilding 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 being carried out, 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 city, already from the name of which many have associations with the most important events in world history. Significant sights for mankind are concentrated here: the temple of Hephaestus, the Panathinaikos stadium, the temple of Zeus, the Parthenon and dozens of museums with rich funds.

Over the centuries, the Greek capital experienced upheavals and a series of ups and downs, was under the yoke of conquerors and was reborn. One thing remained unchanged: the heart of the city - the Acropolis, which has dominated Athens since ancient times.

Evening view of the Acropolis from the top floors of the King George Hotel, perhaps the best hotel in Athens.

Location of the Acropolis: how to get to it

The main attraction of Athens is located in the heart of the city and is perfectly visible from anywhere in the capital. The 156 meters high Acropolis Hill is located in the Acropolis area - for obvious reasons, the most visited area of ​​the city. Getting to the right place is not difficult. The easiest way is by metro to the nearest Acropoli station or to the stations of Thissio, Syntagma, Omonia and Monastiraki. From the center of Athens, the Acropolis can be reached on foot if you follow Dionysios Areopagite Street. You have to keep going uphill. Closer to the Acropolis, numerous signs will not let you go astray.

Acropolis on the map of Athens. Marker placed at the entrance to the Acropolis

History of the Acropolis

The rocky hill of the Acropolis has been used by the Athenians since time immemorial. During the archaic period, temples were built here and sculptures were installed, religious ceremonies were held. During the Mycenaean period, the Acropolis served as a royal residence - it was difficult to imagine a more advantageous and safe location in Athens.

Under Pisistratus, active construction of the ancient temple of the Acropolis - Hekatompedon, the predecessor of the Parthenon, began on the hill. It was dedicated to the goddess Athena and surrounded by several religious buildings. But all the temples fell into decay after the invasion of the Persians. And then the Greeks vowed to restore the shrines, driving out the enemies.

Acropolis in antiquity.

New attempts to build a temple on the Acropolis were made during the time of the famous commander Pericles - he initiated it. The development of the project was entrusted to Phidias, who became the main author of the architectural appearance. So the Parthenon rose above Athens, and it was destined to become a recognizable symbol of Greece. But before the temple passed tests. The Parthenon was converted and captured several times: it served as an Orthodox church and a mosque, and neighboring buildings were even used to house a harem. Some priceless monuments were taken apart for building materials.

Only with the revival of Greece as an independent state was the restoration of the monuments of the Acropolis begun. And many sculptures were replaced with copies for preservation purposes - the originals are stored in the Acropolis Museum.

For the Greeks, the theme of the heritage of the main attraction of Athens remains painful. In the 19th century, a collection of art objects was taken to England by Lord Elgin (whom Byron called a thief for this). And so far, the UK is refusing Greece's requests to return the stolen marbles to their homeland.

The famous portico of the Caryatids. One of the sculptures was broken out by Lord Elgin and is now kept in the British Museum.

Temples and monuments of the Acropolis

The entrance to the Acropolis is the Propylaea, made of gray Eleusinian and white Pentelian marble. The architecture combines Doric and Ionic columns - the first time in Ancient Greece that two orders "met" in one structure. The monumental entrance consists of two porticos. One looks at the Acropolis, the other is directed towards Athens.

On the southwestern side of the Propylaea stands the Temple of Nike. Its marble frieze, made in the Ionic style, depicts the gods and fragments of the battle against the Persians. In ancient times, the now-lost statue of Nike stood inside. In 2000, the temple was restored, and today it adorns the Acropolis.

The Parthenon is the main attraction of the Athenian Acropolis.

The central place on the hill is given to the Parthenon. For the sake of it, many people come to Athens. In the ancient city, it served as the main temple dedicated to Athena, and its appearance inspired architects throughout Europe. The Parthenon has not yet been completely restored, although this does not prevent it from being the most impressive monument of the Acropolis.

