8 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About the Acropolis of Athens

No panoramic view of Athens is complete without its well-known, recognized, and beloved Acropolis. A first-class historical site that stands as one of the oldest places in the world, located atop a hill overlooking the capital of Greece. This hill is, in fact, where the temples of Athena and Poseidon were built during the classical Greek period. The Acropolis is all you need to truly understand the history of ancient Athens, featuring some of the best views of the entire city. Here are a few interesting facts that make us love it even more.

1. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

2. In 1687, it was bombarded by the Venetians, causing significant damage to the Parthenon.

3. Six caryatids supported the roof of the Erechtheion, named in honor of the young women of Karyes in Laconia who danced in honor of the goddess Artemis.

4. 421-406 BC are the years when the Erechtheion was erected, on the northern side of the sacred rock of the Acropolis.

5. The Doric columns of the Parthenon measure 10.93 meters in height and 1.91 meters in diameter.

6. 1852-1853: the years when the French archaeologist Charles Ernest Beulé discovered the staircase leading to the Acropolis and the fortified access gate, which has been called the Beulé Gate ever since.

7. Eight columns adorn the front of the Parthenon, and 17 line its side flanks.

8. The first excavations and restorations of the temples began in the 19th century after a period of looting.

• Parthenon

• Ancient Temple of Athena

• Erechtheion

• Statue of Athena Promachos

• Propylaea

• Temple of Athena Nike

• Eleusinion

• Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia

• Chalkotheka

• Pandrosion

• Arrephorion

• Altar of Athena

• Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus

• Sanctuary of Pandion

• Odeon of Herodes Atticus

• Portico of Eumenes

• Sanctuary of Asclepius

• Theater of Dionysus

• Odeon of Pericles

• Temenos of Dionysus Eleutherios

"The Greeks invented democracy, built the Acropolis, and never had to do anything else." - David Sedaris, Writer

"I have admired perfection since I saw the Parthenon." - Le Corbusier, Architect

"Greece has two souls: the classical world, whose symbols are the Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon, and a Byzantine soul, represented by Hagia Sophia in Constantinople." - María Belmonte, Writer

"The Earth proudly displays the Parthenon as the finest jewel of its territory." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Writer