Report from the Acropolis – the new walkways

The end of October saw the beginning of the construction of new walkways on the Acropolis. The construction was purportedly prompted by the need to provide access to the monuments for people with disabilities; its completion should coincide with the … Continue reading →

The Acropolis opens its gates again

This gallery contains 9 photos.

Today is a historic day: after two months of lockdown, Greek archaeological sites are open again. So, our virtual journey will take us to the Acropolis, on its first day after the lockdown.   In these two months, Greece managed … Continue reading →

Corinthian style: the truth

This gallery contains 7 photos.

Today, our virtual journey will take us back to Athens to explore the true roots of the “Corinthian” order. I’m putting the term in brackets, because Vitruvius may have said that the Corinthian order was invented in Corinth, but as … Continue reading →

Alone in the museum

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Due to the virus, Greek museums have been closed for almost a month. In these empty museums, what do the statues do? Do they come off their pedestals and lead their own secret lives, away from prying eyes? Or do … Continue reading →

The temple of Nike

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Right next to the Propylaia (the gate to the Acropolis), stands the tiny temple of Athena Nike (Victory), built between 432-424 BCE. An inscription informs us that the building was designed by Callicrates, one of Parthenon’s architects. The temple was … Continue reading →

Divas of the Acropolis

This gallery contains 4 photos.

The Acropolis fauna comprises many species, most notable of which are the tortoises, often making an appearance among the vegetation of its Southern slope. There are also the ubiquitus pigeons, doves and sparrows. However, a new species has come to … Continue reading →

Faces of an Emperor

This gallery contains 3 photos.

Nineteen hundred years ago, a young Roman aristocrat, Publius Aelius Hadrianus, became Emperor of the Roman Empire. Heir to Emperor Trajan, he assumed the official name Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus and remained in power for the next 21 years, from … Continue reading →

Justice League: The Parthenon paradox

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Those of you who have been following this blog for some time must have figured out a few things about me: First, I have a particular interest in the archaeology of Greece and Athens in particular (call it a professional … Continue reading →

How the Parthenon was blown up, in pictures

This gallery contains 5 photos.

On the night of September 26th to 27th, 1687, the mortars of the Venetian army shot the fateful bombs that blew up the Parthenon. 328 years ago today, the temple of Athena, which had withstood twenty centuries of earthquakes and … Continue reading →

FAQ: Acropolis, Parthenon, what’s the difference?

This gallery contains 1 photo.

The Acropolis is a rocky hill in the middle of Athens.  The Parthenon is the most famous monument on top of that rock. The name Acropolis derives from the Greek words AKRO (meaning peak, top) and POLIS (meaning city). Acropolis therefore means … Continue reading →