Parthenon

The Parthenon is a classical Doric temple on the Acropolis of Athens dedicated to the goddess Athena and constructed during the Periclean building program between 447 and 432 BCE. It is one of the most important surviving monuments of ancient Greece and a defining example of classical architecture.

The rectangular temple measures about 69.5 by 30.9 metres and originally featured a sculpted frieze and pedimental sculptures created under the supervision of the sculptor Phidias. The building’s colonnade is arranged with eight columns on the short sides and seventeen on the long sides.

The Parthenon was built under the Athenian statesman Pericles, designed by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates and decorated by Phidias. Over time it was converted to a church and later a mosque; in 1687 an explosion during a siege by Venetian forces caused severe damage to large parts of the structure. Restoration and conservation work has been ongoing since the 1970s.

The temple occupies the highest point of the Acropolis hill in central Athens and overlooks the modern city; the Acropolis is within walking distance of Athens’ central districts.

• Ticketing and timing: Access is via the Acropolis complex ticket, which also covers other monuments such as the Erechtheion and Propylaea; morning visits reduce heat and crowds.
• Best viewpoints: The best viewpoints for photography combine the Parthenon with wider views of the Acropolis and the city of Athens below, especially at golden hour.