Among the important temples of Ancient Athens was the Erechtheion. It was erected on an uneven surface, so the structure is asymmetric. On the southern part of the Erechtheion are statues of caryatids, which made the appearance of the temple recognizable. Also on the slopes of the Acropolis you can see the ruins of Asklepion and the Odeon of Herodes, which still serves as a venue for concerts.

Acropolis Museum

In 2009, the New Acropolis Museum was solemnly opened in the Greek capital. Its ultra-modern building is several times larger than the size of the old museum. The openings were waited for so long that in the first 3 months the number of visitors exceeded 1 million.

The collection is made up entirely of objects found on the Acropolis since 1834. Here you can see statues, original caryatids, memorial plates, countless fragments of structures and religious objects. Visitors even have the opportunity to watch the excavations that take place right under the building of the New Museum.

The museum covers in detail the different eras of the existence of the Acropolis. He introduces not only the ancient period, but also the era of the Roman Empire. Interactive materials complement the exhibition well. The Acropolis Museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, and on holidays it organizes interesting events for children.

What to visit near the Acropolis

A visit to the Acropolis can be combined with a walk around other famous places in the city. For example, according to the Agora - the center of the political, commercial and cultural life of Ancient Athens. The former market square has preserved many architectural testimonies, including the Temple of Hephaestus. To the left of the Acropolis is Philopapu Hill with a monument to the Roman ruler Philopapu. The building has been partially preserved, so the hill attracts tourists with a magnificent panoramic view of Athens.

And, of course, after visiting the Acropolis, you need to go to Monastiraki - the most popular and colorful area of ​​​​Athens, which has preserved many interesting historical monuments. Among them stand out the Church of the Virgin and the mosque. But the main attraction for tourists is the Monastiraki market, where any tourist will find a souvenir to remember Athens.

In order to enjoy the beauty of the Athenian Acropolis, you will definitely pass through the Monastiraki area. Starting from the northern slope of the hill of the Acropolis in Athens and to the southwestern slope, Theorias street stretches. On the right side at the beginning of the street there is a place from which a beautiful view of the hill with all its structures opens. A little further, on the left side, is the Church of the Transfiguration. Starting climbing the slope, soon you will see on the right a small rocky hill of the Athenian Acropolis - the Areopagus. In ancient times, it hosted meetings of the Athenian Supreme Court.

Climbing this rock on the steps carved in stone, you need to be very careful, because they, like most of the top of the Areopagus, are very slippery. Rubber-soled shoes are best for this climb. But in boots on a leather bottom, you will quickly get to the emergency room than to the flat area of ​​the mountain. There is another climb to the Areopagus, located not far from the one already mentioned. It has metal steps. In the very heat of the day, it is better not to climb the mountain, since you will not be able to stay on top for a long time and in search of a shadow you will be forced to go back down.

The Propylaion became the entrance to the Athenian Acropolis. It was built in 438-432. BC. Translated from the Greek language "propylea" is an impressive front tower, which included the masses of the people. Of course, the entrance to the Acropolis of Athens, which was worshiped, must have been monumental. The Propylaion, which the Greeks spoke of with great enthusiasm, was called the Brilliant Face of the Acropolis.

However, the Propyleion temple of the Acropolis was never fully completed - some of its sections remained unpolished, and during the explosion organized by Turkish soldiers in 1646 in the powder warehouse, the Propyleion was quite badly damaged.

On the right side of the Propylaion is the temple of the Acropolis - Nike Apteros (temple of the Wingless Victory). This rather elegant structure has surprisingly small dimensions - only 8.27 x 5.44 meters. In the temple of the Athenian Acropolis there is a wooden sculpture of the goddess. According to the legend, originally the goddess Victory had wings that were cut off by the Athenians so that she would forever remain in their city.

