Sights of greece acropolis of athens. Greek acropolis. What is the acropolis, where is it, what does it look like (photo). Propylaea - entrance to the Upper City

(from the Greek "akra polis" - "upper city") - the city fortress of the countries ancient world. IN Ancient Greece- a fortified part of the city located on an elevated place, which served as protection in times of danger. On the acropolis, temples were erected to the gods, the patrons of the city, the treasury and weapons of the city were kept. The oldest acropolises are known in Mycenae, Tiryns. The most famous is the Acropolis of Athens. The Acropolis of Athens is a complex architectural and spatial complex, taking into account the surrounding nature as much as possible.

Athens Acropolis

located on a natural limestone cliff 156 m above sea level, with a flat top (270–155 m). According to the found ceramic fragments, the date of the first settlements on the Acropolis (4-7 thousand BC) is determined. In the 13th century BC. the rocks of the Acropolis of Athens are reinforced with stone walls 5 m thick, the construction of which was later attributed to the Cyclopes, beings of supernatural power. Some of these walls have survived to this day (for example, behind the southern wall Propylaea).

IN ancient times The Acropolis was the center of the political and military life of the city: first of all, it was the residence of the ruler. At the end of 2 thousand BC. The Acropolis acquires exclusively cult significance. The goddess Athena had two hypostases: on the one hand, she is the patroness of the forces of the earth, fertility, fertility (Polyadas), on the other, she is the militant protector of the city and the Virgin (Pallas). During the Geometric Age (10th-8th century BC), her cult was held in a small temple on the site where the temple was later built Erechtheion. According to the myths, her wooden image was thrown by Zeus to the ground and fell on the Acropolis.

Already in the middle of the 7th c. BC. the first major building appears on the Acropolis - the temple of Poliada, replacing a small sanctuary of the geometric period, in which the city treasury was kept. New were the dimensions of the building and the pediment framing that appeared for the first time (only on the east side). At the beginning of the 6th c. BC. the building is rebuilt: the dimensions increase, a second pediment and a colonnade appear. Around 525 BC the temple was rebuilt, finding marble pediments, metopes and other details. Around the same time, the first marble statues appeared on the Acropolis (“ Moskhofor"(570 BC)), numerous images of girls, the so-called. bark.

After the victory at Marathon in 490 BC. It was decided to create on the Acropolis next to the ancient temple of Polias a new temple dedicated to Pallas Athena. This temple was narrower than Parthenon, had 6 columns. However, the buildings were never completed, because. The Persians, who captured Athens, completely destroyed the city and all the sanctuaries of the Acropolis. The return of the Athenians to their city in 478 BC - the beginning of a new stage in the life of the Acropolis: the southern wall of the Acropolis is being built, the temple of Poliada is partially restored, a colossal bronze statue is being created Athens Promachos(Warriors) (465-455 BC).

Installed on a high pedestal in the center of the Acropolis, it was a kind of connecting axis of the entire ensemble. Depicted in a luxurious helmet, with a shield and a spear, she was visible from afar, from the sea, because. the sun shone on the golden parts of the statue (the tip of the spear, the helmet). Sculpture Athens Promachos The works of Phidias amazed contemporaries with their grandiose size.

Under Pericles, who proclaimed the unification of the entire Greek world under the rule of Athens, in 450 BC. work begins on the creation of an ensemble on the Athenian Acropolis according to a single plan: Parthenon– Temple of Athena Parthenos (447-438 BC), Propylaea- solemn gate, entrance to the Acropolis (437–432 BC), temple Niki Apteros(Wingless Victory) (between 449–420 BC), temple Erechtheion(421–406 BC), statue Athens Promachos. The planning and construction of the Acropolis was carried out under the direction of Phidias.

Erechtheion

- an outstanding monument of ancient Greek architecture, made by an unknown author (421-415 and 409-406 BC). The Ionic temple, located near the Parthenon, is dedicated to Athena, Poseidon and the legendary king of Athens, Erechtheus, who gave the temple its name. One of the legends associated with this temple tells of a dispute between the gods (Athena and Poseidon) about the patronage of Attica. An olive tree grew near the temple - a gift from Athena to the inhabitants of the city. Burnt by the Persians in 480 BC, as the legends told, it revived again. The floor of the temple retained traces of a blow with the trident of Poseidon.

The peculiarity of the temple is its unusual asymmetric layout, taking into account the unevenness of the soil. From three sides the building is decorated with porticos of various shapes, including the famous portico of caryatids. The temple consists of two rooms located at different levels. East End temple, located higher than the western one, is dedicated to Athena Poliada. In this part of the temple, which keeps the most ancient wooden sculpture, according to legend, fell from the sky, entered the portico with 6 Ionic columns. It was for this sculpture that the robe, peplos, created by the priestesses and brought during the solemn processions of the Panathenas, was intended. West Side dedicated to Poseidon, Erechtheus.

Portico of the Caryatids

- the work of one of the students of Phidias Alkamen. Caryatids, which act as columns, are made of Pentelicon marble.

The cornice of the portico rests not on the heads of caryatids, but on carved "baskets". Currently, all originals have been replaced by copies. One of the caryatids is kept in the British Museum, the rest in the Acropolis Museum.

Graceful, light and free in composition Erechtheion occupies a special place in the architecture of the entire Ancient World.

