DISCOMBOB'S BLOG: The Acropolis

The second most popular tourist attraction in Athens after protest marches is to go see the Acropolis, so sure enough, that's what we did. We had expected to learn a fantastic bit of Greek history here, but interestingly enough, the information boards dotted all over the place seemed to be mainly about renovation work over the last 2 decades :o( WTF!!

Huzzah, here at last!

The reconstruction of the outer walls started in July 1994, and spanned an entire 3 years, with local labourers using traditional sun baking techniques to dry the plaster to its authentic old fashioned look and feel.

The iron fencing behind me was erected in the historical period known to the greeks as the 80s, a time of much political intrigue, and advances in steel-mongering.

As you can see, the reconstruction on the floor of the temple of Dionysis was an epic undertaking, due to the complex chess board pattern used, a novel approach to floor laying in its time, circa 1991.

Amazingly, no reconstruction going on here, due entirely to the highly successful campaign to completely redo this section of the acropolis in the late 80s, one of Greeks most profound acheivments after Philosophy and poetry.

Ah the famous Parthenon itself, one of the most iconic monuments in the world today, thanks largely due to the currrent ongoing restoration work, started in 2008 and due to finish in spring 2011. Over 3 kms of scaffolding was used to cover the structure, and thus completly take away that ancient feel that one might expect from such a monument.