Athenian Acropolis
Ancient Citadel, Athens, Greece
The Acropolis of Athens, ancient citadel dedicated to the city’s patron goddess, Athena. Its existing buildings were primarily constructed in the second half of the 5th century bce. The complex is perhaps the best known of the ancient acropolises, which were central, defensively oriented districts in ancient Greek cities. Typically located on the cities’ highest ground, acropolises were home to the cities’ chief municipal and religious buildings. The Parthenon, a temple to Athena, is the crowning jewel of the acropolis of Athens and is considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric architectural order.
Other Sites
Wonderous places to visit
Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome - it was the largest amphitheatre in the ancient world, and is still a prominent landmark in the Italian capital.
Located
Rome, Italy
Also known as
Flavian Amphitheatre
Built By
Construction of the Colosseum began under the Roman emperor Vespasian between 70 and 72 CE. The completed structure was dedicated in 80 CE by Titus, Vespasian’s son and successor. The Colosseum’s fourth story was added by the emperor Domitian in 82 CE. Importantly, the arena was paid for with plunder from Titus’s sack of Jerusalem in 70 CE, and it was built by enslaved Jews from Judaea.
Louvre
Louvre Museum-It is the world’s most-visited art museum, with a collection that spans work from ancient civilizations to the mid-19th century. The major draw for visitors is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (c. 1503–19), as well as the Venus de Milo (150–125 bce) and Winged Victory of Samothrace (200–175 bce).
Located
Paris, France
Also known as
Grand Louvre
Built By
The Louvre ceased to be a royal residence when Louis XIV moved his court to Versailles in 1682. The idea of using the Louvre as a public museum originated in the 18th century. Charles-Claude Flahaut de la Billarderie, the comte d’Angiviller, who was the director of Louis XVI’s estates, helped build and plan the Grande Galerie, which today houses the museum’s collection of Italian paintings, and he continued to acquire major works of art.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is a simple brick building with six arched windows on each of the two main (or side) walls and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The chapel’s exterior is unadorned, but its interior walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes by many Florentine Renaissance masters.
Located
Vatican City, Italy
Also known as
Vatican Palace papal chapel
Built By
Erected in 1473–81 by the architect Giovanni dei Dolci for Pope Sixtus IV (hence its name).It is famous for its Renaissance frescoes by Michelangelo.