Acropolis | Ray and Shelley's Retirement Adventures

We reached the top of the Acropolis after walking up the steep slopes and entered through some large marble pillars.

Entrance pillars at the top of the Acropolis

It was an awe inspiring site with so much rich history. We walked slowly through the pillars in amazement that we were actually there.

Walking through the pillars at the entrance area of the Acropolis

It was a surreal felling as we began to explore the ancient citadel on the rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. The top of the Acropolis is quite large and the buildings are separated from each other. The first structure we went to see was the Parthenon, which is the former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.

The Parthenon temple located on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

The Parthenon is fairly large and has a height of 13.72 meters (45 Feet) and is very impressive to see. As we approached the Parthenon we could see the details on the pillars and roof beams.

A view of some of the pillars and roof beams of the Parthenon.

View of the details on the beam area of the Parthenon

We walked around the Parthenon which was built in 432 BC and admired the architecture. It is indescribable the awe inspiring feelings we had. It was extraordinary to think that the Parthenon is the most important surviving building of classical Greece. After exploring the Parthenon we went to the temple of the Erechtheion.

The temple of the Erechtheion on Acropolis.

The temple of Erchtheion was decidated to both Athena and Poseidon. This structure was smaller but still very impressive.

Ray in front of the temple of Erechtheion on Acropolis

We walked around the temple and could see some of the statues along the porch area on the north side of the building.

Porch of the Caryatids on the north side of the temple of Erchtheionhe.

This porch is called “Porch of the Caryatids”. named after the statues.

View of the six Caryatids on the porch at the temple of Erchtheion

The six Caryatids are not the same their faces, stance, draping, and hair are all slightly different. We walked around the exterior of the Temple of Erchtheion looking at the different sections. On the south side we came to some large pillars and another porch area.

The view was breath taking from there. We could see the city of Athens and the mountains.

The view of Athens and mountains from the temple of Erchtheion

After exploring this area, we moved on and explored the rest of the Acropolis.

There were Pillars and other ruins throughout the site. We walked around and tried to imagine how it was when it was build around 500 BC.

A view of some of the ruins on the Acropolis in Athens

Pillars and other remains from 500 BC on the Acropolis.

This was truly one of the highlights so far of our adventures in Europe. The ancient Greece was the birth place of democracy, was the source of some of the greatest literature, architecture, science and philosophy. It was an amazing thing to be on the Acropolis and see the historic ruins.

Shelley and Ray on the Acropolis in Athens.

“Tahnks και να έχουν μια μεγάλη μέρα”

The Acropolis is a major tourist attraction in Athens. It was the fortified citadel and state sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens. It is located on the top of a rocky hill that rises in the heart of Athens.

We climbed the southern slopes of the acropolis exploring the ruins and working our way up the 156 meters to the top.

The base of the southern slope of the Acropolis

We walked up the steep slope looking at the different ruins along the way.

Ruins on the southern slope of the Acropolis

path leading up the southern slope of the Acropolis

As we made our way up the slope we came to the “Odeon of Herodes Atticus” an amphitheater built in 161 AD which could hold 5,000 people.

The sanctuary and theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the south slope of the acropolis

It was a beautiful amphitheater cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis. It was restored in the 1950’s and is still utilized for theatre and shows to this day.

The sanctuary and theatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus

From the back of the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus you can see the skyline of the city of Athens.

Skyline view from the amphitheatre of Odeon of Herodes Atticus

We continued up the slope and came across another amazing theatre.

Shelley, Vicki and Mark at the base of the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus,

This theatre called the Dionysus Eleuthereus and was considered to be the world’s first theatre. It was built at the foot of the Athenian Acropolis. and dedicated to the god of wine and plays, “Dionysus”.