# What is exactly what at the Acropolis? (The original one I mean) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 12, 2012, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-exactly-what-at-the-acropolis-the-original-one-i-mean/609257 "2012-01-12T04:35:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-exactly-what-at-the-acropolis-the-original-one-i-mean/609257/1 "2012-01-12T04:35:00Z")
I saw this [painting](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Akropolis_by_Leo_von_Klenze.jpg)by Leo von Klenze of the Acropolis. However I don’t know what each building and all is. Can someone point out which ones are which? So I can look cool and point them out to others who don’t yet know. I can figure out the big statue is of Athena, and biggest marble square thingy on the top right is the Parthenon. That’s all I know. Also are there any inaccuracies? ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-exactly-what-at-the-acropolis-the-original-one-i-mean/609257/2 "2012-01-12T04:54:59Z")
The Wiki article has a [plan of the site](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropolis_of_Athens#Site_plan) of the Acropolis, which may help. ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-exactly-what-at-the-acropolis-the-original-one-i-mean/609257/3 "2012-01-12T06:11:34Z")
I followed some links from the wiki article and found this site with 3D reconstructions of the buildings through different periods. I didn’t know there was a mosque there in the 19th century (now removed). [Link. Click on the periods at the left of the page to navigate.](http://www.ancientathens3d.com/arxikiEn.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-exactly-what-at-the-acropolis-the-original-one-i-mean/609257/4 "2012-01-12T09:39:38Z")
Visible and prominent in your painting is the Propylaea, basically the entrance to the site. The procession from there to the Parthenon was controlled such that visitors would see the Parthenon (the centerpiece) from multiple angles and distances, ending in a climax of seeing the front up close at the end of the path (in the painting, you are looking at the back!). In front of and to the right of the Propylaea is the Temple of Athena Nike, built on the site of an older temple. You can see part of the Erechtheum poking out the left side. I’ve no knowledge of any of the other parts of the acropolis, but the painting’s colorings fit with theory’s about how the temples were decorated. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2012, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-exactly-what-at-the-acropolis-the-original-one-i-mean/609257/5 "2012-01-12T10:28:08Z")
> [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](#): > > I followed some links from the wiki article and found this site with 3D reconstructions of the buildings through different periods. I didn’t know there was a mosque there in the 19th century (now removed). > > [Link. Click on the periods at the left of the page to navigate.](http://www.ancientathens3d.com/arxikiEn.htm) Great link, thanks. A bit overwhelming for someone who doesn’t know Athens, but still..