The Parthenon
Symbol of ancient Greece
The Parthenon is the most photographed building on the Acropolis, and its columns are the undisputed symbol of the wealth of ancient Greece. The name means ‘the apartment of the Virgin’ and was built for Athena Parthenos, the goddess who gave the city its wealth. When you walk around the temple also note the brilliant finish and the sculptures in the pediments on each side of the façade. The marble panels, called metopes, once displayed beautifully painted and gilded historic scenes, such as the demise of Troy. Unfortunately, these colours have been erased over time.
The metamorphosis of the Acropolis
Almost 200 years ago the Greeks began to restore the city on the hill, erasing the traces of later additions to the Acropolis. In 1875, the Tower of Propylaea was demolished, even though the structure had been an Athens landmark for hundreds of years. A few years ago it became clear that not all restorations had been carried out professionally: a lot of the marble crumbled when the metal that was then used began to rust. Today, the metal has been replaced by titanium, the pillars have been straightened and the wall decorations have been cleaned with lasers. The Acropolis is ready for your visit.
