Athens: The Acropolis

 In the mid-5th century BC, Perikles persuaded the Athenians to begin a grand program of new building work in Athens.  The work transformed the Acropolis with three contrasting temples and a monumental gateway.

 The Acropolis was free for Good Friday.  We waited in a long line and the girls climbed in olive trees as we waited.

 

  

 The Parthenon itself replaced an older temple of Athena, which historians call the Pre-Parthenon or Older Parthenon, that was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC.  In the 5th century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

After the Ottoman conquest, it was turned into a mosque in the early 1460s. On 26 September 1687, an Ottoman ammunition dump inside the building was ignited by Venetian bombardment. The resulting explosion severely damaged the Parthenon and its sculptures. 

 

 You can see the Temple of Olympian Zeus on the green lawn.

 The Acropolis and the view were amazing.

 Ernestos took us to a very yummy vegetarian restaurant.  Lillian recently reminded me that she has now been a vegetarian for more than a year.

And, of course, while digging the tunnels for the subway, they found all sorts of artifacts.  This display is in a subway station.  A huge thanks to Ernestos for hanging out with us and showing us around.  Thank you!