The place on which the temple was erected is connected in the Athenian Acropolis with a dramatic event described in ancient mythology - the ruler of the capital of Athens - Aegeus saw from this place at sea, waiting for the ships of his son Theseus, who was supposed to sail with news of an important event. Theseus moved to about. Crete, in order to deal with the Minotaur and liberate his city from a terrible tribute, in case of his success, he had to change the black sail of mourning to the white sail of victory, but, rejoicing at his success, Crete forgot about the agreement. The black sail misled Aegeus. The unfortunate ruler thought that his son was dead, and threw himself into the sea, which was then called the Aegean. The temple was destroyed during the Turkish occupation, its fragments served as material for the construction of the bastion. Fortunately, the bulk of the blocks still survived, and the temple in the Athenian Acropolis was almost completely restored.

The north side of the Athenian Acropolis is adorned with a handsome marble temple Erechtheion, which is the most beautiful creation of classical art. It was built on the site of the palace of the rulers of Mycenae in 419-405. BC and became a place of worship for the Athenians. It was at this place that the dispute between two deities for patronage over the city was resolved. In order to reconcile them, the Athenians built two temples, one of which is dedicated to Athena, and the other to Poseidon, and both temples are under the same roof. This building is called the Erechtheion. The eastern part of the temple was dedicated to Athena - the oldest statue of the goddess is kept here, which, according to the Athenians, fell from heaven. The Temple of Poseidon in the Acropolis is located 12 steps below. In the floor of this temple, in a place where there is no tile flooring, one can see three holes, which are considered to be traces of the trident of Poseidon. Exactly in this place on the roof of the temple you can see a hole from the handle of a trident, which was made when it was raised, during the blow. Apparently, the ancient Greeks were not at all embarrassed by the time paradox.

Of greatest interest in the Erechtheion is the Portico of the Daughters, consisting of six sculptures of the most beautiful girls, who, playing the role of columns, support the roof of the temple. In Byzantine times, they were called Caryatids, that is, women from a small town called Karia, which was famous for its exceptional beauty. At the beginning of the 19th century, one of the Caryatids, along with pediments and friezes, was taken to England by the ambassador of Constantinople, Lord Elgin, with the permission of the Turkish government. The Athenians were so excited by Elgin's act that a legend was soon invented about the night crying of the five Daughters who remained in the temple, about their stolen sister. Lord Byron wrote the poem "Curse of Athens" dedicated to the marauders of these priceless treasures. The British Museum to this day keeps the famous Elgin marbles, a copy was placed in the place where the statue stood.

On the hill of the Areopagus or the Supreme Court, court sessions were held in the days of ancient Athens. At the foot of the mountain are the burial places of the Mycenaean kings of the era of their reign in Athens. They are long tunnels that go into the thickness of the stone. To the right of the stairs there is a rock, on which the sermons and words of the Apostle Paul, who preached here in 50 AD, are carved. Nearby is the tomb of St. Dionysius the Areopagite - the first convert of Paul.

Climbing the Areopagus, you can enjoy the magnificent view of Syntagma Square, Omonia, Monastiraki, Plaka, the Ancient Agora and most of Athens. This is an unforgettable sight. Many people come here at sunset to admire the city in the light of the sun setting behind. At night, you can meet many couples in love admiring the luminous city and each other.

Without its sacred mountain, the Acropolis, Athens would not be Athens. If you stand in the middle of a modern street with shops, on which there are no cars, then your eyes will open a view of the Athenian Acropolis. Sitting on one of the warm summer evenings on a cozy terrace at a table under the open sky, you will once again see the Athenian Acropolis illuminated by lights. No matter how intrusive it may sound, but you must visit the Acropolis of Athens, which is the soul and heart of Athens! It is best to choose the morning hours for this, when there is still no strong heat, and climbing the steep streets will replace a full morning exercise.

Temples of the Acropolis: Arreforio, Erechtheion, Parthenon, Temple of Athena-Victory, Propylaea and other beautiful ancient buildings will take you back to the time of the Greek Gods, Pericles, Iktin, Phidias, and the builders and architects of this unsurpassed temple complex. Unfortunately, it is currently impossible to visit the Acropolis Museum, located behind the Parthenon, since its entire exposition has been transferred to the ultra-modern New Acropolis Museum.

