Erechtheion

    The Erechtheion is one of the most highly decorative and original creations in all of Greek architecture. Constructed in order to replace the ancient temple of Athena, it 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 BC The Erechtheion owes its name to Erechtheus who was a local hero and legendary king of Athens.

   The most exceptional Ionic building on the Acropolis is the enigmatic Erechtheion, to the north of the Parthenon. Its site was particularly sacred, for it included the tomb of Cecrops, the legendary founder of Athens, the rock that preserved the mark of Poseidon's trident, and the spring that arose from it. In a walled area just to the west of the temple stood the sacred olive tree of Athena. The building's complexity of plans and levels can be partly understood from this complicated archaeology, as well as from its having housed not only a shrine to Athena Polias, but also altars to Poseidon, god of the sea; Hephaestus, god of fire; Erechtheus, a mythical king of Athens, who had battled unsuccessfully with the sea god; and Butes, brother of Erechtheus and priest to Athena and Poseidon. Moreover, spoils from the Persians were kept in the temple, as well as the famous golden lamp of Callimachus, which burnt for a year without refilling and had a chimney in the form of a palm tree.

    The unusual construction of the Erechtheion reflects the many shrines located here which were preserved over the centuries. Note that the Caryatids have been replaced with marble casts. The originals are located in the Acropolis Museum.