The Acropolis in Athens

 I did it too, people often confuse the Parthenon and the Acropolis.  The former is the temple built for Athena and the latter is its physical location.

The Parthenon is the structure on the top right of the Acropolis. To the left is the unfinished approach called the Propylaia with a small temple. In the front left below the Acropolis is a Music Hall.



Our group with our guide, Anastasia, preparing to make the climb to the top of the Acropolis. I had a hiking stick, too and was expecting it to be stairs the entire way.  It was not as you can see below.

Our view as we got closer.

View of the Music Hall from close to the top.

It once had a roof.

Views of Athens

and another temple

To approach the Parthenon you have to walk through the unfinished entry point.  It's a real choke point when lots of people are visiting. 

Entries are by reservation to limit the numbers of people.

First full view of the structure built from 447 to 438 BC. 

It was built over top the ruins of other structures dating back to the fourteenth century BC.

A replica of the frieze looted by Lord Elgin and now in the British Museum

Elgin didn't take all the friezes.  These are on the other side but in poorer condition.

The Parthenon once had a huge statue of Athena, 13 meters tall covered in ivory and gold sheets. No one know what happened to it but there is a Roman marble copy that shows what it once looked like.

The Parthenon had many uses through the ages and suffered in wars.  Though restoration work continues it will never be returned to what it looked like in 438 BC.

Leaving the Parthenon we head again through the entry area.  Here we can get closer to the marble pillars, but no touching allowed!

There is another temple there on the Acropolis but I'll share that one another time.