On the North side of the Acropolis near the Parthenon is an ancient Greek temple, the Erechtheion. This remarkable monument is considered the pearl of ancient Greek architecture and one of the main temples of ancient Athens. It was built in 421-406 years BC and is dedicated to the whole galaxy of gods.

According to legend, the temple was built on the site of the dispute between Athena and Poseidon for control of Attica. The Erechtheion replaced the more ancient Church, which was located on this place, but was destroyed during the Greco-Persian war. The construction was initiated by Pericles, although it was completed after his death. Perhaps the architect was architect Mnesic, but significantly this has not been confirmed.

The Erechtheion has no analogues in ancient Greek architecture. Made in Ionian style, it has an asymmetrical layout, not only because of the irregularities of the land on which it is built, but also the variety of sanctuaries United in him. The temple had two main entrances to the North and East, it was decorated with ionic porticoes. The Eastern part of the Erechtheion was dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the West - Poseidon and the king erechtheus.

The South side is the famous portico of Androsian, named after the daughter of king Kekropa Pendroy. The architrave back six marble statues of maidens (caryatids) is the main attraction of the Erechtheion. Today they are replaced by copies, the originals are in museums. One of the caryatids is stored in the British Museum, while others are in the Acropolis Museum.

The whole building was surrounded by a frieze with applied figures, but he has not survived to our days. Found fragments stored in the Acropolis Museum.

In ancient times in the temple beat salt spring, which according to legend, Poseidon struck the rock with his Trident, and in the outdoor courtyard grew a sacred olive tree, a gift from the city of Athens. Once in the temple was a wooden statue of Athena, which, according to legend, fell from the sky. The statue was made of the Holy olive tree. In the Erechtheion also kept the Golden lamp of Callimachus and the statue of Hermes. There also housed the altars of God craft of Hephaestus and the hero booth.

The name of the Church was in honor of the Athenian king Erechtheus. His grave was located under the North portico. And on the Western facade of the temple can be seen today the grave of the first king of Attica Kekropa.

The interior of the temple reliably almost nothing is known, but one can assume that it was impressive in its grandeur.

Big changes the Church has undergone in the 7th century, when it was transformed into a Christian Church. During the Ottoman Empire, the temple was used as the harem of the Turkish Sultan. The first major restoration of the Church was held after receipt of Greece's independence. Today, the Erechtheion on the list of world heritage of UNESCO in the composition of the Athenian Acropolis.