Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Monastiraki)
This rocky outcrop below the Acropolis has great views over the Ancient
Agora. According to mythology, it was here that Ares was tried by the council of the
gods for the murder of Halirrhothios, son of Poseidon. The council accepted his defence
of justifiable deicide on the grounds that he was protecting his daughter, Alcippe, from
unwanted advances.
The hill became the place where murder, treason and corruption trials were heard be-
fore the Council of the Areopagus. In AD 51 St Paul delivered his famous 'Sermon to an
Unknown God' from this hill and gained his first Athenian convert, Dionysos, who be-
came patron saint of the city.
Hill of the Pnyx
PARK
( Thisio)
North of Filopappou, this rocky hill was the meeting place of the Democratic
Assembly in the 5th century BC, where the great orators Aristides, Demosthenes,
Pericles and Themistocles addressed assemblies. This less-visited site offers great views
over Athens and a peaceful walk.
Hill of the Nymphs
PARK
( Thisio)
Northwest of Hill of the Pnyx, this hill is home to the
old Athens observat-
ory
, built in 1842.
MUSEUM TOUR: ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
As you enter the grounds of the museum, look through the plexiglass floor to see
the
ruins of an ancient Athenian neighbourhood
, which have been cleverly incor-
porated into the museum design after being uncovered during excavations.
Finds from the slopes of the Acropolis are on display in the
foyer gallery
, which
has an ascending glass floor that emulates the climb up to the sacred hill, while al-
lowing glimpses of the ruins below. Exhibits include painted vases and votive offer-
ings from the sanctuaries where gods were worshipped, and more recent objects
found in excavations of the settlement, including two clay statues of Nike at the en-
trance.
Bathed in natural light, the 1st-floor
Archaic Gallery
is a veritable forest of
statues, mostly votive offerings to Athena. These include stunning examples of
6th-centurykore(maiden) - statues of young women in draped clothing and elab-
orate braids, usually carrying a pomegranate, wreath or bird. Most were recovered
