The most famous attraction in Greece is the Parthenon. It is one of the most well known ancient monuments in the world. The Parthenon is a temple for the ancient Greek goddess Athena. She is the goddess of war and reason. The city of Athens was named after her. The ancient Greeks believed she protected the city. In ancient legends, she was born fully grown and burst forth from the forehead of the most important ancient Greek god Zeus.
The Parthenon is about 2,500 years old. No one is sure how its name came about. Some experts say it means the 'temple of the virgin goddess'. An even older Parthenon at the same place was destroyed by the Persians when they attacked Athens. Persia is the ancient name for Iran.
Fortified city
The Parthenon is inside the Acropolis. The ancient Greeks built their cities on high places surrounded by walls to protect them. Every old Greek city had an acropolis. But the one in Athens is so famous it is called the Acropolis. It is around 150 metres higher than the city of Athens.
The wall was about 750 metres long and around 10 metres high. It is gone now, but the Acropolis and the columns of the Parthenon are a beautiful sight, sitting high above the city of Athens.
Ravages of time
