Acropolis and Museum Tour

We started our tour of the Acropolis early at the museum. Our tour guide began inside for two reasons. The first was that it was hot, and we could spend more time inside the air conditioning, and the second was so she could show us all the features of the Acropolis and then on our tour, we would have background information about what we were seeing. Going early to avoid crowds and some of the heat was good, but I also would like to go back in the evening, just before the sun sets and they light up the monuments. 

When we first walked into the museum, the tour guide described how the Acropolis changed over time, as Greece went through the hands of different rulers and religions. The models on the first floor of the museum allow you to easily see the transitions. 

Leggo model of the Acropolis

We then walked up a ramp, as if we were walking up the slope of the Acropolis itself. See the gallery here. The entire museum is set up in a way that mimics the real experience of the Acropolis. In a transparent part of the floor, there were dishes found under an ancient home. These dishes were given as a sacrifice when the house was built and they were laid into the floor of the New Acropolis Museum for the same reason. On the left of the ramp were several vases made for weddings. Water from the vase would be used to shower the bride on her wedding day. The vases would then be offered to the goddess Athena on top of the Acropolis. 

Dye used to color the marble statues

Once you get up the ramp, the room to the right is set up as if we were standing on the Acropolis. There are small marble statues of girls, facing all directions. On the Acropolis, these would also have been offered to the goddess Athena. 

Erechtheion

My favorite part of the museum was the Parthenon Gallery. The Parthenon is what I think of when I picture the Acropolis. It is set up as if you were around the Parthenon itself, with the same dimensions, and the frieze elevated to the same height it would be on the monument. It brings the Parthenon's features to life in a unique way so you are able to see it in detail up close. On each end, the statues that sat in the pediments are displayed in the pieces the museum has recovered. The East depicts the birth of Athena, and the West the battle for the title of the city. 

Our group on the way up!

After touring the museum, we headed up to the Acropolis, which actually means, "high city," and encompasses the hill and all of the structures on top. The ticket for the Acropolis also covers other sites nearby and is valid for four days. It was HOT, but the vending machines with water right after the entrance are the cheapest in Athens, only 0.35 euro!

In the middle of the city you can see the Temple of Zeus

Walking up the steps and seeing the entire city sprawled out below and ancient ruins everywhere I looked was indescribable. One thing the guide said that intrigued me was how the Greeks reconstructed the temples. She pointed out that without reconstruction, the pieces would just be lying on the ground and you wouldn't be able to see what they looked like or experience them the way they were built. 

The Acropolis is somewhere I see myself going back over and over when friends and family come to visit and there will always be something new for me to notice and learn!

Fulbrighters at the Parthenon!