I hope you enjoyed the first part of this Athens series. All three parts of this post will be published this week so be sure to subscribe to get notification when they first appear on the blog. Walking around the Ancient Agora leads you up the hill to the Acropolis.
As I mentioned in the previous post that you have options for the type of tickets you can buy for the sights. I would highly recommend getting the full ticket. Because if you buy the ticket to Agora you will have to buy another ticket for the Acropolis. If you buy the full ticket for the Acropolis you can actually see the other sites as they are included in the ticket.
The climb up to the Acropolis is not that strenuous and there are many sites along the way too, as well as viewing points. So if you see people climbing rock faces, don’t be surprised as they take to some weird and wonderful spots to get that money shot.
The Acropolis
Visiting the Acropolis in Athens is an absolute must! In Greek, the name means ‘High City’, a name given to any citadel built high on a hill or mountain for that matter. The Athenian Acropolis is one of the most recognised sites in the world and an important site in the city. It was very much a symbol of the city then as it still is today. Statesmen in a bid to create something in honor of the goddess Athena, who presided over Athens, spared no expense in constructing the Acropolis.
Skilled architects and sculptors where brought in to create what was and still is a masterpieces. From Callicrates, Mnesikles and Phidias who was claimed to one of the, if not the finest of scultors of that time. It was also Phidias who created the statue of Zeus at Olympia. The works of the skilled men went on to create what we now have today. It’s remarkable that we have anything left considering the first stone to the citadel was laid in 447BCE.
What’s Left Of The Acropolis
Some of the temples and statues on sight are continuously restored and maintained. You can still find the Parthenon, a temple built for goddess Athena, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike and Propylaea. It’s always fascinating to learn about the old cities and then be able to see it with your own eyes and just imagine what life would have been like for those that resided there or those who where summoned to answer questions that would seal their fate. It’s truly a magical place for anyone interesting in architecture, philosophies, ancient histories or those that love a good selfie from the Acropolis. Not to mention the views around the city.
Opening Times: 8am – 8pm(closes later in summer months)
Ticket Prices: €12 (soon to be €20 from April 2016)
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