Theaters were built at the foot of the Acropolis on its eastern side. open sky: Theater of Dionysus, erected by Greek architects, and Odeon of Herod Atticus, built by Roman builders in the 2nd century.

Bravroneion

- one of the sanctuaries of Artemis of Bravron, the patroness of women preparing for childbirth, and women in childbirth. The building was located to the right of the Propylaea, had the shape of the letter “P” in plan, its open part was facing the Panathenaic road. Inside was kept the xoan of the goddess, her statue by Praxiteles. Not preserved.

Temple of Roma and Augustus

(27 BC) - a small, marble, round unpreserved temple. The round building with Ionic columns (“monopter”) was dedicated to the goddess Roma and the divine emperor Augustus.

Not far from the temple of Roma, on the very high point Acropolis, there was an important sanctuary ancient acropolis- sanctuary Zeus Poliea. The central event of the ritual in this sanctuary was the sacrifice of a bull. Not preserved.

We all studied the history of the Ancient World in the 5th grade. We remember the photographs and drawings of the Acropolis on the pages of our textbooks.

Then we did not think that thousands of years ago people lived and died in this place, made plans and houses, loved and suffered.

The Acropolis of Athens was the cradle of modern European civilization. The greatness of the ancestors is worthy of respect. But you can fully feel it only by seeing with your own eyes the place where legends were born.

upper city

According to ancient myth the founder was born by the ancient Greek goddess of the earth Gaia, half-man-half-snake - King Kekrop.
Struck by the beauty of these places, he founded an ancient city.

But then cities without divine participation could not exist. Mycenae and Agros were patronized by Hera, Thebes -, and Demeter was in charge of Eleusis.

The daughter of Zeus, Athena, and the lord of all seas and oceans, Poseidon, fought for the honorary title of patron of the new city. Kekrop arranged a competition, the essence of which was that whoever presented the city with the best gift would own the land.

Poseidon was the first to take part in the competition. In hot and dry areas, no the best gift than cool water. Striking the trident on the rock, he created a waterfall. But its waters were salty, and useless for the inhabitants.

Athena gave the city an olive tree that gives shade, and.
Kekrop considered the gift of Athena the best, and the gods agreed with him.

Since then, the beloved daughter of Zeus became the patroness of Athens. And in her honor Kekrops erected the first sanctuary. And the city that offended Poseidon still periodically experiences drought.

The city was founded on a 156-meter flat-topped hill. From here there was an amazing view of the sea and surroundings. Initially, in addition to the sanctuary of the divine patroness, there were buildings of political and economic significance, such as the state treasury, a warehouse of weapons, etc.

Acropolis, translated from Greek, means "upper city". Every Greek city in those days had its own acropolis. But it was Athenian who gained worldwide fame.

This is not only a symbol of the capital, but also a symbol of the whole country. The building is complex architectural ensemble, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But the buildings that we can see now were not here originally. Throughout history, the Acropolis of Athens has been subjected to devastating raids more than once.

Those temples that have survived to our time were erected around the middle of the 5th century BC. e. This happened after finally defeating the Persians, the Greek policies finally united and created the Athenian Maritime Union under the leadership of Athens.
Then it was decided to allocate money for the restoration of the Acropolis destroyed by the Persians.

The temples were burned to the ground, so they were simply rebuilt. The central place was given to the temple of Pallas Athena - the Parthenon.

Also on the territory of the Acropolis are the Erechtheion temple with its famous portico of Caryatids, Brauroneion and many others.

Each of the temples is unique, and is of interest not only for specialists and historians, but also for ordinary tourists for whom history is not just a word. But the Hellenic temples that have passed through the millennia have recently been subject to severe destruction.
The reason for this was a change in the atmosphere. Exhaust emissions have increased the sulfur content in the air. Marble slowly turns into limestone. In addition, the iron structures connecting the marble parts, oxidizing, destroy the noble stone.

The Acropolis is undergoing ongoing restoration. Therefore, scaffolding can spoil the impression for tourists. Until scientists find a way to counteract the chemical destruction of the stone, some of the sculptures have been replaced by copies. The originals are housed in the Acropolis Museum.

Athens starts from the Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is an open-air museum. When examining it, you will have to walk a lot and climb the mountain. Therefore, going on an excursion, do not forget about comfortable shoes, hats. Keep in mind that steps and rocks are mostly slippery.

You will have to decide how to organize a tour for yourself. Excursion programs great multitude. All include, as a rule, a visit to the Acropolis, and several other attractions.

You can buy a tour both in small agencies scattered throughout the city, and via the Internet. You can also purchase it from your tour operator. The cost of programs varies in an unthinkable range. It all depends on what the organizers included in the tour, as well as whether food is included or not, what type of transport, etc.

It will be no less interesting if you organize it yourself. In addition, the feeling of freedom, and the fact that you are on your own, will add spice, and turn an ordinary excursion into a little adventure.

There are two hills in the center of Athens. One is the Acropolis. Another hill is called Lycabettus and is famous for its incredible view of the city. At the foot of both hills there is a dense building of old Athens. It is impossible to make a mistake with the direction in search of the Acropolis.

There is plenty of public transport in Athens, but it is more convenient to move quickly by metro.
The metro station, from which it is easy to get to the Acropolis, is called "Acropolis" and it is located on the red line.
From the metro stations of Thissio and Monastriraki, the archaeological site can also be reached on foot.

