The Parthenon: Location, History & Significance
The Parthenon stands on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece.
Essential Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|
| Location | Acropolis hill, Athens, Attica, Greece (37.9715° N, 23.7267° E) |
| Built | 447–432 BCE (Periclean building program) |
| Architects | Iktinos & Kallikrates; sculptor Phidias |
| Dedication | Athena Parthenos ("Athena the Virgin") |
| Style | Doric order, optical refinements (entasis, curvature) |
| Materials | Pentelic marble (quarried 16 km NE) |
| Original statue | Chryselephantine (gold-ivory) Athena, ~12 m — lost |
History in Brief
- 438 BCE: Dedicated.
- 267 CE: Herulian raid — interior burned.
- 5th–6th c.: Converted to Christian church (Virgin Mary).
- 1460: Ottoman conquest → mosque (minaret added).
- 1687: Venetian mortar hits Ottoman powder magazine — roof & central columns destroyed.
- 1801–1812: Lord Elgin removes ~50% of surviving sculpture (Elgin Marbles → British Museum).
- 1832: Greek independence; Parthenon becomes national symbol.
- 1975–present: Systematic restoration (Acropolis Restoration Service).
Why It Matters
- Canon of classical architecture — proportional system (4:9, 9:4) still taught.
- Symbol of democracy, reason, Western heritage (contested).
- Repatriation debate: Greece demands Marbles return; UK refuses.
Visit: Acropolis combined ticket (€20 summer, €10 winter); enter via Beulé Gate or South Slope; morning light best for photography.
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