Erechtheion, Athens 
The famous Caryatid Porch of the Erechtheion, with a view over Athens.
Photo
Arabella.
Side view with the Caryatid Porch. Photo
Jorge Orte Tudela.
Northern view of the Erechtheion; Ionic temple architecture.
Photos by Nick Kocharhook (left) and Jonezes (right).
Ionic column bases at the Erectheion. Photo
Jonezes.
A beautiful Ionic capital. Photo
Jorge Orte Tudela.
Ionic columns of the main facade. Photo
Tim Baker.
Location map and aerial view of Erechtheion. For a larger interactive view, see our Athens Map.
The Erecththeion (or Erechtheum) is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. It is notable for a design that is at once elegant and unusual.
Myth and Mystery
According to Greek mythology, the god Hephaestus once tried to rape Athena, the virgin goddess and patron of the city. Unsuccessful, he impregnated the earth instead, resulting in the birth of the demi-god Erichtonios. Raised by Athena, Erichtonios became an early king of Athens and is regarded as the ancestor of all Athenians.
History
The temple as seen today was built between 421 BC and 407 BC, but it is believed to be a replacement for an older temple, since it is on the site of some of the most ancient and holy relics of the Athenians:
- the Palladion, which was a xoanon (wooden effigy) of Athena Polias (Protectress of the City) that fell from heaven according to myth
- the tomb of Cecrops
- the tomb of Erechtheus
- the marks of Poseidon's trident and the salt water well (the "salt sea") that resulted from Poseidon's strike, and
- the precincts of Herse, Pandrosus and Aglaurus (the three daughters of Cecrops) and of the tribal heroes Pandion and Boutes.
Within the foundations lived the sacred snake of the temple, which represented the spirit of Cecrops and whose well-being was thought essential for the safety of the city. The snake was fed honey-cakes by the priestesses of Athena Polias, who were by custom the women of the ancient family of the Eteoboutadae. The snake's occasional refusal to eat the cakes was thought a disastrous omen.
What to See
The need to preserve multiple adjacent sacred precincts likely explains the complex design. The main structure consists of four compartments, the largest being the east cella, with an Ionic portico on its east end.
On the north side, there is another large porch with columns, and on the south, the famous Caryatid Porch, or "porch of the maidens," with six draped female figures (Caryatids) as supporting columns. One of the Caryatids was removed by Lord Elgin in order to decorate his Scottish mansion and was later sold to the British Museum (along with the pedimental and frieze sculpture plundered from the Parthenon).
Local legend had it that at night the remaining five Caryatids could be heard wailing for their lost sister. Nowadays the five original Caryatids are displayed in helium-filled glass cases in the Acropolis Museum and are replaced in situ by exact replicas.
The entire temple is on a slope, so the west and north sides are about 3 m (9 ft) lower than the south and east sides. The intact Erechtheion was extensively described by Pausanias (1.26.5 - 27.3), but the internal layout has since been obscured by the temple's later use as a church and as a Turkish harem.
Quick Facts
Site Information |
| Names: | Erechtheion; Erechtheum |
| Dedicated to: | Athena Polias and Poseidon Erechtheus |
| Location: | Athens, Attica, Greece |
| Category: | Greek Temples; World Heritage Sites |
| Faith: | Ancient Greek |
| Status: | ruins |
| Architecture: | Greek |
Visitor Information |
| Coordinates: | 37.972096° N, 23.726456° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Address: | Acropolis, Athens, Greece |
| Phone: | 210/321-0219 |
| Hours: | Summer: daily 8am-7pm; Winter: daily 8:30am-6pm (sometimes closes as early as 2:30pm) |
| Cost: | Part of Acropolis admission ticket (currently €12, valid for a week). |
| Photography: | Permitted |
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- Athens Travel Forum - tips, answers and advice on Athens tourism
Article Sources
Article written by Holly Hayes with reference to the following sources:
- Erechtheum - Wikipedia (some text used under GFDL)
- The Erechtheion - Loggia Art History
- Erechtheion - Perseus Architecture Catalog
- The Acropolis: Erechtheion - The Ancient City of Athens (photos)
Article last updated: 06/27/2009.