Many sources contain various translations of the word "Acropolis", among which there are even the most incredible and ridiculous ones. In fact, in ancient times there were only two translations: "city on a hill" and "edge of the city." At present, the second version of the translation has become more widespread.

The sacred mountain has finally become accessible to people with physical disabilities! In accordance with the requirements of the International Olympic Acropolis Committee and the European Union, the permissions of the Greek Ministry of Culture, the Central Council of Archeology and the Minister's order, you can climb the hill using an elevator built above the Kanellopoulos Museum on the northern slope.

To the north of the main entrance to the Acropolis of Athens is a special entrance through which a person in a wheelchair and his companion can get to the elevator. A special moving platform raises from the sidewalk to the level of the elevator. At the very top, from the elevator to the observation area, located northwest of the Erechtheion, there is a platform and an inclined path. A paved path leading from the Erechtheion to the northwest corner of the Parthenon allows access to a spot from which you can admire the eastern façade of the Propylaea. From the northeast corner of the beautiful Parthenon, the path turns to the Museum of the Acropolis of Athens, where you can clearly see the eastern side of the Parthenon and the ruins of Rome and the Temple of Augustus. At the Acropolis of Athens, a small vertical elevator takes you down to the level of the entrance to the Acropolis Museum, which is currently closed.

In order for people in wheelchairs to avoid the usual daytime crowds, it is better to plan your day in such a way as to view the Acropolis of Athens from 8 to 10 am in the morning and from 13 to 17 hours in the afternoon. In no case do not forget that it is very hot on the top of the hill on a summer afternoon!

Greece ... At the sound of this word, Olympus appears with a host of gods, beautiful and courageous heroes and crowded policies. This is a picturesque country with a rich history, every corner here is a cultural heritage that takes those who visit it back into the depths of centuries. The famous monument of Greek culture is the Acropolis of Athens, a brief description of which is presented in this article.

Acropolis - the heart of Athens

In the center of the great Greek capital, Athens, rises a hill 156 meters high, visible from any part of the city. You can climb this hill only from the sea: other slopes are steep and present a serious obstacle. At the top of the hill is a temple complex called the Acropolis ("Upper City" in Greek). The Acropolis served as the abode of the city rulers, as it was the most protected part of the city. Now it is the most popular and famous place in Greece, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. It is very interesting both as a monument of history and as a monument of architecture. The Acropolis has seen a lot in its centuries-old life: the heyday of Greek culture, and its decline, and the conquests of the Romans, and the formation of the Ottoman Empire, and the emergence of modern Greece. Many times the heart of Athens was destroyed by enemy shells, and now the remains silently remind of eternal values ​​​​in the bustle and inconstancy of this world.

A bit of history

Picturesque pedestals and columns with a panoramic view of the capital of Greece today is the temple complex of the Acropolis (Athens), whose history begins around the 16th century BC.

The founder of the Acropolis is the first Athenian king - Kekrops. In those days it was just a hill fortified with huge stones. In the 6th century BC. e. at the direction of King Pisistratus, the entrance gates to the Upper City - Propylaea are being erected. In the 5th century BC. e. under the leadership of the ruler Pericles, Athens became the center of Greek politics and culture, and at the same time, active construction was underway in the Acropolis. The main temple of Athens, the Parthenon, the temple of Nike Apteros, the theater of Dionysus, and the statue of Athena Promachos were built. The remains of these structures make up the Athenian Acropolis, a brief description of them will be given below.

In time, a new temple appeared on the hill - the Temple of Rome and Augustus. Then a long period of wars began, construction was no longer carried out, the Greeks tried to protect what they had.

Over the centuries, the Athenian Acropolis experienced many disasters. Architecture, monuments (Athens is very rich in cultural heritage) were constantly destroyed. The Byzantine rulers made the Parthenon a church, the Ottomans a harem. In the 19th century, it was almost completely destroyed by the Turks. Having finally achieved independence, the Greeks are trying to restore the temple complex and return it to its original appearance.

