The Day the Parthenon EXPLODED, 1687 #Shorts
Pack: 52 - The Day the Parthenon EXPLODED, 1687
On September 26, 1687, the Parthenon exploded. It had survived more than two thousand years as a temple, a church, a cathedral and a mosque, until gunpowder was stored inside. The story in drawings and engravings made at the time and photographs of the temple.
- Built in 447–438 BCE, the Parthenon was turned into a Byzantine church, a Roman Catholic cathedral and later a mosque, and stayed essentially intact for over two millennia (Britannica).
- During the Venetian campaign under Francesco Morosini, the Ottomans stored gunpowder in the Parthenon (National Geographic).
- On 26 September 1687 a Venetian shell set it off, and the blast destroyed the centre of the building (Acropolis Restoration Service; Britannica). Morosini called it "a fortunate shot" (Britannica).
- Morosini then tried to take sculptures back to Venice; his pulley broke and the figures smashed (National Geographic).
So should the Parthenon be rebuilt, or left with its scar? Tell us in the comments. Full story in our documentary, The Full History of Greece. Watch the full documentary: https://youtu.be/k3mrc7OCCNk
Quick answers
What is “The Day the Parthenon EXPLODED, 1687” about?
On September 26, 1687, the Parthenon exploded. It had survived more than two thousand years as a temple, a church, a cathedral and a mosque, until gunpowder was stored inside. The story in drawings and engravings made at the time and photographs of the temple.
What are the key facts?
Built in 447–438 BCE, the Parthenon was turned into a Byzantine church, a Roman Catholic cathedral and later a mosque, and stayed essentially intact for over two millennia (Britannica). During the Venetian campaign under Francesco Morosini, the Ottomans stored gunpowder in the Parthenon (National Geographic).
What sources is this Short based on?
It cites Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA), Morosini, the Venetians and the Acropolis; Britannica, Parthenon; Britannica, Francesco Morosini (excerpt from Athens: The Acropolis of Athens); National Geographic, How the Parthenon Lost Its Marbles. Links are in the Sources list below.
Sources
- Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA), Morosini, the Venetians and the Acropolis
- Britannica, Parthenon
- Britannica, Francesco Morosini (excerpt from Athens: The Acropolis of Athens)
- National Geographic, How the Parthenon Lost Its Marbles
Images
- The bombardment of the Acropolis, 26 September 1687 — attributed to Giacomo Milheau Verneda — Public domain —
- The east front of the Parthenon — George E. Koronaios — CC0 —
- The Venetian siege of Athens, 1687, engraving — Johann Andreas Thelot — Public domain —
- Portrait of Francesco Morosini — unidentified painter — Public domain —
- The eastern side of the Parthenon, drawn 1751 — James Stuart and Nicholas Revett — Public domain —
- Restoration work on the west front of the Parthenon — Jebulon — CC0 —
Apps by Shadowfetch iPhone and iPad apps from the studio, on the App Store.