Ερέχθειο - Ερέχθειο

Erechtheion (Ερέχθειο). The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple located on the north side of the Acropolis, used to worshiping Athena and Poseidon. Constructed in 421 BC and Completed 406 BC. This building has 3 different porches, on the north is supported by 6 Ionic columns. On the east lies 6 Ionic columns in a row. And on the south, there are no columns at all but Caryatids, 6 statues of Caryae women. When I was visiting there, the building has been being renovated and some parts remain unattended.

Amazing, during the afternoon is not crowded. Amazing just to presence all that big structure of history

Nice place to visit. Great view of Athens from the top. Had a great day with the family here.

Erechtheum, ionic temple of Athena, built during 421–405 BC on the Acropolis at Athens, famous largely for its complexity and for the exquisite perfection of its details. The temple’s Ionic capitals are the most beautiful that Greece produced, and its distinctive porch, supported by caryatid figures, is unequaled in classical architecture. The name, of popular origin, is derived from a shrine dedicated to the Greek hero Erichthonius. It is believed by some that the temple was erected in honour of the legendary king Erechtheus. The architect was probably Mnesicles. In the early 19th century, Thomas Bruce, 7th earl of Elgin, took several sections of the temple to London. Later, in the early 20th century, it was somewhat restored. . . . Sanat , heykel , müze , park , orman , arkeoloji , kitap,  resim,  kafe , çay

Beautiful, but you can NOT get too close to the Statue's, which is odd, because the originals are down the hill in the Museum...??... ?.

Breath-taking site... Absolutely a must visit and experience. I don't even know what to say other than I'm so happy this exists on this world.

This elegant building of the lonic order is called, according to later literary sources, Erechtheion from the name of Erechtheus, the mythical king of Athens. The construc- tion started before the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War (431 B.C.) or after the conclusion of the "peace of Nikias" (421 B.C.) and was finished in 406 B.C., after the interruption of the works because of the war. The peculiar plan of the building is due to the natural irregularity of the ground and the need to house the ancient sacred spots: the salt spring, which appeared when Po- seidon struck the rock with his trident during the contest with Athena over the pa- tronage of the city, the trident marks and the tombs of the Athenian kings Kekrops and Erechtheus. The Erechtheion consists of a rectangular cella divided by an interior wall forming two sections. The eastern section, which was at a level at least 3 m. higher than that of the western, was dedicated to Athena Polis and housed the xoanon, the ancient wooden cult statue of the goddess. The western section was divided into three parts and was dedicated to the cult of Poseidon-Erechtheus, Hephaistus and the hero Boutes. At the north side of the cella there is a magnificent porch with 6 lonic columns. The bases and capitals along with the frame of the doorway leading to the interior of the cella, have elaborate relief decoration, while the ceiling coffers were painted. The famous Porch of the Maidens (Korai) or Caryatids dominates the south side of the building: six statues of young women, standing on a podium 1.77 m. high, support the roof of the porch, which was the part of Kekrops' tomb above the ground. At the upper part of the building is a frieze of grey Eleusinian stone to which relief fig- res of white Parian marble were attached. Today they are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum. Around the end of the Ist century B.C. the Erechcheion was repaired after a fire. During the Christian period it was transformed into a church, while in the Ottoman period it was used as a house. In the first years of the 19th century Lord Elgin carried off the third Caryatid from the west (Kore C) and the column of the northeast corner of the building. Today they have been replaced by copies, as well as the rest of the Caryatids.

What a beautiful place atop the Acropolis and just across from the Parthenon. Not as majestic but more intact, we found ourselves lingering longer at this less crowded site. The impressive statues of the ladies were a sight to behold. Was our favorite part at the Acropolis.