When visiting a moment of historical repute, it is only natural that you might feel a little daunted. You are, after all, standing on the shoulders of giants. People who built cultures, structures, and ideas that have stood the test of time.
The Athenian Acropolis is one of the most revered buildings in all of Greek history. The home of the Parthenon itself, it holds incredible historical and cultural import within Greece.
Visiting here can seem challenging, so how can you ensure you maximize your enjoyment when visiting the Acropolis?
Start with the Parthenon
The best way to get started is to go and visit the Parthenon. This is the ‘main’ building of this collection and was built back in 483 BCE. It was designed as a temple to Athena herself and has also been used as a church, mosque, and even a storage facility across history. With 70,000 pieces of marble used to build this special building, it is an architectural marvel that is more than worth your time.
Stand on the Porch of Maidens
Stand at the Parthenon and you will see the Porch of Maidens. While the original statues are gone, they have been replaced by 7ft 7” plaster cast replacements. Five of the originals now stand within the Museum, so you might want to swing by there to see them for yourself. This is quite an interesting place to stand, offering an eye-catching view and a clear sign that you are standing on a piece of vital history.
Stand atop the Tower
There is a tower here that has the Greek flag flying from it, and we highly recommend you ascend the tower as it is a photographer's dream. You will get some amazing views from up here, and you will be able to find yourself standing on an important part of Greek resistance to the Nazi occupation of the country. Indeed, an ancient passage was used by a pair of teenagers back in 1941. Entering the Acropolis, they pulled down the prominent Swastika that hung from above. It was the beginning of a resistance movement that was eventually successful.
Visit the Odeon
The Herod Atticus Odeon would be your final stop, and it is a stunning open-air theatre spot. Built to hold as many as 5,000 people, this was used to help provide music festivals and even bullfights with a place to take place in the city of Athens. If you are looking for a historical sight that was used for everything from debate to culture to entertainment, come and stand here. You will feel the history all around you, and understand how the Odeon helped to shape Athenian culture once upon a time.