Acropolis, Beule Gate

In the beginning of the 5th Century BC a Marble propylon in antis with north-east orientation was erected on the location where the old Mycenaean gate to the acropolis once stood. It was subsequently covered in great part by the Classical Propylaea. Only a small section of the Propylaea is preserved at the south-eastern corner. The Propylaea was preceded by a porch before entering the sacred Area of the Acropolis. Mnesicles was the building's Architect. Construction works lasted between 437 and 432 BC and Marble was used to build it. Low steps led to the western facade where 6 Doric Columns supported the roof with the Architrave, frieze and cornice, forming a Doric temple facade. The Columns stood on a raised platform of four steps, while on the eastern and inner facade the corresponding Columns stood directly on the Rock, making the eastern porch slightly higher than the western porch. Both porches were crowned with pediments. To the left and right of the central doorway, three slender Ionic Columns with colored capitals were placed on either side, thus dividing the Structure into a central Structure with two wings on both sides; each wing had three Doric Columns between antae. Dark Eleusinian Stone was used in some parts of the Structure, in addition to Marble. In later years the Propylaea underwent several changes. During the Frankish occupation ca. 13th Century AD, a high tower, now demolished, was built next to them. In 1656 a central Part Of the Propylaea was destroyed because of a lightning that ignited gun powder which was stocked there by the Turks.