Page 290 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Exploring the Acropolis
There are only a few
Once through the Propylaia, the grand gateway sculptures left on the
built between 437 and 432 BC as the entrance to Parthenon, notably on
the site, the Parthenon exerts an overwhelming the east pediment.
fascination. The other fine temples on “the Rock”
include the Erechtheion, the temple dedicated to
both Athena and Poseidon, and the Temple of
Athena Nike. The Erechtheion is particularly
EXPERIENCE Athens columns on the south porch of the
notable for the Porch of the Caryatids,
statues of women used in place of
temple. Since 1975, visitors have
not been allowed to enter the
temples. It is a miracle that
anything remains at all,
as the ravages of war,
the removal of temple
treasures and pollution
have all taken their toll
on the Acropolis.

The Propylaia,
the magnificent
gateway to the
Acropolis stands
next to the Temple
of Athena Nike.
The Odeon of Herodes
Atticus theatre was built
between AD 161 and 174,
and restored in 1955.

THE PARTHENON
MARBLES
The most famous
ancient sculptures in
the world, the Elgin
(Parthenon) Marbles
are also the most
controversial. Half of
the surviving sculp­
tures were taken to
Britain by Lord Elgin in
1803, allegedly with
the permission of the
Ottomans. Since 1832,
independent Greece
has petitioned Britain
to return the marbles,
which are on display in
the British Museum, The partially restored Odeon
but without success. of Herodes Atticus, now
used for summer festivals
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