This hill was a sacred site for ancient Athenians. To reach the plateau, you enter through an immense portal, and at the top are the ruins of three temples built in the fifth century BC. From the top of the Acropolis, you also get a sweeping view of Athens and the Saronic Gulf. There are two paths leading up to the Acropolis: One is off Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, and the other is off Theorias Street in Plaka. Wear sturdy shoes and take plenty of water for the ascent, which is steep, slippery and scorching hot midday. Authorities plan to add an elevator but, at the moment, no disabled access is available.
Propylaea. This monumental gateway is your reward for winding your way to the top of the Acropolis. (Be forewarned, however, that the steps are steep and slippery.) As you enter the small, rectangular hall, stop for a moment to marvel at the six Doric columns. Built of pure marble, this was the first building to combine Ionic and Doric styles.
Temple of Athena Nike. Also called the Temple of the Wingless Victory. On the south side of the Propylaea, this small temple once contained a sanctuary and an altar for animal sacrifices.
Parthenon. The largest building on the Acropolis is one of the world's most awe-inspiring man-made sites. The Parthenon (built by Pericles to honor the goddess of wisdom, Athena, patron of the city) has been the model for thousands of buildings throughout the world. Except for its roof, which was made of wood, the Parthenon was constructed of marble. The temple stood intact for millennia, until the ruling Ottomans used it to store gunpowder, which was ignited by a Venetian bomb in 1687. Most of the artifacts from the temple are housed in the Acropolis Museum nearby.
Erechtheion. Ahead and to the left as you face the Parthenon. Built on the site of the legendary contest between Athena and Poseidon, the temple was a shrine to Athena and the twin deity Poseidon-Erechtheus. Its most distinctive feature was the ingenious design of the six support columns on the south side—carved in the shape of maidens, or caryatids. The originals have been replaced by models, but three genuine caryatids are on display in the Acropolis Museum a few yards/meters away.
Acropolis Museum. This small museum lies hidden behind the Parthenon. It houses some marvelous sculptures and other findings from the Acropolis. Construction work on the much larger New Acropolis Museum, a few hundred yards/meters to the south, is almost complete, and if all goes to plan it will open to the public in late 2008. Open daily 8 am-7:30 pm (closed earlier in winter). The entrance fee of 12 euros for adults includes the Acropolis archaeological site and museum (plus the Theater of Dionysus, Agora site and museum, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Roman Forum, and the Kerameikos site and museum). Phone 210-321-0219 (archaeological site); 210-323-6665 (museum). http://odysseus.culture.gr.
