Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient fortified hill and temple complex overlooking the city of Athens, Greece. Its principal monuments - including the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Propylaea - were built mainly during the mid-5th century BCE as part of the Periclean building programme.

The hill-top complex contains multiple well-preserved classical temples and related structures visible from across Athens; the Parthenon is the largest and most recognisable. The slopes below the Acropolis also contain major ancient performance venues such as the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which are often visited together with the summit.

Construction of the major stone monuments was carried out under Athenian leadership in the mid-5th century BCE with architects Iktinos and Kallikrates and the sculptor Phidias associated with the Parthenon. Over subsequent centuries the buildings were converted to Christian churches and later Ottoman uses, and the site suffered damage including a major explosion in 1687; archaeological conservation and restoration have been ongoing since the 19th century.

The Acropolis sits on a limestone outcrop overlooking central Athens, within walking distance of the modern city centre and adjacent to the Acropolis Museum; it is a short distance northeast of the coastal port of Piraeus.

• Elevation and period: The Acropolis plateau rises about 150 metres above the surrounding city and the primary monuments date to the mid-5th century BCE (the "Periclean" building programme).
• Museum tip: The Acropolis Museum at the hill's base houses finds from the site and is recommended to visit either before or after climbing the hill to understand the archaeology.

What to See #

• Parthenon: A monumental Doric temple dedicated to Athena, the Parthenon occupies the highest point of the hill and is the most prominent surviving structure.
• Erechtheion: An Ionic sanctuary complex with the famous Caryatid porch that served multiple cult functions in antiquity and remains notable for its architectural detail.
• Propylaea: The classical monumental gateway that served as the ceremonial entrance to the summit precinct, dating from the 5th century BCE.
• Temple of Athena Nike: A small temple on the southwest corner of the Acropolis hill dedicated to Athena Nike, notable for its compact proportions and Ionic order.
• Theatre and Odeon: Ancient performance structures on the slopes below the hill, including the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, linked to the Acropolis complex.