The Propylaea of the Acropolis of Athens is an outstanding monument of ancient Greek architecture. The word "propylene" is derived from the prefix "Pro" (from lat. before or in front of) and "piley" (from the Greek. gate), which literally translates as "before the gate", although in fact means just the gate or the entrance (travel). As a rule, "Propylaea" front gate is formed by porticoes and colonnades. Such structures are characteristic of ancient Greek architecture, although the idea was used later in other countries. For example, the Brandenburg gate in Berlin and the Propylaea in Munich are a copy of the Central part of the propylaeum of the Acropolis.

The Propylaea was built on the site of the old gates, which were destroyed by the Persians (like the other buildings of the Acropolis). Designed the structure of the ancient Greek architect Mnesic. Construction began in 437 BC, in the age of Pericles, and was completed in 432 BC due to the outbreak of the Peloponnesian war, although the building was not yet completed. The monumental gate was made of white Greek white marble with flecks of darker Eleusinian marble (to create contrast). Architecture of building perfectly combines Doric and ionic orders.

The building consists of a Central part and two adjoining wings (in the form of a small Doric porticoes), one of which housed the art gallery Pinacoteca. The facade of the Central part consists of six Doric columns, which in their proportions are similar to the columns of the Parthenon. These columns divide the Central part of five openings. Average the widest aperture and was intended for ceremonial processions. Once it was closed bronze gates. Initially led to the gate wide road, but in the 1st century the Romans built on top of the step.

In Christian times the two wings were converted into churches. In the 13-14 centuries in the Propylaea was the residence of the Duke of Athens De La Roche. In the Ottoman period it housed the headquarters of the Turkish garrison and ammunition, which led in 1656 to the explosion and destruction of the propylaeum. After the war for independence all medieval and Turkish additional buildings were demolished and archeological excavations began.

In 1975, during the General reconstruction of the Acropolis, partly restoration works were carried out and the propylaeum. Global seven-year project of reconstruction of the Athenian Acropolis was completed in 2009.

The Propylaea in the composition of the Athenian Acropolis are included in the world heritage list of UNESCO.