ACROPOLIS

An acropolis (meaning ‘city on a hill’) is a settlement in ancient Greek cities that evolves into a religious sanctuary. The high site provides natural defences as a CITADEL and the mountain itself contributes to its religious significance by the presence of sacred springs. If the city was attacked, citizens could congregate in the acropolis where all the important buildings were. In Greek colonies, the acropolis is often a fortified citadel. As the city grew and expanded beyond this high area, the site became the most sacred space in the city.
The Acropolis in Athens is the best-known example. It achieved its form in the fifth century BC and is currently an archaeological site. It is on a hill 300 feet high with easy access only from the west, which made it into a natural fortress. It contains a temple to the city goddess, Athena, called the Parthenon (447–432 BC), an elaborate entrance to the religious precinct called the Propylaea (437–432 BC), and other temples such as Erechtheum (420–393 BC) and the Temple of Athena Nike (426 BC). These buildings, sited in accordance with topography and respect for traditional siting, are considered models of Greek architecture due to their outstanding designs. The Acropolis is located south of the AGORA, the multi-purpose city centre.

Further reading
Hurwit, J.M. (2001) The Athenian Acropolis, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Morris, A.E.J. (1994) ‘Greek urban form components’, in History of Urban Form, 3rd edn, New
York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 41–50.

✍️ ANA MARIA CABANILLAS WHITAKER