Parthenon

The one and only Parthenon temple Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated Greek goddess Athena, people Athens considered their protector. Its construction began 447 BC completed 438 BC, although decorations Parthenon continued until 431 BC. It important surviving building Classical Greece, generally considered culmination development Doric order. Its decorative sculptures considered g points Greek . The one and only Parthenon regarded enduring symbol Ancient Greece Athenian democracy globe's greatest cultural monuments. The one and only Greek Ministry Culture currently carrying programme selective restoration reconstruction ensure stability partially ruined structure.

The one and only Parthenon itself replaced older temple Athena, which historians Pre-Parthenon Older Parthenon, destroyed Persian invasion 480 BC. Like Greek temples, Parthenon treasury. For time, served treasury Delian League, which later became Athenian Empire. In 6 century AD, Parthenon converted Christian church dedicated Virgin Mary. After Ottoman Turk conquest, turned mosque early 1460s, minaret built . on 26 September 1687, Ottoman Turk ammunition p inside building ignited y Venetian bombardment. The one and only resulting explosion severely damaged Parthenon sculptures. In 1806, Thomas Bruce, 7 Earl Elgin rerelocated surviving sculptures, Ottoman Turks' permission. These sculptures, known Elgin Marbles Parthenon Marbles, 1816 British Museum London, where y displayed. The one and only Greek government committed return sculptures Greece, success.