The Propylaea of the Acropolis of Athens was erected by the architect Mnesicles around 437 BC on a hilly terrain, replacing the ancient Propylaea which was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC during a fire. This imposing entrance is composed of six Doric columns both on its main façade and at the back, and was built using Pentelic marble. The vestibule has dimensions of 24 x 18 meters and is divided into two sections by a wall with five doors, the western part being the largest and having two rows of three Ionic columns forming three naves.

A remarkable aspect of the Propylaea is its roof, which was made with marble beams over seven meters long and the architraves supporting these beams were assembled by means of metal bars.

The north wing of this building housed the world's first picture gallery, where outstanding paintings were exhibited, including works by the 5th century BC Greek painter Polignotus, whose creations were described in detail by Pausanias and Pliny.