The Acropolis, Plaka & Ancient Greek Agora: Private Walking Tour

The Acropolis is the gleaming centrepiece of any visit to Athens. Sitting high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the entire city, it was once the most important citadel of the mighty Greek empire, and remains one of the most important historical sites anywhere in the world. Although the word translates as “highest point”, and many other acropoleis are scattered throughout Greece, the historical and cultural significance of the buildings on the summit of Athens is so enormous that it is generally referred to simply as “the Acropolis”. An Ancient Megaron It is speculated that the Acropolis may have been inhabited as far back as the 6th millennium BC, and certainly it is known that the Mycenaeans built an enormous palace called a megaron here over 3000 years ago. Very little survives of this, however, and most of the buildings on the summit today resulted from the spectacular vision of the Athenian Pericles. The Light of the Western World During the Golden Age of Athens, when the city-state had defeated Persia, established democracy and now stood as the leading intellectual light of the Western world, Pericles commissioned an exceptional group of master craftsman and artists to produce a citadel like none that had ever existed before. And so were built the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the Temple of Athena Nike, extraordinary feats of engineering carved by hand from the finest marble and encrusted with innumerable precious stones. Whether you are wandering among these ancient monoliths or simply admiring from afar the golden hue they reflect at sunset, the Acropolis is an Athenian experience not to be missed.

Sitting proudly atop the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon is arguably the most famous and historically significant building in the Western world. Though the years have somewhat taken their toll, the great marble columns still retain a great deal of their former glory, and the gleam they give off from high above the Greek capital can be truly awe-inspiring. The Pride of the AcropolisThe Parthenon was built during the Golden Age of Athens, approximately 2,500 years ago. The Persians had been defeated, democracy had been established, and the city was the intellectual and cultural centre of the world. Under the leadership of statesman Pericles, a group of master craftsmen raised a series of buildings on the Acropolis that were to be the envy of all who laid eyes upon them. Foremost among them was the Parthenon. It was built to house the astonishing new statue of Athena Parthenos, now sadly lost, and also to act as the city’s treasury. The Big BangUnfortunately, history has not been kind to this grand old edifice. Earthquakes, fires and light-fingered foreign archaeologists have all played their part, but the greatest disaster occurred in 1687 during the war between Venice and the Ottoman Turks, who were occupying the city. The Turks were using the Parthenon to store gunpowder at the time, and when it was struck by a Venetian cannonball, the resulting explosion destroyed most of the sculptures, several internal walls, and the entirety of the roof, as well as damaging several buildings nearby.

It may be less prestigious and well-known than the nearby Parthenon, but in ancient Athens it was the Erechtheion which held primary religious importance on the Acropolis. Supposedly the sea god Poseidon struck his trident into the rock on this spot, and later Athena famously caused an olive tree to sprout in the same place when she stabbed it with her spear in defiance of Poseidon’s rule of the Acropolis. To honour this mythology, the Athenians dedicated the Erechtheion to both deities. Maidens Fair and StrongThe Erechtheion was built as part of the great Athenian statesman Pericles’ grand vision during the Golden Age of Athens in the late 5th century BC. It was during this period that the most famous buildings on the Acropolis were constructed, using the designs and labour of some of the best craftsmen of the day. The most dramatic evidence of this skill can be found on the southern face of the temple, known as the “Porch of the Maidens”. Here, five young women stand firmly carved in such a way that they act as columns to support the portico. There were originally six of them, until esteemed archaelogical pilferer Thomas Elgin stole one of them in 1801 to decorate his mansion in Scotland. Beautiful on So Many LevelsWalking around the Erechtheion today, you will be struck by its complicated architecture. This piece of ground may have been holy, but it was by no means even, and the temple was built on several different levels in an attempt to deal with this problem. Considering the age of the place, the intricacy with which it was designed and built by those ancient hands is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

When the spectacular buildings that crown the Acropolis were originally built, it was decided that the rocky outcroup needed a gateway that would do justice to the splendour inside. And while the years have rather taken their toll on the finish of the Propylaea, the sheer immensity of it as you mount the plateau is truly awe-inspiring. Athens’ Golden EraLike all the other buildings on the Acropolis today, the Propylaea was built during the Golden Age of Athens, when the city was the cultural and intellectual centre of the Western world. The great Athenian statesman Pericles embarked upon an ambitious building project which would make his city the envy of all who laid eyes upon it. He charged the great architect Mnesicles with designing and building the gateway to his new citadel. Pillars of RespectVisiting the Propylaea today, you will first climb a broad staircase cut directly into the rock. This leads up to the dramatic entrance hall, whose portico is supported by three enormous columns on each side of you. Moving further inside, careful observers may notice a change in style – while the first columns you encounter on the outside are Doric, those which support the internal structure of the gateway are Ionic in style. It is thought that this was a diplomatic decision made during the politically thorny Peloponnesian War. Mainland Greeks tended to prefer the Doric style, while “Eastern” Greeks from the islands and the coast of modern Turkey favoured Ionic columns. In order to show respect to both groups, Pericles commanded that the gateway be designed in this intriguing blend of styles.

