The Parthenon Greece-- Parthenon Greece --
Visiting Greece, without visiting the Parthenon, would be like going to Egypt, without even taking a glance at the pyramids – unthinkable. Standing, as it does, overlooking the modern day Athens, it’s almost like a constant reminder of Greece’s ancient history. HistoryThe Parthenon is a classic temple, built for the goddess Athena, on the Athenian acropolis. It’s been called the most important surviving building in Greece, and it’s been around since the 5th century BC, or around eight thousand years. This kind of puts things into perspective! Up until the 6th century AD, the Parthenon served as a Greek temple, and as usual, as a treasury, until it was converted into a Christian church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. That wasn’t its final religious incarnation though, and in the 15th century, it was converted once more, this time into a mosque. Still not without use, it was used as a weapons dump by Ottoman Empire forces, and in 1687, the arms cache exploded, severely damaging the building, and the sculptures that were originally its adornments. The remaining sculptures were mostly removed in 1806, and are now on display at the London Museum. -- Parthenon Greece --
What RemainsVisiting the Parthenon, there are two things that strike you – the size, and the remarkable detail, visible even after thousands of years. It’s amazing to think that the builders, with basic tools, no machinery, and very little technology, at least by today’s standards, could build something so perfect, that has really stood the test of time, against weather, invading armies, and even explosions. -- Parthenon Greece -- RestorationThe Greek Government and historical societies are in the process of slowly restoring the Parthenon as best as possible, which largely consists of rectifying, further damage done by earlier restoration attempts. The pollution from the city of Athens is a big concern though, as it is eating into the white marble of the buildings. -- Parthenon Greece -- VisitingVisiting the Parthenon is a strange and eerie experience. Although the building itself is damaged, Then, looking down on Athens from the Parthenon, you see how far we’ve come since then. It’s like being in two times at the same time. Since there are other parts of the Parthenon, like the Parthenon Marbles in London, and others in Copenhagen and France, you have to understand the Greek government, and people’s desire to see them returned. They’ve been campaigning for their return since the eighties, and considering that the Parthenon has been standing there for thousands of years, it seems almost unfair that she was almost destroyed, looted, and damaged, all in the space of a few centuries. All in all, whether you go for the history, for the feeling of walking back in time, or for the amazing craftsmanship of the Parthenon, it’s a must see if you’re in Greece.
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the parts that remain seem almost too undamaged to be nearly eight thousand years old.You can’t help wondering when you visit the Parthenon, as with many ancient sites, who has walked there before, and why. You can almost imagine the workmen constructing the pillars and pediments, and the Greek ladies in their flowing white gowns. It’s a little like stepping back in time. 
