The Acropolis of Athens sits right in the heart of the city. To it’s north is the Agora. East is the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Along its southern edge lies the Theater of Dionysos, the Aesclepion, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. West is the Pnyx.
The Acropolis itself is a rough projection of rock that rises 200 feet above the level of the surrounding city. At its top is an expansive plateau measuring some 300×150 yards. Here lie the remains of the four most famous buildings in the Western world: the Propylaea (or monumental gateway), the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheon, and (of course) the Parthenon.
The map below shows the Acropolis plateau, as well as the buildings arranged along its southern flank. In addition, the site is color-coded to indicate the dating of construction for the existing buildings.
The New Acropolis Museum is divided into four main collections.
First (on between the ground floor and first floor) are artifacts excavated from the slopes of the Acropolis.
- Lots of pottery—vases and cups and plates … some beautifully painted and showing brides and grooms, priests, processions, and sacrificial offerings … some more utilitarian and intended for everyday usage.
- Artifacts from the Theater of Dionysus and the Aesclepion and the Sanctuary of the Nymphs.
Next, on the first floor, are remains from most of the Acropolis structures (i.e., the Erectheon and Propylaia and Temple of Athena Nike), with scale models and displays of statues and frieze reliefs associated with the temples (e.g., the Caryatids).
Also on the first floor is a vast collection of “stand alone” statuary recovered from the top of the Acropolis itself—young maidens (korai) and boys (kouroi) from the Archaic Period; the Kritios Boy (a wonderful example of an early Classical development); and an array of statues from the 5th Century b.c. to the 5th Century a.d.
Finally, on the top floor of the museum, is an awe-inspiring view of the Acropolis and the Parthenon and a ja
w-dropping recreation of the Parthenon columns and cella, hung with the sculptures (the metopes and friezes) that decorated the original Parthenon. This display puts the Parthenon sculptures at eye-level and allows you to hear the stories of the birth of Athena, the battle of the Amazons, and the Trojan War all over again.
When you grow weary, there is a café on the second floor with views of the Acropolis. Grab an espresso, kick up your feet, and pinch yourself: you are in Athens, in the shadow of the Parthenon, surrounded by world-famous artifacts. Could it get any better?
The Acropolis is the symbol we all associate with the city of Athens and with Greece. This “high city” holds within itself all the classic Greek themes: stories of artistic revolution, financial investment, political upheaval, war and personal betrayal. Tourism is the number one money-maker for Athens and the Acropolis is THE SITE, the one p
lace people think of when speaking of Athens. So bring your camera! The Parthenon, Erechtheon, Propylaia and Temple to Athena Nike are the picture-perfect subjects of the photos everyone at home will want to see.
For all the hype, you will certainly not be disappointed. The Acropolis has its world-class reputation for good reasons. You will walk up the crowded steps, just as the ancients did, and stand among massive ruins. You will feel pride surge through you as you admire what we humans are capable of accomplishing. (And perhaps – depending on your perspective – feel a little humility about how little we have done since!). The geometric principles, the architectural sophistication, and the incredibly detailed artistic decorations are astounding even when just reading about them in a book. But actually standing in front of these temples, marveling at the audacity and skill of the ancients, will bring you to something approaching awe. Your physical presence adds a human element to decaying ruins that mere facts and pictures cannot convey.
After braving the masses and the elements, you will come away with pictures and memories to treasure forever.
