The Acropolis
"Legends and Lore"

The Acropolis is probably the biggest reason sight seers come to Greece. Sure you can go to ship wreck beach or to the ancient sands of troy, but most people can't deny that they would like to see the acropolis if they visit Athens Greece. Now a note of caution and advice. If you're going to Athens in the summer then you want to dress coolly and if you can go early in the morning or the evening. It's very high elevation and very close to the sun, I guarantee you will burn if you don't take my advice. Also, I would if I were you take a jacket if your there in the colder months as since you are higher up it will be more cool.

So first I would head to the Plaka (read our other article on the Plaka its great) here you can have some food, shopping and drink before going. When you're ready begin the walk up the pedestrian walkways to the Acropolis. As you walk up streets will be replaced by woods, you will eventually make it to the entrance way of the Acropolis. As you arrive you will see a temple to Athena on your left. This small temple overlooks the sea and is a wonderful sight. There used to be a status to Athena in the temple, however the Turks removed it to place gun emplacements on the platform to the sea. If you look towards the Piraeus islands you can see ships waiting for entry into its harbor.

Pericles built these buildings in fifth century bc to celebrate the cultural and political achievements of the Athenians. The term acropolis means upper city, and this place was used often as a refuge during war. It's said that in the past the women of Athens would grow tire of their men constantly going to war with the neighbor city state Sparta. And because of that the women would barricade themselves up in the acropolis refusing their men things like food, sex and care. Now I know for myself that a strategy like this could bring me to my knees and it's said that it brought many Athenian men away from the battlefields and back to thier homes. The holiest said place on the acropolis is the Erecthion the place where legend has it Athena fought Poseidon for the right to be patron over the young bustling city.

A spot that has a lot of history is the flag post. The flag post is a great picture spot because you can see before you all of Athens. You see the Plaka below you and stretching out as far as the eye can see is the city. This place has some history behind it as well. Take this for instance. When the German third Reich invaded Greece, there was a flag that flew atop the acropolis. When the Germans moved in and ordered the flag to be removed, a man named Evzone took the flag down, wrapped himself in it and jumped to his death. Later it shows the place where two Greek young men took the heroic act of placing the flag back at the end of the war. If you want to see history or ancient lore, the Acropolis is one of the must stops on your trip to Greece.