HILL OF ACROPOLIS

Height: 156 m

Identity and history:
The Sacred Rock of Acropolis was chosen in the 5th BC century by Pericles because of a prophecy by the Delphi oracle as the ideal place for the materialization of the first part of a program for the economic development of the city. This referred to the creation of three imperial temples and one monumental Propylaea that would compose the sacred ground of Acropolis and would prove to be in the future, the symbols of the prosperity of Athens in the economy, the arts and literature.

According to mythology, during the foundation of Athens the citizens were seeking for a patron for their city. Two candidates were presented, Athena and Poseidon, who fought on the top of the hill. To gain the Athenians’ grace, Poseidon hit the ground with his trident and immediately drinking water gushed from the ground. But, Athena, hitting her spear on the ground, made one olive tree grow. A gift that charmed the Athenians and made them chose her. The rejection angered Poseidon, who threatened the city with drought

HOW TO GET THERE

BY ATHENS METRO: 2 (Red Line), Station "Akropolis"

BY BUS: 024, 040, 057, 103, 106, 108, 111, 126, 134, 135, 136, 137, 155, 206, 208, 227, 230, 237, 856, A2, A3, A4, B2, B3, B4, E2, E22

TROLLEY: 1, 5, 15

BY FOOT: From Syntagma Square, follow Filellinon Street to Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, until you meet the walkway of Dionysiou Aeropagitou. Follow it all the way up and you will see the Acropolis Hill on your right hand side.

Shopping

ARGALIOS
Take home folk art like Byzantine icons as lovely and spiritual keepsakes of Greece.... more
TO KOMBOLOI TOU PSIRI
Worry beads of every kind and size with value of 5 Euro to 5,000 Euros in an exceptional store.... more
NOTOS GALLERIES LAMPROPOULOS
The oldest and highly respected Greek-owned department store.... more
OLYMPICO
This jewelry store is known for offering a great selection of contemporary pieces made from precious metals, as well as... more
ANTIQUA
Established by the Yannoukos family in 1952, Antiqua has a sterling reputation amongst experts and lovers of art. The client... more
BENAKI MUSEUM SHOP III
A beautiful space filled with unique souvenirs from the Benaki Museum – such as ceramics, silver vessels, reliefs and sculptures,... more
SHOPPING CENTER PLAKA
A terrific one-stop shop for all your souvenir needs.... more
EL HABANERO
Tobacco, cigarettes and cigars for all tastes. Point of reference for smokers with an opinion.... more
COMPENDIUM BOOKSHOP
The shop sells anything from new and used, fiction and nonfiction books in English, mainly to ex-patriots – who seem... more
ROYAL ORIENTAL CARPET
Make a treasure hunt out of it and discover this basement store in the most ancient area of the city... more