Acropolis
The Acropolis of Athens is the most striking and complete ancient Greek
monumental complex still existing in our times. It is situated on a hill of average height
(156m) that rises in the basin of Athens. Its overall dimensions are approximately 170 by
350m. The hill is rocky and steep on all sides except for the western side, and has an
extensive, nearly flat top. Strong fortification walls have surrounded the summit of the
Acropolis for more than 3,300 years. The first fortification wall was built during the 13th
century BC, and surrounded the residence of the local Mycenaean ruler. In the 8th century
BC, the Acropolis gradually acquired a religious character with the establishment of the cult
of Athena, the city’s patron goddess. The sanctuary reached its peak in the archaic period
(mid-6th century to early 5th century BC). In the 5th century BC, the Athenians, empowered
from their victory over the Persians, carried out an ambitious building programme under the
leadership of the great statesman Perikles, comprising a large number of monuments
including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia and the temple of Athena Nike. The
monuments were developed by an exceptional group of architects (such as Iktinos,
Kallikrates, Mnesikles) and sculptors (such as Pheidias, Alkamenes, Agorakritos), who
transformed the rocky hill into a unique complex, which heralded the emergence of classical
Greek thought and art. On this hill were born Democracy, Philosophy, Theatre, Freedom of
Expression and Speech, which provide to this day the intellectual and spiritual foundation
for the contemporary world and its values. The Acropolis’ monuments, having survived for
almost twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, fires, earthquakes,
sackings, interventions and alterations, have adapted to different uses and the civilizations,
myths and religions that flourished in Greece through time.
Throughout the world, Neo-Classical monuments have been inspired by all the
Acropolis monuments.
Beginning in the 6th century BC, myths and beliefs gave rise to temples, altars and
votives corresponding to an extreme diversity of cults, which have brought the
Athenian religion in all its richness and complexity.
The monuments of the Acropolis are distinctly unique structures that evoke the
ideals of the Classical 5th century BC and represent the apex of ancient Greek
architectural development.
These monuments are the testimony of a precious part of the cultural heritage of
humanity.
Despite the unavoidable damage of time, they still display their beauty and convey their
inestimable artistic and historic value, preserving all the features that directly and tangibly
associate them with the events and ideas of Democracy and Philosophy.
In order to maintain the authenticity and structural integrity of the monuments, an
integrated intervention begun in 1975 and continues today. The works are based on clear
theoretical and scholarly foundations, and follow the principles of the Venice Charter
The Acropolis has been operating as an archaeological site since 1833, shortly after the
establishment of the modern Greek State. Nowadays, the property is strongly protected
under the provisions of Law No 3028/2002 on the “Protection of Antiquities and Cultural
Heritage in general”.
The property is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, Education and
Religious Affairs, through the Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens, its competent Regional
Service, which is responsible for the site’s security and protection, as well as the
implementation of an efficient site and visitors’ management system.
Special attention has been paid to the accessibility of the site, to pathways and to visitor
facilities, especially for disabled people. Furthermore, emergency plans for visitor security
and scientific studies for the protection of the site, such as monitoring of earthquake
activity, are being carried out.
The New Acropolis Museum (inaugurated in 2009), in which most of the original
sculptural and/or architectural pieces of the monuments are conserved, the on-going
project “Unification of the Archaeological Sites of Athens”, as well as the long-term
conservation works will enhance the protection and the presentation of the property.
