There are a handful of sights in the world that are synonymous with their location. The coliseum, eiffel tower, houses of parliament, empire state building, and the Parthenon.
The Parthenon is the oldest out of all these structures, and perhaps one of the oldest man-made structures in the world, aside from the pyramids.
But more on the parthenon later, first to the acropolis museum.
The acropolis museum is the largest collection of artifacts from atop the acropolis in Athens. The museum opened in 2009 and is Athens' newest. The museum sits atop a archeological dig site covered by glass. As you enter the museum, the you can see where workers continue to excavate the ruins of an ancient community that thrived in the shadow of the acropolis. The glass floors continue throughout the museum along with glass and concrete walls creating an ultra-modern feel that is juxtaposed with artifacts that date to several centuries BC.
Normally, I love museums. I love soaking in history and seeing artifacts that give me a glimpse into how people used to live. However, this museum does not qualify as one I would enjoy re-visiting. The artifacts are not laid out in a logical order. Instead, they are spastically arranged on lower levels of the museum with a large central staircase providing guests access to what seems to be the crowing jewel of the museum, a re-construction of the facades of the Parthenon. Really cool, right? yes and no. If anyone recalls my previous post from when I was in London and visited the National museum you will also recall the fact that it was the single largest collection of artifacts from the Parthenon including much of the friezes that surrounded the top of the building. So what is on display in Athens are poorly reproduced plaster copies of what is in London.
After going to the museum, which in theory would provide more of an insight of the Acropolis prior to visiting. So off to the Acropolis. For those who do not know what the Acropolis is, its the central hill in Athens. It was the home to the temples of the gods. Perhaps the most infamous is the temple of Athena, the Parthenon. Before you can get to the Parthenon, you must climb to the top of Acropolis hill.
The journey to the top of the hill involves a winding path through a forrest of olive trees and pass a two theaters, one that is in excellent condition and has been restored and is still used for events today, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theater or Dionysus which now isn't much more than a pile of rubble. After passing these sites winding up the hill taking a path that has been taken for over 2,000 years it hits you: I am really here. I am really walking in the same path that accent Greeks took in their togas. Once atop the hill, the Propylaea greets you.
The Propylaea is the entrance gate to the top of Acropolis hill. The remains are grand to say the least. Even the remains are grand. Large Ionic columns greet you as you enter through the structure. To the left and right are "lesser" temples that have been reconstructed and restored over the years. As pass through the structure, you cannot help to think of the fact that this is the same way that Athenians would enter during the grand celebrations.
Before you lies the remains of two sites: the Parthenon and Erechtheion. The Erechtheion is perhaps the more architecturally impressive though greatly overshadowed by the Parthenon on the right. This too, served as a temple to Athena but also Poseidon. This is the place where Poseidon and Athena battled out for control over the city, the victor is still apparent through the naming of the city, Athens.
Across from the Erechteion is the crowing jewel of the Acropolis, the Parthenon. The Parthenon is Athena's temple. It took less than a decade to complete. An engineering feat in itself. The structure of the Parthenon does not need to be described, it is infamous. Tall columns: a series of Ionic, Doric and Corinthian all arranged to give a sense of grander. The inside was divided into a series of rooms with the inside being where only the most elite were allowed in where they were greeted by a 40 foot statue of Athena with Nike which was decorated with elaborate gowns that were made from the finest materials along with offerings.
The rest of the hill is mostly ruins along with an incredible view of the city and even the port.
After my visit to Acropolis hill, I made my way down to Mars hill then Ancient Agora. (fast forward several hundred years along with ups and downs of wars, victories, losses, and foreign rule)
Mars hill is a rocky mound made out of marble that is quite slippery even in the hot, dryness of Athens. The hill has great significance for not only Greek history but also Christian history. It was from this hill that the Apostle Paul preached to the Athenian people converting them to a newly established religion known as Christianity.
Next was Ancient Agora. Ancient Agora is on the backside of Mars Hill. Ancient Agora was the spot in Ancient Greece. This is where politics were talked, worshipers worshiped, shopped, socialized and were entertained. All here. This area also has Biblical significance as well. This is Acts 17:15.
Today, the area is mostly ruins as well but does feature a quaint museum that is free with admission into the area.
After my stroll through Ancient Agora, I headed back to the hostel then went out for dinner.
Sometimes you may be walking in the footsteps of history and may not realize it.
Until-
Matt
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