Tickets for travel should be purchased at the metro ticket office or vending machines. A single ticket worth 1.4 euros will allow you to travel on any type of transport in any direction for 90 minutes. A ticket for a day costs 4 euros.

Rising from the subway to the surface, you will see the majestic ancient buildings. The Acropolis is so powerful that the modern city is simply lost against its background.

The place of influx of tourists, as well as all over the world, attracts merchants.

Therefore, there are many eateries, coffee houses and souvenir shops around. Tourists will not be able to stay hungry. But you should still stock up on water in advance, since here it is shamelessly expensive - from 0.5 euros, and the higher you climb the mountain, the higher the price for a bottle of ordinary water.

The archaeological site welcomes tourists in summer season: on weekdays from 8:00 to 18:30, and on weekends and holidays from 8:30 to 14:30. In July and August, it is better to plan a visit in the morning.

During the day, the merciless heat can spoil the impression. In addition, be prepared for the fact that there will be crowds of tourists besides you - this cannot be avoided.

If a visit to the Acropolis is planned not as part of an excursion with Russian speaking guide(which may be unreasonably expensive), then download the Mobile Guide program to your gadget in advance, or grab a guide.

Otherwise, you will be doomed to contemplate the ruins, having absolutely no idea about them. rich history. If you're lucky, you can join the tour in Russian.

At the entrance there is a stand with the rules of conduct on the territory of the monument. The main one of which is not to touch the stones!

Entrance ticket to the Acropolis of Athens costs 12 euros. The ticket is valid for 4 days.

You can also use it when visiting six more attractions: the theater of Dionysus, the Roman Agora, the Ancient Greek Agora, the Temple of Zeus, the library of Hadrian and the ancient cemetery - Keramik.

Refrain from buying souvenirs on the territory of the monument.

Absolutely the same souvenirs, other knickknacks and items of incomprehensible purpose can be purchased at the foot of the Acropolis, and three times cheaper.

The Greeks are friendly people, their food is delicious, the portions are just huge.

In addition, any self-respecting institution at the end of the meal will bring you a compliment from the institution, in the form of a glass or, and children - a dessert. Therefore, there is no difference in which tavern to eat from this point of view.

To combine business with pleasure, visit the Central Market of Athens. It is located near the Acropolis.

Market open: from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 18:00 pm. It is located just 500 meters from the Monastrirak metro station.

You will enjoy not only the local flavor, but also have a bite to eat at very affordable prices. In taverns you can eat tightly for 10-15 euros. And choose cute ones from 1 euro.

Well, now, having received all the valuable advice, we are heading to the upper city of Athens.

Propylaea

The monumental entrance to the Acropolis - the Propylaea are located in the western part of the Acropolis.

They were erected on a steep slope. Initially, one could get here along a wide path, which the Romans later covered with steps.

The Propylaea are two porticos, one directed towards the Acropolis, and the other towards the city.

The ceilings of the porticos are painted blue and painted with golden stars. On the inside are Ionic columns and pavilions. In ancient times there were Art Gallery and a library.

Temple of Nike Apteros

An elegant marble temple dedicated to the Goddess of Victory, the constant companion of the goddess Athena.

Inside was a statue of Nike, which has not survived. But contemporaries claim that Nika held a helmet in one hand, and a pomegranate fruit in the other. It is noteworthy that this image of Nike does not have wings, although it was customary to portray her as winged, which gives some scientists reason to assume that the statue still depicted Athena, and not Nike.
Apteros in Greek means “wingless”, and Nika means “victory”.

The ancient Greek writer Pausanias claimed that the goddess was deprived of her wings so that she could not leave the city. The friezes are decorated with relief images depicting gods. The temple is located to the right of the Propylaea, outside the Acropolis and is well preserved.

The temple was restored in last time in 2000, and is now visible from anywhere in the city center, and when it gets dark, the backlight turns on, which gives the building a fantastically beautiful look.

Parthenon

Temple of the goddess Athena - - occupies central location in the Acropolis of Athens and is named after the virgin goddess. Exactly this famous building on the territory of the Acropolis.

It is a classical rectangular temple framed by columns.

Ancient architects solved the problem of the optical effect of the curvature of the columns. They made the middle parts a little thicker. Corner columns tilted towards the center. And from a distance, the columns now appear perfectly straight.

An interesting fact is that the ruler Pericles, who supervised the construction of the temple, spent 450 silver talents on the construction. This amount for those times was incredible. On the construction of a trireme (ancient Greek warship) required only 1 talent. Thus, the cost of the temple was equal to the cost of an entire ancient Greek fleet.

The frieze of the façade is richly decorated with bas-reliefs. It depicts both martial arts scenes and scenes from real wars, for example - Trojan, and myths - the birth of Athena.

Legend has it that the appearance of Athena was quite unusual. Zeus' first wife was a fortune teller. And she predicted that she would first give birth to a daughter, and then a son. The son will become the ruler of the universe.

Fearing that his own child would sooner or later overthrow him from the throne, he swallowed his pregnant wife. Zeus soon developed a headache. He asked Hephaestus to cut it open and see what was happening there. Hephaestus helped, and Pallas Athena in armor jumped out of the head of Zeus.

