I always wondered why ancient Athenians founded their fortress on the Acropolis hill? After all, in Athens there is more applicable place for stronghold – the Lykavittos hill which is highest point of the city.
You will feel, how it’s difficult just to climb here on foots even without the weight of ammunition. But it’s a few times harder to do with military equipment on your shoulders and even more harder if somebody from top of the hill will try to clog your action. Of course, for your sake, in the nowadays there is a funicular which will quickly deliver you on the top.
Btw, ancient Athenians shared my point of view. They believed that initially Athena thought to build the Acropolis fortress here but unintentionally released the rock out of her hands when she was carrying it to the city.
Startlingly, but there are not many mentioning about this rock in the classical ancient Greek literature. We have only a few words in Aristophanes’s and Plato’s works. I also wonder whether or not ancient Athenians ascended to the hill to enjoy spectacular view of the city?
Today at the top of the Lykavittos hill you can find small Agios Geуrgios church which originates from the 19th century. This church has been built on the site of more elder church. Of course, at the Lykavittos hill there are café, observation desk, restaurant and scene where jazz and pop music are played.
