The Parthenon
For many people, Athens is identified with the Acropolis. Designed by the architect Iktinos and erected during the Golden Age, its buildings remain a magnificent monument. Despite the destruction it suffered by the Venetian Morosini and other terrible mishaps over the centuries, not to mention the unprecedented vandalism it was subjected to by Lord Elgin who removed and took home with him most of the relieves of Parthenon. Only when we hear of this history we realize just how sturdy an edifice the Parthenon really is and, had it not been so barbarically molested over the ages, it would be in the perfect condition that the Thesseion Temple at the edge of the ancient Agora (market place) area still is today. Thesseion remains as beautiful and awe inspiring as ever. A visit to Athens is worth it if only to visit the Parthenon, the Erechtheion and the Niki temple on the Acropolis and the ancient theater beneath, not to mention a walk round the Plaka area, the old town preserved under the Acropolis.

Trials and Tribulations
During the War of Independence when the Greeks had laid siege to the Turks who had taken refuge on the Acropolis, rumor went round that since they had run out of ammunition, the Turks had resorted to despoiling the columns of the lead that held them up in order to make bullets to shoot against them. The Greeks called a truce and gave the enemy bullets so they would spare the monument. Furthermore, in his excellent book "Lord Elgin & the Marbles" William St. Clair describes the utter distress of the Turkish Disdar (the official in charge of Athens) when the marbles came crashing down to the ground in the attempt of Elgin's crew to dismantle them. He simply couldn't take this vandalism any more and cried "Telos!" (Stop! or Enough!), putting an end to the destruction.