In ancient times, the Parthenon not only poisoned sacred rites, but also kept the treasury of the Maritime Athenian Union and the archives of the city. The treasury adjoined the walls of the Parthenon on the western side.

The sculptor who adorned the temple, the famous Phidias, carved a 13-meter statue of the Goddess out of ivory and gold. She occupied a central place in the temple.

Athena held a winged Nike in one hand, and a spear in the other. On the chest of Athena is the mask of Medusa. At her feet is a shield, and near her spear is a snake. The head was decorated with a majestic helmet. The whole statue was formidable and solemn.

For a long time, historians have described her as a standard of beauty. The weapons and clothes were made of gold, and the exposed parts of the body were made of ivory. Phidias made the eyes of the goddess from precious stones. The gold used to make it was also a kind of gold reserve of the state.
The statue died during a fire in Constantinople, where it was moved in the 5th century.

It is a pity that this masterpiece has not been preserved to this day. But according to the descriptions of contemporaries, several copies were recreated. The most reliable of which, "Athena Varvakion", exhibited in National Museum in Athens.

It should be noted that the statue cost the life of its creator. He immortalized in the drawings that adorned her, himself and Pericles, depicting battle scenes as heroes. To which the people reacted violently - they accused him of blasphemy and threw him in jail. The great sculptor died in prison.

Erechtheion

Next to the temple, that legendary olive tree grows - Athena's gift to the city. The temple is dedicated to Athena, Poseidon and the king of Athens - Erechtheus. The temple is named after him.

The architect had to try hard, as the temple was built on a rather uneven surface. Therefore, the structure is asymmetrical and consists of two rooms at different levels.

The eastern part was erected in honor of Pallas Athena. It has a separate entrance. It also kept her oldest sculpture, according to myth, fell from the sky. The sculpture of the priestess was dressed in clothes woven by them - "peplos". And in front of Athena, an inextinguishable golden lamp burned.
Porticos of various shapes are attached on three sides.

The western premise of the temple glorifies Poseidon and King Erechtheus. It also has a separate entrance. The altars are dedicated not only to the gods, but also to mortal Erechtheus and his brother.

In this part of the temple there was a spring of salt water, formed just as Poseidon struck a nearby rock with a trident. The impact can still be seen today. It is also interesting to see the trace of the lightning of Zeus, with which he struck Erechtheus, and the tombstones of the tomb of the snake-man Kekrop.

Portico of the Caryatids

A portico on baskets is held by statues of beautiful girls. They say that these are residents of the ancient city of Kariy, priestesses of the goddess Artemis. They were very beautiful and had in their custom to dance to the glory of the goddess Artemis with baskets full of flowers or fruits on their heads.

Currently, the portico is held by six copies of ancient statues. The originals are scattered around the museums of the world. One is in the British Museum, the rest in the Acropolis Museum.
The idea to use sculptures of girls instead of columns has come down to our days, and caryatids have become an architectural element.

Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum is 300 meters away. The building itself is already unique. It is unlikely that it will go unnoticed by tourists.

Against the general background, the museum is simply ultra-modern. Built right on the site of the excavation. The results of the work of archaeologists can be seen through the glass floor on the ground floor. The area of ​​the museum is impressive - 226 thousand square meters. m. It makes no sense to describe the many exhibits. But the collection of antique statues will definitely be remembered.

The cafe is very conveniently located - right on the roof of the museum.

The incomparable taste is in perfect harmony with the incredible view from the roof of the museum.

The entrance ticket costs 5 euros. It works all days except Monday from 8 am to 10 pm.

The Acropolis of Athens is the greatest monument of ancient architecture in the Greek city of Athens. Ancient temples of the gods of Hellas were located here. The Acropolis rises above the city, standing on a huge limestone rock.

View of the Acropolis of Athens (Carole Raddato / flickr.com) Parthenon (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com) Acropolis of Athens (© A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons) Acropolis, Propylaea (Dimitris Kamaras / flickr.com) View of the Plaka area from the Temple of Zeus Olympian, Acropolis, Athens, Greece (George Rex / flickr.com) Acropolis - Theater of Dionysus (swifant / flickr.com) Temple of Nike Apteros (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com) Temple of Apteros (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com) Close-up of one from the corners of the Temple of Apteros on top of the Acropolis (Jack Zalium / flickr.com) The Propylaea (elias filis / flickr.com) The Propylaea (piet theisohn / flickr.com) Entrance to the Acropolis (ohhenry415 / flickr.com) View of the Acropolis from the Agora (Arian Zwegers / flickr.com) Erechtheion (Casey And Sonja / flickr.com) Hecatompedon (Roy L… / flickr.com) Ronny Siegel / flickr.com Erechtheion / Caryatids (George Rex / flickr.com) Odeon of Herodes Atticus built in 161 AD on the southern slope of the Acropolis in Athens in memory of his wife Annia Regil la, Athens, Greece (Carole Raddato / flickr.com) Parthenon, Acropolis of Athens (Carole Raddato / flickr.com) Parthenon, 1985 (Nathan Hughes Hamilton / flickr.com) In front of the Parthenon (Kristoffer Trolle / flickr.com) Parthenon, Acropolis in Athens (faungg's photos / flickr.com) Parthenon in Athens (Attica, Greece) (© A.Savin, Wikimedia Commons) Map of the Acropolis with captions (© Madmedea, Wikimedia Commons)

The main attractions of Greece are the Acropolis of Athens, Olympia and Rhodes.

