This is what you see to the right when you approach the Propylaea, the entrance to the Acropolis complex. You may be thinking “what a weird angle, Liv” and you’d be right. I have a good/bad habit of taking pictures without any tourists visible. It makes for a more authentic feel of what it looks like those thousands of years ago, but also results in a lot of sky.

Here you can see examples of both Doric (in the foreground) column capitals, and Ionic (further back and to the rick). The bright white piece of marble in the column on the right is an example of a piece of replacement marble put there in recent years.

These are some of the columns that remain of the Propylaea. You can see the seams in the blocks of marble where they were stacked to form the columns, and at the capitals you can see an example of one of the missing capitals, and an example of the Doric style on the remaining capital.

Examples of Doric capitals in the Propylaea architecture. In the Patreon episode I mentioned Ionic for the Propylaea, whereas Doric for the Parthenon. I wasn’t entirely right in that. The Propylaea has BOTH Ionic and Doric capitals. Example of Doric pictured here.

Here are some examples of Ionic column capitals in the Propylaea architecture.

The title of this picture says it all. It’s me! Behind me is the view from the entrance to the Propylaea!

Damn unavoidable tourists.

I just love this photo, much of the damage is out of view and you just get a sense of what it was like all those thousands of years ago…

Looking back from the entrance to the Propylaea, you can see the Sanctuary of Athena Nike through the columns…

A view of the Sanctuary of Athena Nike from the entrance to the Propylaea. You can really see here that it sits on the edge of a cliff, why they eventually put up a balustrade as I mentioned in the Patreon episode.

Much of the roof, ceiling, and column capitals of the Propylaea have been lost of time, though work is being done to restore some of this with new marble from the same mountains nearby Athens. To the right you can see a reconstruction of an Ionic capital.

Another view of the left side of the Propylaea entrance.

These are just ancient marble floors, worn down by time but still goddamn beautiful and shimmery.

Here’s an example of partially reconstructed ceiling support beams from the ancient temple, including the inset shapes I mentioned in the Patreon episode, to relieve some of the weight of a marble ceiling.

Just a fucking beautiful shot that fills me with emotion.

Aren’t they stunning?

Between those marble support beams you can see a better example of what I discussed in the Patreon episode. Perfectly measured inset squares to alleviate the weight of the ceiling while still providing structural integrity.

Here you can really see how they put together the columns. Each of those pieces was perfectly carved into the fluted design and so that they could be stacked on one another and line in seamlessly. They would’ve been brought up to the Acropolis individually and assembled there. Stunning.

This is the other side of the Propylaea, the view once you’re standing on the Acropolis complex. Here I was unable to cut out tourists. It really takes away from it, don’y you think??

Here’s a less touristy photo of the Acropolis side of the Propylaea, with detail of the damage to the pediment and frieze.

This is the back of the Sanctuary of Athena Nike, the view when you’re standing on top of the Acropolis.

This is what the Propylaea side of the Acropolis looks like from below. Also pictured is me discovering that you can buy beer from a vendor outside the Acropolis. It was a great day. Photo taken by a nice American woman.

Well, this is it from its best angle. What a fucking marvel. This is the view when approaching from the Propylaea.

This is the first section you reach when approaching from the Parthenon.

In there is where the ancient Athenians believed the tomb of Erechtheus stood. It’s also where one could view the mark left by Poseidon’s trident.

Monumental ionic columns and, again, recessed ceiling tiles. The farthest you’re allowed to go now… But in there would’ve been the Tomb of Erechtheus and Poseidon’s mark. Sigh.

Just some beautiful steps and the base of a column.

Olive trees are everywhere in Athens, but this one is special.