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	The Lion Gate			Inside the Cistern
	Grave Circle A			Sally Port
	The Cult Center			The North Gate
	The North Slope			Tomb of Clytemnestra (Ext)
	The Palace			Tomb of Clytemnestra (Int)
	Eastern Terraces			Treasury of Atreus (Ext)
	The Cistern			Treasury of Atreus (Int)

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Interactive map of Mycenae

The fortification walls at Mycenae are best preserved along the northern side where they are up to 7.5 metres thick stand nearly 12 metres high in places. They were constructed for the most part of huge, irregularly shape stone blocks of the sort described as "Cyclopean" by later Greeks. There were two principal entrances, the Lion Gate at the west end and the Postern Gate on the north side. There is also a sally port at the eastern end which was used to sneak in and out of the citadel during a siege.

The Lion Gate was built c. 1250 BC, during the second phase of occupation when the ramparts were extended to include Grave Circle A. It was approached by a ramp that ran below steep walls on its north-eastern side and led to an Outer Court (15 x 7.5 metres) designed to reduce the numbers of any assaulting force. Since gateways were the weakest part of the defences, this consideration was of extreme importance. The situation was made even more lethal for the attackers by the presence of a huge projecting bastion on the south-western side. This enabled the defenders to pour fire into their unshielded right sides.

The gate itself was built out of massive megalithic blocks. The lintel measures 4.5 x 2 x 0.8 metres; the jambs are 3 x 1.74 x 0.54 metres; and the threshold (which cracked under its own weight in antiquity) is 4.56 x 2.31 x 0.88 metres. The blocks frame an opening 3.1 metres high and 2.95 metres wide at the threshold (it tapers slightly) which was closed by wooden double-doors decorated by bronze ornaments. Above the lintel, the superstructure of the wall was corbelled to leave a 'relieving triangle' which was covered by a slab whose weight rested only on the lower corners. The slab was carved with a relief depicting a pair of lions flanking a column (perhaps a symbol for the palace itself) with their forepaws rested on a pair of altars which supported the column. The heads (now missing) were of a different material and fastened to the bodies by dowels. They faced outwards towards anyone approaching the gate. Perhaps the composition was the dynastic coat-of-arms.
Related links:
Mycenae Fortifications
The entrance to the Citadel of Mycenae

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Interactive map of Mycenae

Grave Circle A ca. 1600-1500 B.C. is located just inside the Lion Gate and is about 27m in diameter. It was excavated by H. Schliemann and found to contain 13 cist graves bearing the remains and treasures of Mycenaean nobility. The remains of 19 inhumations (8 men, 9 women and 2 children) were found accompanied by rich grave goods.A large number of bronze swords and daggers, many with engraved decoration on their blades, accompanied the males along with spearheads, arrowheads and knives.Gold masks had been placed on the faces of five men, the most accomplished of which is the so-called 'Mask of Agamemnon'. Women wore gold diadems or gold bands on their heads and their clothing was decorated with gold discs. Over 700 such discs, decorated with spirals, floral patterns and animals, were found in Grave II alone. Gold rings with carved bezels and gold figures, gold buttons and boxes covered with gold-leaf were also found. Whoever the personnages of Grave Circle A were, the conservation of their tombs was deemed so important by the inhabitants of Mycenae in 1200-1100 BC, that they deliberately constructed the massive Cyclopean walls around the Grave Circle to include it within the defenses, even while abandoning Grave Circle B and the Tholos Tombs outside.
Related Links:
The Grave Circles
The Shaft Graves of Mycenae

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Interactive map of Mycenae

The Cult Center is a complex of buildings located just south of Grave Circle A and southwest of the palace, on a series of terraces extending from just inside of the fortification wall to the slopes directly below the palace. It was names so because the buildings contained altars, shrines, clay idols, and frescoes with representations of divinities and priestesses. The best known of these buildings are the "Temple", the "House with the Fresco" and "Tsountas' House". The buildings seem to have been destroyed at the end of the 13th century. Partially rebuilt, they continued to be in use until the end of the 12th century. This area is still currently investigated, thus not open to visitors.

Related Links:
The Religious Center of Mycenae
Mycenaean Religion and Religious Architecture

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Interactive map of Mycenae

Panoramic view of the North Slope of the Citadel of Mycenae.