The Acropolis of Athens, the Sacred Rock, is considered the ultimate symbol of ancient Greek civilization and culture. It is a hallmark of the capital and Greece as a whole, standing as one of the most significant and majestic monuments in Europe.

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  • History
  • Parthenon
  • Southwest Slope

The Acropolis and the Parthenon, the grand temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, are visible from almost every part of the city. The modern Acropolis Museum on Areopagitou Street houses many artefacts from this historic site. The Acropolis rock rises 156 meters above sea level and is a landmark with a history linked to religious festivals, myths, and struggles over centuries. Since 1987, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected as a cultural monument. The monuments on the Acropolis are awe-inspiring due to their innovative architecture and their historical significance.

History

The history of the Acropolis dates back to the Neolithic Age. By the 3rd millennium BC, a fortified settlement was established on the hill, which was favoured for its natural defences and springs.

During the Mycenaean period (c. 1750-1050 BC), the settlement expanded, and the Acropolis became the centre of power for all of Attica, except Elefsina. Mythologically, Theseus united the small cities of Attica to form Athens. The Acropolis was fortified with walls made from large carved stones. Initially, the Acropolis was the ruler’s residence, where the Erechtheion stands today. As Athens evolved into a town, the Acropolis became a place of religious worship.

In the 8th century BC, a small temple dedicated to Athena Polias was built on the site of the former Mycenaean palace. It housed a wooden statue of Athena made of olive wood. Next to the temple stood remnants of the mythological battle between Athena and Poseidon—Athena’s olive tree and the marks from Poseidon’s trident. The tomb of the mythical king Kekropas was also located here.

In the 6th century BC, a sanctuary dedicated to Athena Pallas was built, named Ekatompedon. The Mycenaean walls were preserved until 480 BC when they were destroyed along with all the temples during the Persian sack of Athens.

After the Persian Wars, the rebuilding of the walls and construction of new sanctuaries began, initiated by Pericles, who aimed to restore Athens’ glory. During the 5th century BC, the construction of the impressive monuments we admire today (the Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea, and Temple of Athena Nike) began under the supervision of Phidias, Callikratis, Mnesikles, and Kallimachos.

In the 3rd century AD, fortification modifications began, including the construction of the late Roman (Valerian) wall. The Parthenon roof was burned during a raid by the Heruli in 267 AD.

In the 6th century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church dedicated first to the Wisdom of God and later to the Virgin Mary of Athens. The Byzantine emperor Basil II worshipped there after his victory over Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria.

During the Frankish occupation (13th-14th centuries), the Parthenon became a Catholic church, and two new churches were built on the Acropolis. Extensive damage occurred during the Ottoman occupation, turning the Acropolis into a fortress for the Turkish garrison and converting the Parthenon into a mosque. In 1645, lightning struck the Ottoman gunpowder magazine, partially destroying the Propylaea.

In 1687, during the Ottoman-Venetian War, Venetian forces bombed the Acropolis, causing the Parthenon, which served as the Turkish gunpowder magazine, to explode. The Scottish diplomat Lord Elgin further damaged the site by removing numerous artefacts in the early 19th century, now displayed in the British Museum.

During the Greek Revolution, the Acropolis saw further destruction from alternating sieges by Ottomans and Greeks. After Greece’s independence and the establishment of the new Greek state, the Acropolis was made accessible to the public in 1835.