July 6 About Athens’ Acropolis

The world made simple

Just going into my need-to-understand-everything mode – firstly there are many other acropoleis in Greece but we always just think Athens. The word simply means the highest point (akron) of the city (polis). As a small soupcon, during ancient times the Acropolis of Athens was known as Cecropia, after the legendary serpent-man Cecrops, the supposed first Athenian king – Greek mythology and history are so entangled that they are difficult to separate, and the Greeks admit to this (and happily live with the 'blend').  History tells that ‘the hill’ has been occupied back to the time of Pericles in C5 BC who reportedly coordinated the construction of the building. What remains are the site's most important buildinga, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion (the old temple of Athena named for the mythical King of Athens Erechtheus) and the Temple of Athena Nike.  We saw them all. 

Why are they so damaged? Leaving aside earthquakes, the normal invader-looter behaviour of early times and more recent greed by a number of nations including the British and French, the Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians during the Morean War.  Gunpowder being stored in the Parthenon by the Turks, the rulers at the time, was hit by a Venetian bombardment and exploded.

The line up to buy entry tickets

Today was our day to visit the Axropolis. We climbed up to the ticket office only to have to go downhill to join the end of the queue and then slowly climb up again. People were agitated of course and there were the blatant queue-jumpers but we got there in the end. We spent the morning climbing all over the Acropolis. It was amazing! Not recommended in the height of summer when the whole place is crowded but something one must do - at least once. We were both flagging near the end and a kind attendant called the lift for us. The lift issomething reserved for people with disabilities - oh well! His kindness was very much appreciated. And what a view we had as we descended vertically from this historic city pinnavle.

The Odeon of Herodes Attica

Climbing up to the entrance through Propylaea - it was a bit squishy

On the right is the small Temple of Athena Nike - Goddess of Victory

The size and the steps were a little overwhelming

Looking back to Propylaea - a monumental gateway 

The exposed marble rocks were very slippery and a few people went over

And there we were!

Now and then (me with Nathan 1984)! A lot had changed

We saw lots of evidence of reconstruction work

Rails for moving heavy blocks for reconstruction work

It was a little hotter by this time!

Erechtheion - the old temple of Athena Polias, named for the mythical King of Athens Erechtheus

Rebuilding some of the original ancient wall 

Great views from the 'watchtower' with Lycabettus Hill in the distance

View from inside the lift - a unique experience dropping down the side of the Acropolis in a glass box

The red arrow shows the lift clinging to the side of the Acropolis

After that amazing morning we needed some light, slightly cooler, relief so we hopped on a bus and went to Piraeus, the ancient port, for lunch - why not!