Athens and the Acropolis

History of the Acropolis

The rock of the Acropolis, crowned by the dramatic ruins of the Parthenon, is one of the most potent symbols of the ancient world. A steep-sided, flat-topped hulk of limestone, it has been the focal point of the city during practically every phase of its development. People lived here as early as 4,000BC, and its size and elevated position made it the perfect place to watch for invaders coming across the ocean. The earliest temples were built during the Mycenaean era, the last phase of the Bronze Age in Ancient Greece, in homage to the goddess Athena. Then, after all the buildings on the Acropolis were destroyed by the Persians in 480BC, Athenian statesman Pericles launched a comprehensive rebuilding programme, constructing sculptures and temples, and promoting the arts, in what later came to be known as Greece’s classical golden age. The Acropolis became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and restoration works continue to tackle the damage inflicted by years of foreign occupation, theft, damage by tourists and natural disasters, with many original sculptures moved to the Acropolis Museum for protection.

Other key sights and activities in Athens

Two of Athens’ historic districts sit at the foot of the Acropolis and are well worth a look. The Agora was the administrative and political hub of ancient Athens, where lively philosophical debate took place, courtesy of Socrates and other luminaries. It also contains the beautifully preserved Temple of Hephaestus, dating to 415BC. Just to the southeast is Plaka. The oldest residential district in Athens, it’s full of cobbled streets and colourful neoclassical homes, though it’s also mobbed by tourists in peak summer season. Away from the main tourist drag, the elegant National Archaeological Museum hosts a vast spread of ancient and classical Greek artefacts.