Ancient Mycenae

The citadel on the acropolis of Mycenae in its current layout was largely completed at the end of the bronze age, circa 1200 B.C.E. It went through three construction phases: in the middle of the 14th century B.C.E., middle of the 13th century B.C.E. and end of the 13th century B.C.E. It was during the second phase that the magnificent Lion Gate was constructed as well as the bastion before it and the northern gate. The large boulders used during construction evinced amazement in the later classical world, and the citadel was rumored to have been constructed by Cyclopses.

Beautiful countryside around the Mycenaean acropolis.

More countryside around the acropolis...

And more.

The difficult-to-reach acropolis is flanked by two mountains, with this one to the southeast of it...

And this one to the northwest.

A quick video clip of the acropolis. The mountain to the northwest is obstructed by trees.

Bastion before the Lion Gate, built during the second construction phase.

Approaching the famous Lion Gate.

The famous Lion Gate.

The other side of the Lion Gate.

Building abutting fortified enclosure, the "Granary."

Grave circle A, shaft graves.

A closer shot of the shaft graves.

House of the Warrior Vase.

Beginning of the ascending path to the propylaeum from the great ramp.

Further up the path.

The threshold of the entrance to the palace.

Annex south of the threshold and west of the guest chamber.

Entrance to the Palace.

Guest chamber south of the entrance.

Room south of the guest chamber and the entrance from the grand staircase leading to the court.

A shot of the grand staircase from the top.

Main palace court.

Wider shot of the court where the outline of the bases of the two main pillars on the eastern side of the court are visible.

Small transition room between the court and megaron.

Shot of the Megaron facing north west, with the transition room visible, and the outlines of the four major pillars of the room in good view.

Shot of the megaron facing south east, with the eastern mountain visible.

Corridor north of the Megaron, facing west, leading back to threshold.

Corridor north of the Megaron, facing east, towards ruler's private apartments.

Room at the end of the corridor.

The remains of the ruler's private apartments. The northern corridor, court and megaron can be seen in the upper left-hand corner.

Northern wall of the citadel, with road parallel to it, and North Gate visible.

A closer look at the far north eastern area of the citadel, where the entrances to the underground tunnels and cistern can be found.