We did the Propylaia today. That's the monumental gateway on the Athenian acropolis, constructed in the 5th century BCE. We were given a tour by the architect in charge of the Propylaia's reconstruction, Mr. Tanoulas.
I think we were most looking foward to climbing on top of the Propylaia, since last year's Regular Members were going on about how awesome it was. (Of course, they didn't get to climb up the Frankish tower in the Parthenon - Booyah!) At the end of our tour, we were given the chance to visit the Propylaia's roof.
We got lucky. It was another absolutely gorgeous day.
It was a chance to climb all over the building, check out its various rooms, and see what it looks like from behind.
The northeast room of the Propylaia, looking towards the Parthenon.
I think we were most looking foward to climbing on top of the Propylaia, since last year's Regular Members were going on about how awesome it was. (Of course, they didn't get to climb up the Frankish tower in the Parthenon - Booyah!) At the end of our tour, we were given the chance to visit the Propylaia's roof.
Climbing up the scaffolding.
We got lucky. It was another absolutely gorgeous day.
Regular Member Tom Garvey looks down into the northwest rooms of the Propylaia.
Eric was walking around with a goofy grin on his face the whole time; it was hard not to enjoy the view, the sunlight and the novelty of being on-top of the famous ancient structure. Meanwhile, we got to see all the architectural tidbits up-close and personal, in a way that usually only happens in an art history classroom, when pictures are blown up to gargantuan sizes.
Cool day.
2 comments:
Wow, getting to climb all over the Propylaia sounds amazing. I can't wait! The application for next year was due just last week, so am now keeping my fingers crossed and trying to review my Greek history for the fun exam in a couple of weeks.
SO jealous of you right now!
Btw, I told my brother, who's an archeology student here, that you guys were allowed inside the Parthenon, and he got green with envy! Wait until he hears about you climbing up the Propylaia!
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