The Acropolis is the greatest monument of ancient architecture in the Greek city of Athens. This is a whole complex of structures, on which the ancient masters of sculpture and architects worked.

The Acropolis of Athens was sacred place, ancient temples of the gods of Hellas were located here. It is sad that now only ruins can be seen here. But even now, the architectural ensemble of the Acropolis of Athens is admired by lovers of antiquity.

The Acropolis is the heart of Athens, and of all Greece. It rises above the city, standing on a huge limestone rock. Its upper platform is small - 300 by 130 meters.

At the top stands majestic Parthenon, the temple of the goddess after whom the capital of Greece is named. It is the main attraction of the Acropolis. It can be seen almost everywhere in the city, and at present it is forbidden to build high-rise buildings in Athens so as not to overshadow this unique cultural monument.

Next to the Parthenon, you can see the graceful Erechtheion - the temple of three deities: Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheum. It was possible to enter the Athenian Acropolis only through the huge gates - the Propylaea.

Acropolis in ancient Greece

Acropolis in Greek means high city. As already mentioned, he stands on an impregnable rock, which, in turn, crowns the hill, stretched from west to east. It is surrounded by walls, especially they are high in those places where it is possible to climb the rock.

Propylaea (elias filis / flickr.com)

In ancient times, the Acropolis of Athens served as a sanctuary and at the same time a refuge natural origin who protected the Greeks from their enemies.

In the 480s BC, the "high city" was besieged by the Persians under the leadership of King Xerxes.

They were unable to climb the imposing rock, but were able to penetrate the Athenian Acropolis from the north. There seemed to be thickets of bushes there, the slope was not guarded, and it was assumed that no one would be able to climb it. However, several Persians were able to get into the Acropolis and the first thing they did was open the gates.

The invaders took out all the valuables and destroyed many buildings, including the still unfinished Parthenon. Arrows found on the northern slope testify to this event. When the Greeks returned to their monastery after the battle of Salamis, they built a wall to protect north side and, of course, sought to restore their sanctuary.

Excavations have shown that in the 2nd century BC, religious holidays, meetings of authorities and lawsuits took place here. And the whole social, cultural and religious life of Athens took place in the Acropolis. The oldest buildings The Acropolis is poorly preserved, unlike Olympia and other places of worship in Greece.

The oldest buildings on the Acropolis

From the buildings of the VI century, only the foundations have survived to the present, due to the war of the Greeks with the Persians. The buildings that were in this period are undoubtedly like the temples of Apollo at Corinth, Hera at Olympia and Demeter at Paestum.

Their architecture is heavy and harsh. In the 6th century BC, the most ancient temple of Athena on the Acropolis, which was called, stood here. Having passed through the gates - Propylaea, a person admired its beauty.

Ancient masters strove for symmetry, which was present everywhere: in planning, in images. The pediment of the Hekatompedon depicted the struggle of Hercules with Triton. And also there was a sculpture of a kind Attic creature, which had three bodies and three heads and was called Tritopator.

He is depicted crawling out of the corner of the pediment. The paint on it was preserved, the body was pink, and the hair and beards were blue. It is noteworthy that one of the heads is kept in the museum and went down in history under the nickname "Bluebeard". The ancient master filled the low parts of the pediment with writhing snake tails.

A soft limestone relief depicting the battle between Hercules and the Hydra was also found here. The statues found here are widely known. Someone claims that these are sculptures of goddesses, someone sees in them girls who bring gifts to Athena. Their clothes are beautiful and festive, complex hairstyles are richly decorated.

Athenian Acropolis during the reign of the Romans

Many buildings arose when Greece became part of the Roman Empire, under Hadrian. The temple of Zeus and the Acropolis in Athens are separated by an arch, this is the border between the old ancient city and the buildings of the times of Rome.

View of the Plaka area from the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Acropolis, Athens, Greece (George Rex / flickr.com)

On the side of the Acropolis, on the arch is written: "This is the city of Theseus." It is connected with the heroic legend. The rise of Athens over the rest of the Greek cities took place after the fall of the state on the island of Crete.

This event happened thanks to Theseus, who defeated the minotaur. With the help of Ariadne's thread, he was able to return, at the same time free and glorify the city.

On the other side you can see the inscription: "This is the city of Hadrian." That is, the city of the emperor, under which many buildings were built in Athens. The material was Pontic marble.

The construction was carried out in such a way that the whole complex of buildings looked harmonious, and there was no sudden transition from the rest of the city to the sanctuary. Not far from it is the theater of Dionysus, the market square, other sanctuaries - the temple of Zeus and the temple of Hephaestus.

The architectural ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis

The ruins that can be seen in the Acropolis now belong mainly to such majestic buildings as the Propylaea with the temple of Nike the Wingless, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.

The ensemble of the Athenian Acropolis was truly beautiful in ancient times, if, for example, in Olympia all the temples are similar, then in the Acropolis each building is unique.

Acropolis, Propylaea (Dimitris Kamaras / flickr.com)

The first thing you can see from the buildings of the Acropolis is the majestic gate with columns - the Propylaea.

They were built after the creation of the Parthenon. Initially, they had to be absolutely symmetrical.

