Family Travelogue: Propylaea (Propylaia or Propylea), gateway to Acropolis, Athens, Greece/ Family Travelogue 04 June 2015

Tuesday 9 August 2016

Propylaea (Propylaia or Propylea), gateway to Acropolis, Athens, Greece/ Family Travelogue 04 June 2015

The Propylaea serves as the gateway to the Acropolis Plateau.

The Propylaea (Propylaia or Propylea) was built in the earliest years to control the entrance to the Acropolis. Climbing to the top neither easy nor difficult. We had to go through the steep and narrow inclining ramp that led us to the steep steps in front of the Propylaea. Followed by a slippery zigzag ramp and more steps before the dramatic ramp where we then felt we were finally at the Acropolis Plateau.

Beule Gate, Acropolis, Athens,Greece

We passed the Beule Gate before we reached the big steps

Beule Gate, Acropolis, Athens, Greece

view from steps to Propylaea: the unfinished Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the Filopappou Hill on the right top

The pain ascending to the Acropolis rock rewarded us the beautiful view of the Athens surrounded by hills, views of the other ruins and other historical sites such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Ancient Angora of Athens

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

view of Ancient Agora of Athens and the Temple of Hephaestus

Philopappos Monument on top of Mouseion Hill

Aeropagus Hill

view from Propylaea, Athens, Greece

Let's start climbing to the Propylaea,

On the left side,is the square pedestal of Agrippa. Marc Anthony and Cleopatra's statues once at the top until Marc Anthony was defeated by Agrippa.

On the right side is the small Temple of Athena Nike (Victory). The temple was a sanctuary, place of worship for deities associated with war.

Temple of Athena Nike (Victory)

Agrapatti Monument

Propylaea began construction after the main construction of the Parthenon in 437 BCE. It was stopped after five years due to the war. Athenians preferred to save the resources for the war. Twelve years after though, Athenians allocated a big amount of funds for the construction of Erechteion.

Climb climb further...This zigzag entryway was an addition by the Romans. Ancients Greeks used straight inclining ramp.

The Propylaea is a building of the Doric order with few Ionic columns supporting the roof of the central wing. Once you reached the six massive Doric columns, you are then at the Acropolis of Athens.

Now inside the Propylaea. Latter serves as the main gateway to the Acropolis

Propylaia, Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Propylaea, Acropolis, Athens, Greece

I remember we paid 12euros for adult and $6 for students. Currently, prices went up to 20euros per adult from the 1st of April 2016

For updated prices of the tickets, check out this site

continues to next post: Parthenon

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