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Acropolis Museum – Before visiting The Acropolis, visit the Acropolis Museum first! |
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The stellar Acropolis Museum has great goodies from all around the Acropolis, including a complete re-creation of the Parthenon friezes, pediments and metopes. Check out the original
Caryatids from the Erechtheion, a little worse for wear, noses are
flattened, but the gowns are lovely, mysterious smiling archaic figures, especially the kore (check out the hairstyles, jewelry and clothing), the three headed "Bluebeard" figure,
some really fine statues of horses, exquisite gods and goddesses, and more. |
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Entrance to the Acropolis – You can start at the main entrance to the Acropolis
and go straight up to the Propylaia but a nicer approach is to take the
Panathenaic Way, following the procession route to the Acropolis. To go
this way, first visit the Agora – the Panathenaic Way diagonally cuts
across it. After you exit through the fence enclosing the Agora, follow
the Panathenaic Way (lined with stone slabs) up the hill to the entrance. |
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Propylaia (Propylaea) – As you walk up the zigzag steps to the gateway, keep in mind that the space between the columns was wide enough
for horses and chariots to pass through, as well as crowds in procession. On the right you'll see the Temple
of Athena Nike, Athena in victory (nike). |
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The Parthenon – The Parthenon was dedicated to the goddess
Athena Parthenos, and inside the temple stood an immense statue. Today
you can't go into the Parthenon, but just imagine
what it was like, stepping into the darkened inner room, where you would feel
bug-like in comparison to Athena, over 40 ft high, covered in ivory and
gold, topped by a majestic helmet sprouting horses, holding a tiny victory
statue in one hand, and a huge shield in the other. |
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The Parthenon ruins have a luminous quality – the warm,
creamy marble changes color in different lights. Count how many sections
it takes to make up a Doric column (11 or 12). Outside the roped off areas,
rub your hands over smooth marble, feel the nubby textures of stones eroded
over time, look for swirling patterns in the rocks. |
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Erechtheion (Erechtheum) – Check out the Porch
of the Caryatids and the olive tree next to it. The Caryatids, columns
holding up the porch roof, represent six young ladies, daughters of the
first king of Athens (they have excellent posture). About the olive tree,
Athena and Poseidon had a little contest over who was going to be the patron
god or goddess of Athens – Athena won, and where she stuck her spear
in the ground, an olive tree popped up. |
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Arios Pagos (Areospagos) Hill – Once you leave
the Acropolis proper, take a quick climb up Arios Pagos Hill, a smooth hunk
of rock to the west. There are smooth worn steps to the top of the "Hill
of Mars," where the judicial court met to decide criminal cases. |
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Theater of Dionysus and Odeion of Herodes Atticus –
Is there anyone in your family who's always in the school play? The theaters
on the south side of the Acropolis are a "must see." In the Theater
of Dionysus, plays were presented to honor the gods, and the greatest Greek
tragedies and comedies, by Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, were performed.
The Odeion, built in the Roman era for musical events, is still in use today. |
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Filopappos Hill (Filopapou Hill) – Once you've
tromped around all the sights of the Acropolis, it's time to head over to
Filopappos Hill, a real oasis. From the wide pedestrian street, just follow
the paths into the green shady trees – there are benches and picnic
tables, so bring your lunch or snack, and relax. Once you've rested up,
follow the paths to the top of the hill. This is where you get truly wonderful
views of the Acropolis – seeing it at a distance, the Parthenon grows
more impressive. |
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Pnyx Theater – There's a Sound and Light show, evenings April
to October, in the theater on the Hill of the Pnyx. In classical Athens,
this theater area was where the democratic assembly gathered. |
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The Agora – The Agora was the center of daily
life in ancient Athens, but it was more than a busy shopping mall –
it was also the law courts (and where people voted), a place to meet your
friends to discuss stuff, you could attend a music concert at the Odeion
and worship at the shrines and temples. |
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The Stoa of Attalos has been completely reconstructed, and
houses the Agora Museum, which has items of daily life in Athens. Stroll on over to the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus (rhymes with asbestos). Originally the temple
housed two statues, one of Athena, the other the craftsman god Hephaestus,
who used his hammer to crack open Zeus' head, so Athena could be born. |
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The Panathenaic Way cuts diagonally across the Agora –
this is a nice route to follow up to the entrance to the Acropolis. |
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Horse carriage rides – Take an "old
fashioned Greek taxi," a horse carriage ride to explore the neighborhoods
around the Acropolis. Pick them up at the corner of the wide pedestrian
street on the south side of the Acropolis, intersection of Dionissiou Areopagitou
and Apostolou Pavlou. |
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Tips for enjoying the
Acropolis |
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Acropolis Museum - Before going up to the ruins, go to the museum first. In the upper gallery are the complete Parthenon friezes, metopes and pediments. With this introduction, kids can visualize the incredible sculptures situated in the Acropolis. |
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Get to the Acropolis early in the morning to avoid
the worst crowds. Then again, in ancient Athens, it was also a busy place. |
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There's much more to see than just the Parthenon, spread out over a largish
area. Don't try to cram everything into one day – try to spread things
out and come back on different days. |
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In summer, bring water bottles, wear sun screen and hats. There's lots
of dusty, slippery-smooth rocks – wear shoes or sandals with straps. |
