Interesting Facts about the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

(The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece)

If you're planning a getaway to Greece or taking a Greek islands cruise, one site you should definitely see is the world famous Acropolis in Athens, Greece. You'll feel like you're taking a journey into history and mythology all at once, and be amazed at the site! To get you more familiar with the Acropolis in Athens, here's several interesting facts about the Acropolis in Athens, Greece:

Interesting Facts about the Acropolis

- The Acropolis refers to the large hill located in Athens which the Parthenon stands on top of, as do other ruins from ancient Greece. In the Greek language, "Acro" translates to "high" and "polis" translates to "city" - so Acropolis literally means the "high city".

- Some of the other ruins and original constructions on the Acropolis are:
the Old Temple of Athena, the Statue of Athena Promachos, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia or Brauroneion, the Altar of Athena, the Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, the Stoa of Eumenes, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, & the Odeon of Pericles.

- During ancient times, the Athenians held a festival called "Panathenaea" which was said to rival the Olympic games. There would be a procession that moved through Athens up to the Acropolis, and into the Parthenon. As part of the ceremony, a vast robe made of woven wool would be placed on the huge ivory and gold statue of the Goddess Athena.

- During the Byzantine period, the Parthenon was converted into a church, and was dedicated to Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia). Later, under the Latin Duchy of Athens, the Acropolis served as the administrative center for the city, and the Parthenon became its cathedral.

- The Parthenon temple was built between 447 BCE and 438 BCE. It was designed by Phidias, a famous sculptor, by request of Pericles, a Greek politician. The Parthenon was built as a monument to honor/worship the Greek goddess Athena. It is also known as Temple of Athena Parthenos (Athena the Virgin).

- The Parthenon had been kept in great condition over the course of time, but in 1867's Morean War, the Greeks had a major battle against the Venetians. During this battle, an explosion ripped through the Parthenon causing much of the damage seen there today. In addition, there was a damaging fire during ancient times which created some of the damage seen.

- The Parthenon is an example of Doric-style construction. "Doric" refers to a simple, unadroned style characterized by plainer columns.

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Also see: Facts about the Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy