Acropolis

page 3

A few more

Acropolis

tips & insights

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Time has been unkind

The structure has suffered through the centuries.

Explosion
In 1687 (over 2,000 years after the Acropolis was built), a stray cannon shell blew up ammunition being stored inside the Parthenon. The explosion permanently collapsed the roof and seriously damaged the columned walls.

Elgin Marbles
In the early 1800s, priceless marbles (now called the Elgin Marbles) were transferred without Greek approval to the British Museum in London. The Greek government has been demanding their return, without success.

Scaffolding
When I first visited the Parthenon in 1966, it had no scaffolding. Unfortunately, it now bears that visual distraction because of a lengthy reconstruction project.

Air pollution
It is badly eroding the precious historic buildings.

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Name

Acropolis means "high city", referring to a hilltop location on a mammoth, steep-sided rock outcropping crowned by a complex of temples and other monumental buildings.

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More than one Acropolis

Some communities in Greece have an acropolis, too. The best known of those is on the Greek Island Lindos. However, the one in Athens is so famous that when you say "Acropolis" by itself, most people assume you are talking about the Athenian version.

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Click

PAGE ONE

PAGE TWO

for more Acropolis pointers

Wonders of Greece

Greece wonder map

World's Top 100 Wonders

World's Top 1000 Wonders

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