Athens Acropolis

Throughout its 2,500 year existence, the Acropolis has seen its fair share of action. Though somewhat worn for the wear (oh hey Lord Elgin), it is a fascinating and quintessentially Athenian site. The Acropolis began as a political center in the Mycenean period from the 15th to 12th centuries BC. The king lived atop the hill that now provides tourists a breathtaking view of the entirety of Athens, from the Aegean Sea to the mountains. But in the 8th century BC a temple was erected to honor Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, and ever since the story of the Acropolis has been one of construction, demolition and changing religious orders. Perhaps no site other than the Dome of the Rock rivals the Acropolis' multi-denominational appeal.

The first temple, called the Hekatopmpedos for its measly 100 foot length, was made of wood and probably was not much to look at. So, just under 50 years later, the Athenians decided to construct a more elaborate temple, now known as the Old Temple. In celebration of their victory in the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, the ancient Athenians decided that a third renovation was in order. But just 10 years later in 480 BC, Xerxes and his Persian army swept Sparta and in order to fight the intruder at sea (the Athenians' strong suit) rather than land (Xerxes' strength), the Athenians fled the city, abandoning the Acropolis. Xerxes and his crew vandalized the newest temple, smashing statues' heads and wreaking general havoc. Not until Pericles' heyday from 450 BC-429 BC did the Athenians decide to face the ruins and build yet again, and this reconstruction resulted in the Parthenon.

After its tumultuous, extended, and awkward growth spurt, the Acropolis went through an angsty, religiously unsound period. From the 4th century AD until Greece claimed independence in 1833, the Acropolis went from its original dedication to Athena to a Christian Orthodox church to a Catholic church under the Byzantine Empire to a center of Muslim faith under Ottoman occupation—if this doesn't confuse you, well done. During this phase Lord Elgin, a British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, carried some of the Parthenon's remains with him back to Britain, where they now remain in the British Museum—much to the dismay of many Greeks.

Now, centuries after its founding, the Acropolis is a tourist site and is currently undergoing another renovation started in 1983. Even through the throngs of tourists, looking down on Athens from a vantage point that must be like that of Mount Olympus, it is possible to imagine why the Acropolis and its turf have been fought over for so long.

( i Admission gets you into the archeological site of the Acropolis, the archeological site and museum of the Ancient Agora, the north and south slopes of the Acropolis, the Theatre of Dionysis, the Roman Agora, Kerameikos, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and Hadrian's Library. h Open daily 8am-7:30pm. $ €12, students and EU seniors €6, EU students and internationals under 19 free on Su.)

Parthenon

The Parthenon is the pinnacle of the Acropolis—historically, geographically, and artistically. Designed at the height of Periclean democracy by Iktinos, the structure, though now only the remnants of ...more

Erechtheum

Set to the left of the Parthenon, the Erechtheum is divided into two parts—the East portion to Athena, the West portion to her losing foe in the bid for Athens, Poseidon. The monument was built during ...more

Propylaea

The Propylaea is the gateway to the Acropolis. Once a majestic entryway through which all walked, it is now a somewhat haggard collection of columns. First constructed in 437 BC under Pericles' instruction ...more

Theater Of Dionysus

Down a path to the right of the main entrance to the Acropolis sits a giant, steep-stepped ancient theater that must strike fear in anyone who stands on its stage. Originally constructed in honor of Dionysus ...more

Temple Of Athena Nike

As you and hundreds of other travelers ascend the steep, slippery steps toward the Parthenon and walk through the Proplyaea, glance to your right: you will see the Temple of Athena Nike. Designed in the ...more