Parthenon
Athens Municipality
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1The Parthenon2:05
Welcome to the Parthenon, the most famous building in Greece and perhaps the most influential structure in human history. Standing here at the summit of the Acropolis, you are standing at the heart of the Golden Age of Athens. …
Listen in the app2Architectural Sorcery — The Illusion of Perfection1:59
One of the most remarkable secrets of the Parthenon is that it contains almost no straight lines. In examining its structure, architects discovered that the columns curve slightly inward, and the floor, or stylobate, is actually…
Listen in the app3The Chryselephantine Statue — Athena's Golden Presence2:01
While the exterior of the Parthenon is what we admire today, the ancient visitor was focused on what lay inside: the colossal statue of Athena Parthenos. Created by Phidias, this statue stood nearly 12 meters tall—about 40 feet. …
Listen in the app4The Elgin Marbles — A Controversy in Stone1:56
As you look at the top of the Parthenon, you will notice that many of the decorative sculptures are missing. These are the famous Parthenon Marbles, often called the 'Elgin Marbles.' Between 1801 and 1812, Lord Elgin, the British…
Listen in the app5The 1687 Explosion — A Moment of Catastrophe1:58
For over 2,000 years, the Parthenon remained remarkably intact. It had been converted into a Christian church in the 6th century and later into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1458. …
Listen in the app6A Chameleon of Faith — Church, Mosque, and Temple1:55
The Parthenon is often thought of as a purely 'Pagan' temple, but it has been a sacred space for many different faiths. In the 6th century, it was converted into the Church of Parthenos Maria, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. …
Listen in the app7Restoration and Preservation — The Modern Challenge1:57
If you look around the site today, you will see scaffolding, cranes, and workers meticulously cleaning and reassembling the marble. This is part of the Acropolis Restoration Project, which has been ongoing since the 1970s. …
Listen in the app8The Parthenon1:48
As we finish our journey around the Parthenon, take a moment to look out from the plateau toward the city below and the sea beyond. From here, you can see why the Athenians chose this spot. …
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What is Parthenon?
Parthenon is a place in Athens Municipality with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Athens Municipality |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 15 min 39 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 37.9715, 23.7266 |
| Last updated |
