Propylaea Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
-- 07:19, 29 Oct 2004 (UTC)The Propylaea or Propylaia (Greek Προπυλαια) is the monumental gateway leading to the entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. The word propylaia is the plural of the Greek propylaion, meaning "fore-gate," indicating that the Propylaea is in fact a series of gateways.
The Propylaea was built under the direction of the Athenian leader Pericles, as part of his plan to replace the buildings on the Acropolis following the devastation during the Persian Wars, and was designed by the architect Mnesicles. The Propylaea was constructed of white Pentelic marble, and consisted of a central portal with two adjoining Doric stoa wings. To the right of the gate stood the Temple of Athena Nike. As a result of the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta in 431 BC, the Propylaea was never completed.
The Propylaea when intact consisted of a large square hall, from which five steps led up to a wall pierced by five gateways, the central one opening onto the Sacred Way, the ceremonial road leading to the Parthenon. On the inner side this wall was faced with a portico of six Doric columns. At the other end of the great hall was a similar portico facing outwards; and between this and the doors the hall was divided into three aisles by rows of Ionic columns. The western or outer front was flanked on each side by a projecting wing, with a row of three smaller Doric columns. The north wing included a square chamber which served as a picture gallery.
The Propylaea survived intact through the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods. During the period of Latin Empire, the Propylaea served as the palace of the de la Roche family, who held the title Duke of Athens from 1204 to 1311. It was severely damaged by an explosion of a powder magazine in 1656. A tower of French or Ottoman date, that stood on the south wing, was pulled down in 1874.
Today the Propylaea has been partly restored, since 1984 under the direction of Dr Tasos Tanoulas, and serves as the main entrance to the Acropolis for the many thousands of tourists who visit the area every year. In recent years the Propylaia has been shrouded in scaffolding as restoration work has continued, but the Greek government intends to have this work completed in time for the 2004 Olympic Games.
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