But since the temple of Nika the Wingless appeared on the right side, it was necessary to make this part of the gate smaller in order to achieve harmony.

The author of this majestic gate was the architect Mnesicles. He skillfully combined the harsh Doric and sublime Ionic orders in the construction. This building was a gate with a roof, which was supported by columns, with 5 passages.

On the left side there used to be an art gallery. To the right was a small room. A lift was equipped to the gate, which did not have steps, so that chariots could drive in.

Temple of Apteros (Tilemahos Efthimiadis / flickr.com)

The Temple of Nike the Wingless (Goddess of Victory), of course, had a statue of the goddess inside. The Nike sculpture here does not have wings, as it was conceived on purpose, since the Greeks wanted victory to always remain here. The temple stands as if it invites you to enter inside.

The interior space is small, the walls are made of unpolished marble. Outside, the temple is decorated with a frieze, on which the gods and battle scenes.

The reliefs of this temple were discovered in 1835. They were supposed to be located under the columns of the temple. These are relief images of the goddess Nike in various poses and scenes, but most often in profile. On one, she slaughters a bull; on the other, she removes her sandals before entering the temple.

Erechtheion (Casey And Sonja / flickr.com)

Passing through the gate, one could see the statue of Athena, which obscured the southern portico of the Erechtheion.

The choice of the place where it was built is connected with the myth. This legend formed the basis of the whole city. Athena and Poseidon argued which of them would become the patron of the city. Poseidon struck with his trident and a spring gushed out at that place. Athena grew an olive, and locals chose her.

The Erechtheion was created in a lighter Ionic order and differs significantly from the Parthenon. In that historical monument two types of marble are combined - white and purple.

The portico of the Caryatids is the southern portico of the Erechtheion. Here, 6 sculptures of caryatids rest against the roof with their heads, holding it. The principle of symmetry and harmony prevails here too, half of the sculptures rest on the left leg, half on the right. Elaborately carved folds in the sculptures' clothing show slight tension. Inside the Erechtheion is complex, it has many levels. Here are the sanctuaries of the gods: Poseidon, Athena and Erechtheus.

The main temple of the Athenian Acropolis - the majestic Parthenon

The Acropolis ensemble is crowned by the eight-columned Parthenon. In its grandeur, it tops the list of ancient buildings. By appearance it is similar to the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. But it stands on a specially leveled and backfilled area.

Parthenon, 1985 (Nathan Hughes Hamilton / flickr.com)

During its construction, the simple archaic arrangement of buildings, such as at Olympia and Delphi, went back centuries. A solemn procession passed along it in ancient times. It exalts the greatness of man.

Of particular interest are the metopes of the Parthenon, although they are poorly preserved. They depict the gods of ancient Greece, the series of which is completed by the goddess of the night, Nux.

It also depicts preparations for a military campaign, the farewell of soldiers, and the Trojan War. The southern metopes show the battle with mythical creatures - centaurs.

The frieze of the Parthenon depicts a solemn procession in the third year of the Olympiad. It is noteworthy that the Olympic Games got this name because they were originally held in Olympia.

Horsemen, priests with rams and bulls, young men carrying vessels are depicted here. On the other side, the frieze depicts the gods surrounded by noble people of Greece.

How to get to the Acropolis?

The Acropolis of Athens is the main attraction of Greece and, of course, a place of pilgrimage for tourists.

You can get to the Acropolis by metro. The nearest station is Acropoli. Alternatively, you can get off at: Thissio, Syntagma Square, Monastiraki Square, Omonia Square.

Useful information for tourists

• Entrance to the whole archaeological zone costs 12 euros, except Sunday (on this day you can go for free).
• On Mondays and holidays, all museums and areas are closed. On other days, the visit is open from 8:00 to 19:00.
• The archaeological zone includes attractions such as the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, Keramiko, the Ancient Agora, the theater of Dionysus.
• Beforehand, it is better to familiarize yourself with the scheme on which these cultural monuments are marked.

You can also visit the New Acropolis Museum, which houses many of the sculptures found here. The entrance to it is 5 euros, the visit is possible from 8:00 to 20:00.

In ancient Greece, in addition to the Acropolis, you can visit attractions such as the Temple of Zeus at Olympia and the Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes.

It is no coincidence that the Acropolis in Greece was one of the first to be included in the list of objects. world heritage UNESCO. It is difficult for tourists to resist visiting the Acropolis in Athens, and for those who arrived here for the first time, it is inevitable, like the sunrise. The Acropolis has become a kind of symbol of ancient grandeur, towering over modern city filled with hustle and bustle. Thanks to this unique structure, everyone who visits Greek capital, will be able to feel the breath of that era and at least a little to join the culture of Ancient Hellas.

How to get to the Acropolis in Athens

"Acropolis" in translation from ancient Greek - "upper city". Being in, it is impossible not to notice it - the Acropolis is located in the very heart of the city and is clearly visible from the entire center of Athens, as well as from the surrounding hills.

Moreover, most of The city is very flat, and only two rocks dominate it, on one of which the Acropolis is located.

The metro station "Acropolis" is located on the red line and is the next after Syntagma - main square Athens

The easiest way to get to the Acropolis, no matter where you are in the city, is by metro ( Athens metro map). The station of the same name is located on the red line and is the next after Syntagma - the main square of Athens.

