Tag Archives: Southern slope of the acropolis

The southern slope of the Acropolis

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.

View of the Acropolis in Athens Greece.

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
Ruins on the 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”.

The theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus on the southern slope of the Acropolis

The Dionysus was the first theatre ever built, cut into the southern cliff face of the Acropolis, and supposedly the birthplace of Greek tragedy.

Seats in the theatre of Dionysus

The southern slope of the acropolis had many ruins. We continued walking up the path.

View of the city of Athens from the southern slope of the Acropolis.

We would stop along the way to catch our breath and enjoy the moment and take it all in.

Shelley and Ray on the southern slope of the Acropolis.

The walk up the slope was very enjoyable and we looked forward to seeing the Acropolis at the top.

“μέχρι την επόμενη θέση, φροντίστε”