Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis is the limestone citadel above Athens, rebuilt in marble under Pericles after the Persians burned it in 480 BCE. Its four surviving buildings are the reference point of classical architecture.

Overview

The rock has been occupied since the Bronze Age, but everything standing dates from a single generation after 447 BCE: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion with its caryatid porch, the Propylaea gateway and the small temple of Athena Nike. Restoration has run continuously since 1975, replacing rusting iron clamps from an earlier repair that were splitting the marble. Scaffolding is permanent and is not a reason to wait.

Highlights

Enter by the west gate and climb through the Propylaea, which is how the approach was designed. Go at opening or in the last two hours; midday in summer is brutal on unshaded marble and the site closes to visitors above 39 degrees. The combined ticket covers six other ancient sites over five days and costs little more than the Acropolis alone.

Overview

Highlights

Location