Photo chronicle

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The Acropolis of Athens in the 19th and early 20th century

A chronicle through selected material, including photographs courtesy and copyright of the Photographic Archive of the Benaki Museum in Athens. AcropolisofAthens.gr is grateful to the Benaki Museum for the permission granted for this material.

Discover photographic testimonies of the Acropolis and its surroundings, starting from the oldest existing photograph of the Acropolis. Access photographic records of structures that do not exist anymore, such as the Frankish tower on the Acropolis and Elgin's clock tower in Plaka. And enjoy a panorama of the city of Athens, alongside stereoscope cards for 3D viewing of the Parthenon and the Erectheion from 1865.

1842

The oldest existing photograph of the Acropolis of Athens

This photograph is considered the oldest existing photograph of the Acropolis of Athens

Athens, 1842

Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey (1804-1892)

Source: 'The first photograph of the Acropolis and its history', Greek News Agenda (26 Sep 2019) ⧉

The Frankish Tower ('Koulas') is also visible on the right. Information about this structure which, today, does not exist anymore, can be found in this article ⧉ (in Greek).

1851

Western side of the Acropolis. The Frankish Tower ('Koulas'), the old external entrance, the dome ('Tholiko') and the Seprenje wall are visible.
Athens, 1851
Alfred Nicolas Normand
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

Southeastern side of the Acropolis and surrounding area.
Athens, 1851
Alfred Nicolas Normand
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

Temple of Olympian Zeus with the Acropolis in the background. The three individual columns of the temple and the cloister of a colonnade are visible.
Athens, 1851
Alfred Nicolas Normand
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

1852

Hadrian's Gate with the Acropolis in the background.
Athens, 1852
Alfred Nicolas Normand
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

More about Hadrian's Gate ⧉.

1853-1854

Impressions from the Propylaea and temple of Athena Nike at the entrance of the Acropolis

View of the central building of the Propylaea from the east.
Athens, 1853-1854
James Robertson
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

The Temple of Athena Nike from the northeast.
Athens, 1853-1854
James Robertson
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

Impressions from the Parthenon and the Erechtheion

The western facade of the Parthenon.
Athens, 1853-1854
James Robertson
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

The interior of the Parthenon from the northeast.
Athens, 1853-1854
James Robertson
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

The northern entrance of the Erechtheion from the northeast.
Athens, 1853-1854
James Robertson
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

c. 1865

The western side of the Acropolis with the Frankish Tower ('Koulas').
Athens, c. 1865
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

The Acropolis from Philoppapou Hill. The Odeon of Herod Atticus is visible.
Athens, c. 1865
Dimitrios Konstantinou
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

The temple of Olympian Zeus with the Acropolis in the background. The cloister of a colonnade and a café are visible in the archaeological site.
Athens, c. 1865
Dimitrios Konstantinou
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

Image cards for 3D viewing on a stereoscope ⧉

The northwestern facade of the Parthenon.
Athens, c. 1865
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

The northeastern side of the porch of the Caryatids, Erechtheion.
Athens, c. 1865
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

A panorama snapshot

(in 5 clicks)

Panorama of the City of Athens (in five parts). Athens, c. 1865. Paul Baron Des Granges.
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

1869

View of the Acropolis and Plaka area. Elgin's clock tower is also visible on the left (located in the Old Market, near the junction of Aiolou and Adrianou streets).

Athens, 1869

William James Stillman

Source: Lifo ⧉

Information about Elgin's clock tower, which does not exist anymore, is available in the History section.

c. 1870

View of the Theseion with the Acropolis in the background. The Frankish Tower ('Koulas') is visible.
Athens, c. 1870
Petros Moraitis
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

c. 1925-1939

Rear view of a Caryatid and the northern side of the Parthenon.
Athens, c. 1925-1939
Nelly's
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

Interior of the nave and the western gate of the Parthenon.
Athens, c. 1925-1939
Nelly's
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

Who was Nelly ⧉?

Ionic capital and the northeastern corner of the Parthenon.
Athens, c. 1925-1939
Nelly's
© Benaki Museum Photographic Archive

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