Currently, everyone can visit the Athenian Acropolis. A brief description of the complex, architectural features and a rich history can be found during an excursion or by studying special literature.

Propylaea - entrance to the Upper City

For those visiting the Athenian Acropolis, a brief description of the main entrance will be very interesting. The idea belongs to the architect Mnesicles, who designed the main passage in the form of porticos and colonnades, located symmetrically on both sides of the path to the hill. The entire composition was made of different types of marble and included 6 Doric columns, 2 Ionic columns, 5 gates and the main corridor, as well as pavilions adjacent to the west side. Unfortunately, only a few columns and fragments of the corridor have survived to this day.

Great Parthenon

The age of Pericles is the architecture of the classics. The Acropolis of Athens was built according to the ideas of the sculptor Phidias. He, apparently, belongs to the idea of ​​the Parthenon.

The name of the temple means "virgin", and it was conceived in honor of the goddess Athena. Unfortunately, after the explosion of the Venetian bomb in the 17th century, only the columns survived, but according to some descriptions, one can imagine its appearance. In the center of the temple was a statue of Athena in precious decoration, surrounded by more modest statues of various Greek heroes. The temple itself, measuring approximately 70 x 30 meters, was surrounded by marble columns 10 meters high.

Temple of the Erechtheion and Temple of Nike Apteros

It was the Erechtheion temple, named after King Erechtheus, that was considered a place of worship for the goddess Athena, because her wooden statue, according to legend, fell directly from heaven, was kept here. There was also a trace from the lightning of Zeus, which killed the above-named king, and the salty spring of Poseidon, reminiscent of his struggle with Athena for dominion over the Adriatic. A lot of sculptures of the goddess of war and wisdom are kept by the Athenian Acropolis (architecture, monuments). Athens, named after this goddess, is the heart of Greece, and every temple, every statue here is imbued with reverence for the patroness of the city.

Many temples included the ancient Athenian Acropolis. The description briefly tells about the temple of Nike Apteros. This is a marble structure with four columns, in which there was a statue of the goddess of victory, holding a helmet in one hand, and a pomegranate fruit in the other, symbolizing peace. The Greeks deliberately deprived the statue of its wings so that Victory could no longer fly away from them and never leave their sacred city.

Theater of Dionysus

Let's continue our short excursion to the Athenian Acropolis (brief description). For children, perhaps the most interesting place will be more precisely, its preserved fragments. Initially, this theater, built for performances during the Lesser and Greater Dionysias (that is, every six months), was wooden. Two centuries later, the stage and most of the steps were replaced with marble ones. During the Roman Empire, instead of theatrical performances, gladiator fights were held here. The huge stage and many marble chairs in the open air could accommodate the whole city. The first rows were intended for honorary citizens, the rest - for ordinary spectators.

Even now, after so many centuries, the theater of Dionysus impresses with its size and majesty.

What else to see in the Acropolis?

In addition to these famous sights, the Athenian Acropolis, a brief description of which we continue, is also interesting for other monuments that are practically not preserved, but still worthy of attention. These are temples, or sanctuaries, of Aphrodite and Artemis, the temple of Rome and Augustus, a small temple of Zeus. In the 19th century, a French scientist discovered a secret emergency gate to the Upper City. They were named after him - the Bule Gate.

The panoramic view of the great city of Athens, which opens from the top of the hill, can also be considered part of the cultural heritage. The whole capital (with its old and new buildings) is at a glance, a white city against the backdrop of a blue sea that can be seen in the distance.

What should tourists know?

The Acropolis is open to visitors all year round, from 8:00 to 18:30 on weekdays and in an abbreviated mode (from 8:00 to 14:30) on holidays. There are certain public holidays when the museum is closed to the public. Please read the opening hours carefully before planning your tour. The entrance ticket costs 12 euros and is valid for 4 days after purchase (there is a reduced rate for students and pensioners and free admission for schoolchildren).