You can also get to the Acropolis from the city center on foot. To do this, choose a large pedestrian street - Dionysiou Areopagitou - as a guide.

At the same time, you can go straight along it and not turn anywhere, gradually climbing uphill until you hit the main Greek attraction.

Acropolis on the Map of Athens

In order to make it easier for you to find your way to the Acropolis, we have prepared a useful map.

A Brief History of the Acropolis

On the site where the current Acropolis of Athens stands, in the Mycenaean period (XV-VIII centuries BC) there was royal palace. Later, in the VII-VI centuries. BC, grandiose construction began on this site. Under the tyrant Peisistratus, instead of the royal residence, a temple of the goddess Athena a hundred steps long arose.

The Hellenes themselves called this temple Hekatompedon. But in 480 BC. it was razed to the ground by the army of the Persians who captured the city. Then the Greeks vowed to rebuild the shrines when they drove the invaders from their land.

View of the Propylaea of ​​the Acropolis from the Areopagus Hill

All the main buildings of the Acropolis, the remains of which have survived to this day, were built under Pericles in the 5th century BC. BC.

The best architects, sculptors and other masters of that time were involved in the construction of the Complex. Among the decorations of the Complex, the most admired huge statue goddess Athena, whose authorship is attributed to Phidias.

Parthenon - the main temple of the Acropolis in honor of the goddess Athena

After the construction, the Acropolis has already survived several millennia and many wars, Christian churches and Muslim mosques were attached to it, and individual structures were simply dismantled for materials for other buildings.

The Acropolis of Athens even managed to serve as a warehouse of ammunition during the Turkish occupation, the explosion of which caused the greatest damage to the Acropolis.

Archaeological complex of the Acropolis

Total on top of the Acropolis in ancient times 21 buildings and a majestic statue of Athena the Warrior were erected. In this article we will mention only the most remarkable of them, as well as what you can see in the neighborhood.

Being at the entrance to the Acropolis of Athens - the famous Propylaea, created from white Pentelian and gray Eleusinian marble - it is worth looking to the right - the Hellenistic pedestal and the small temple of Nike Apteros will open up.

This temple is located on a hill, from which, in clear weather, you can see beautiful view to the Saronic Gulf. Here stood and big statue victorious goddesses, but in 1686 the Turks dismantled the "pagan temple" for the construction of their cannon bastion.

Over time, the Greeks recreated the Temple of Nike from the found blocks again. In the center of the site is the famous Parthenon - the temple of Athena, erected in honor of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians, and other architectural monuments.

Below the Acropolis is the magnificently preserved odeon of Herodes Atticus, and to the south you can see the ruins of an ancient open theater built in honor of the god Dionysus.

The Acropolis Museum is located very close to the sacred hill

Nearby is the Hill of Ares, where meetings of the Areopagus, the supreme power of Ancient Athens, were held.

The New Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009 and is entirely dedicated to the main Athenian attraction, deserves special attention.

Opening hours

The opening hours of the Acropolis in Athens depend on the season and can vary greatly depending on the month. So in the summer season, the Acropolis is open to visitors from 8:00 to 19:30 pm, but starting from September, as daylight hours decrease, hours of operation are also reduced.

At the same time, hours of work are reduced gradually. For example, from September 1 to September 15, the Acropolis is still open according to the summer schedule; from September 16 to September 30 - until 19:00; from 1 to 15 October - until 18:30, and from 16 to 31 October - until 18:00.

During the winter months, the Acropolis may close at 15:00, so it is better to plan a visit in the first half of the day.

In addition, the Acropolis is usually closed on the following days: January 1, March 25, May 1, Easter (Sunday), December 25 and 26.

Tickets and price

Full price single ticket to the Acropolis- 20 Euro, preferential - 10 Euro. At the same time, the validity of the ticket applies not only to the Acropolis itself, but also to the sights located on its slopes.

It is noteworthy that in the period from November 1 to March 31, a reduced price is valid for all categories of visitors.

In addition, in Athens there is a so-called Complex ticket(Specail ticket package), which is valid for 5 days and allows you to visit not only the Acropolis, but also other attractions of Athens, including the Ancient Athenian Agora, Roman Agora, Hadrian's Library and others.

The full price of a package ticket is 30 Euros, the reduced price is 15 Euros.

For non-EU residents, the broadest category eligible for the concession ticket is university students. To purchase a ticket at a discount, you must present your student ID at the box office.

In addition, persons under 18 can visit the Acropolis of Athens free of charge. To do this, you need to present a document confirming the age.

For other visitors who do not fall under benefits, there are bonuses in the form days when admission is free for everyone. These dates are:

• March 6 (in memory of Melina Mercouri)
• April 18 - International Day of Monuments
• May 18 - International Museum Day
• Last weekend of September - European Heritage Days
• October 28 - Ohi Day
• Every first Sunday of the month from 1 November to 31 March

Excursions and Audio guide in Athens in Russian

Visit the Acropolis of Athens as part of an organized individual excursion in Russian it is possible together with our familiar guide Kostas. Kostas is a licensed tour guide and has been introducing Russian-speaking travelers to Athens for many years.

The city, already from the name of which many have associations with the most important events in world history. Significant sights for mankind are concentrated here: the temple of Hephaestus, the Panathinaikos stadium, the temple of Zeus, the Parthenon and dozens of museums with rich funds.

