Acropolis - Erechtheion, Athens

The Caryatids, one of the most popular scenes on the Acropolis, made up the southern porch of the Erechtheion. They were columns carved in the shape of women, and models from the village of Karyai in Laconia were used. The models you see on the temple are actually plaster copies - the originals are in the Acropolis Museum to prevent further damage from the elements. Lord Elgin took one back to London with him in 1803, and it is on display in the British Museum.

The Erechtheion is a very interesting building that was built on 3 levels to accomodate for the unevenness of the ground. The main temple is divided in 2 parts - 1 dedicated to Athena and the other dedicated to Poseidon. The northern porch had 6 columns and has fissures supposedly left by Poseidon's trident striking the ground. It is also where Athena's sacred olive tree grew. The southern porch is the porch of the Caryatids, explained in my next tip.

The Erechtheion, named after the mythical Athenian king Erechthonios, was the most important building on the Acropolis. It was a temple dedicated to Athena and Poseidon and was built on the supposed site of the battle for the naming rights to Athens between Athena and Poseidon. The olive tree that grows there today is said to have been on the spot where Athena planted her olive tree.

The temple was commissioned by Pericles but work did not begin until 421 BC, 8 years after his death. It was completed in 406 BC. It was built in the Ionic style.

The Erechtheion was used for many purposes over the years, including a harem for the wives of the Turkish commander in 1463. During the revolution, it was almost completely destroyed by a Turkish shell in 1827.

See my other tips for more details.

This was Acropolis's holiest shrine, where in symbolic reconciliation, Athena and the city's old patron Poseidon- Erectheus were both worshipped.

Among the structures left here in Acropolis, this is my favorite. I just think its amazing how it is to design the pillars of this part of the temple into these maidens.

The south side of this temple, is the Porch of the Carytids, wherein the Ionic line was transformed into six maidens ( Carytids ) holding the entablature on their heads. What can be seen today are only replicas, four of the original ones are in the Acropolis Museum, one is in storage and one is in the British Museum.

If you come up to the Acropolis from the direction I did one of the first buildings you will see is the Erectheum -- with its "people pillars" or Caryatides. Due to pollution damage the originals are now in the Acropolis Museum.
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It was built 421-406 BCE to house sacred objects and was the last building to be placed on the Acropolis in classical times. The gods Athena and Poseidon are reputed to have had their power struggle over Athens on this spot. I think we know Athena won!

The Erechtheion was built in 420-406 B.C. on that part of the Acropolis held to be the most sacred; the place where the goddess Athena had caused her most sacred emblem, the olive tree, to sprout. The Caryatidis - the figures of maiden that you supporting the roof of the south porch of temple are copies. Four of the original six Kores can be seen in the Acropolis Museum, the fifth one is at present being restored in the workshop of the Museum and the sixth can be seen in the Britsich Museum in London.

This is my favourite building in Acropolis.
I think Karyatidis are some of the best statues in the world!

It was build during the Peloponnesian War (420 BC) by Philocles. The main temple was divided into two sections, dedicated to the worship of the two principal gods of Attica, Athena and Poseidon ? Erechteus, from whom it got its name. Six female statues, the famous Karyatids, with canisters on their heads as column capitals, support the roof of the temple. Today five copies stand in their place. The originals are in the Acropolis Museum.

The Erechtheion sits on the north side of the Acropolis. It is known primarily for the Port of the Caryatids, a series of statues on the south side of the structure facing the Parthenon. The four statues in place today are replicas, but the originals can be seen in the Acropolis Museum on the southeast corner of the Acropolis.

Constructed in order to replace the ancient temple of Athena, the Erechtheion was started during the Peace of Nikias in 421 B.C., but work on it seems to have been interrupted after the resumption of hostilities between Athens and Sparta. It was finally completed in 406 B.C. The Erechtheion owes its name to Erechtheus who was a local hero and legendary king of Athens.

With its Attic, almost feminine elegance, the Erechteion makes a vivid contrast to the imposing masculine dignity of the Doric Parthenon.

The original form of this distinctive rectangular building is unknown since many parts were destroyed when it was converted to a Christian church in the 7th century AD. However, it is certain that the eastern porch of the building, with six slender Ionic pillars, each 6,8 metres tall, gave access to the Temple of Athena Polia. The last pillar on the right is now in the British Museum.

In the main hall, the calla, of the temple there was a very ancient statue, made of olive wood, of the goddess Athena. This was the statue said not to be of human origin but to have been sent from heaven to honour the city of Cecrops. This also was the statue clothed in the Panathenaic celebrations with the peplos garment embroidered by the Arrhephores virgins.

This has captured my eys !
There is something about it, something else... and i was quite facsinated looking at it.
The Erecthion Actually built on the most sacred site of the Acropolis ! where Poseidon and Athena had their contest over who would be the Patron of the city.