Photo: Thomas Gravanis

The Parthenon

Photo: Thomas Gravanis

One of the best-known historical sites in Athens, the Parthenon is a site you can’t miss.

When was it built

Dedicated to the city’s patron, the goddess Athena, the temple was completed in 438 BC, just in time for the Panathenaia—a festival held every four years on the Acropolis.

What's the story

The Parthenon was built to replace two earlier temples dedicated to Athena, including an unfinished one on the same spot.

Why it's important

Constructed entirely of Pendeli marble, the Parthenon represents architectural perfection—a pinnacle of human achievement.

Must-see

The lintel on the western face: it’s the largest single piece of stone used in the temple’s construction.

Fun fact

The Parthenon is dazzling white today, but traces of paint found on its sculptures and descriptions in ancient texts suggest the temple and its mouldings were vividly decorated in colours such as blue, red, and gold.