Adventure Woman loves the Acropolis!

The Acropolis

Adventure of the Moment

Visiting the Acropolis (Athens, Greece) is more than just another excursion; it is an event. This hilltop spectacle overlooking the city of Athens is not only one of the ‘must visit’ places in Athens, but also one of the ‘Must Visit’ places in the world. Yes, it’s wonderment ranks up there with the Pyramids of Egypt, the statues of Easter Island, the Taj Mahal of India or Machu Picchu of Peru. You just have to visit it in your lifetime.

This “Sacred Rock” has had a profound impact on the architecture of the western world and is considered one the world’s most important historic sites. Built during the late 5th Century BC from beautiful ivory marble; the perfect artistic proportions and expansive visual grandeur of the Acropolis is breath-taking.

One of the most famous temples at the Acropolis is the Parthenon. The world renowned Parthenon was created for the virgin goddess Athena. The imposing columns and intricate carvings are representative of the best of classic Greek architecture. At one time a gold and ivory statue of Athena was housed inside.

Another favorite site is the Erechtheion. This structure unites separate temples of Athena and Poseidon. Handsome human sculptures replace columns as support structures for the temples. Myth has it that the two deities fought over the patronage of Athenians on this very location.

The new Acropolis museum is a requirement when visiting. The museum replaces the older, less sophisticated Acropolis Museum. Glass floors and windows allow visitors views of an ancient Christian settlement beneath the museum and outside views of the Acropolis Temples.

Criticisms have been waged that the museum is so sleek that it doesn’t mesh with its surrounding, however, the world can no longer claim that Greece is unable to care for her treasures. Namely, the campaign has grown stronger for the return of the Elgin Marbles (taken by the Earl of Elgin in 1799 from the Acropolis and now housed at the British Museum in London). While the return of the marbles is doubtful; the heightened care of the invaluable antiquities is a gift to the world.

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