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The Acropolis has been occupied since Neolithic times because of the steep slopes that formed natural defences on all sides but the west.
By 1400 BC it was a powerful Mycenaean citadel dominating the plain of Attica as far as the nearby natural harbour of Piraeus.
The cult of Athena dates back to the beginning of the Archaic period in the 7th century BC when the Acropolis fortress had a religious as well as military function.
The monumental gateway on the western side of the Acropolis, the Propylaea, was constructed in 437-432 B.C. just after the completion of the Parthenon.
Looking south just after passing through the Propylaea one can glimpse the sea in the far distance and examine the Odeum of Herodes Atticus built from 160 to 174 of our era.
Still looking south but more to the east you can see the remains of the Theatre of Dionysos where the great classical dramatists presented their plays in the fifth century BC.
Looking now towards the north you can see how Athens extends far into the distance beyond the ancient agora in which you can distinguish the well preserved Doric Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Erganes (patrons of artisans), that dates from the 5th century BC.
The Parthenon is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilisation and still remains its international symbol. It was built between 447 and 438 BC and dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens.
The Turks used the Parthenon as a powder magazine when the Venetians, under Admiral
Morosini, sieged the Acropolis in 1687. One of the Venetian bombs fell on the Parthenon
and caused a tremendous explosion that destroyed a great part of the monument which
had been preserved in a good condition until then.
I have added this photo without the globetrotter for those who might want to download a recent picture of the Parthenon for a school project, for their website or whatever non-commercial purpose. You are all welcome to use my photos provided you ask me first.
The entire Acropolis was undergoing a major restoration in preparation for the Olympics
Considering what a huge job it is to restore the Parthenon with modern technology, it's no wonder that it took 11 years to build it 24 centuries ago!
I was impressed by the precision of the restoration work going on. This photo shows how a plaster moulding of the missing part of an ancient stone block, on the right, is being carefully reproduced by carving new stone to fit exactly as if it were a dental crown.
The Erechtheion was built around 420 BC with Ionic columns. This is the monumental propylaea on the northern side, opposite the famous porch of the Caryatids. The temple was dedicated to the worship of the two principal gods of Attica, Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus
This view of the other side of the northern wall shows the new stone blocks that replace those that had crumbled too much.
Here is the famous porch of the Cariatides on the southern side of the Erechtheion. The recently replaced blocks are still apparent but they will age and blend in with the rest in a few years.
I leave you with this panorama of the view from the western tip of Acropolis. The pointed Likavittos hill on the left, higher than the Acropolis, can be reached by funicular railway. The National and Zappeio Gardens make up the green patch in the centre where a part of the Roman Stadium can be seen peeking out from behind the Ardettos Hill. Finally, some of the columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus can be seen still standing in brown patch on the right. It was begun in the 6th century BC in Doric style but was finished in Corinthian style only in the 2nd century of our era.
Well, this year's trip is over. It is now already early June so it's time to get back to Montreal to enjoy the summer festivities... and to plan my next voyage.
