Acropolis of Athens & Parthenon

Visit Acropolis and Parthenon in Athens Greece - Tours & Tickets

The Acropolis is the central hill in Athens Greece. All info, online entrance tickets and tours for visiting the rock with the Parthenon temple and the Acropolis Greece.

Acropolis Greece, the hill of Athens

The Acropolis is a hill of no less than 156 meters in the middle of the city of Athens, Greece. Acropolis therefore appropriately means 'the highest point'. This rock is so high that you can see it from afar. The rock has a flat top and many steep slopes. The Acropolis Greece is one of the most famous and popular Athens tourist attractions. On this mountain are a number of well-known landmarks that you can visit. The ancient site around the Parthenon was an important area for the patron goddess Athena. The Ancient Athena Temple was therefore dedicated to her. During the war with the Persians, a large part of the Acropolis had been destroyed. Rebuilding soon began after the war. Important statesman Pericles came up with the plans, which were executed by the sculptor Phidias. Every monument on the hill is an ode to a god or goddess.

What to see on the sacred Acropolis site?

On the Athens Acropolis grounds there are several buildings and monuments that you can visit:

1. Parthenon

The Parthenon is the largest building on the Acropolis Greece. Many people also see the Parthenon as the most impressive building. This building is dedicated to the goddess Pallas Athena. The purpose of this temple was to show how devoted and skilled the Greeks were when it came to art and architecture. The architect Phidias has kept the ratio 4:9 throughout this building. This was the first building built after the war. It was thus a symbol of democracy and hegemony in Athens. Many decorations and paintings could be found in the Parthenon. Today, these can no longer be found in the building itself. You can now see them in the Acropolis Museum and the British Museum of Londen.

^{The Parthenon, the largest temple on the Acropolis Greece}

^{The ancient hill can be seen from all over Athens}

2. Propylaea

Propylaea is a term from classical antiquity that stands for a monumental entrance to a building complex or sacred area. The Propylaea are therefore the entrance gate to the Acropolis. This entrance is therefore dedicated to gods who protected entrance gates. The Propylaea consist of columns divided over two galleries. Visitors could enter through these galleries. The Propylaea are located on the west side.

3. Temple of Nike

The Temple of Nike was built in the honor of goddess Nike. Goddess Nike is the goddess of victory. This building was therefore built after the Greeks had defeated the Persians in the war and the building that used to be on this site was destroyed. This temple is built in the Ionic style with a total of eight columns. At the front wall you can also find a number of pilasters that have been placed there as decoration. The most special parts of this temple are probably the friezes. This is where the war between the Greeks and the Persians is depicted. On the other side, the gods Athena and Zeus can be seen. At this time it was very unusual to display such images on friezes.

^{Propylaea, the place where you enter the Acropolis grounds}

^{The Temple of Nike at the Acropolis Athens}

4. Erechtheum

The Erechtheum is named after the king Erechtheus. This building is one of the most important sanctuaries of the Acropolis Greece, although it is not the largest building. The original temple can be found in the main building. This building consists of two different areas. One room was dedicated to a statue of Athena Polias and the other room was dedicated to King Erechtheus and the god Poseidon.

A library and third room can be found in the northern hall. Also located here is the Pandroseion, a walled sanctuary. Here you will find an olive tree donated by Athena, an altar to god Zeus and the tomb of Cecrops. The southern hall consists of six columns that are shaped like the figures of women.

^{The Erechtheum}

^{Statues of the Erechtheum}

Other sights of the Acropolis

A total of more than 20 buildings and monuments can be found on and around the Acropolis site. You will also find a statue of Athena Promachos (4) and the old Athena Temple (2). Athena was the protector of the city and is one of the main goddesses worshiped in the Acropolis. You will also find the Eleusinion (7) on the Acropolis. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone.

^{Source: Wikipedia - Madmedea}

^{1 = Parthenon, 2 = Ancient Temple of Athena, 3 = Erechtheum, 4 = Statue of Athena Promachos, 5 = Propylaea, 6 = Temple of Nike, 7 = Eleusinion, 8 = Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia, 9 = Chalkotheke, 10 = Pandroseion, 11 = Arrephorion, 12 = Altar of Athena Polias, 13 = Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, 14 = Sanctuary of Pandion, 15 = Odeion of Herodes Atticus, 16 = Stoa of Eumenes, 17 = Asclepieion, 18 = Dionysus Theater 19 = Odeion of Pericles, 20 = Temple of Dionysus, 21 = Aglaureion}

Acropolis of Athens tickets

What else to see near the Acropolis site?

On the way to the entrance of the Acropolis Greece or when you look down from the Ancient grounds, you will see some remarkable remains of important buildings that border the Acropolis grounds:

Odeion of Herodes Atticus

The Odeion of Herodes Atticus is a theater building commissioned by Herodes Atticus. This was a powerful and wealthy man in Greece who had it built for his late wife. The building has the shape of a semicircle that can accommodate approximately five thousand people. When it was built, this theater had a roof, so it was a completely covered theatre. Today there is no roof and many of the walls have disappeared. The theater was originally used for musical performances. Since the 1970s, public performances have been taking place again. Today you can attend concerts, operas, dance performances and Greek tragedies here.

Dionysus Theater

The Dionysus Theater is located on the southern side of the Akropolis and can be easily seen when looking down from the Acropolis grounds. This is the oldest theater in all of Europe. This is also where the art form of Greek tragedy originated. The ancient Greeks instituted the holiday Dionysia. During this holiday, the god Dionysus was worshipped. This was done through theatrical performances. These were first held downtown, but due to the growing audience, the theater performances were moved to the Acropolis. The audience first took place at the beginning of the rock on the ground or on benches. After that, stone seats were built which formed the basis for the theater.

^{The Theater of Dionysus seen from the Acropolis}

^{The Odeion of Herodes Atticus}

Temple of Dionysus

At the foot of the Acropolis of Athens you will also find the Temple of Dionysus. This temple actually consists of an old and new temple. The ancient temple was built for a wooden statue of Dionysus. At this ancient temple, theatrical performances first took place during the holiday Dionysia. When these performances were moved to the Dionysus Theater, a new temple to Dionysus was built.

Areopagus

The Areopagus is located northwest of the Acropolis Greece. This is a rock 115 meters high. Pagus is therefore the Greek word for large rock. The main judicial institution of Athens was located on this rock. Today it is still called ‘Areios Pagos’, but has been moved to a different location. The purpose of this judicial institution was to ensure that all laws were observed. Legend has it that the god Ares was convicted here for the murder of Poseidon's son. Orestes, another figure from Greek mythology, is also said to have been tried here for killing his mother.

^{Aeropagus, the rock close to the Acropolis of Athens}

^{View of Athens from Areopagus}

Video: Acropolis Greece Reconstruction

Where is the Parthenon in Athens?