On the western end of the Acropolis’ southern slope lies the impressively renovated Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Capable of seating a crowd of 5,000, it was built in 161 AD by the Athenian aristocrat who gave his name to the building. Originally it had an expensive cedar of Lebanon roof, but this was destroyed when the Germanic Heruli tribe attacked Athens in 267 and destroyed many of its great buildings, including the Odeon. The damage done to the amphitheatre was not repaired as quickly as elsewhere, and it was only after a painstaking renovation in the 1950s that the Odeon was finally restored to its former glory. An Ancient StageThese days, the gleaming rock-cut steps descend spectacularly in front of you as you stand at the amphitheatre’s rim. From here you also have a great view out over the city itself, before wandering down to tread in the footsteps of the actors and musicians who once played here nearly 2000 years ago. The Modern VenueThe Odeon is still used for performances today, with Frank Sinatra, Sting and Elton John all having played here at various times. If you are lucky enough to attend, the feeling of watching the spectacle on a warm evening in this ancient place will give you a more evocative experience of the ancient Greek lifestyle than can be found anywhere else on the Acropolis.

The Theatre of Dionysus, on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, is widely considered to be the world’s first theatre. It was here that the cult of Dionysus, god of winemaking, fertility and ritual madness, used to hold a festival annually in his honour. Unsurprisingly, these were raucous affairs, with plenty of drunken revelry and musical and theatrical contests to keep the “worshippers” entertained. Originally the festival was held in the Athenian agora, but in the 6th century BC it was moved to the Acropolis, where a natural bowl in the hillside made for a perfect theatre. These events were the birth of drama as we know it today. The Architectural Show Goes OnFrom relatively humble beginnings, with simple wooden benches used as seats, the Theatre of Dionysus grew to an enormous venue capable of seating 17,000 people. The apotheosis of the development process was overseen by Lycurgus in the middle of the 4th century BC, with extravagant ornamentation including 67 Pentelic marble thrones in the front row reserved for festival officials and priests. As the centuries passed, there were many alterations made. This was especially true during the Roman period, and the theatre we see today is significantly different from its original Greek form. Still, you can get quite a buzz from perching on these ancient seats and imagining the roar of the thousands cheering around you as the show goes on below. Definitely worth stopping by on your way up to the top of the Acropolis.

The ancient Athenian agora was more than just a market. Literally translating as “place of gathering”, it provided a space for merchants to peddle, businessmen to wrangle, citizens to worship, magistrates to pass judgement, intellectuals to debate and politicians to legislate. It is one of very few places in Athens that has been continuously used and occupied since the city was founded. Getting the Sack It was in the 6th century BC that the agora began to assume its role as a public forum. As one of the centrepieces of a major Mediterranean power, it was sacked extensively at least three times, by the Persians, Romans and Herulae respectively. In some ways, this is evident as you walk through the agora today. Where once you could have passed the Temple of Ares or felt small beneath the Odeon of Agrippa, there is now little more than trees, foundations and some telltale dust at your feet. It does make for a peaceful stroll, however, something which can be hard to come by in the centre of Athens. Standing Firm One notable exception to the general atmosphere of elegant ruin is the impressive temple of Hephaestus, the god of metal working and fire, which can be found on the north-west side of the agora. At over 30m long, it is in remarkably good condition. It owes this good fortune to its history of varied and continuous use as, among other things, a Christian church, a burial place, and a museum.

See the remains of the largest structure erected by Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, which held not just a library but also music and lecture rooms.

An octagonal Pentelic marble clocktower in the Roman Agora considered the world's first meteorological station.

The monument sits on Tripidon Street, the ancient road that led from the city entrance to the theatre and was erected in honour of victory at the Great Dionysia festival.

On the East of the Erechtheion around 500 BC, the Athenians built the open-air sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, the city protector.

The Temple was built at the end of the 1st c. BC on the east side next to the Parthenon.

Temple dedicated to Pandrosus, one of the daughters of Cecrops I, the first king of Attica.