Acropolis means 'high city' in Greek. Most city-states in ancient Greece had at their centre a rocky mound or hill where they built their important temples and where the people could retreat to if under attack. The most famous acropolis is the one in Athens.


  The Acropolis was also home to a number of other temples and sanctuaries and was the focus for the Athenian festival for Athena, the Panathenaia.
The buildings of the Acropolis provide examples of both the Ionic and Doric styles of architecture.

Follow the procession of the Panathenaic festival, as it unfolds along the Parthenon frieze

Find out the about the buildings and other features on the Athenian Acropolis


Build your own Greek temple!

Link to Macromedia Flash download page