Our Athens Acropolis Experience goes live

One of the most emblematic places in Greece, if not the world, is the Rock of the Acropolis, a sacred place for the Ancient Greeks and a much-beloved one for their modern counterparts and our Athens Acropolis Experience has just been launched. In the company of our celestial guide, the goddess Athena, we will reveal everything there is to know about this iconic location. Here are five things you might need to know before you even start navibrating.

What does the word Acropolis mean?

That is a good question and the perfect place to start. This ancient place of sanctuary, located high above the city of Athens contains a treasure trove for lovers of architecture and history.

Many words that we know and use in different languages have their origins in Greek. The word Acropolis can be broken into two parts. The Greek akro denotes height, extremity or the edge of something. As you will see, when you are using our Athens Acropolis experience, this is a pretty accurate description! As for the second part of the name polis, this is the Greek word for “city”. So, very descriptively, the Ancient Greeks called this place “the city at the edge”. Luckily, you can navibrate without looking at your phone. No need to look down. We will guide your footsteps. Instead, look up. The Acropolis is a sight to behold.

Pericles, a man with a plan

While Pericles may not be the man who had the bright idea of creating a place of sanctuary on the Rock of the Acropolis, he is credited with promoting the building projects which gave rise to most of the structures which can still be seen today. He was a prominent statesman and pioneer of democracy and lived between 495–429 B.C. He is considered by some to have been “the first citizen of Greece” and his time is known as the “golden century of Pericles”. His patronage of the arts and important building projects led not only to the strengthening of the city’s most special sanctuary but also to its beautification, the results of which we can still enjoy today. As you’ll see, Pericles left his mark on Athens and we will be by your side as you marvel at the fruits of his efforts.

Missing Sister

If you think this sounds like the name of a Greek drama, you’re not far off the mark. The Porch of the Caryatids is one of the most beautiful sights on the Rock of Acropolis. The figures of six graceful and genteel women, the pleats of whose skirts resemble the ridges found on Ionic columns, bear the weight of the structure sitting on their heads with seeming nonchalance. These six sisters have witnessed Athens at its best but also at its worst. From the ancient and majestic Panathenaic Processions to the more modern plundering of the treasures of the Acropolis. In fact, in 1802, Lord Elgin was given permission to remove some artefacts by the Sultan of Istanbul, and that is how the second “sister” made her way from the Acropolis to the U.K. If you are wondering why you can see six figures holding up the Porch and not five, that is because these figures are replicas, with the remaining five original Caryatids being safely on display in the breathtaking Acropolis Museum.

Greek Drama

The Greeks have been known to say that they invented everything and while that might not be quite true, they certainly were innovators and came up with many ideas which are still in common use today. Did you know that it was an Athenian, Thespis, who introduced the figure of the “actor”? Hollywood, take note! Thespis’ innovation meant that singers and actors now performed the words of different characters and used masks to make the change from one role to another. The name given to this new style was “tragedy” and Thespis was its leading figure. He even invented the concept of theatre tours, having the horse-drawn “Wagon of Thespis” designed to transport sets, props and costumes from one location in Athens to another. Eventually, a permanent home for the theatre was built on the south-facing slope of the Rock of the Acropolis. Miraculously, it is still here. Around 17,000 Athenians could fit into the Cavea and Forum of Phaedrus and the first 67 rows, made of marble, were reserved for local dignitaries. Why not go in and feel what it was like to be an ancient theatre-goer.

United Colours of the Parthenon

When you think of the Parthenon, the first thing that comes to mind is the colour: its columns are startlingly white in contrast with the deep azure of the Athenian sky. However, would it surprise you to know that it wasn’t always like this? Scientists have discovered that the sculptures and friezes that used to decorate the Parthenon and which depicted scenes from Greek mythology were painted in rich red, green and Egyptian blue paints to make them stand out from the rest of the building. Weathering has caused the colours fade and disappear over the centuries, with modern-day pollution adding to centuries of bleaching by the sun and billowing grains of sand. As you look up at this truly inspirational building, try to imagine how different the postcards Ancient Greeks might have sent each other would have been (had they existed).

So, it’s time to fuse the ancient and the modern. Take your phone and let it lead you through the glories of Ancient Greece. Navibrate your way from temple to temple. Feel your way. You don’t need maps to discover the Acropolis. You just need Navibration.