Over the centuries, the Greek capital experienced upheavals and a series of ups and downs, was under the yoke of conquerors and was reborn. One thing remained unchanged: the heart of the city - the Acropolis, which has dominated Athens since ancient times.

Evening view of the Acropolis from the upper floors of the King George Hotel, perhaps best hotel Athens.

Location of the Acropolis: how to get to it

The main attraction of Athens is located in the heart of the city and is perfectly visible from anywhere in the capital. The 156 meters high Acropolis Hill is located in the Acropolis area - for obvious reasons, the most visited area of ​​the city. get to right place won't be difficult. The easiest way is by metro to the nearest Acropoli station or to the stations of Thissio, Syntagma, Omonia and Monastiraki. From the center of Athens, the Acropolis can be reached on foot if you follow Dionysios Areopagite Street. You have to keep going uphill. Closer to the Acropolis, numerous signs will not let you go astray.

Acropolis on the map of Athens. Marker placed at the entrance to the Acropolis

History of the Acropolis

The rocky hill of the Acropolis has been used by the Athenians since time immemorial. During the archaic period, temples were built here and sculptures were installed, religious ceremonies were held. During the Mycenaean period, the Acropolis served as a royal residence - it was difficult to imagine a more advantageous and safe location in Athens.

Under Pisistratus, active construction began on the hill ancient temple Acropolis - Hekatompedon, the predecessor of the Parthenon. It was dedicated to the goddess Athena and surrounded by several religious buildings. But all the temples fell into decay after the invasion of the Persians. And then the Greeks vowed to restore the shrines, driving out the enemies.

Acropolis in antiquity.

New attempts to build a temple on the Acropolis were made during the time of the famous commander Pericles - he initiated it. The development of the project was entrusted to Phidias, who became the main author architectural appearance. So the Parthenon rose above Athens, and it was destined to become a recognizable symbol of Greece. But before the temple passed tests. The Parthenon was converted and captured several times: it served Orthodox church and a mosque, and neighboring buildings were even used to house a harem. Some priceless monuments were taken apart for building materials.

Only with the revival of Greece as an independent state was the restoration of the monuments of the Acropolis begun. And many sculptures were replaced with copies for preservation purposes - the originals are stored in the Acropolis Museum.

For the Greeks, the theme of the heritage of the main attraction of Athens remains painful. In the 19th century, a collection of art objects was taken to England by Lord Elgin (whom Byron called a thief for this). And so far, the UK is refusing Greece's requests to return the stolen marbles to their homeland.

The famous portico of the Caryatids. One of the sculptures was broken out by Lord Elgin and is now kept in the British Museum.

Temples and monuments of the Acropolis

The entrance to the Acropolis is the Propylaea, made of gray Eleusinian and white Pentelian marble. The architecture combines Doric and Ionic columns - the first time in Ancient Greece that two orders "met" in one structure. The monumental entrance consists of two porticos. One looks at the Acropolis, the other is directed towards Athens.

On the southwestern side of the Propylaea stands the Temple of Nike. Its marble frieze, made in the Ionic style, depicts the gods and fragments of the battle against the Persians. In ancient times, the now-lost statue of Nike stood inside. In 2000, the temple was restored, and today it adorns the Acropolis.

The Parthenon is the main attraction of the Athenian Acropolis.

The central place on the hill is given to the Parthenon. For the sake of it, many people come to Athens. IN ancient city he served as the main temple dedicated to Athena, and his appearance inspired architects throughout Europe. The Parthenon has not yet been completely restored, although this does not prevent it from being the most impressive monument of the Acropolis.

Among the important temples of Ancient Athens was the Erechtheion. It was erected on an uneven surface, so the structure is asymmetric. On the southern part of the Erechtheion are statues of caryatids, which made the appearance of the temple recognizable. Also on the slopes of the Acropolis you can see the ruins of Asklepion and the Odeon of Herodes, which still serves as a venue for concerts.

Acropolis Museum

In 2009, the New Acropolis Museum was solemnly opened in the Greek capital. Its ultra-modern building is several times larger than the size of the old museum. The openings were waited for so long that in the first 3 months the number of visitors exceeded 1 million.

The collection is made up entirely of objects found on the Acropolis since 1834. Here you can see statues, original caryatids, memorial plates, countless fragments of structures and religious objects. Visitors even have the opportunity to watch the excavations that take place right under the building of the New Museum.

The museum covers in detail the different eras of the existence of the Acropolis. He introduces not only the ancient period, but also the era of the Roman Empire. Interactive materials complement the exhibition well. The Acropolis Museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions, and on public holidays arranges interesting events for children.

What to visit near the Acropolis

A visit to the Acropolis can be combined with a walk along other famous places cities. For example, according to the Agora - the center of the political, commercial and cultural life of Ancient Athens. Former market Square preserved many architectural evidence, including the Temple of Hephaestus. To the left of the Acropolis is Philopapu Hill with a monument to the Roman ruler Philopapu. The building has been partially preserved, so the hill attracts tourists with a magnificent panoramic view of Athens.

And, of course, after visiting the Acropolis, you need to go to Monastiraki - the most popular and colorful area Athens, which has preserved many interesting monuments stories. Among them stand out the Church of the Virgin and the mosque. But the main attraction for tourists is the Monastiraki market, where any tourist will find a souvenir to remember Athens.