A Survey Of Athens Architecture

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The Acropolis is a must for every visitor of Athens. Regardless of your knowledge of buildings and structures, the Acropolis has the power to amaze and astound any one that looks at it. For starters, the Acropolis has been standing mighty and proud for thousands of years, which was estimated to date back to the 5th Century B.C. The ingenuity employed in building massive slabs of granite, marble and stone into such long-standing structures of exquisite artistry is simply mind-blowing. You will be welcomed by what remains of the Propylaea, at the entrance of the Acropolis. Nearby is the Temple of Athena with its towering Ionic-style columns. The most imposing of all structures is the famous Parthenon built to honor Athena, where you can find imposing Doric style columns. From the Acropolis, the spectacular view of the city of Athens and the Mediterranean Sea at its background completes the monumental experience of this splendid landmark. The Panathenaic Stadium is another spectacular structure in Athens. It was built and constructed out of pure white marble in the 4th century B.C. It is the only stadium completely made out of marble in the world. It was home to the 1870, 1875 and 1896 Olympic Games. It was originally built in 566 BC and still stands today to accommodate bout 70,000 spectators. From the Panathenaic Stadium head to the Ancient Agora or the marketplace that houses the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus and the museum of Stoa of Atalus - a reconstructed building from the 200 B.C. Proceed to the colossal Temple of Olympian Zeus and stand humbled against its towering size. This perfect homage for the king of the Olympian god was built in the 6th century B.C., 100 years before the building of the Acropolis. Don't miss on the Vallianios National Library and its Doric-style and Ionian-style columns. What looks like a huge single structure is in fact a complex of three separate buildings connected by a row of columns in Doric style. Another remarkable feature is the Renaissance inspired curved double staircase that leads the way to the reading room and the glass ceiling therein. From afar, take a look at the Hadrian's Arch, a massive gateway built across the road of Athens up to the complex of several structures where the Temple of Zeus is located. Aside from its enormous size, the arch's claim to fame is the fact that it is made from the pure marble obtained from Mount Pentelikon. It was originally built to separate the cities of ancient Athens and the then modern Roman city of Hadrian. Finally, make a short stop at the Omonia Square, where you can observe the locals and rest your wearied feet after an exploration of the many neoclassical buildings that surround the square.
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