The Parthenon in Athens is a famous vacation spot and a monument of ancient architecture. The star of the Athenian postcards and the city's most impressive ancient ruins, the Parthenon sits on a hill in the middle of the Acropolis.
Built between 447 and 432 BC, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Athena and originally housed her statue, made of ivory by the sculptor Phidias and plated with gold.
The temple, restored with great difficulty, is a UNESCO cultural monument, recalls the former glory of Ancient Greece. It is distinguished by a marble façade, classical Doric columns, and intricate sculptural friezes.
The attraction captures various historical milestones of Greek culture. Throughout its long history, it has been a treasury, fortress, mosque and church.
Until the fifth century AD, the temple remained intact. Then the statue of Phidias was taken out of the temple, and the Parthenon itself turned into a Christian church. In 1458, the Turks conquered Greece, and two years later the former temple of the goddess Athena became a mosque. At the same time, its architecture was almost not changed. During an attack by the Venetians in 1687, the Parthenon suffered. The explosion destroyed the central part of the temple. In 1801-1803, most of the sculptures were removed from the temple, with the permission of the Turkish authorities, by the British nobleman Thomas Bruce. In 1816, he sold his collection to the British Museum in London, where the statues are still found today. Another part of the statues found shelter in the Louvre in Paris, as well as in Copenhagen, but many are still in Athens.
How to see the Parthenon in Athens
It is best to visit the temple as part of a general sightseeing tour of the Acropolis, which includes the nearby Propylaea ruins, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Erechtheion. Those who visit the city for the first time can combine a walk along the Acropolis with a trip to the Temple of Poseidon and excavations at Cape Sounion. History lovers will find it interesting to add the New Acropolis Museum and the ancient Agora to this list.
A visit to the Parthenon is part of the Athens one-day excursion plan, as well as the half-day excursion plan. You can also book a 2-hour guided tour of the Acropolis. The cost of such excursions varies from 38 to 135 dollars, depending on the duration.
How to get to the Parthenon
The Parthenon is located in the Acropolis in central Athens, on a hill. Parthenon Address: Acropolis, 10555 Athens, Greece. The nearest metro station is Akropoli. You can get there via Dionysiou Areopagitou and Theorias streets. The entrance to the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, is paid - 20 euros.
When can you see the Parthenon
The attraction is open for visits on the following schedule. From April to October, the opening hours are Mondays from 11:00 to 19:30, and from Tuesday to Sunday, office hours are from 8:00 to 19:30. The Parthenon can also be viewed from November to March, but from 8:30 to 15:00 daily.
