Perched high above the city of Athens stands the Acropolis with the Parthenon as it’s shining masterpiece. The temple is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Athens and serves as the focal point for anyone looking for living history of the ancient world. What’s incredible when you first walk up to the Acropolis is that Socrates’ famed prison cell sits at the base of the complex. Each and every day he was imprisoned, he would have been able to look up at the Parthenon which could maybe serve as a sliver of beauty while being taken away from normal life.
Once inside the complex, one of the first things that you come across is a small amphitheater (The Theatre of Dionysus) that would have most likely been used for speeches and group gatherings. It was still very well preserved and reminded me of many of the bandshells and auditoriums that we have today. As you climb higher, you come across the big amphitheater that has been updated with modern technology. The marble seating that is laid out amongst the hillside is still in immaculate condition. Once you climb a bit higher, you reach the entrance to the Parthenon.
This temple was built in honor of the Goddess Athena, for which the city of Athens was named. While its main components have fallen and disappeared, including a large statue of Athena, the main bones are still present. It allows your imagination to picture what the structure must have looked like when it was originally built. It’s a shame that many wars and foreign nations destroyed parts of the Parthenon for it deprived many of us living today the joy and beauty of the original construction. The hilltop provides for scenic views of all of Athens from the mountains to the Aegean Sea nearby. It’s a place anyone coming to Athens should visit during their travels.
