The Parthenon. Photo by Suzanne Conway
Built in the 5th century BC, the aptly named
Acropolis, meaning “high city” in Greek, served as the spiritual and financial center of the city.
the Greek War of Independence. Access to the Acropolis is primar-
View of the city of Athens from the Acropolis. Photo by Suzanne Conway
ily from two main points. If coming by Metro, take the red line to the Akropoli stop and then head toward Dionyssiou Aeropagitou, a pedestrian street that leads right to the entrance. Another access point is from the Plaka district via the Peripatos, a paved path along the Northern face. Also, in re- cent years a lift was constructed, mak- ing the area wheelchair-accessible. Enter the complex through the
Christian churches, and the Parthe- non was renamed Panagia Athiniotissa (Virgin of Athens), serving as the city’s cathedral in the eleventh century. It then came under Frankish occupation, Turkish occupation and finally was handed to the Greeks in 1822, during
Beulé Gate, which is made of marble fragments and dates to 320 BC, when it was built as part of a defensive struc- ture. Be sure to ask staff for a free guidebook. Look to the left and you will spot Agrippa’s Monument, made of Blue marble from Mount Hymet- tus. Te statue originally put on the
base (a chariot, said to be in honor of King Eumenes II to commemorate his victory in the chariot race of the Pana- thenaic games) was later replaced by the Romans with a statue of their com- mander, Agrippa. Once through this gate you will come upon a steep em- bankment which leads to the monu- mental gateway, the Propylaia, built by Mnesikles in 437–432 BC. Tis grand entrance has a central porch with a six- column façade leading to a corridor with ionic columns, and two adjoining wings on the west and south side. Once through the Propylaia, the
crown jewel of the complex—the Parthenon—is in view. Built between 447 and 432 BC under the orders of Pericles, the structure was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron god- dess of the city of Athens and goddess
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