The Acropolis is a huge rocky outcrop that is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Its name means ‘upper city’ and it is where the Athenians could go for safety – there were still family dwellings on the Acropolis 150 years ago.
The Acropolis can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Its monuments and sanctuaries are built in snowy white Pentelic marble which turns golden in the afternoon sun and rosy red as the sun sinks.
Hadrian’s Archway is a beautiful triumphal archway that stands close to Syntagma Square, between the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The archway was built in Pantelic marble in 131 BC and stands 18 meters in height and 12.5 meters wide.
The Panathenaic Stadium is also known as the ‘Kallimarmaro’ meaning ‘beautifully marbled’ and is the only stadium made entirely from marble. The stadium was built in 144 AD after lying abandoned for many years, it was completely restored for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.