Did You Know?

Did you know that Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world? Built in the 12th century, this vast temple complex was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu but later transformed into a Buddhist site. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

Did you know that Mecca in Saudi Arabia is the holiest city in Islam? Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The focal point of the pilgrimage is the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure located within the Masjid al-Haram.

Did you know that Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia is a sacred site for the Indigenous Anangu people? This massive sandstone monolith holds great spiritual significance and is a symbol of ancestral beings and creation stories. Climbing Uluru is now discouraged out of respect for the Anangu people's cultural beliefs.

Did you know that Varanasi in India is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and a significant religious center for Hindus? Located on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is believed to be a place of spiritual liberation. It is a major pilgrimage site, and Hindus visit to perform religious rituals and cremate their loved ones.

Did you know that Stonehenge in England is a mysterious ancient monument that has spiritual and astronomical significance? This prehistoric stone circle, dating back thousands of years, is aligned with celestial events such as the summer solstice. It is believed to have been a sacred site associated with rituals and ceremonies.

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The Temple Of Athena: A Storied And Inspiring Symbol Of Ancient Wisdom

The Greeks were counting on her: their goddess Athena, worshipped for being victorious in battle, was their hope for winning the agonizing Peloponnesian War against the tricky Spartans. In erecting (in 420 BC) this temple to her honour, they created an amazing sacred place that we can still enjoy today. However, centuries have had their effects, and it’s always best to check before planning to see the Athens-situated Acropolis to ensure the Temple of Athena is open to visitors.

The proper name of the Temple of Athena is Temple of Athena Nike (Greek for “victory”, so no surprise it was used to market sports shoes). While restoration continues as needed (the floor was in rough shape, necessitating a major renovation in 1998), the strength of its white Pentelic marble can be thanked for its relative durability.

Small by comparison to other temples in Greece and at the Acropolis, the Temple of Athena was designed in the Ionic column style, the capitals (decorative tops) of the columns looking similar to a pair of curled ram’s horns. Both front and rear facades boast colonnades of four Ionic columns each, a dramatic 7 metres (23 feet) high.

Some of the most stunning friezes in Greece were included at the Acropolis, and the one that used to be on the Temple of Athena now rests safely in the Acropolis Museum. While the Temple of Athena Nike has been damaged and dismantled over its long history, once Greece gained its independence in 1834, there has been more emphasis placed on the preservation of its important antiquities; this is, after all, the cradle of modern civilization, a place that all humans should try to see. And give their thanks to Athena and those who built such amazing sacred places.