It dates back to 600 BC and is dedicated to the god of Dionysos. It was built for the goddess Athena. The centre of modern Athens wasn’t even within the boundaries of the former city. An order, properly speaking, is a combination of a certain style of column with or without a base and an entablature (what the column supports: the architrave, frie… When we think of ancient Greek architecture what usually comes to mind are the amazing temples built by this ancient civilization. Blending architectural gems from the Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods as well as modern architectural styles including neoclassical and post-modern, here are the five most impressive buildings in Athens. Flickr/Eustaquio Santimano. It is one of Europe's most enduring monuments built during the Classical period, in 448 BC over the site of an ancient sanctuary of goddess Athena. The inner chamber contained a large gold and ivory statue of Athena. As might be expected, during this time countless weird and wonderful, sad and happy events have occurred in Athens. It’s a city that was never enslaved for long, always remembering that it has been, is and will always be the cradle of democracy. During the Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta, the back wall was created in two stories high at the end of 5th century BC. The most characteristic monument of Ancient Greek architecture is the Parthenon, on the Acropolis Hill, also known as the sacred rock. The page is a good starting point for selecting an Athens architect. Located on the north of Syntagma square, this building has three floors which were destroyed in the fire in the year 1909. Athens was the center of ancient Greek theatre, a city embellished with open-air structures constructed on the sloping hillsides. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience and to analyze site traffic. It is one of the most famous buildings in Athens as it was originally built as a home to Greek Emperor, King Otto I. It sits on a hill called the Acropolis overlooking Athens. Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. It sees itself rightly as the birthplace of philosophy – the values that underlie western civilisation. Discover the richness and diversity of Athens architecture from an unusual point of view. In ancient Athens, Pericles ordered the construction of several major temples on the acropolis. Other Buildings The Greek goddess Athena was Athen's patron goddess. In ancient Rome, if someone had a big nose, the artist would give him a big nose in the painting or sculpture. In 1687 AD, the Venetians troops besieged the Turks who were in the Parthenon with a bomb that destroyed a great part of the Greek masterpiece. Greek architecture. It is located in Central Greece in the southern part of the region of Attica. Started in 447 BCE, it took nine years for the structure to be completed and an additional six to finish all of the decorative elements. Do you have a question about Greece and the Greek islands? The Parthenon was built between the middle of the fifth century and 432 BC by architects Callicrates and Ictinus, under the supervision of Phidias, who was also entrusted with the sculptural decoration. Everyone will agree that Athens is an architectural paradise for anyone interested in a rich and unique architectural mix. The architectural marvel, the Stoa of Attalos, was constructed as a gift to Athens in return for the education that Attalos received there. Our services are rated Athens Facts and Trivia. Architecture in the Greek classical antiquity reveals unique marble temples that were characterized by three different orders: the austere Doric style, the elegant Ionian style, and the Corinthian style. It was built by King Attalos II of Pergamon who ruled between 159 BC and 138 BC. Lykavittos Hill is the highest point in Athens, rising 277 meters (910 feet) above the city. Facts about Ancient Greek Theatre 7: the skênê. Classical Architecture. And it managed to emerge with its head held high. The Parthenon is the centrepiece of a 5th-century-BCE building campaign on the Acropolis in Athens. Athens central streets host some of the most beautiful 18th and 19th-century buildings of neoclassical architecture like the National Library and the Academy. The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a high rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historic significance. The Greece Architecture site aims to promote Greek Architects as well as the country’s architecture. Read also: Athens famous buildings | Some of the Outstanding buildings of Athens. The most famous temple of Ancient Greece is the Parthenon located on the Acropolis in the city of Athens. 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