🏛️ Parthenon (Acropolis of Athens)
Greece
About This Sacred Site
The Parthenon is a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, patron deity of Athens, and stands as the most recognizable symbol of ancient Greek civilization. Built between 447 and 432 BCE under Pericles, it exemplifies the Doric order of classical architecture and once housed a massive gold-and-ivory statue of Athena by Phidias. The Acropolis on which it stands has been a sacred site since the Mycenaean era. Over the centuries, the Parthenon served as a church, a mosque, and an ammunition dump before becoming the global icon of classical heritage it is today.
Key Facts
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987
- •Built between 447 and 432 BCE during the golden age of Pericles
- •The columns incorporate entasis — a slight curvature to counteract optical illusions
- •The Parthenon Marbles (Elgin Marbles) remain a subject of international repatriation debate
- •It served as a Christian church for nearly 1,000 years and then a mosque under Ottoman rule
Location
Coordinates: 37.9715, 23.7267
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