Acropolis, Athens
The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world. In the second half of the fifth century bc, Athens, following the victory against the Persians and the establishment of democracy, took a leading position amongst the other city-states of the ancient world. In the age that followed, as thought and art flourished, an exceptional group of artists put into effect the ambitious plans of Athenian statesman Pericles and, under the inspired guidance of the sculptor Pheidias, transformed the rocky hill into a unique monument of thought and the arts. The most important monuments were built during that time: the Parthenon, built by Ictinus, the Erechtheon, the Propylaea, the monumental entrance to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles and the small temple Athena Nike.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/404
The Acropolis, Athens holds a group of monuments that have been influential from Antiquity to Neo-Classicism.
Acropolis means Upper City, although it hasn't been a city where people live since the 6th century BC. The monuments are situated on a 60 meter high rock that dominates Athens. Since the 5th century the Acropolis has city walls, turning it into a strong fortification.
On top of the rock, some of the best monuments of Classical Greece can be found. The much-photographed Parthenon for example. The current remains date from the 5th century BC, though 2 earlier temples have been discovered on the site. The Parthenon was built to honour Athena Parthenos (or Pallas). It's a Doric temple, with 8 columns at the narrow sides and 17 columns along the length of each of the two long sides. Inside there was a statue of Athena, made of gold and ivory by Pheidias. Unfortunately, this hasn't survived the ages.
http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/acropolis.html
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