Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is not just a collection of ruins but a cornerstone of Western architecture and urban culture: a sacred space built on a rocky ridge that served as the religious, political, and symbolic centre of the city for centuries. The majority of the remains visible today date back to the 5th century BC, during the rebuilding period after the Persian Wars, when Athens, under Pericles, became the dominant power of the Greek world. Its outstanding universal value is recognised by UNESCO: the Acropolis is a World Heritage Site and one of the most complete surviving examples of ancient Greek monumental complexes.