Conversion of the Parthenon into a Mosque: What Happened
Around 1460, soon after the Ottoman conquest of Athens, the Parthenon on the Acropolis was converted into a mosque. The ancient temple of Athena had already served as a Christian church for nearly a thousand years, first as an Orthodox church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and later as a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Frankish dukes of Athens. The Ottomans added a minaret, built from the remains of an earlier bell tower, in the southwest corner of the building. The interior was adapted for Muslim worship, including the addition of a mihrab, a niche facing Mecca. Some Christian paintings were covered. The Acropolis itself became a fortress with an Ottoman garrison, and houses were built among the ancient monuments. European travelers who visited Athens in the following centuries described and sketched the Parthenon as a mosque, and their records are valuable evidence of how the building looked before its destruction. The Parthenon remained in remarkably good condition until 1687, when a Venetian shell ignited gunpowder stored inside, blowing much of it apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Parthenon become a mosque?
The Parthenon was converted into a mosque around 1460, soon after the Ottoman conquest of Athens.
What was the Parthenon before it became a mosque?
For nearly a thousand years, the Parthenon had served as a Christian church, first Orthodox and later a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Frankish dukes.
Did the Parthenon have a minaret?
Yes. The Ottomans added a minaret in the southwest corner, built from the remains of an earlier bell tower. It survived until the 19th century.
How do we know what the Parthenon mosque looked like?
European travelers who visited Athens described and sketched the Parthenon as a mosque. Their records show the building before its destruction in 1687.
What happened to the Parthenon mosque?
The Parthenon remained in good condition until 1687, when a Venetian shell ignited gunpowder stored inside, blowing much of it apart. A smaller mosque was later built within the ruins.
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