You can visit the Acropolis either with a guided tour, or with an individual guide, or on your own. In the latter case, only the cost of the entrance ticket is paid, but it should be noted that without the guide's comments, the tour of the monument will not be interesting. It is better to get an audio guide or an accompanying story.

July and August are the peak of tourist trips to Athens, so you need to be prepared for queues and a large number of visitors to the temple complex. It is better to plan a visit in the early morning when there are fewer visitors.

When visiting in the summer, you should wear a hat and take a sufficient amount of drinking water (you can buy it on the territory of the complex, but the price will be unreasonably high).

You should visit the Acropolis in comfortable shoes, get ready for walks over fairly long distances.

In the temple complex, nothing can be touched with your hands, not even stones!

300 meters from the Acropolis, there is a new archaeological museum where you can see interesting excavations and finds right in the ground, walking along the glass floor. The cost of visiting is not high.

There is an open-air cafe on the roof of the museum, where they offer very tasty coffee and inexpensive local dishes. The view of the Acropolis from there is simply amazing!

Can be purchased to leave the Acropolis in your memory for a long time, description and photo: Greece, Athens, picturesque nature and famous sights will remind you of yourself from the pages of the album.

Tourist impressions

The Athenian Acropolis leaves no one indifferent: the reviews of tourists are mostly enthusiastic, filled with vivid emotions. The grandeur of the temple complex in Athens is amazing! Every stone, every piece of marble keeps a centuries-old history, the memory of prosperity and destruction, defeats and victories, the memory of great warriors and cruel conquerors.

Despite the fact that only fragments of their former splendor have survived to this day, a special atmosphere of the culture of the ancient Greeks hovers here, and people who ascend the hill seem to become a little closer to this heritage, as if they are surrounded by those deities in whose honor the most beautiful temples and sanctuaries were built. and colonnades!

It is no coincidence that the Acropolis in Greece was one of the first to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is difficult for tourists to resist visiting the Acropolis in Athens, and for those who arrived here for the first time, it is inevitable, like the sunrise. The Acropolis has become a kind of symbol of ancient grandeur, towering over a modern city filled with fuss. Thanks to this unique building, everyone who visits the Greek capital will be able to feel the breath of that era and at least slightly join the culture of Ancient Hellas.

How to get to the Acropolis in Athens

"Acropolis" in translation from ancient Greek - "upper city". Being in, it is impossible not to notice it - the Acropolis is located in the very heart of the city and is clearly visible from the entire center of Athens, as well as from the surrounding hills.

Moreover, most of the city is very flat, and it is dominated by only two rocks, one of which is the Acropolis.

The metro station "Acropolis" is located on the red line and is the next after Syntagma - the main square of Athens

The easiest way to get to the Acropolis, no matter where you are in the city, is by metro ( Athens metro map). The station of the same name is located on the red line and is the next after Syntagma - the main square of Athens.

You can also get to the Acropolis from the city center on foot. To do this, choose a large pedestrian street - Dionysiou Areopagitou - as a guide.

At the same time, you can go straight along it and not turn anywhere, gradually climbing uphill until you hit the main Greek attraction.

Acropolis on the Map of Athens

In order to make it easier for you to find your way to the Acropolis, we have prepared a useful map.

A Brief History of the Acropolis

On the site where the current Acropolis of Athens stands, in the Mycenaean period (XV-VIII centuries BC) there was a royal palace. Later, in the VII-VI centuries. BC, grandiose construction began on this site. Under the tyrant Peisistratus, instead of the royal residence, a temple of the goddess Athena a hundred steps long arose.

The Hellenes themselves called this temple Hekatompedon. But in 480 BC. it was razed to the ground by the army of the Persians who captured the city. Then the Greeks vowed to rebuild the shrines when they drove the invaders from their land.

View of the Propylaea of ​​the Acropolis from the Areopagus Hill

All the main buildings of the Acropolis, the remains of which have survived to this day, were built under Pericles in the 5th century BC. BC.

