|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tip: 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
As you walk up the zigzag steps to the Propylaia (Propylaea) gateway, keep in mind that the space between the columns was wide enough
for horses and chariots to pass through. On the right you'll see the Temple
of Athena Nike. In the Acropolis Museum, check out the marble relief
from this temple – the goddess Nike is leaning over to untie her sandal
(hmmm, Nike, shoes …) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 (and without a roof, there's no darkened
inner sanctum (cella), and the statue is long gone), but just imagine
what it was like, stepping into the cella, where you would feel
bug-like in comparison to Athena, over 35 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. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acropolis Museum – The museum has some great goodies
– a three-bodied bearded monster, frieze showing the Panathenaic procession,
and some really fine statues of horses. Also, one of the original
Caryatids (the copies are outside), a little worse for wear, her nose is
flattened, but her gown is lovely. Outside the museum exit, don't miss a
sculpture of Athena's owl. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theater of Dionysos 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 Dionysos, 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Stoa of Attalos has been completely reconstructed, and
houses the Agora Museum, which has items of daily life in Athens
(The museum is closed until summer 2004). 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. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
The Panathenaic Way cuts diagonally across the Agora –
this is a nice route to follow up to the entrance to the Acropolis. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tips for enjoying the
Acropolis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get to the Acropolis early in the morning to avoid
the worst crowds. Then again, in ancient Athens, it was also a busy place. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In summer, bring water bottles, wear sun screen and hats. There's lots
of dusty, slippery-smooth rocks – wear shoes or sandals with straps. |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Story of the
Parthenon, the great temple of Athens – architectural secrets
(no straight lines), fabulous sculptural decorations, and the colossal
Athena statue by Phidias, covered with gold, ivory, jewels and precious
stones. Glowing reconstruction illustrations bring the ruins to
life. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
To get a feeling for Theater of Dionysos, take
a backstage at Greek theater – actors (guys take roles
of men and women), musical instruments, the flying machine and special
stage effects, costumes (feathered birds, real armor and swords),
comic and tragic masks. (Picture book)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Clear,
concise overview of the building complex – construction (and
destruction) history, how the temples were used, ancient Greek
building methods, architectural styles and statues. (Chapter book,
photographs)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(More children's
books on other Athens and Greece pages) |
