Acropolis

Peregrine
Peregrine
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Editor Pick

The Acropolis Slip and Slide

  • September 26, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Carmen from Fairfax, Virginia
The Acropolis Slip and Slide

If ever there was a tourist trap that was hardest to get to, I think the Acropolis may win hands down. For the faintest travelers, you can take a cab to the base (but Acropolis taxis are more expensive than the regular ones), but even so, you’ve got quite a climb awaiting you. From either of the two closest Metro stops, expect a long walk and often not as cut-and-dry as the map would make it seem.

Once you arrive, buy your ticket for 12 euros (which has tickets to the Forum, Theater of Dionysus, etc., so you don’t have to buy more tickets for those. However, from all I’d read, it made it seem like your ticket was good for a week at these attractions and the Acropolis. That’s not the case. If you want to go back to the Acropolis, that’ll be another 12 euros, thank you very much.)

Then you’ll begin your somewhat treacherous trek to the top. The marble stairs and floors are well-worn and slippery, so watch your step. (Clearly Greece isn’t as lawsuit happy as the US.)

Don’t expect any scaffolding-free photos, either. Buildings on top of the Acropolis are always being refurbished, and in one case (Temple of Nike) taken down completely. I was so upset that the Parthenon was covered in scaffolding. Give me at least one side without all that crap, please? But interestingly enough, it doesn’t take away from the magnificence and still makes you awe-struck. This building has survived morons throughout history (the Turks once stored gunpowder here, and then lightning struck – literally) and still stands gloriously atop the hill.

It’s such an architectural masterpiece, that I, a student of architecture, had to visit twice. The columns are optical illusions – they actually lean (if they continued upwards they’d eventually touch) to give an appearance of straightness. And they bulge in the middle to make them look straight as well. Genius!

The first time we went to the top it was 4pm in the afternoon. The sun was at an odd angle, and it was still smoldering, but it wasn’t overly crowded. I’d avoid it in the middle of the day if I were you. The second time we went to the top it was 10am and packed full of cruise shippers. My suggestion is to try to beat them all there very early in the morning.

The only scaffold-free building on the Acropolis was the Erechtheion with its lovely Caryatid porch (the columns are in the shape of beautiful women.) I was fascinated by these columns, which are not originals (they would be in the museum, with one original in the British Museum.)

If you have one day in Athens, this should be your top stop.

From journal Greece Is the Word: Part 1 - Athens

Editor Pick

The Acropolis

  • July 25, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by m2fernandes from North Attleboro, Massachusetts
The Acropolis

The Acropolis is located in Athens, Greece, high above the ancient city, although you can have trouble trying to find it...that is, if you are walking by foot. Out of all of the Plaka, Monstriki, and Syntagma squares, I saw maybe two signs leading me toward the site, but never more than that. Be prepared to hike around and ask the locals as to how to get there. One little clue is follow the brick road; it leads you there. But first you have to find the brick road!

Once you finally make your way to the site, make sure you have shoes with traction. Climbing up towards the main gate, you'll see the Theater of Dionysus. Here, they have smaller performances to show tourists some of the Greek culture. The area has much marble, stones, and stairs throughout the site. When you first approach, you'll be entering Athena's shrine. As you walk through, you'll notice there is much construction. They are in the process of restoring the monument.

Continue through Athena's Temple, and proceed to the Parthenon. Here you can envision the activities that took place thousands of years ago. It is still in relatively good condition, but it is thanks to the efforts of the reconstruction team. Don't be alarmed, as many artifacts are available there as well as in the museum on-site.

Besides taking in the ancient buildings, be sure to take a few moments to soak in the sights from above Athens. You can see the layout of the city as well as have a good view of Lycavittos Hill.

With your ticket into the Acropolis, you'll also receive tickets to see Ancient Agora and other historical sights/references throughout the city.

From journal Athens: An Ancient Wonder

Acropolis

  • March 12, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by alex_nyc from New York, New York
Acropolis

It is hard to escape the "shadow" of the Acropolis. Pictures do not adequately capture the emotions and awe you experience when seeing the Acropolis up close or from the bottom of the hill. To maximize the experience, I'd recommend walking up to the Acropolis rather than taking a bus (if possible).

From journal Visit to the Ancient City—Athens, Greece

Editor Pick

The Acropolis

  • June 17, 2004
  • Rated 2 of 5 by lwoodie from Oak Hill, Virginia
The Acropolis

The Acropolis, or Sacred Hill, is the most important site in Greece. We could see it from our room and were very excited to step foot on it. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Nike, were dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Athena Polias, and Athena-Apteros Nike, respectively and were built between 450-330 B.C.

You enter The Acropolis through The Propylaea. The Parthenon, the Erechtheion, everything was covered in scaffolding, probably in preparation for the traffic when the Olympics comes later in 2004. The structures were obstructed by them, making the sites seemed cluttered.

We went into the museum on the hill and found broken statues and indiscernible pieces found centuries before. It was hard to get into what we were seeing because nothing looked like anything. As we were leaving the museum, we saw the original statues of the Erechtheion – the only problem is that we didn’t know that the ones on the structure weren’t real and wouldn’t have known then if an English speaking group hadn’t come by and asked the question.

From journal Greece - A trip to the past

The Acropolis

  • August 10, 2003
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Sarah M from Leicester, United Kingdom
For 12 euros (6 for students), you can gain entry to any six of the ancient sites around central Athens, including the stunning ancient Acropolis. Unfortunately, at the moment there is scaffolding around the Parthenon, spoiling your photo, but not minimising the sheer magnificance of this great site. I liked it so much that I went twice in the 24 hours that I had in Athens.

It is a gentle 10 minute walk passing the anncient theatres of Dionysos and Herodes Atticus (used for concerts and shows during the Athens Festival in July and August) up a landscaped hill to the top, where the view over Athens sprawling buildings is tremendous.

If there is one place you visit in Athens, this has to be it.

From journal Essential Athens

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