Parthenon Explosion Destroyed Ancient Preservation

The Parthenon in Athens remained basically intact for more than 2,000 years after its completion in 432 B.C., despite becoming first a Christian church and later an Ottoman mosque. Much of the heavily damaged structure seen today resulted not from natural decay but from a massive explosion during the Morean War. On September 26, 1687, a Venetian mortar round struck gunpowder that Ottoman forces had stored inside the building, blowing out its central section, collapsing most of its walls and roof, and toppling 14 columns. The explosion killed approximately 300 people, scattered marble across the Acropolis, and left the ancient temple in ruins.

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