The Acropolis
(Athens, Friday July 4)

Friday was devoted to ancient Athens, starting naturally with the Acropolis. We got up early to get to the Acropolis before the gates opened at 8am to beat both the heat (predicted to be near 40) and the hordes of tourist buses. It was a good idea. We pretty much had the site to ourselves and the other early birds for about 45 minutes. After that, the site was jammed with tourists.

Unfortunately, the Temple of Athena Nike has been completely dismantled in preparation for restoration, so only a bare spot with neatly labeled blocks was visible, but the main sites of the Propylaea, Parthenon, and Erechtheion were open for viewing.

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A few of the sights while ascending the hill to the Acropolis, here views towards the ancient Agora and the reconstructed Theater of Herodes Atticus.

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This is the monumental gateway to the Acropolis complex, and the main entry point for tourists visiting the site. When we arrived at 8am, there was hardly anyone there, but barly 2 hours later you can see (last 2 pictures) how that changed. As such, we got a better look at the Propylaea than most tourists, who get moved through quickly by the press.

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The most imposing building on the Acropolis, and the symbol of Athens, dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos. Built between about 450 and 430BC, it is mostly in ruins after a Turkish gunpowder magazine stored within exploded after being shell by the Venetians in 1687. It is currently undergoing extensive restoration and closed to the public. Most of the sculptures that decorated the monument are in the British Museum (the controversial Elgin Marbles), but a nearby museum on the site has other items protected from the corrosive effects of Athens' smog. Still a most impressive structure.

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Temple dedicated to the worship of Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus, the two chief deities of ancient Athens. The most famous decorations are the Caryatids on the south porch: pillars in the shape of women. These are actually replicas: the originals are inside the Acropolis museum to protect them from acid rain, except for one which is in the British Museum in London.

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The Acropolis hill provides some of the most spectacular views of Athens, or at least what is visible through a combination of heat-haze and smog of modern Athens.

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From here, we waded out through the busloads of tourists and headed down the hill towards the Ancient Agora.