Parthenon's Secret

The Parthenon in Athens has stood largely intact for more than 2000 years, but the ruins we see today are the result of a massive explosion in 1687, not natural forces or the passage of time. During a war between Venice and the Turks, the Venetians hit the building with a mortar round, causing the explosion. The Turks were using the building to store gunpowder, and it is said they didn't expect such a historic monument to be targeted. Tragically, the blast killed 300 people. Originally built as a temple for the goddess Athena, the Parthenon has served as a church and mosque throughout its history.