Athens Parthenon at night drone

The most iconic scene in Greece is the majestic setting of the Parthenon. Built 500 years before Paul arrived in Athens, the great building was dedicated to the goddess Athena. “Parthenon” means “maiden’s chamber,” or “virgin’s chamber.”  Surrounded by 46 marble columns, the building has served many purposes since Paul’s short visit to the city. It was even a church for a season, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Later, it became a mosque. It was used as a munitions dump by the Ottomans and badly damaged by an explosion in 1687. Some 300 people also died in that explosion, and many homes in Athens were destroyed by the resulting fire. Modern restoration efforts, which began in 1975, continue to this day.