At the south-western angle of the Athenian Acropolis and immediately to the south of the temple of Nike Apteros are some traces of foundations of walls and other indications which appear to throw some light on the original approach to the citadel before what is called the Beulé gate, which gave a direct west access to the Propylaea, was constructed.

The evidence seems to show that this approach coincided with that which was until very recently (i.e. previous to about 1890) the only regular approach, immediately under the S. W. angle of the Nike bastion; and where, a little within the old gateway (now destroyed), may be seen rough rock-cut grooves which had been made to assist the ascent. If from the site of that gateway a straight line be produced to the southward for about twenty feet, we find a portion of the rock of uneven surface but worn quite smooth. Indeed, when first uncovered on the removal of the Turkish or mediaeval buildings in 1889—1890, the surface was so extremely smooth that it appeared to have been worn by the feet of multitudes who had used it as a path to the Acropolis during a long series of years.