The Erechtheion and the Parthenon

The Erechtheion temple’s name comes from one of the first kings of Athens. In the yard of the Erechtheion is growing the olive tree which was thought to be given to the city by the goddess called Athens.

The statue of Athena was so big warrior that the athenians sailors situated far, on the sea, could see the helmet and spear of the goddess shining in the sunlight.

The Propylaea: here is made the entrance into the Acropolis. The way to propylaea was consisted of a steep slope on which they advanced the religious processions heading to the temple.
The Parthenon was the most beautiful building on the Acropolis, it was built by Pericles being a temple dedicated to the Athens Parthenos goddess . The Greek word “Parthenos” means “unmarried” and Parthenon means “house of the unmarried goddess”. It is an imposing building with a length of 99.7 m and a width of 33.5 m. Its construction lasted 15 years, made of Pentel marble, which contains iron and gives a gold glow in the sunlight. Inside, there is another huge statue of the Athens goddess, carved in ivory and gold by Phidias.
The Parthenon was the scene of one of the biggest Athenian festivals:Panathenaea. This festival is being hold every 4 years in honor of the Athens goddess. This was a mixture of religious ceremony and entertainment, athletic competitions were organized and a torches race was being hold at night on the city’s streets. The most important event of the festival was a procession in which young athenians women led the peplos to the Parthenon. Pericles ordered this process to be carved on the frieze that surrounds the Parthenon. These sculptures are called Elgin, and some of them can be admired in the British Museum.