Part of the “Remarkable Buildings Around the World” series
Standing at the highest point of the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon is one of the most influential buildings ever created and the greatest surviving symbol of classical Greek civilisation.
The temple was commissioned during the Golden Age of Athens under the leadership of Pericles. Construction began in 447 BC, the main structure was completed in 438 BC, and its sculptural decoration was finished around 432 BC.
The architects Ictinus and Callicrates designed the building, while the celebrated sculptor Phidias supervised its artistic programme. He was also responsible for the enormous statue of Athena Parthenos that once stood inside the temple. Made from gold and ivory, the statue was believed to have been approximately 12 metres tall.
Built almost entirely from Pentelic marble, the Parthenon was dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. Although it appears perfectly straight, its architecture contains subtle optical refinements. The platform curves slightly upwards, the columns lean gently inwards and their shafts widen almost imperceptibly in the middle. These carefully calculated adjustments prevent visual distortion and make the building appear perfectly balanced to the human eye.
The Parthenon has served many different purposes during its long history. It began as a temple and treasury before being converted into a Christian church during the sixth century AD. Following the Ottoman conquest of Athens, it became a mosque.
Its greatest disaster occurred on 26 September 1687. During a Venetian siege of the Acropolis, Ottoman forces were using the Parthenon to store gunpowder. A Venetian artillery shell struck the building, causing a devastating explosion that destroyed its roof, interior and much of its colonnade. Until that moment, the ancient temple had remained remarkably well preserved for more than 2,000 years.
During the early nineteenth century, a significant collection of its surviving sculptures was removed under the authority of Lord Elgin and later transported to Britain. Many are now displayed in the British Museum, while others remain in Athens, primarily in the Acropolis Museum. Their ownership continues to be the subject of international discussion.
Today, specialists carefully conserve and restore the Parthenon using original marble fragments wherever possible. More than 2,450 years after its construction began, it remains a masterpiece of engineering, proportion and craftsmanship — and one of the most recognisable buildings in the world.
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