Look into the eyes of history, relive the centuries of wars and the peaceful days of Hellas, and look at life in modern Athens from a height of 130 meters.
The Acropolis is a must-see attraction in Greece. Keeping the connection of thousands of years, it puts you in touch with a time that has left behind only ancient legends and glorious tales. The Acropolis in the city ofAthens began its history in the archaic period. As the most fortified part of the city (the hill is accessible only from the sea, on the other side the impregnable cliffs prevent access), it served as the residence of the first ruler of Athens - King Kekrops, born of the goddess Gaia herself.
For centuries Athenians had erected majestic temples on the Acropolis, imported costly sculptures and glorified the gods who favored Athens. Particularly residents of the city revered the goddess of wisdom, Athena, to whose glory the best Hellenic architects built on the hill famous Parthenon, photos of which to this day decorate history books. A little later, the Erechtheion and the temple of Nika Apteros were erected in the neighborhood. The Erechtheion became a kind of symbol of the power of Athens: on the spot where the temple now stands, the wise goddess and the god of the seaPoseidon fought for power over the city, so majestic was this city.
There are also many legends connected with the temple of Nika. Enterprising Athenians not only lured the winged goddess of victory to their city, but also chopped off her wings so that she could not leave. Whether it was really so is unknown, but the Acropolis of Athens itself has since fallen misfortune. Turkish invaders did not spare the ancient shrine, and the temple of Nike was dismantled into a bastion. The famous Parthenon of Athens was rebuilt and turned into a mosque, while the Erechtheion was given to the Turkish pasha who arranged a harem in the shrine of Hellas. The temple complex of the Acropolis survived the Venetian bombings and the Greek War of Independence, and passed to the Greeks half-destroyed.
Vowed to restore the shrine, the Hellenes carried out a complete reconstruction, and now every tourist can see the Acropolis as it was seen by the ancient Greeks. No history book can tell you more than what each stone of the ancient temple saw. These ruins have witnessed the heyday of Athens, the brutal Persian conquests and prevailing devastation, the courage of the Greek rebels and the stubbornness with which the ancient nation was reborn again and again. And the silent caryatids of the Erechtheion still look out boldly on the city, steadfastly supporting the temple portico.
How amazing is this jewel of ancient Hellas, which by some miracle survived centuries of bloody wars and rebellions! Everyone who climbs the hill of the Acropolis feels a real thrill of being in such a holy and ancient place. In addition to its cultural value, it offers the visitor a wonderful view of modern Athens, the azure sea and the Lycavitos hill. And 300 meters from the shrine, a modern museum has been built, where all lovers of ancient Hellas can come face to face with the real treasures donated by the Acropolis to the archaeologists. Right from the roof of the museum there is an impressive view of the city, which you can admire with a cup of coffee.
