Carites de la Acrópolis de Atenas

 

Acropolis

Acropolis means 'Sacred Rock' and was a term given to the high strong holds of cities in the ancient world

Although many cities have an acropolis, most people associate the term with this most famous one

In this view we can see the Parthenon dominating the view in the center, on the bottom left is the

theather known as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The hill in the background is Lykavittos Hill

Above the Odeon on the left is the entrance to the Acropolis known as the Propylaea

 

On the way up to the entrance, these two stand alone Corinthian columns can be seen

Monuments were erected on these columns to celebrate winners of Drama contests

 

This is a section of the Propylea, which means simply gate building.

Built around 435 BC it was never completely finished

 

This is the view from the top down to the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus

Located on the southern cliff face of the arcopolis, it was the first stone theater ever built

 

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is also located on the southern slope

Built in 161 AD it was 3 stories high with a wooden roof and could seat 5000 people

 

The parthenon. One of the greatest buildings in history

Work began in 447 BC and was completed in 431 BC

This picture shows the West facade of the building

 

A closeup of the west facade

Much of the detail has been lost but some carvings can be seen in the second level

 

Sonya and John in front of the east side of the Parthenon

 

A close up of the long south side of the Parthenon

In 1687 the Parthenon was massively damaged by an explosion. In one of history's greatest acts of stupidity the Turks used the Parthenon as an ammunition dump which blew up during a bombardment by the Venetians. Curses on both their houses

 

This building is called the Erechtheon. It was constructed from 421 BC to 407 BC during the Peace of Nikias between Athens and Sparta during the disastrous Peloponnesian wars

 

This section is known as the Porch of the Caryatids with the famous six ladies holding up the roof

 

Another view of the Caryastids. All these are reproductions. "lord" Elgin stole one of the statues to Britain which is now in the British museum. The remaing five have been relocated to the Acropolis museum

 

A further out view showing the whole building complex.

This is all located on the north side of the Acropolis

 

A closeup showing some of the fine detail on the columns

 

This view of the Parthenon is taken from the near by hill of Philopappou

Done