Acropolis
Acropolis in
Athens is the most
famous architectural site in
Greece and most preserved
Acropolis ("high
city") throughout the
country.
Acropolis is a flat rocky hill rising 150 meters above sea level and extending over an area of 30,000 square meters On it are some of the greatest masterpieces of
ancient Greek culture.
Athens Acropolis dates back to the
Mycenaean Age (XII-XIII century BC), it is believed that it was situated the palace of King Kekrop (founder and first king of
Athens) and places to perform certain cults gods-patrons. Since the end of Hv.pr.Hr. highest plateau was transformed into a sacred
city and retained only sanctuaries where they were built many temples of the goddess
Athens. In 480g.pr.Hr hill was burned by the Persian army led by Xerxes.
The majestic
Acropolis with various temple complex was built in the years of greatest power of the
Athenian state, after the defeat of
Persia, and when cultural prosperity peaked called classical period in ancient
Greek civilization (V-IV century BC ). In the management of Pericles. Most of the temples have been rebuilt, he entrusted the reconstruction of their group of architects, painters and sculptors led by
Athenian sculptor Pheidias genius.
In the western hills of the
Acropolis were built majestic gates, called
Propylaea. They are the
monumental entrance to the
Acropolis and it leads to the main square, where once was located 8.5 m high Bronze statue of
Athens Promahos (combatants), a work of Pheidias. Propylaea designed by architect Mnesikal and built between 437th 432g.pr.Hr. Represent a central entrance with two side wings, which are characterized by their asymmetric term as South is considerably higher.
To the left of the portico was clinging Propylaea famous Pinacoteca
Athens - the
world's first art gallery, preserve works of famous artists from
Athens, Classical period, which were painted mythological scenes and on the board.
On the right side of the Propylaea is elegant Ionic temple dedicated to Goddess of Victory - Nike Apteros. It was designed by Kallikrates and was completed between 421 and 415g.pr.Hr. The interior of the
temple in the
Acropolis is very low - 4.19 to 3.78 m, as it was placed a statue of the goddess and the entire facade is decorated with carvings reflecting scenes from the Greco-Persian wars.
On the highest hill of the
Acropolis stands the main temple on the
Athenian Acropolis -
Parthenon, dedicated to the city's patroness
Athens Parthenos (Virgin Goddess). It was built between 447-432g.pr.Hr. And his architects are Iktinos and Kallikrates. The
Parthenon is the largest temple in
Greece, combining columns in Doric and Ionic, made of Pentelic marble sculptures and decorations, which are among the most important masterpieces of Greek classics. In the central part of the temple of the
Acropolis was located dvanadesetmetrova statue of
Athens Parthenon, by Pheidias made of gold and ivory.
At the northern end of the
Acropolis, opposite the
Parthenon is located Erechtheum, built of marble between 421 and 405g.pr.Hr. This Ionic temple dedicated to three gods -
Athens, Poseidon and Hephaestus, and mythical heroes Erechtheus (its name) and his brother Butes. Like Propylaea, and it is asymmetric shapes adapted to rough terrain, the eastern part is 3m. higher than the west.
Acropolis temple is unique as it is with three portico, situated at different levels. Two of them are with Ionic columns and the third is six caryatids (sculpted female figures performing the function of columns).
Much of the unique creations of the
Acropolis have been stolen and exported abroad, many have moved to London in the early XIX century by Lord Elgin and currently is placed in the British
Museum. Today in the
Acropolis Museum is set thousands of sculptures and architectural elements of the
Acropolis monuments and local excavations. In 1987.
Athens Acropolis is included in the lists of sites protected by
UNESCO a
World Heritage Site.
