Venetian Bombardment of the Parthenon: What Happened
On 26 September 1687, during the Morean War, a Venetian mortar shell struck the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens and caused a massive explosion that destroyed much of the ancient temple. The Venetian army, led by Francesco Morosini, was besieging the Ottoman garrison that held the Acropolis. The Ottomans had been using the Parthenon, then a mosque, to store gunpowder and to shelter women and children, believing the Venetians would not fire on such a famous building. The shell ignited the gunpowder. The blast blew out the center of the temple, bringing down the roof, much of the interior, parts of the walls and many columns and sculptures. Around 300 people inside are thought to have been killed, and fires burned for days. The Ottomans surrendered a few days later. Morosini then tried to remove some of the surviving sculptures from the west pediment to take to Venice, but his workers dropped them and they shattered. The Venetians abandoned Athens the following year. The explosion turned the Parthenon into the ruin we see today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Parthenon destroyed?
The Parthenon was blown apart on 26 September 1687, when a Venetian mortar shell ignited gunpowder stored inside by the Ottoman garrison.
Why was gunpowder stored in the Parthenon?
The Ottomans used the Parthenon, then a mosque, to store gunpowder and shelter civilians, believing the Venetians would not fire on such a famous building.
Who ordered the bombardment of the Parthenon?
The Venetian army besieging the Acropolis was led by Francesco Morosini during the Morean War. The fatal shot is often attributed to a German lieutenant serving under him.
How many people died in the Parthenon explosion?
Around 300 people inside are thought to have been killed. Fires burned for days, and the Ottomans surrendered soon afterward.
What happened to the Parthenon sculptures after 1687?
Morosini tried to remove sculptures from the west pediment to take to Venice, but his workers dropped them and they shattered. The explosion left the Parthenon a ruin.
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