The best architects, sculptors and other masters of that time were involved in the construction of the Complex. Among the decorations of the Complex, the huge statue of the goddess Athena, the authorship of which is attributed to Phidias, was especially admired by everyone.

Parthenon - the main temple of the Acropolis in honor of the goddess Athena

After the construction, the Acropolis has already survived several millennia and many wars, Christian churches and Muslim mosques were attached to it, and individual structures were simply dismantled for materials for other buildings.

The Acropolis of Athens even managed to serve as a warehouse of ammunition during the Turkish occupation, the explosion of which caused the greatest damage to the Acropolis.

Archaeological complex of the Acropolis

In total, 21 buildings and a majestic statue of Athena the Warrior were erected on the top of the Acropolis in ancient times. In this article we will mention only the most remarkable of them, as well as what you can see in the neighborhood.

Being at the entrance to the Acropolis of Athens - the famous Propylaea, created from white Pentelian and gray Eleusinian marble - it is worth looking to the right - the Hellenistic pedestal and the small temple of Nike Apteros will open up.

This temple is located on a hill, from which, in clear weather, a beautiful view of the Saronic Gulf opens. There was also a large statue of the victorious goddess, but in 1686 the Turks dismantled the "pagan temple" to build their cannon bastion.

Over time, the Greeks recreated the Temple of Nike from the found blocks again. In the center of the site is the famous Parthenon - the temple of Athena, erected in honor of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians, and other architectural monuments.

Below the Acropolis is the magnificently preserved odeon of Herodes Atticus, and to the south you can see the ruins of an ancient open theater built in honor of the god Dionysus.

The Acropolis Museum is located very close to the sacred hill

Nearby is the Hill of Ares, where meetings of the Areopagus, the supreme power of Ancient Athens, were held.

The New Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009 and is entirely dedicated to the main Athenian attraction, deserves special attention.

Opening hours

The opening hours of the Acropolis in Athens depend on the season and can vary greatly depending on the month. So in the summer season, the Acropolis is open to visitors from 8:00 to 19:30 pm, but starting from September, as daylight hours decrease, hours of operation are also reduced.

At the same time, hours of work are reduced gradually. For example, from September 1 to September 15, the Acropolis is still open according to the summer schedule; from September 16 to September 30 - until 19:00; from 1 to 15 October - until 18:30, and from 16 to 31 October - until 18:00.

During the winter months, the Acropolis may close at 15:00, so it is better to plan a visit in the first half of the day.

In addition, the Acropolis is usually closed on the following days: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter (Sunday), December 25 and 26.

Tickets and price

Full price single ticket to the Acropolis- 20 Euro, preferential - 10 Euro. At the same time, the validity of the ticket applies not only to the Acropolis itself, but also to the sights located on its slopes.

It is noteworthy that in the period from November 1 to March 31, a reduced price is valid for all categories of visitors.

In addition, in Athens there is a so-called Complex ticket (Specail ticket package), which is valid for 5 days and allows you to visit not only the Acropolis, but also other attractions of Athens, including the Ancient Athenian Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library and others.

The full price of a package ticket is 30 Euros, the reduced price is 15 Euros.

For non-EU residents, the broadest category eligible for the concession ticket is university students. To purchase a ticket at a discount, you must present your student ID at the box office.

In addition, persons under 18 can visit the Acropolis of Athens free of charge. To do this, you need to present a document confirming the age.

For other visitors who do not fall under benefits, there are bonuses in the form days when admission is free for everyone. These dates are:

• March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
• April 18 - International Day of Monuments
• May 18 - International Museum Day
• Last weekend of September - European Heritage Days
• October 28 - Ohi Day
• Every first Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March

Excursions and Audio guide in Athens in Russian

You can visit the Acropolis in Athens as part of an organized individual excursion in Russian with our familiar guide Kostas. Kostas is a licensed tour guide and has been introducing Russian-speaking travelers to Athens for many years.