Global Treasures: Acropolis

Television Director: Ullman, Frank

Producer: Scarson, Peter O.

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Catalogue Number: GTR-DVD-1053

UPC: 879061006524

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Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

For more than 2500 years, a landmark and symbol of one of the most influential European cultures, the Acropolis, has towered above the rooftops of Athens.

It took nine years to build the great temple of the goddess Athena, known as the Parthenon, which was completed in 438 BC. Unique among all other Greek temples, with its imposing appearance and artistic decoration, the Parthenon signified the great influence and power of ancient Athens.

Just a few metres from the Athens Temple, the Acropolis Museum contains numerous outstanding archaeological treasures that have been discovered in this vicinity. The majority of the exhibits date back to the 5th and 6th centuries, a richly golden time in the culture of ancient Greece. Since 1878, the museum has exhibited several ancient sculptures of the Acropolis in addition to various well-preserved sections of the Parthenon's magnificent frieze.

Throughout the centuries, the temples and buildings that are situated on Acropolis Rock have had an amazing influence on both artists and architects alike. The unique cultural value of these imposing ruins has once again become of vital significance in the hometown of the Olympic Games. Thus, the ancient Acropolis will continue to be the "Cradle of Occidental Culture" and will illuminate the night sky of Athens forever.