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Parthenon facts
The Parthenon is a temple in the middle of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece (Europe). It was a temple to Athena for nearly 2000 years and originally had a huge idol to her. The name Parthenon means the virgin's place in Greek. It was built between 447 BC and 432 BC during the reign of Pericles. It is considered one of ancient Greece's greatest architecture accomplishments.
The building was constructed using limestone foundations and 22,000 tons of marble. The building was designed by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates. It has 46 Doric columns which support the roof, with 8 across the front and back, and 17 on each side. Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin took the some of the sculptures, now called the Elgin Marbles, from the Parthenon in 1759. They have been on display in the British Museum since 1816.
Images
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Reconstruction of the Acropolis and Areus Pagus in Athens, Leo von Klenze, 1846
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The Doric order of the Parthenon
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Parthenon today and as it probably appeared in ancient times
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Floor plan of the Parthenon
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Detail of the West metopes, illustrating the current condition of the temple in detail after 2,500 years of war, pollution, erratic conservation, pillage and vandalism
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Phidias Showing the Frieze of the Parthenon to his Friends, 1868 painting by Lawrence Alma-Tadema
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Part of the east pediment still found on the Parthenon (although part of it, like Dionysos, is a copy)
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The Parthenon's position on the Acropolis dominates the city skyline of Athens.
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Image of Parthenon at night
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Parthenon illustration, published in 1688, depicting the structure in its entirety, by Vincenzo Coronelli
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"View of the Parthenon from the Propylea", Edward Dodwell, Views in Greece, London 1821, depicting buildings of the time within the Acropolis
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The first known photograph of the Parthenon was taken by Joly de Lotbinière in October 1839. This is an engraving made after the original daguerreotype.
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Life-size pediment sculptures from the Parthenon in the British Museum
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The Parthenon from the south. In the foreground of the image, a reconstruction of the marble imbrices and tegulae (roof tiles) forming the roof is visible, resting on wooden supports.
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Restoration works in 2002.
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Work in progress in 2007.
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A reconstructed architrave block.
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Wide-scale restoration in 2010.
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Western side works in 2014.