     the parthenon (; ; ) is a former temple on the athenian acropolis, greece, dedicated to the goddess athena, whom the people of athens considered their patron. construction began in 447&nbsp;bc when the athenian empire was at the height of its power. it was completed in 438&nbsp;bc although decoration of the building continued until 432&nbsp;bc. it is the most important surviving building of classical greece, generally considered the zenith of the doric order. its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of greek art. the parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol of ancient greece, athenian democracy and western civilization, and one of the world's greatest cultural monuments. the greek ministry of culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction to ensure the stability of the partially ruined structure. the parthenon itself replaced an older temple of athena, which historians call the pre-parthenon
5th-century_BC_architecture Acropolis_of_Athens Ancient_Greek_buildings_and_structures_in_Athens Conversion_of_non-Christian_places_of_worship_into_churches Conversion_of_non-Muslim_places_of_worship_into_mosques Former_mosques Greek_temples Landmarks_in_Athens Ruins_in_Greece Sculptures_by_Phidias Temples_in_ancient_Athens Temples_of_Athena