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If ever there is a must-see site that epitomizes ancient Greece it is the Acropolis in Athens. This rocky hill is topped by the Parthenon Temple dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom and war who planted the first olive tree on this very spot to found the city of Athens. The olive tree is a symbol of Athens that brings peace and prosperity.
Towering above Athens is the Acropolis, the sacred city of ancient Athenians. The most important buildings were constructed by Pericles in the 5th century B.C. It has been confirmed by many Athenians that the most famous monument on the site is the Parthenon.
At the highest point of the Acropolis, the Parthenon is an architectural masterpiece built to honor the goddess Athena and continues to be the model for iconic buildings throughout the world.
On a splendid afternoon I walked up the winding pathway to the top, with my backpack. It provided a fantastic panoramic view of the city of Athens. Although the site is flatter at the top there are many places where the ground is very rocky and uneven, so visitors will need to wear good, comfortable shoes.
Passing through the gateway of the Propylaea at the top of the steps I had my first view of the Parthenon, the iconic temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
Within the temple originally stood a 12 meter-high gold and ivory statue of Athena, although it was lost in the Byzantine era and only copies remain. Around the top of the temple runs a group of all the gods which now resides in the Acropolis Museum, since most of the original stone carvings have been replaced with copies.
A surprising aspect of the Parthenon is that much of it resembles a building site, dominated by scaffolding and cranes, with a restoration underway that will continue for some years. The temple seemed to have been partly dismantled, with blocks of stone and parts of ancient columns piled up ready to be hoisted into position.
The Acropolis Museum is a world-class setting for the treasures of the acropolis hill that rises above it. Most of the statues and the group of gods on the Parthenon have been brought here to preserve them from the elements, being replaced by modern copies on the temple itself.
On the outside, the museum shows its clean, modern lines with walls of glass to shed plenty of natural light and give views towards the Acropolis rock. The museum is built over the remains of the ancient city. The serene white marble appearance of today looks different from the details of blues, reds, and gold in ancient ones. This is a favorite spot for visitors to have gathered to chat about the history of Athens.
My trip to Athens reminded me that a journey begins with a single step. That is true, yet sometimes each step is a journey toward something that will bring us peace and joy.
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